SALT

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (Matt. 5:13 NKJV).

Salt has always been a thing of great value. However, because of its abundance and low cost, we sometimes forget its value to life. Homer called it “divine,” and Plato called it a “substance dear to the gods.” In our verse the Lord Jesus compares His disciples to salt. Thus, we want to note the worth of salt and a warning for salt.

Worth of salt – “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt does at least three very important things. First, it purifies. Nothing illustrates this more than the saline content of the ocean. Scientists tell us that if the water in the ocean was not salty these great bodies of water would be vast areas of corruption, and the earth would be swept clean of life from the resulting epidemics. God’s people are to have a purifying effect like salt; we are to lift the moral standard. Second, it preserves. Until recent advances in refrigeration, salt was the chief ingredient for preserving foods. God’s people are also a preservative. When Abraham prayed for Sodom, God promised to preserve Sodom if ten righteous people were in it. The preservation of our nation depends upon the presence of God’s people. Third, it flavors. Food without salt is flat and tasteless. God’s people are to add good flavor to society - cheerful not cantankerous, pleasant not sour, helpful not selfish, loving not spiteful. We should improve the desirability of any group we are in.

Warning for salt - “If the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” The words “loses its flavor” is translated from the same word that is translated “became fools” in Rom. 1:22. If believers do not live godly, it means they are living foolishly, and will be of no value to society. We will not purify, preserve or add flavor. As believers, we need to be faithful in holy living so that we might always have a holy and blessed influence upon society.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 2)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“All of God’s people are ordinary people who have been made extraordinary by the purpose He has given them!”

Oswald Chambers (1874 - 1917

Scottish Evangelical Bible Teacher and Military Chaplain

Word Study

Evangelists

In Eph. 4:11 we read, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (NKJV).

Evangelists is the Geek word euangelistḗs (εὐαγγελιστής = yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace'). The word describes those who possessed a special gift of communicating the Gospel in relevant terms to those who are not yet Christians. The evangelist is the bringer of good news. He knows the gospel narrative thoroughly and is capable of explaining it. Evangelists were traveling or itinerant missionaries preaching the gospel to the unconverted and calling them to repentance. And so, the purpose of evangelization is to carefully but simply help unbelievers become aware of their sinfulness and lostness and through the proclamation of the Gospel to proclaim Jesus Christ as the only Savior and Lord.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation” (Isa. 12:2 KJV).

Did You Know…

Tassels in the Bible are a sign of holiness and obedience to God’s command. In Num. 15:38-40, God told the Israelites to tie tassels onto the corners of their garments as a reminder to obey His commands.

Bible Quiz

What is the name of the day when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: Where did Elisha instruct Naaman the leper to wash himself? In the Jordan River (2 Kings 5:10).

Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible

“GOOD SHEPHERD”

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep!” (John 10:11 NKJV).

1. Meaning – GOOD SHEPHERD speaks of the Lord Jesus as the Shepherd, the Good One, the One who is faithful, true, and preeminently excellent.

2. Insights – This passage draws a contrast between the good and the bad, the faithful and the unfaithful shepherd. Shepherding spoke of care, feeding and protection. The faithful and true shepherd was one who was willing to do all that was necessary to defend and save the flock. Sheep are defenseless and by nature prone to get into danger. Thus, they need a shepherd to care for them; one that was absolutely responsible for them. The Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd in contrast to the bad shepherds described in vv. 8, 10. He laid down His life “for the sheep.” He died in our place. Through His willing sacrifice, the Lord Jesus made salvation possible for all who come to Him in faith.

Did You Know – Christian History

Samuel Seabury was born November 30, 1729 in North Groton (Ledyard), Connecticut. He was the first American Episcopal bishop, the second Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and the first Bishop of Connecticut.

Seabury was educated in medicine at Yale University and the University of Edinburgh. After he became an Anglican priest in 1753, he served parishes in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and in New York while practicing medicine. He became known for his comprehensive and eloquent pamphlets urging Americans not to seek independence from the British crown. Seabury’s first pamphlet, entitled Free Thoughts on the Proceedings of the Continental Congress (1774), immediately gave rise to pamphlets in reply by the young Alexander Hamilton. Further, his loyalty to Britain during the American Revolution, cause much anger and indignation which led to a brief imprisonment. He was also taken to New Haven and publicly paraded and humiliated. His farm was later ransacked and his son beaten. Seabury then managed to move with his family to British-occupied New York City.

With no Anglican bishops established for the 13 colonies during the revolutionary war, the churches were affected. Most notable, the Church of England in the United States renamed itself the Episcopal Church. But if it were to function, it needed bishops that were consecrated by legitimate bishops. The problem was, British law forbade consecration of anyone who would not swear loyalty to the crown.

After the war in 1783 Seabury was elected bishop of Connecticut by a group of American clergies. He went to England to be consecrated as a bishop, but bishops of the Church of England were not allowed to consecrate him, in part because, as an American citizen, he could not take an oath of allegiance to the British crown. Undeterred, he went to Scotland to be ordained by the Episcopal Church in Scotland. He was finally ordained in Aberdeen on November 14, 1784. Seabury returned to the United States in 1785. That same year he became rector of St. James’ Church in New London, Connecticut, and in 1790 his bishopric was expanded to include Rhode Island. Having promised the Scottish bishops to study their Eucharistic liturgy, Seabury had the American church adopt, with only slight modifications, the Scottish Prayer of Consecration from the 1549 Book of Common Prayer, used during the Lord’s Supper. Seabury died in New London on 25 February 1796, where his remains lie in a small chapel at St. James. Seabury was a superior organizer and a strict churchman. His printed sermons and essays enjoyed wide readership well after his death.

A Little Humor

God is talking to one of his angels. He says, “Do you know what I have just done? I have just created 24 hours of alternating light and darkness on Earth. Isn’t that good?” The angel says, “Yes, but what will you do now?” God says, “I think I’ll call it a day.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Will the road you're on get you to My place? – God!”