For the Sake of Others | Matthew 5:13
Speaker: Bill Chapman
As we continued our series ‘For the Sake of Others’, Bill Chapman challenged us to consider what it really means to make a difference in the lives of the people around us.
Building on the reminder from previous weeks that “when Christ is at the centre, there is always room for others,” we explored how our everyday attitudes, actions and relationships can reveal something of Jesus to the world.
If we are called to live for the sake of others, what kind of people should we be?
How should we live?
And perhaps most importantly:
How salty are you?
You Are the Salt of the Earth
In Matthew 5:13, Jesus tells His followers:
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavour?”
It's a simple illustration, but one that carries a powerful challenge.
Salt has a purpose. It brings out flavour, enhances what it is added to and makes a difference.
Jesus uses this picture to describe the influence His followers should have on the world around them.
We are called to bring something good into the places God has put us.
Into our families.
Into our marriages.
Into our friendships.
Into our workplaces.
Into our communities.
We are meant to be people who make life better for others because of the presence of Jesus in our lives.
But Bill also reminded us that too much salt can spoil a meal.
In the same way, how we share our faith matters.
We are called to be thoughtful, sensitive and loving, not overwhelming or forceful.
Our lives should leave people with a good taste of Jesus.
Bringing Out the Best in Others
Think about what happens when salt is added to a meal.
It often disappears from sight, yet its presence makes a difference to everything around it.
It doesn't need to draw attention to itself.
Its purpose is to enhance what is already there.
What a wonderful picture of how we are called to live as followers of Jesus.
We don't need to make ourselves the centre of attention. We don't need to impress people with how spiritual we are.
Instead, we are called to reflect Jesus through ordinary acts of love, kindness, generosity and compassion.
Mark 9:50 reminds us that salt is good for seasoning and encourages us to have the qualities of salt within ourselves and live in peace with one another.
Being salt means bringing something of God's goodness into every situation.
Are we enhancing the lives of the people around us?
Are we bringing encouragement where there is discouragement?
Peace where there is conflict?
Kindness where there is bitterness?
Hope where there is despair?
These are the qualities that can make a lasting difference.
Salt as a Sign of Covenant
Throughout Scripture, salt also carries a deeper meaning.
In the Old Testament, salt was associated with covenant, faithfulness and lasting commitment.
In 2 Chronicles 13:5, we read about God's lasting covenant with David and his descendants, described as a covenant of salt.
Leviticus 2:13 also instructed the Israelites to season their grain offerings with salt as a reminder of God's enduring covenant.
Salt was more than a seasoning. It was a symbol of a binding promise and faithfulness.
As followers of Jesus, we too are called to live faithfully in response to God's love and commitment to us.
Our faith is not simply something we talk about on Sundays.
It is a commitment that shapes the way we live throughout the week.
It influences our decisions, our relationships and the way we treat others.
Being salt means living faithfully as people who belong to Jesus.
What Does It Look Like to Be Salty?
Jesus gives us a very practical picture in Matthew 25:31–46.
He describes people who respond to the needs of those around them.
They feed the hungry.
They give drink to the thirsty.
They welcome the stranger.
They clothe those in need.
They care for the sick.
They visit those in prison.
And Jesus reveals something extraordinary: when they cared for those in need, they were serving Him.
This brings us right to the heart of our series.
For the sake of others.
Being salt isn't simply about having the right beliefs or knowing the right things to say.
It's about putting our faith into action.
It's about noticing the people who are overlooked or ignored and responding with practical love.
Sometimes people need our prayers.
Sometimes they need a meal.
Sometimes they need someone to listen.
Sometimes they need friendship, encouragement or practical support.
And sometimes they need all of these things.
For the sake of others, we pray and we feed.
We share the love of Jesus through both our words and our actions.
A Faith That Can Be Seen
In Matthew 7, Jesus gives us another important challenge.
He teaches us to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.
But He doesn't stop at simply knowing what is right.
He calls us to do it.
Jesus warns against a faith that is built only on words, appearances or religious activity.
Instead, He compares those who hear His teaching and put it into practice to a wise builder who builds a house on solid rock.
The foundation is secure because faith has become action.
This is an important reminder for us.
People don't simply need to hear that we follow Jesus.
They need to see something of Jesus in us.
They should be able to recognise His character through the way we live.
Through our patience.
Through our generosity.
Through our honesty.
Through our compassion.
Through the way we respond when life becomes difficult.
Through the way we treat people who cannot offer us anything in return.
Our character should tell the story of the Jesus we follow.
Living What We Believe
At the end of Matthew 7, the crowds were amazed by Jesus' teaching.
There was something different about Him.
He didn't simply speak with authority. His life reflected the truth of what He taught.
And this is the example we are called to follow.
We can talk about reading our Bibles, praying regularly and attending church, and these are all important parts of our relationship with God.
But the real challenge is whether our faith is making a difference to the people around us.
Do people experience something of Jesus when they spend time with us?
Do they see kindness, love, patience and compassion?
Is there something about the way we live that makes them curious about the faith we have?
We are called to be people whose lives point towards Jesus.
Not because we are perfect, but because His love is transforming us.
Making a Difference for the Sake of Others
As we continue our journey through this series, Bill's message leaves us with a simple but challenging question:
How salty are you?
Are we living in a way that brings out the best in others?
Are we enhancing our communities through love and service?
Are we faithful to the calling Jesus has placed on our lives?
Are we putting our faith into action for the sake of others?
Jesus hasn't called us to withdraw from the world or simply focus on ourselves.
He has called us to be salt in the world.
To bring His love into the everyday situations we encounter.
To make a difference in the lives of those around us.
And sometimes that difference begins with something very small.
A kind word.
A thoughtful action.
A meal shared.
A prayer offered.
A helping hand.
A moment of genuine compassion.
We may not always realise the impact these small acts can have, but God can use them to bring hope, healing and encouragement into someone's life.
As Bill reminded us:
“It only takes a grain of you to heal a lot of the bitterness in the world.”
We are called to live in His love and live it out.
To be people who faithfully represent Jesus.
To be people whose character reflects His goodness.
To be people who make a difference.
We are the salt of the earth — and we are here for the sake of others.