1. THE SALT OF THE EARTH Matt 5:13
This expression has become proverbial: yet who would consider it complimentary to call people salt
Palestinian salt:
Mixed with impurities
Had to be kept from sun and moisture to preserve its savor

2. THE SALT OF THE EARTH Matt 5:13 SOME USES OF SALT
Essential to diet: human and animal
Enhances flavor and makes food more appetizing - most familiar use
Preservative for fish, vegetables & meats
Medicinal properties
Religious and moral significance Lev 2:13; Num 18:19; 2Chron 13:5

3. THE SALT OF THE EARTH Matt 5:13 CHRISTIANS AS SALT
Preserve the world Gen 6:7,8; Gen 18:22-33
Healing power Lk 5:31; Rom 1:16; Mk 16:15,16; 2Cor 5:20
Savor - influence for good Matt 13:33; 1Pet 3:1,2
"I am a part of all that I have met" - Tennyson
Salt not always visible, but is vitally missed when not present Rev 14:13

4. THE SALT OF THE EARTH Matt 5:13 CHRISTIANS AS SALT
Salt also creates thirst
Our lives ought to cause others to thirst after righteousness 1Pet 2:2; Matt 5:6
Christians may not be in the limelight but we can be certain our influence is there
Results will come, so we must continue to pray, toil and hope

5. THE SALT OF THE EARTH Matt 5:13 SAVOR LOST
Palestinian salt, lacking purity, lost it savor rather easily
When savor was lost it was cast into the street or footpath - of no use elsewhere
The Christian is in constant danger of loosing their effectiveness 1Tim 4:12; Acts 8:22

6. THE SALT OF THE EARTH Matt 5:13
"The salt of the earth" is a commendable phrase
We must guard against loosing our savor (influence) - our sin healing properties
The only thing keeping us from being "the salt of the earth" is obedience