Salt and Light: A Reflection

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus describes Christians as:

• king of the world

• light of the world

• salt of the earth

• tigers of Malaya

[KBAT] How is salt used? What does salt do? (Pick 2 answers)

• To give flavour. Otherwise no taste, not nice

• To throw at people when they make fun of you

• To use as decoration for wedding - so small, so cheap

• To preserve food so that the food tak basi so fast (e.g. jambu)

Read Matthew 5:13. What happens if salt loses its saltiness?

• It transforms into water. Can use when thirsty.

• It becomes vitamins. Can use for good health.

• It becomes sweet like sugar. Can use as candy.

• It becomes useless as a seasoning and preservative. Have to throw away.

[KBAT] How can we make salt "lose its saltiness"?

• You can't. It's impossible. Salt will be salty forever. LONG LIVE SALT!

• By creating a chemical reaction to change its nature so that it is not salt anymore (so scientific!)

• By mixing it with other stuff (e.g. sugar, water, spice) so that you no longer notice it

• By keeping it in the saltshaker. Punish it until it doesn't want to be salt anymore.

[KBAT] Oh? So complicated wan ah? Then how can a Christian "stop" being "salt of the earth"?

• Stop trying hard to be a good Christian.

• You can't. Unless you were not a Christian in the first place. You can only "act" like you're not salt. It's a matter of whether you're useful salt or salt with no use.

Mix and match - what does being salt of the earth mean, and what is the OPPOSITE of that?

Which one describes you more and why?

Groups:

(a) Christians behaving as salt of the earth

,

(b) Christians NOT behaving as salt

• Being kind and helpful

• Share the gospel with people who don't know Jesus

• Speaking up when we see something wrong

• Loving other people the way Jesus loves you

• Keeping quiet when we see something wrong because dowan to offend people

• Obeying parents even when you sometimes don't understand them

• Helping only when it's convenient

• Don't let anyone know you are a Christian

• Going against your parents and speaking disrespectfully to them

• Being nice only to certain people that you like

[KBAT] What does light do and how is it used?

Read Matthew 5:15. What is the main purpose of putting a lamp on its stand?

• To make the lamp look more fantastic.

• To allow the lamp to be used as a table decoration.

• To increase the lamp's weight so that it's more expensive

• So that it's stable and can light up the whole house

Read Matthew 5:16. How can a Christian "let their light shine before others"?

• By criticizing others for their shortcomings because you're the brightest of them all

• By doing good things / good works

• By hiding your talents from others so that you can look very humble and shy like a mini torchlight

• By only focusing on your personal success so that you can shine bright like a diamond

Read Matthew 5:16. According to Jesus, what is the main point of doing good deeds / works?

• So that everyone praises Melaka Gospel Chapel as a good charity organization

• So that people don't talk bad about my parents in church / outside church

• So that people praise and glorify God when they can see the good things we do

• The more good things I do, the more sure I am that I am going to heaven