主题：我们是世界的光和盐
讲员：邓榕钧传道
经文：马太福音5:13-16
引言：感谢神，神是一位行神迹的神！祂能够做所有的事情。所以当你没有办法的时候或是你很想经历神迹的时候，你就要祷告。今天我也经历了神迹。我在星期四和五写了今天要分享的讲章，但今天在祷告的时候神要我改讲章。当我在改的时候我感觉很兴奋，因为神的话语在挑旺我。当神要我改讲章的时候那就是神迹，因为神要跟我们说话。
1）我们是世界的盐
“你们是世上的盐。盐若失了味，怎能叫他再咸呢。以后无用，不过丢在外面，被人践踏了。” （太5:13）
耶稣跟门徒说这句话的时候是跟门徒上山的时候。耶稣一上山的时候就先跟门徒分享天国八福。我们要注意的是，耶稣只叫门徒上山，因为门徒是有特别的优先权的。祂有特别的话要告诉门徒。分享了天国八福后，祂就对门徒说：“你们是世界的光，你们是世界的盐。”
耶稣说，我们是世上的盐。
“世上”的英文是earth，也叫world。但在华语，世上的光、世上的盐都用“世上”。让我们来看原文，“世上”是什么意思。“世上”的原文是gē，其意思就是：
1）整个地球最坚固之处
2）国家、地或者是土
3）包括居住在其上的人
当耶稣在跟门徒说你们是世上的盐的时候，祂在告诉他们一个范围。祂告诉他们在哪一个范围，他们是可以发出功效的。世上就是我们肉身所在的地方，所居住的地方，去到的地方，你求学的地方，这就是gē得意思。它可以是我们的家庭、学校、公司、教会、朋友。
查考发现盐是要与其他东西接触在一起才会发出功效的。如果盐被放在一堆，没有接触到其它物体的时候，基本上它只是盐，并没有其他功用。所以盐的功用是必须接触在一起的。神在告诉我们，如果我们是世上的盐，我们是必须与世界接触在一起。
盐的功用：
A）调和（和睦）
煮菜的时候，我们会放一些的盐来调和。当食物太甜的时候，我们可以放一些的盐来调它的味道，或是在食物太淡的时候来调和它的味道。弟兄姐妹，我们在人群中是调和的人吗？是和睦的人吗？我们在学校、家庭、公司里是使人和睦的人吗？还是我们会在人群中起争执和是非的人？这是很重要的！若我们不做调和的工作，盐就会失去它的功用。圣经说他会被丢在外面被践踏。我也会跟你们分享，其后果是多么的严重。
B）防腐（防罪）
在耶稣的时代并没有冰箱或防腐剂。当他们捕到鱼的时候，他们必须把盐该在肉类上发挥防腐的作用。神告诉我们，我们是世上的盐。当我们与人接触的时候，我们是否有发挥防腐或防罪的作用？这是很重要的。当我们的环境是赌博的环境，说黄色笑话的环境，吸烟的环境，或看色情网站的环境，所以我们与这群人接触的时候，我们是带着防腐的作用，还是带着使罪助长的作用？神告诉我们，我们是世上的盐。我们是能够在人群中发挥防腐/防罪的功效。
C）医治
盐有医治的作用。我的儿子John有溃疡在他的嘴唇，我们就叫他用盐水漱口。漱了几次盐水过后，他就没有那么痛了。当我们喉咙痛的时候，我们也会用盐水来漱口。当我们这么做的时候，盐就发挥它医治的功用。弟兄姐妹，神呼召我们在社会中作医治的工作。
D）加强，成全
盐可以加强食物的味道。当我们把一点盐放在汤的时候，它会把汤的味道带出来。或我们把盐放在水果的时候，它会加强水果的甜味。我们的出现是否有成全身边的人？我们的出现是否让周围变得更好？我们的出现是否让家庭变得更好，还是点我们回到家的时候就会吵架？我们应该带着盐的功效回家，使家人的关系变得更好，更融洽。当我们去到公司和学校的时候，我们要成为那个会加强环境气氛的人。
2）我们是世上的光
“你们是世上的光。城造在山上，是不能隐藏的。” （约5:14）
这里所指的“世上”与刚才的不一样。这里的“世上”是指cosmos（宇宙），其意思是社会的组织架构。弟兄姐妹，我们需要知道神呼召我们成为光是在哪一个领域中。这与盐不一样。盐是在接触人的时候发挥功效。但当我们要成为光的时候，我们要进到社会的组织架构里面。社会的组织架构是指公司、学校、家庭、教会的架构。神呼召我们进到社会的架构里面成为光。关于光，耶稣举了两个例子。祂说：“城造在山上，是不能隐藏的。”如果双峰塔是建在云顶的话，它是不能被隐藏的，所有人都会看见。
耶稣也举了另外一个比喻，祂说：“人点灯，不放在斗底下，是放在灯台上，就照亮一家的人 。”（太5:15）所以神呼召我们在世上做光，成为那可以被看得见的人。我们必须发光，有卓越的表现。
我们要怎样成为世界的光？
A）有卓越的表现
我们要在公司、学校或家庭有卓越的表现。这世界没有笨的学生，只有懒的学生。我们看见太多的见证，在小学和中学他们不是表现的很好，但到了大学的时候他们可以表现的很好。有一个见证，他是牧师的MG12。他大学毕业后就被分配到一个公司里面成为搬货员。他要把货都搬到货仓，或从货仓搬到货车。每一天重复这样的工作，他就开始觉得很闷。他认为，他是一个大学生，不应该沦落到这样的地步。有一天，神告诉他，他有一个选择。他可以每一天埋怨，在工作表现差劲。又或者你可以在公司有卓越的表现。
因此，他开始认罪。他开始观察要怎么使工作更好。他的上位者都接受他的建议，就照着他所建议的去实行。这一位的弟兄之后被提升。因为他卓越的表现，他无论到公司的哪里一个部门都提升该部门的素质。今天，他从搬货员成为一位亚洲公司的总经理，是个非常出色和有影响力的人。
当我们有卓越的表现，我们的机会就会来。当我们在COSMOS成为光的时候，我们不但可以影响整个公司，甚至能影响全世界。在旧约有一个例子。当乃曼全身长大麻风的时候，他家里的使女建议他去找以色列的一位先知，就可以得医治。乃曼就去，就得了医治。这位使女改变了一位国家领袖的生命。
B）好行为（好品格，好态度）
“你们的光也当这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父。”（约15:16）
你可以是一个成功的人士，也可以是一个烂人。你可以是个成功的艺人，但私生活是非常糟糕。你可以是个成功的敬拜者，但是个脾气暴躁的人。我们有卓越的表现固然是重要，但更重要的是，我们要有好行为。卓越的表现可以让你居首位，但好的品格和好行为能让你维持在那个位子。
埃及的国家领袖是有能力的，但他们被推翻（茉莉花运动），因为他们是暴君。领袖被推翻不是因为他们没有能力，而是因为他们没有好品格。神要我们有卓越的行为和好品格。
C）荣耀归给天上的父
你可以非常成功，你也可以有非常好的品格，但你可能并没有活出神的样式及没有荣耀神的名字。当我们要成为光和盐，我们就要荣耀神的名。我们要见证神，要活出有神的生命 ，把荣耀归给神，让身边的人都知道神的大能。
3）没有做盐做光的后果
“你们是世上的盐。盐若失了味，怎能叫他再咸呢。以后无用，不过丢在外面，被人践踏了。” （约5:13）
在1970年出版了一本书名为《The Late Great Planet Earth》。这是一本基督教的书，是关于末世即将来临了。这本书出版后，教会都在分享关于末世，要等待末世的来临。教会成为非常的被动，等待末世，非常消极。1973年，当美国的立法院将堕胎合法化时，美国的教会没有站起来反对。因为教会落在等末世的情况，没有成为光和盐，结果几百万的婴孩因着堕胎被杀。
同样的我们来看这时代的人物：Michael Dell，Steve Job， Bill Gates。他们是在1955年一同出生。在1970 年，他们是15岁。那时候，基督徒在封闭自己，没有成为光和盐。因此，在这世代，成为领袖的不是基督徒，而是他们。
昨天的新闻报道，美国总统Obama是历代总统当中第一个表明支持同性恋的总统。美国有一个节目叫做“Home Design”，节目的主持人是同性恋的。他在节目中带出一个信息，就是同性恋是没有我们想象中那么糟糕，是可以被接受的。这个节目影响了很多人，甚至影响了基督徒。至今，美国同性恋者占据了美国的3至8八仙。这么少数的人竟然可以影响了整个美国。甚至当美国总统Obama就职的时候，他接受两位牧师的祷告。其中一位是Rick Warren, 而另外一位则是同性恋的牧师。
当基督徒没有发出盐和光的作用时，我们会被丢到外面被践踏。这是很严重的事情。如果马来西亚的每一个基督徒都能发挥盐和光的作用时，我们会发挥很大的功效。
4）我们是光，我们是盐
我们是世上的光和盐。我们“是”，我们不需要“做”。“是”和“做”是两回事。我们就是那光和盐。我们是那个能够转化职场和国家的人！因为我们就是！我们被叫成为世上的光和盐。
1970年我们做了一件错误的事。但今天，我们要做出一个改变。因为我们就是世界的光和盐！那个在政府影响着国家的人就在我们当中。那个在演艺圈中影响其他人的人就在我们当中。我们被造不是要被践踏，而是发出功效。2012年我们要回应，我们要在学校、公司、社会、家庭和国家发挥我们的功效。
回应：让我们一起来祷告，我们要为神赢得未来的十年和二十年。因为我们就是那光和盐。
Title: We are the light and salt of the world
Speaker: Pastor David Thien
Scripture: Matthew 5: 13-16
Introduction
Hallelujah!
Our God is a God who performs miracles! He can do anything. If you have no way of out of problems or you want to experience miracles desperately, you should pray to Him. Today, I experienced miracles too. Actually, I have done my sermon outline few days ago but God instructed me to change my sermon topic when I was praying earlier on. I was tremendously excited because God’s words were stirring up my spirit. This is a miracle because God wants to speak to us.
1) We are the salt of the world (v. 14)
When Jesus and his disciples were on the top of the mountain, He preached about the eight beatitudes. Do you notice that Jesus only called his disciples to the top of the mountain? This is because the disciples had special privileges. Jesus wanted to impart special messages to them. After Jesus preached about the eight beatitudes, He said: “You are the light of world and salt of the earth.”
He said: “You are the salt of the earth.” The original word of the word “earth” is “gē”, which has the following meanings:
(i) The solid part of the globe.
(ii) country, ground or land, and
(iii) including the occupants in each application.
When Jesus said: “You are the salt of the earth”, He was actually saying that the disciples were able play their role wherever they went. The word “earth” refers to our house, our family, our school, our office, our church, our friends – it means wherever we go.
Studies revealed that the efficacy of salt is only activated when it is in contact with other substances. It will remain as salt if it is left untouched. The Lord is telling us that if we are the salt of the earth, we have to have contacts with the world. The functions of salt:
i. Reconciliation
Salt can balance out sweetness, acidity and other tastes. Are we agents of reconciliation and peace in our community? Do we stir up conflicts and hatred in our community? Our role is very important! If we do not be an agent of reconciliation, we are no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
ii. Preservation (Prevention)
In Jesus’s time, there were no such things as refrigerator or preservative. People in his time used salt to preserve fishes. God said we are the salt of the earth. What is our role? Look at our surrounding! People are indulging in pornography, gossiping and gambling. Does our presence preserve others from sin or encourage sinful acts when we are in contact with them? We are the salt of the earth; we have the power to preserve others in our community from sinful behaviours.
iii. Healing
Salt has healing properties. When my son John had mouth ulcer, we asked him to rinse his mouth with salt water. After a few rounds of rinsing, he pain reduced. Besides that, we can also ease a sore throat by gargling salt water. These actions activate the healing properties of salt. God has called us to do healing works in the society.
iv. Enhancement
Salt enhances the flavor of food. A pinch of salt can enhance the taste and aroma of soup. It also enhances the sweetness of fruits. Does our presence enhance the well-being of people surrounding us? Does it enhance the atmosphere of our surrounding environment? Does it enhance the functions of our family or stir up fight and conflicts among family members? We have to bring this enhancement property back to our family, school and company so that relationships are improved and atmosphere is enhanced.
2) We are the light of the world (v 14)
The word “world” means “cosmos” which refers to orderly arrangement or structure. We have to know which areas has God called us to be light. To be salt, we become effective when we are in touch with other people. To be light, we have to enter into the structure of an organization – the structure of our company, school, family and church. God called us to enter into the societal structure to be light.
Jesus gave two illustrations of characteristics of light. He said: “A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” If Twin Towers are built on the top of Genting Highland, they cannot be hidden from the eyes of everyone. Jesus continued: “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Matthew 5:15). Thus, God called us to be the light of the world, to be seen by others! We have to shine brightly and have excellent performance.
3) Excellent Performance
We have to excel in our family, school and company. There are no dull students, only lazy students. We have witnessed many cases where students who did poorly in the primary school and secondary schools have excellent performance in university. Reverend Kong has a disciple who worked as a shipping worker after he graduated from college. He had to move goods from the truck to the storehouse or vice versa. He repeated his work day after day and started feeling bored. He thought he should not be doing all these with his college degree. One day, God spoke to him. God said he can either choose to keep on complaining and perform badly in his job or to have excellent performance in his company.
Hence, he repented. He started to observe how to improve the efficacy and efficiency of his job. His superior accepted his suggestions and implemented them. He was promoted later. He was able to improve the work quality of the departments he was placed in. Today, he is the regional managing director of the company, an excellent and influential person.
When we show excellent performance, opportunities will come to us. When we are the light in the cosmos, not only we are able to influence the whole company but the whole world. It is recorded in the Old Testament that that Prime Minister Naaman had leprosy. His slave girl suggested him to seek help from a prophet in Israel. He went and he was healed. This slave girl changed the life of the leader of a nation.
4) Good Behaviours
Good behaviours mean good characters and attitudes. You may be a successful entrepreneur but a creep at the same time. You may be a gifted celebrity but your private life is in a mess. You may be a successful worshipper but you are bad tempered. Being excellent is important but more importantly, we need to have good behaviours. Excellent performance will allow you to be on the top but good characters will allow you to sustain in that position. The fall of a leader is not due to his or her capabilities but the deficits in his or her characters.
The former president of Egypt was a competent leader but he was toppled in the Jasmine Revolution for being a tyrant. The toppled leaders do not lack competencies, they lack of good characters. God demands both excellent performance and good characters from us.
5) Glorify our Father in heaven.
You may be successful and have good characters but you are not a follower of Christ. We have to manifest the glory of the Father’s name. We should give glory to God for our achievement and success. If we do not glorify the name of the Father, people around us might think we are non-believers and give glory to our name or idols and false gods. We have to testify for God, live out the presence of God, give all the glory to God and let others know how great our God is.
6) The consequences of not being the salt and light of the world (v13)
In year 1970, the book “The Late Great Planet Earth” was released. This is a Christian book that focused on the coming of end times. After the release of this book, the Church started to talk about end times. The Church became disengaged and waited for the coming of end times passively. Thus, the Church in America failed to stand up against the legalization of abortion in year 1973. As a result of the disengagement of the Church, millions of premature infants died.
The three IT tycoons – Steve Job, Bill Gates and Michael Dell were born around 1950s. They were in their teenage years when the book “The Lost Planet Earth” was released. During that time, the Christians shun themselves; they did not become the salt and light. Thus, the non-Christians rose up as leaders in our time.
President Obama is the first president of U.S.A in office who supports same-sex marriage. In the States, there was a TV show called “Home Design” hosted by a homosexual. The host intended to convey a message to his audience – being homosexual is not anything bad. This show brought a great influence on the Americans, including the Christians. The homosexual population in the States is between 3% and 8%. They are so few yet so influential in the entire nation! During the inauguration of President Obama, he requested two pastors to pray for him – Rev. Rick Warren and a gay pastor.
This is what happened when we are not playing our roles as salt and light of the world. Salt that loses its saltiness will be thrown out and trampled underfoot. This is a very serious matter! If every Christian in Malaysia plays his or her role as salt and light, we will have significant influence in the society.
7) You are the light and salt of the world.
Lord Jesus said “we are”; he did not say “we are to be”. You are being called to be the light and salt of the world. We have made mistakes in the 1970s, causing the large portion of the wealth of the world fall in the hands of the non-believers. In year 2012, we are called to be different – to have excellent performance, good behaviours, and testimonies to glorify God in our community.
Pray: Pray that we will win the future for God for we are the light and salt.
