Revelation: Christ and the Churches

You Are Contemptible

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: New Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2020-06-14

Synopsis: John Weaver preaches on Matthew 5:13, explaining that every person is contemptible—either held in contempt by God for disobedience or by man for righteousness. Using the metaphor of salt, he outlines five functions of salt (flavoring, preserving, stinging, making thirsty, and covenant use) and applies them to the Christian life. He warns that losing saltiness makes one worthless and trodden underfoot, and calls believers to examine their speech, obedience, and witness to avoid being spewed out by Christ.

[John Weaver] I want you to open your Bibles today, if you would please, to the book of Matthew, chapter 5. And we're simply going to read verse 13. Matthew, chapter 5, verse 13. The title of the message, listen carefully, is, You Are Contemptible. I think you will understand why momentarily. Look at Matthew, just verse 13 for right now. Our Lord said, You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted?

[John Weaver] It is henceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men. Suppose I told you very bluntly today that you are contemptible. You would probably respond, I do not like to hear those words from you, nor do I want to hear those words from anyone. Suppose I went further and told you that you were not only contemptible, but you were also despicable, useless, worthless, of no value and of no account. Well, you would probably ask me if I was trying to deliberately hurt you or destroy my own ministry at the same time. I'm sure that those thoughts would probably at least enter into your mind, however, The truth is, you really are contemptible. You really are despicable. You really are worthless and valueless based upon your standing according to the Word of God. So let me just point it out very clearly. You are contemptible and so am I. You are contemptible and so am I. Each one of us happens to be contemptible one way or the other.

[John Weaver] We are either held in contempt in the eyes of God or we are held in contempt in the eyes of man. We are either deemed valuable or worthless. We are either loved or hated. We are either the salt of the earth and therefore valuable Or we have lost our salt, our saltiness, and therefore we are absolutely worthless. So there's no in between. It's kind of like I heard years ago, one man said, you know, honesty is like pregnancy. Either you is or you ain't. There's no in between.

[John Weaver] And that's the way it is with this. I mean, we're either valuable or we are worthless. Everyone understands that salt is a necessary item, and it's a necessary item for many reasons. There are some who state that the Roman soldiers were either paid in salt or they received a salt allowance. If that is true, then we can understand where we get the old saying that that man is not worth his salt.

[John Weaver] In other words, he really has not worked. He is actually worthless. We have many today that are not worth their salt because many people will not work and therefore they're useless. Our English word salary is derived from the word salt. You see, the English word salary does indeed come from the Latin word salarium. which means stipend or money allowance and solarium does indeed appear to be linked to salt by the word sal or solaria which means pertaining to salt. So actually our word salary is derived from the word salt. Did you realize that salt is mentioned over 40 times in the Bible? It is very significant. And there are many uses for salt, and the Bible makes many of these exceedingly clear.

[John Weaver] Let me give you at least five of them today before I begin trying to make applications. First of all, salt is used as flavoring. In other words, it is salt that makes things that are unsavory to be edible. There is a verse in Job 6 and verse 6 that asks this simple question. Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? So obviously, if you're going to eat the white of an egg, you're going to add salt, usually salt and pepper. And there are a lot of things that are just simply unedible unless they have salt on them. So an application of this truth to Christians is that Since we're supposed to be the salt of the earth, we are to make society and culture livable and enjoyable in that we adhere to the truth of God, we adhere to biblical principles, and therefore we are to be the divine flavor to the world.

[John Weaver] We are not to be morose and pathetic and discouraged and defeated. It was Oliver Wendell Holmes who once said, listen carefully, he said, I might have entered into the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers. Then Robert Louis Stevenson added these words, he once wrote in his diary, I have been to church today and I am not depressed. I've been to church today and I'm not depressed. Well, I've got news for you. There are a lot of churches you go to, you'd certainly walk away depressed. Well, the truth of the matter is, we as salt of the earth are to add flavoring.

[John Weaver] So the question would have to be, what kind of flavor does your Christianity bring forth? It should be bringing forth a biblical flavor. If it is not, you need to gauge your life according to the Word of God. So, first of all, salt is used as flavoring. Secondly, salt is a preservative. When the Bible tells us, you are the salt of the earth, then he goes on, our Lord says, but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? In other words, our text then presupposes a truth, that is, that the world is decaying And therefore it needs salt. It needs a preservative. Any old timer knows about salted meats. Salt has always been used as a preserver.

[John Weaver] I can even remember when I was a boy that meat would be brought in from the smokehouse and the salt would be washed off of it before you begin to cut the meat and cook the meat. So obviously then, salt is imported as a preservative. And may I remind you of this, I think you shall recall it very easily. According to Genesis chapter 19, if there had been ten righteous men found in Sodom and Gomorrah, it would have been preserved. But there were not ten righteous men, and therefore Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities of the plain were destroyed.

[John Weaver] So if you want to know what the world would look like without the saltiness of Christianity, look around you. Because basically, we've lost our saltiness And we've lost our power to preserve because of our compromise and our apostasy. The decay of society is evident because we have not exercised dominion, we have not been as godly and as holy and as obedient as we should have been, and therefore we have lost, as Christians, our power to preserve.

[John Weaver] Let me show you how important salt was. Salt was considered a contraband item during the War of Northern Aggression. I don't even like to mention his name, but I'll give it General William Tecumseh Sherman. He said this, salt is imminently contraband. because of its use in curing meats, without which armies cannot be subsisted. So he understood that you needed salt to preserve meats, and that's exactly what the armies did. And so he called it a contraband item. Salt like quinine and other medicines were contraband during that war.

[John Weaver] Because he did not want the southern soldiers to have any assistance at all. So salt not only flavors, according to the Bible, salt also preserves. Thirdly, salt also stings.

[John Weaver] Now, if you don't believe that, I have a way to prove it. Wait until you get an open wound and then rub salt in it. And you will find out very quickly that it stings very sharply. So what did we gather as an application from the fact that salt stings? Well, the stinging aspect of salt should remind us that God has commanded us to rebuke, to reprove, and to confront a wicked society and culture. We are to be a sting to the consciences of wicked men. And we sting their consciousness by doing that which is right and holy and godly. Let me show you.

[John Weaver] I want you to hold Matthew 5. We're certainly coming back there. But look in your Bibles, first of all, to the book of Leviticus chapter 19 and verse 17. Leviticus 19 and verse 17. Look what God says. Leviticus 19 and verse 17.

[John Weaver] God says thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart. Now, wait a minute. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart. Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor and not suffer sin upon him. So if we suffer sin upon our neighbor, if we fail to rebuke our neighbor, if we fail to rebuke our brother, then we hate him. God says thou shalt not hate. And the positive that thou shalt not hate in this context is that we rebuke, we confront.

[John Weaver] Now, that is why in 1 Timothy chapter 5 verse 20, the Apostle Paul told Timothy, them that sin, rebuke before all that others may fear. Now, let me explain something about that verse. A private sin would merit a private rebuke, but a public sin merits a public rebuke. That's why he said, them that sin, rebuke before all. In other words, if the sin has been public, the rebuke is to be public that others may fear. In other words, they see that sin is being confronted and dealt with. Now, I want you to turn to the book of Revelation chapter 3 and look, if you would please, at verse 19.

[John Weaver] We're still talking about rebuking. We're still talking about stinging. So look in Revelation chapter three and verse 19, look what our Lord says to the church. Revelation chapter three, verse 19, he said this, As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous, therefore, and repent. Now, isn't that interesting? Because in Leviticus 19 verse 17, he said, thou shalt not hate thy brother in my heart. Thou shalt not suffer sin upon my neighbor. Thou shalt rebuke him. And now our Lord says, as many as I love, showing you again the positive aspect of Leviticus 19. The positive aspect is thou shalt indeed rebuke. That's what he said. As many as I love. So rebuking then is not an aspect of hatred. Rebuking is not an aspect of being angry with someone. Rebuking is an aspect of love. As many as I love, I rebuke and I chasten.

[John Weaver] Now, there's another verse in the Bible you need to consider. The Bible says in Proverbs 27, verse 5, Open rebuke is better than secret love. Open rebuke is better than secret love. So God says it's more appropriate to rebuke someone in love than it is to love someone secretly and never say a thing to them. So I think it's already pointed out very clearly from the scripture.

[John Weaver] There is a stinging aspect of salt and that stinging aspect is that we do not allow each other to get away with sin and wickedness and rebellion. So here are a few appropriate questions. Think about these. Have you stung any consciences lately? Have you confronted anyone about their sins? Have you confronted an erring brother? And the Bible says very plainly in the book of James, he that converted an erring brother from the wickedness of a way, he shall save a soul from death. So very obviously, We can ask, have we corrected, have we confronted, have we strung the consciences of a brother or of anyone? Here's another question that we can ask. Now listen carefully.

[John Weaver] When we do sting and when we do confront, we have to understand it must be with biblical love and humility and not with pride, arrogance, haughtiness, a superior attitude or a haughty disposition. Now, I can quote this, but I want you to look back in your Bibles to the book of Galatians chapter 6 at verses 1 and 2. Watch this very carefully. Look in Galatians 6 at verses 1 and 2. Here it is. Galatians 6, begin there with verse 1.

[John Weaver] Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a thought, You which are spiritual, restore such one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Now, I want you to look at verse one. He says, Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault. Here's a man that trips. Here's a man that falls.

[John Weaver] He may not have planned it. He may not have intended for it to happen, but it did happen. So he is sent.

[John Weaver] Now, God says you who are spiritual restore such in one. That is, you have to rebuke, you have to confront. But how do you do so? In a spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Now, what do I mean by the spirit of meekness? In other words, I have to realize when I'm confronting that erring brother, that if it had not been for the grace of God, it could be me and someone else confronting me. Considering myself, lest I also be tempted. In other words, I can be tempted just like he can be tempted. So I'm not coming to him then with a haughty, arrogant, Proud Phil attitude. I'm not saying Tom, you stupid rascal.

[John Weaver] Why did you do that? What am I going to do if I said something like that to Tom? I'm probably going to get my head knocked in. But obviously, obviously, if I said something like that to him, is he going to respond in a biblical manner to me? And of course not. Because I have not even approached him in a biblical manner. I've called him all kind of names.

[John Weaver] You know, We oftentimes think of people doing things that are very stupid. And we view them as stupid and we can confess that they are stupid. But if you ever stop to think to the person who did it, it may not have been stupid. I mean, he may have been thinking something entirely different. So God says when we go to confront each other, when we go to rebuke each other, we can't come name calling. We can't come with a superior attitude. We can't come saying, well, I didn't do that. The only reason I didn't do that is because of the grace of God.

[John Weaver] We are all sinners and we can all be tempted. And so God says, When we sing, when we rebuke, when we reprove, when we confront, it must be with a biblical attitude. So the question is this, have you stung anyone's conscience lately and have you stung them with biblical humility and love? Understanding that it was not for God's grace In your life, it would be you that would be being confronted.

[John Weaver] So salt is not only flavoring, salt not only preserves, salt stings. And fourthly, salt always makes one thirsty. Try eating a very salty dish or popcorn or Chinese food. and see if not very shortly you're desiring a lot of liquid. There's been an old saying, Alice and I love fish, fresh fish. Fresh fish, pond fish particularly, river fish, are our favorite foods. But usually, even as a boy, after I'd eat fish, I would always say this as I'd go back for a glass of water, my fish are wanting to swim, you know, because Obviously, it makes you thirsty. And so salt, then, does indeed make someone thirsty.

[John Weaver] So the point being is this. If we really have salt in ourselves, if we're really salted Christians, we should be making other people thirst, in one sense of the word, for the righteousness which is found only in Jesus Christ. We should be making people thirst for the water which only He can provide. There was a meeting of the generals in the Southern Army during the War of Northern Aggression.

[John Weaver] And General Richard Stoddard Ewell had left his saber in Stonewall Jackson's tent. And he remembered that he left that saber there and returned to pick up the saber. And when he got outside of Stonewall Jackson's tent, he just simply stood because Stonewall Jackson was in that tent wrestling with God in prayer. And after General Richard Stoddard Ewell heard Stonewall praying, he said, if this is Christianity, I must have it. I must have it. I must have it.

[John Weaver] And that was the beginning of his conviction and his conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ. So you have to ask yourself this question. Do your words, do your actions, do your attitudes make others thirst for the righteousness that's found only in Jesus Christ? Do our lives. Do our lives. make others want to know the truth that you and I possess when we live according to biblical principles.

[John Weaver] Salt, in order to be effective, has to mingle with the substance it's affecting or affecting, and yet at the same time, It remains distinct from that substance. You can salt your grits, which you should do. But once you have good salted grits, you eat the grits, but you know where the salt is. You know they're salted. You can taste the salt. The salt has been mingled with the grits, but it's still distinct. You can mingle it with rice. It's still distinct. You can mingle salt with anything. It is still distinct. Salt is unlike the medium in which it is placed.

[John Weaver] Now let me show you what I'm talking about. Look in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 9. Matthew chapter 9. And look at what our Lord told the Pharisees. You see, the Pharisees did not understand this truth about salt. That it can be mixed with a substance and yet remain distinct. So in Matthew chapter 9, Notice, if you would, beginning there in verse nine, and as Jesus passed forth from fence, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the receipt of custom, and he said to him, follow me.

[John Weaver] And he arose and followed him. He came to pass, as Jesus said it, meet in the house. The old many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. Now note, many publicans and sinners. came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to the disciples, why did your master with public and sinners? In other words, if he was holy, he would know that these are unholy people.

[John Weaver] He would have nothing to do with them. Wow. Watch, if you would, please, verse 12. But when Jesus heard that, he said to them, they that behold need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that means. I will have mercy, not sacrifice, for I'm not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. So why did our Lord then mingle with the public and sinners?

[John Weaver] He mingled with them to affect them. They did not affect him. But he was the true salt of the earth. In other words, as Christians, let me put it to you bluntly, we are in the world, but we are not of the world. We're in the world, but the world is not in us. And there should be something different about our lives in the sense that when other people see us, they can say, well, he is different. He's not only different, but you know, there's something about him.

[John Weaver] May not understand it, may not. Comprehended, but there's something about that individual that. Makes him stand out. Well, what is it? It's the grace of God. It's the mercy of God. It is the truth of God in our lives. And so we should be able to make people thirst after the righteousness of Jesus Christ without becoming one of them who needs the water of life. So our Lord mingled with sinners.

[John Weaver] But he did not become a sinner. We can mingle with the world. But we're not of the world and the world is not to be in us. Fifthly. Listen carefully, salt was used in sacrifices. And in covenants, salt was used in sacrifices and in covenants, and yes, salt was used in sacrifices to God. Salt was used in covenants. I'm going to show you just a moment from the Bible.

[John Weaver] But do you realize when men ate together and became friends, there was an Arabic expression that went like this. There is salt between us. In other words, we become friends, we become one. The phrase was very common to the Oriental people. And they consider then eating of salt a pledge of fidelity, which bound them in a covenantal relationship. So I want you to turn in your Bibles, first of all, to the book of Leviticus, the book of Leviticus, and look in chapter two and verse 13, Leviticus chapter two and verse 13. Now, remember, if you would, Salt is used in covenants. It's also used in sacrifices to God. So in Leviticus chapter 2 and verse 13, look what the Bible says.

[John Weaver] And every oblation of thy meat offerings shalt thou season with salt. Neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering. With all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt. Interesting? God calls it a covenant of salt, or the salt of the covenant. And He says, with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Numbers, chapter 18 and verse 19. Numbers 18, verse 19. Numbers 18. Verse 19, And all the heave offerings of the holy things which the children of Israel offered to the Lord have I given thee and thy sons and thy daughters with thee by statute forever. It is a covenant of salt forever between the Lord unto thee and thy seed with thee. Note, if you would, God refers to it again as a covenant of salt between Aaron and his descendants, in other words, the Levites, it is called a covenant of salt. Now, turning your Bibles to Second Chronicles, Chapter 13, Second Chronicles, Chapter 13. And look, if you would please. At verse five. Second Chronicles, Chapter 13 and verse five, there's about to be a war between Judah and Israel.

[John Weaver] the Southern Kingdom and the Northern Kingdom. So in 2 Chronicles chapter 13 and verse 5, the Bible says this, Abijah is the king of the Southern Kingdom. And he says in verse 5, talking to the Northern Kingdom, Ought you not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David forever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt. A covenant of salt. So three times now we've read about this covenant of salt. Now I want you to turn to the book of Mark chapter 9 and look at verse 50. Mark 9 verse 50. In light of those passages that I just showed you, we should be able to understand now the directions of the Lord our God In the book of Mark, chapter 9 and verse 50, look what our Lord said. Luke 9 and verse 50. He said, salt is good. But if the salt have lost his saltiness, wherewith will you season it? And then he says this, have salt in yourselves and have peace one with another.

[John Weaver] Now isn't that interesting? Have salt in yourselves and have peace one with another. You see, salt is an emblem of a firm union, concord, and agreement. That is why in the Old Testament it was called a covenant of salt and a covenant of peace. Let me give you a quote. Matthew Poole said this, They could not have been salt to season others, If themselves had not first been salted with the gracious habits of knowledge, faith, love, fear of God, now saith our Savior, keep this salt in yourselves.

[John Weaver] Let not this holy fire die from the altar. Take heed of losing your savor and have peace one with another." Listen, it is one thing in the nature of salt to unite and knit the parts of the body salted together. So as the upholding of a union and peace one with another will declare that you have salt in yourselves. By this, says the Apostle, we know that we've been translated from death into life because we love the brethren. In light of the truth of the covenantal salt and the command to have salt in ourselves and have peace one with another, we must ask whether or not we promote peace and harmony Or do we bring disruption and division? So when God tells us that we are to have salt in ourselves, he is saying that we are to be the one.

[John Weaver] It's kind of like the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians, I think, chapter four, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. That's having salt in yourself. You have to remember this. That one of the things that God has said to hate, in Proverbs 6 and verse 19, is he that soweth discord among the brethren. So you have to ask yourself these questions. Do our attitude, do our actions and words bring peace or division? Do we ever think of holding our tongue? Do we ever refrain from saying the first thought that enters into our mind?

[John Weaver] Is it necessary at times to speak rudely, sharply, and loudly? I want to show you a verse. I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs, chapter 21. Again, I can quote this verse because it's one of my favorites and I quote it fairly regularly. But look in Proverbs chapter 21 and verse 23. Look at this. Proverbs 21, verse 23. I love this verse.

[John Weaver] There are so many applications that I could make to my own life. Proverbs 21, verse 23, Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles. How many of you have ever said, oh, I wish I hadn't said that? Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Every one of us. So the Bible says he who so keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

[John Weaver] Now, in light of the fact that our Lord tells us that we are going to have to give an account of every idle word that we speak, It would be wise to watch our mouth and our tongue. Because our Lord said in Matthew 12 and verse 36, listen carefully, but I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment. No wonder he said, who so keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles.

[John Weaver] Now, here are two questions. How do we keep our mouths and our tongues in order to keep our soul from troubles. And how do we make sure that we do not speak idle words? I'll show you the answer. Look in your Bibles to the book of Colossians chapter 4 and verse 6. Colossians 4 and verse 6. Colossians 4, verse 6. Look at what the Scripture says. Here's how we make sure we do not speak idle words, here's how we make sure that we keep our mouth and our tongue. Notice in Colossians four and verse six in the Bible says this, let your speech be always with grace. Seasoned with salt. That you may know how you ought to answer every man, let your speech Be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.

[John Weaver] So according to this passage, we need three things in our conversation. We need grace, we need salt, and we need knowledge. Now, we understand grace and knowledge. I mean, I can't talk to Daniel About a subject, if I don't understand the subject that I'm talking about, if I have no knowledge of it, there's no way I could discuss it with you. I can understand grace, but how in the world? And what does it mean when it says that our conversation is to be seasoned with salt? Well, we understand grace and knowledge, but we don't necessarily understand needing our conversation seasoned with salt. When the Bible says that our conversation should be seasoned with salt, it means that our conversations should be wholesome and savory.

[John Weaver] So let me point something out. Our discourses, our conversations with each other are most important because this is in reality is where the rubber hits the road. Do you realize it's our conversations with other people that determines whether or not we end up ministering to them or whether we end up driving them away? And let me point something out. Listen carefully. It is not just what we say. It is also how we say it.

[John Weaver] If you have never understood tonal Patterns. You need to grasp the implication of tonal patterns. I can say something absolutely acceptable. And say it in such a way that it's totally unacceptable. I could look at my wife and say. I love you, sweetheart. And that's acceptable. But I could look at her and say, I love you. And she knows by that tone pattern. No, I don't love her. I'm mad at her. You see, it's the same thing. Our tone patterns reveal. Our emotions, our feelings, our irritations, so she could keep calling me and finally I could say what?

[John Weaver] Now, did I answer her? Yes. But what did my tonal pattern show? I'm irritated. I'm upset. So it's not just what we say, it is also how we say it. You have to understand that the tonal pattern can convey something totally different from what you're trying to say. This is why I tell people if there is a very important matter, if it's a very delicate matter, Talk to someone face to face, not over a telephone, not by email. Because you cannot see facial expressions over a telephone.

[John Weaver] Unless you've got one of those smartphones. And unless you're smart enough to know how to use it, but usually most people do not do things like that. I mean, my soul. The VCR that we bought 40 years ago, the light is still flashing on it. I don't know how to, you know, I'm just saying, you know, you don't talk to people. You don't see folks facial expression over telephone, certainly not by email. Because I can look at you and tell what you mean, not only by your tone pattern, but by your facial expression.

[John Weaver] So if something is really serious and something is really worth discussing, you should be able to do it face to face. Now, there are two passages that correlate to Colossians 4 and verse 6. Before we turn to them, look in Colossians 4 and verse 6 one more time and hold this because we're going to come back. He says, Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man. Turn to the book of Ephesians chapter 4, just back a few pages. Ephesians chapter 4, and look if you please at verse 29. Ephesians 4 and verse 29. Watch it. Look what the Bible says. Ephesians 4 verse 29, God says, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. And corrupt communication is not necessarily just cursing. It's not necessarily just slang words. You can say things that just simply do not need to be said.

[John Weaver] And they can be truthful things. If I know something about Robert, if Robert has confided in me, I don't have to run tell it to Wesley. It's none of his business. You follow what I'm saying? Just because you know something does not necessarily mean that you have to tell it. And it can become corrupt if you are revealing things that you should not be revealing. So he says, let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edify. And the word edify means to build up and to strengthen.

[John Weaver] But that which is building up and strengthening, that it may minister grace to the hearer. So if it's not going to minister grace to the hearer, he says it's useless anyhow. So go back now to the book of Colossians, chapter three and verse 16. I want to tie these together and answer the questions I asked earlier. Look in Colossians three and verse 16. He says, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.

[John Weaver] Teaching and admonishing one another, how? In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. So I began this message by sharing the title, You Are Contemptible. And one of the ways that we become contemptible is by our speech, by our conversations with others. And the way that we watch our mouths and our tongues is we do exactly what Colossians 4 and verse 6 says. We always season our conversation with grace and with salt and with knowledge.

[John Weaver] We let no corrupt communication proceed of our mouth. We only speak that which is edifying and godly. And the word of Christ is dwelling in us richly in all things. OK. And as long as we're speaking the word of Christ. We're certainly watching our tongues and our mouths. So. I want you to go back to Matthew, chapter five, to our text, because I want you to see this, I'm trying to tie all of this together for you momentarily.

[John Weaver] So I started the message with the title, you are contemptible. I pointed out in the introduction that each one of us is contemptible in one way or the other. You are either contemptible in the eyes of man, or you're contemptible in the eyes of God. So in verse 13 of Matthew chapter 5, our Lord says, You are the salt of the earth. Now watch. But if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? In other words, you can't regain it usually.

[John Weaver] It is therefore good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden under the foot of men. So if salt man has lost its savor, its saltiness, it is good for nothing. What do you do with it? You throw it out, you stomp it in the ground. Our Lord said it similarly in Luke chapter 14 and verse 34. He said, salt is good, but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? So now the salt has lost its savor. He said it's good for nothing now, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.

[John Weaver] The interesting thing is the Greek word kata pateo, and it literally means to tread underfoot, to trample and to tread down. So metaphorically speaking, what our Lord is saying is that we have lost our saltiness, then we are worth nothing other than being treated rudely and with contempt and to be spurned and to be absolutely worthless and merit no respect whatsoever. Wow. So when we as Christians then compromise and become worldly and lose our lives and lose our biblical principles is what I'm trying to say. We lose our saltiness and we become absolutely worthless. We become contemptible to God and to man. And so man then refers to us as hypocrites and pretenders and fakes because they see that we profess one thing and live another and they laugh at us and they mock us.

[John Weaver] Now, the laughing and the mocking would be fine if we were living a righteous and obedient life. But when they laugh at us and mock at us because we're unbiblical and ungodly, it just indicates we've lost our salt in this and they're trampling us under their feet.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to look in your Bibles to Psalm 100, whole Matthew 5. We're coming back there. But look in Psalm 123. Psalm 123. And look, if you would please, at verses three and four. Psalm 123 at verses three and four. Look what David prayed. Have mercy upon us, O God, or have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease and with the contempt of the proud. You see, the wicked and the world already despise us and hold us in contempt. And when we lose our saltiness, when we lose our biblical principles, when we live and act like the world, we're giving them even more reason to despise us and to tread us underfoot. Now, I want you to go back in your Bibles to the book of Revelation chapter 3 and look at verse 16. Look at what the Lord told the church. Look at it. Revelation chapter 3 and verse 16.

[John Weaver] He's talking to the church of the Laodiceans. In fact, verse 14, he said, unto the angel or the pastor The minister of the church of the Laodiceans write, these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness the beginning of the creation of God. Watch verse 15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would therefore thou wert cold or hot, so then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

[John Weaver] Now, the word lukewarm, of course, refers to that which is tepid, T-E-P-I-D, tepid, ever how you pronounce it, tepid, tepid, it means lukewarm. Most people like coffee and you like it either cold or hot, but not in between. I don't like warm water. I like ice water. I'm just simply saying our Lord says because you're neither cold or hot, you're lukewarm, I'm going to spew you out. John Gill, the great Baptist expositor, wrote on this about a lukewarm professor.

[John Weaver] Listen to what he said. A lukewarm professor is one that serves God and mammon. He hauls between two opinions and knows not what religion is best and cares little for any, yet keeps in a round of duty. though indifferent to it and contents himself with it, and is unconcerned about the life and power of godliness, and takes up with the external form of it, and has no thought about the glory of God, the interest of Christ or truth.

[John Weaver] And this was too much the case of this church, at least of a great number of its members, whereas it was very loathsome to Jesus Christ. Now, the word I want you to look at it. Look what he said. He said in verse 16, so then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. The word spew is a very interesting word and I can give you an excellent illustration of it. The word spew is an old verb that means to vomit or to reject with extreme disgust.

[John Weaver] When I was a little boy, my parents went to visit some neighbors and we were always glad when they did because they had children we could play together. And my father and mother were in the living room visiting with their friends. And they were having coffee. Well, dad called me and he said, son, Please come get my cup and get me another cup of coffee. I said, yes, sir. Now I went and got his cup. And. The lady said.

[John Weaver] The saccharine is on the table. Saccharine? I don't know what saccharine is. I've never heard of saccharine. You know, one of those little T90 pills. supposed to equal a teaspoon? Well, my father always took two teaspoons of sugar in his coffee. So I put two teaspoons of those little pills in his coffee. I didn't know. I was a kid. He took one swallow of that coffee and I mean, He spat it out right on the carpet. I mean, he looked at me, he said, son, if I didn't think this would kill you, I'd make you drink every drop of it. Well, embarrassing, I'm sure he spat it out on her carpet. Can you imagine what that must have tasted like with two teaspoons of those little saccharine tablets in that stuff?

[John Weaver] This is exactly what our Lord is saying. He said, because you're neither cold or hot, but you're lukewarm, I will spit you out. I can't stomach you. I can't hold you in my mouth. You are out of here. Albert Barnes said this. Referring perhaps to the well-known fact that tepid water. Tends to produce sickness at the stomach. and an inclination to vomit, the image is intensely strong and denotes deep disgust and loathing at the indifference which prevailed in the Church of Laodicea. The idea is that they would be utterly rejected and cast off as a church, a threatening of which there had been an abundant fulfillment in subsequent times. It may be remarked also that what was threatened to that church may be expected to occur to all churches if they are in the same condition, and that all professing Christians and Christian churches that are lukewarm have special reason to dread the indignation of the Savior.

[John Weaver] An easy way To be held in contempt by God is to betray Jesus Christ. And we betray Him every day by our attitudes and by our actions. And the world is always exceedingly glad and happy and will accept us and love us as long as we betray Jesus Christ. If you'll look in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Mark, chapter 14, Mark 14, and verse 10. Look at it. Here's a passage you're completely aware of, but look at it. Look in Mark chapter 14, and let's begin reading there in verse 10. Look what the Bible says concerning Judas Iscariot. You know that Judas betrayed Christ. Here it is. Mark chapter 14. Notice, if you would please, verse 10. He says this, Mark 14, and verse 10. And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests to betray him unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. It's the betrayal of Jesus Christ that makes the wicked glad.

[John Weaver] And they were willing to pay Judas in order to betray Christ. You know, many professing Christians are like Judas, in one sense of the word, because they're looking for a convenient time and a convenient way to betray Christ and get what they want and what they desire. But unhappily, many professing Christians are not even up to the par that Judas is up on, because at least Judas betrayed him for money. Most Christians betray Him just to satisfy their own desires and their own lusts. We want what we want, and we're willing to violate the Word of God to get what we want. And when we treat God with such contempt by our disobedience and rebellion and iniquity and transgression of His law, He justly and righteously places us in contempt.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to look in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Malachi. I've got to hurry, but look at Malachi, chapter two, if you would. The last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, chapter two. Look at verses seven through nine. Look at what the Bible says. Malachi two, verse seven. God says, for the priest's lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. Now watch.

[John Weaver] But you are departed out of the way. You have caused many to stumble at the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. Therefore, I have made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as you have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law." So how then does a Christian make sure that God does not hold him in contempt?

[John Weaver] And the answer is obedience. Let me tell you something. I certainly do not want my heavenly father angry with me. And the way to keep him not angry is by obeying him. That's why David said in Psalm 119, verse 22, remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept thy testimonies. Think if you would. We may be held in contempt by man in one of two ways, first, We may be held in contempt for living a righteous, godly and holy life.

[John Weaver] In this sense, they persecute us wrongly. That's why our Lord said, blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my name's sake.

[John Weaver] Secondly, men may hold us in contempt because of our disobedience. our un-Christian attitudes and actions and our compromises and our betrayals of the faith. And we rightly and justly deserve that contempt. On the other hand, God will also hold us in contempt if we betray His Son and disobey Him. And I had much rather be held in contempt by man than by God. And I've got news for you.

[John Weaver] The Apostle Paul says this, know that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Thus, you are contemptible in one way or the other. Either man is holding you in contempt because of your obedience to God, or God is holding you in contempt for your disobedience to him. And the problem is God's contempt is eternal. He said in Daniel 12 in verse two, and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake some to everlasting life and some to everlasting contempt. So if you and I want to honor God, we must obey him. And how do we obey him? By being the salt of the earth.

[John Weaver] So the question is, are you salty? Have you lost your saltiness? If you have, you better repent and beseech him for his mercy and grace. It's only as we keep his word and obey him that we have salt in ourselves. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee. We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. Lord, we ask that you would indeed make us salty, that we might honor thee and glorify thee.

[John Weaver] Help us to be obedient. and bring our lives into greater conformity to Your Word. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

You Are Contemptible

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	8312014593589
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Revelation: Christ and the Churches
Genre	Sermon
Date	2020-06-14
Dictation Name
Book	Book 139: Revelation: Christ and the Churches — Chapter 13
Source Timed Segments	80

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: You Are Contemptible

Weaver bluntly states that every person is contemptible, either in the eyes of God or man, based on their standing with God.

I want you to open your Bibles today, if you would please, to the book of Matthew, chapter 5. And we're simply going to read verse 13. Matthew, chapter 5, verse 13. The title of the message, listen carefully, is, You Are Contemptible. I think you will understand why momentarily. Look at Matthew, just verse 13 for right now. Our Lord said, You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted?

It is henceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men. Suppose I told you very bluntly today that you are contemptible. You would probably respond, I do not like to hear those words from you, nor do I want to hear those words from anyone. Suppose I went further and told you that you were not only contemptible, but you were also despicable, useless, worthless, of no value and of no account. Well, you would probably ask me if I was trying to deliberately hurt you or destroy my own ministry at the same time. I'm sure that those thoughts would probably at least enter into your mind, however, the truth is, you really are contemptible. You really are despicable. You really are worthless and valueless based upon your standing according to the Word of God. So let me just point it out very clearly. You are contemptible and so am I. You are contemptible and so am I. Each one of us happens to be contemptible one way or the other.

We are either held in contempt in the eyes of God or we are held in contempt in the eyes of man. We are either deemed valuable or worthless. We are either loved or hated. We are either the salt of the earth and therefore valuable or we have lost our salt, our saltiness, and therefore we are absolutely worthless. So there's no in between. It's kind of like I heard years ago, one man said, you know, honesty is like pregnancy. Either you is or you ain't. There's no in between.

And that's the way it is with this. I mean, we're either valuable or we are worthless. Everyone understands that salt is a necessary item, and it's a necessary item for many reasons. There are some who state that the Roman soldiers were either paid in salt or they received a salt allowance. If that is true, then we can understand where we get the old saying that that man is not worth his salt.

Salt as Flavoring

Salt makes unsavory things edible; Christians are to add divine flavor to society by adhering to biblical principles.

Let me give you at least five of them today before I begin trying to make applications. First of all, salt is used as flavoring. In other words, it is salt that makes things that are unsavory to be edible. There is a verse in Job 6 and verse 6 that asks this simple question. Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? So obviously, if you're going to eat the white of an egg, you're going to add salt, usually salt and pepper. And there are a lot of things that are just simply unedible unless they have salt on them. So an application of this truth to Christians is that since we're supposed to be the salt of the earth, we are to make society and culture livable and enjoyable in that we adhere to the truth of God, we adhere to biblical principles, and therefore we are to be the divine flavor to the world.

We are not to be morose and pathetic and discouraged and defeated. It was Oliver Wendell Holmes who once said, listen carefully, he said, I might have entered into the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers. Then Robert Louis Stevenson added these words, he once wrote in his diary, I have been to church today and I am not depressed. I've been to church today and I'm not depressed. Well, I've got news for you. There are a lot of churches you go to, you'd certainly walk away depressed. Well, the truth of the matter is, we as salt of the earth are to add flavoring.

So the question would have to be, what kind of flavor does your Christianity bring forth? It should be bringing forth a biblical flavor. If it is not, you need to gauge your life according to the Word of God. So, first of all, salt is used as flavoring. Secondly, salt is a preservative. When the Bible tells us, you are the salt of the earth, then he goes on, our Lord says, but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? In other words, our text then presupposes a truth, that is, that the world is decaying and therefore it needs salt. It needs a preservative. Any old timer knows about salted meats. Salt has always been used as a preserver.

Salt as a Preservative

Salt preserves decaying meat; Christians are to preserve a decaying world through godly living and dominion.

I can even remember when I was a boy that meat would be brought in from the smokehouse and the salt would be washed off of it before you begin to cut the meat and cook the meat. So obviously then, salt is important as a preservative. And may I remind you of this, I think you shall recall it very easily. According to Genesis chapter 19, if there had been ten righteous men found in Sodom and Gomorrah, it would have been preserved. But there were not ten righteous men, and therefore Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities of the plain were destroyed.

So if you want to know what the world would look like without the saltiness of Christianity, look around you. Because basically, we've lost our saltiness and we've lost our power to preserve because of our compromise and our apostasy. The decay of society is evident because we have not exercised dominion, we have not been as godly and as holy and as obedient as we should have been, and therefore we have lost, as Christians, our power to preserve.

Salt Stings

Salt stings wounds; Christians are to rebuke and confront sin in love, stinging consciences with righteousness.

Now, if you don't believe that, I have a way to prove it. Wait until you get an open wound and then rub salt in it. And you will find out very quickly that it stings very sharply. So what did we gather as an application from the fact that salt stings? Well, the stinging aspect of salt should remind us that God has commanded us to rebuke, to reprove, and to confront a wicked society and culture. We are to be a sting to the consciences of wicked men. And we sting their consciences by doing that which is right and holy and godly. Let me show you.

I want you to hold Matthew 5. We're certainly coming back there. But look in your Bibles, first of all, to the book of Leviticus chapter 19 and verse 17. Leviticus 19 and verse 17. Look what God says. Leviticus 19 and verse 17.

God says thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart. Now, wait a minute. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart. Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor and not suffer sin upon him. So if we suffer sin upon our neighbor, if we fail to rebuke our neighbor, if we fail to rebuke our brother, then we hate him. God says thou shalt not hate. And the positive that thou shalt not hate in this context is that we rebuke, we confront.

Now, that is why in 1 Timothy chapter 5 verse 20, the Apostle Paul told Timothy, them that sin, rebuke before all that others may fear. Now, let me explain something about that verse. A private sin would merit a private rebuke, but a public sin merits a public rebuke. That's why he said, them that sin, rebuke before all. In other words, if the sin has been public, the rebuke is to be public that others may fear. In other words, they see that sin is being confronted and dealt with. Now, I want you to turn to the book of Revelation chapter 3 and look, if you would please, at verse 19.

We're still talking about rebuking. We're still talking about stinging. So look in Revelation chapter three and verse 19, look what our Lord says to the church. Revelation chapter three, verse 19, he said this, As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous, therefore, and repent. Now, isn't that interesting? Because in Leviticus 19 verse 17, he said, thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart. Thou shalt not suffer sin upon thy neighbor. Thou shalt rebuke him. And now our Lord says, as many as I love, showing you again the positive aspect of Leviticus 19. The positive aspect is thou shalt indeed rebuke. That's what he said. As many as I love. So rebuking then is not an aspect of hatred. Rebuking is not an aspect of being angry with someone. Rebuking is an aspect of love. As many as I love, I rebuke and I chasten.

Now, there's another verse in the Bible you need to consider. The Bible says in Proverbs 27, verse 5, Open rebuke is better than secret love. Open rebuke is better than secret love. So God says it's more appropriate to rebuke someone in love than it is to love someone secretly and never say a thing to them. So I think it's already pointed out very clearly from the scripture.

There is a stinging aspect of salt and that stinging aspect is that we do not allow each other to get away with sin and wickedness and rebellion. So here are a few appropriate questions. Think about these. Have you stung any consciences lately? Have you confronted anyone about their sins? Have you confronted an erring brother? And the Bible says very plainly in the book of James, he that converteth an erring brother from the wickedness of his way, he shall save a soul from death. So very obviously, we can ask, have we corrected, have we confronted, have we stung the consciences of a brother or of anyone? Here's another question that we can ask. Now listen carefully.

When we do sting and when we do confront, we have to understand it must be with biblical love and humility and not with pride, arrogance, haughtiness, a superior attitude or a haughty disposition. Now, I can quote this, but I want you to look back in your Bibles to the book of Galatians chapter 6 at verses 1 and 2. Watch this very carefully. Look in Galatians 6 at verses 1 and 2. Here it is. Galatians 6, begin there with verse 1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Now, I want you to look at verse one. He says, Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault. Here's a man that trips. Here's a man that falls.

He may not have planned it. He may not have intended for it to happen, but it did happen. So he is sent. Now, God says you who are spiritual restore such an one. That is, you have to rebuke, you have to confront. But how do you do so? In a spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Now, what do I mean by the spirit of meekness? In other words, I have to realize when I'm confronting that erring brother, that if it had not been for the grace of God, it could be me and someone else confronting me. Considering myself, lest I also be tempted. In other words, I can be tempted just like he can be tempted. So I'm not coming to him then with a haughty, arrogant, proud, pharisaical attitude. I'm not saying, Tom, you stupid rascal.

Why did you do that? What am I going to do if I said something like that to Tom? I'm probably going to get my head knocked in. But obviously, obviously, if I said something like that to him, is he going to respond in a biblical manner to me? And of course not. Because I have not even approached him in a biblical manner. I've called him all kind of names.

You know, we oftentimes think of people doing things that are very stupid. And we view them as stupid and we can confess that they are stupid. But if you ever stop to think to the person who did it, it may not have been stupid. I mean, he may have been thinking something entirely different. So God says when we go to confront each other, when we go to rebuke each other, we can't come name calling. We can't come with a superior attitude. We can't come saying, well, I didn't do that. The only reason I didn't do that is because of the grace of God.

We are all sinners and we can all be tempted. And so God says, when we sting, when we rebuke, when we reprove, when we confront, it must be with a biblical attitude. So the question is this, have you stung anyone's conscience lately and have you stung them with biblical humility and love? Understanding that if it were not for God's grace in your life, it would be you that would be being confronted.

Salt Makes Thirsty

Salt creates thirst; Christians should make others thirst for the righteousness found only in Christ.

So salt is not only flavoring, salt not only preserves, salt stings. And fourthly, salt always makes one thirsty. Try eating a very salty dish or popcorn or Chinese food, and see if not very shortly you're desiring a lot of liquid. There's been an old saying, Alice and I love fish, fresh fish. Fresh fish, pond fish particularly, river fish, are our favorite foods. But usually, even as a boy, after I'd eat fish, I would always say this as I'd go back for a glass of water, my fish are wanting to swim, you know, because obviously, it makes you thirsty. And so salt, then, does indeed make someone thirsty.

So the point being is this. If we really have salt in ourselves, if we're really salted Christians, we should be making other people thirst, in one sense of the word, for the righteousness which is found only in Jesus Christ. We should be making people thirst for the water which only He can provide. There was a meeting of the generals in the Southern Army during the War of Northern Aggression. And General Richard Stoddard Ewell had left his saber in Stonewall Jackson's tent. And he remembered that he left that saber there and returned to pick up the saber. And when he got outside of Stonewall Jackson's tent, he just simply stood because Stonewall Jackson was in that tent wrestling with God in prayer. And after General Richard Stoddard Ewell heard Stonewall praying, he said, if this is Christianity, I must have it. I must have it. I must have it.

And that was the beginning of his conviction and his conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ. So you have to ask yourself this question. Do your words, do your actions, do your attitudes make others thirst for the righteousness that's found only in Jesus Christ? Do our lives make others want to know the truth that you and I possess when we live according to biblical principles?

Salt in Covenants and Sacrifices

Salt was used in Old Testament covenants and sacrifices, symbolizing union and peace; Christians are to have salt in themselves and promote peace.

But he did not become a sinner. We can mingle with the world, but we're not of the world and the world is not to be in us. Fifthly, listen carefully, salt was used in sacrifices and in covenants. Salt was used in sacrifices and in covenants, and yes, salt was used in sacrifices to God. Salt was used in covenants. I'm going to show you just a moment from the Bible.

But do you realize when men ate together and became friends, there was an Arabic expression that went like this. There is salt between us. In other words, we become friends, we become one. The phrase was very common to the Oriental people. And they consider then eating of salt a pledge of fidelity, which bound them in a covenantal relationship. So I want you to turn in your Bibles, first of all, to the book of Leviticus, the book of Leviticus, and look in chapter two and verse 13, Leviticus chapter two and verse 13. Now, remember, if you would, salt is used in covenants. It's also used in sacrifices to God. So in Leviticus chapter 2 and verse 13, look what the Bible says.

And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt. Neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering. With all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt. Interesting? God calls it a covenant of salt, or the salt of the covenant. And He says, with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.

Now, I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Numbers, chapter 18 and verse 19. Numbers 18, verse 19. Numbers 18, verse 19, And all the heave offerings of the holy things which the children of Israel offer unto the Lord have I given thee and thy sons and thy daughters with thee by a statute forever. It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord unto thee and to thy seed with thee. Note, if you would, God refers to it again as a covenant of salt between Aaron and his descendants, in other words, the Levites, it is called a covenant of salt. Now, turning your Bibles to Second Chronicles, Chapter 13, Second Chronicles, Chapter 13. And look, if you would please, at verse five. Second Chronicles, Chapter 13 and verse five, there's about to be a war between Judah and Israel.

the Southern Kingdom and the Northern Kingdom. So in 2 Chronicles chapter 13 and verse 5, the Bible says this, Abijah is the king of the Southern Kingdom. And he says in verse 5, talking to the Northern Kingdom, Ought you not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David forever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt. A covenant of salt. So three times now we've read about this covenant of salt. Now I want you to turn to the book of Mark chapter 9 and look at verse 50. Mark 9 verse 50. In light of those passages that I just showed you, we should be able to understand now the directions of the Lord our God. In the book of Mark, chapter 9 and verse 50, look what our Lord said. Mark 9 and verse 50. He said, salt is good. But if the salt have lost his saltiness, wherewith will you season it? And then he says this, have salt in yourselves and have peace one with another.

Now isn't that interesting? Have salt in yourselves and have peace one with another. You see, salt is an emblem of a firm union, concord, and agreement. That is why in the Old Testament it was called a covenant of salt and a covenant of peace. Let me give you a quote. Matthew Poole said this, They could not have been salt to season others, if themselves had not first been salted with the gracious habits of knowledge, faith, love, fear of God, now saith our Savior, keep this salt in yourselves. Let not this holy fire die from the altar. Take heed of losing your savor and have peace one with another. Listen, it is one thing in the nature of salt to unite and knit the parts of the body salted together. So as the upholding of a union and peace one with another will declare that you have salt in yourselves. By this, says the Apostle, we know that we've been translated from death into life because we love the brethren. In light of the truth of the covenantal salt and the command to have salt in ourselves and have peace one with another, we must ask whether or not we promote peace and harmony or do we bring disruption and division? So when God tells us that we are to have salt in ourselves, he is saying that we are to be the one.

It's kind of like the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians, I think, chapter four, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. That's having salt in yourself. You have to remember this. That one of the things that God has said to hate, in Proverbs 6 and verse 19, is he that soweth discord among the brethren. So you have to ask yourself these questions. Do our attitude, do our actions and words bring peace or division? Do we ever think of holding our tongue? Do we ever refrain from saying the first thought that enters into our mind?

Seasoned Speech

Believers must season their speech with grace, salt, and knowledge, avoiding corrupt communication and idle words.

Is it necessary at times to speak rudely, sharply, and loudly? I want to show you a verse. I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs, chapter 21. Again, I can quote this verse because it's one of my favorites and I quote it fairly regularly. But look in Proverbs chapter 21 and verse 23. Look at this. Proverbs 21, verse 23. I love this verse.

There are so many applications that I could make to my own life. Proverbs 21, verse 23, Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles. How many of you have ever said, oh, I wish I hadn't said that? Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Every one of us. So the Bible says he who so keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Now, in light of the fact that our Lord tells us that we are going to have to give an account of every idle word that we speak, it would be wise to watch our mouth and our tongue. Because our Lord said in Matthew 12 and verse 36, listen carefully, but I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment. No wonder he said, who so keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles. Now, here are two questions. How do we keep our mouths and our tongues in order to keep our soul from troubles? And how do we make sure that we do not speak idle words? I'll show you the answer. Look in your Bibles to the book of Colossians chapter 4 and verse 6. Colossians 4 and verse 6. Colossians 4, verse 6. Look at what the Scripture says. Here's how we make sure we do not speak idle words, here's how we make sure that we keep our mouth and our tongue. Notice in Colossians four and verse six the Bible says this, let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.

So according to this passage, we need three things in our conversation. We need grace, we need salt, and we need knowledge. Now, we understand grace and knowledge. I mean, I can't talk to Daniel about a subject, if I don't understand the subject that I'm talking about, if I have no knowledge of it, there's no way I could discuss it with you. I can understand grace, but how in the world? And what does it mean when it says that our conversation is to be seasoned with salt? Well, we understand grace and knowledge, but we don't necessarily understand needing our conversation seasoned with salt. When the Bible says that our conversation should be seasoned with salt, it means that our conversations should be wholesome and savory.

So let me point something out. Our discourses, our conversations with each other are most important because this is in reality where the rubber hits the road. Do you realize it's our conversations with other people that determines whether or not we end up ministering to them or whether we end up driving them away? And let me point something out. Listen carefully. It is not just what we say. It is also how we say it.

If you have never understood tonal patterns, you need to grasp the implication of tonal patterns. I can say something absolutely acceptable and say it in such a way that it's totally unacceptable. I could look at my wife and say, I love you, sweetheart. And that's acceptable. But I could look at her and say, I love you. And she knows by that tone pattern, no, I don't love her. I'm mad at her. You see, it's the same thing. Our tone patterns reveal our emotions, our feelings, our irritations. So she could keep calling me and finally I could say, what?

Now, did I answer her? Yes. But what did my tonal pattern show? I'm irritated. I'm upset. So it's not just what we say, it is also how we say it. You have to understand that the tonal pattern can convey something totally different from what you're trying to say. This is why I tell people if there is a very important matter, if it's a very delicate matter, talk to someone face to face, not over a telephone, not by email. Because you cannot see facial expressions over a telephone.

Unless you've got one of those smartphones. And unless you're smart enough to know how to use it, but usually most people do not do things like that. I mean, my soul. The VCR that we bought 40 years ago, the light is still flashing on it. I don't know how to, you know, I'm just saying, you know, you don't talk to people. You don't see folks' facial expression over telephone, certainly not by email. Because I can look at you and tell what you mean, not only by your tone pattern, but by your facial expression.

So if something is really serious and something is really worth discussing, you should be able to do it face to face. Now, there are two passages that correlate to Colossians 4 and verse 6. Before we turn to them, look in Colossians 4 and verse 6 one more time and hold this because we're going to come back. He says, Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man. Turn to the book of Ephesians chapter 4, just back a few pages. Ephesians chapter 4, and look if you please at verse 29. Ephesians 4 and verse 29. Watch it. Look what the Bible says. Ephesians 4 verse 29, God says, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. And corrupt communication is not necessarily just cursing. It's not necessarily just slang words. You can say things that just simply do not need to be said.

And they can be truthful things. If I know something about Robert, if Robert has confided in me, I don't have to run tell it to Wesley. It's none of his business. You follow what I'm saying? Just because you know something does not necessarily mean that you have to tell it. And it can become corrupt if you are revealing things that you should not be revealing. So he says, let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying. And the word edify means to build up and to strengthen.

But that which is building up and strengthening, that it may minister grace to the hearer. So if it's not going to minister grace to the hearer, he says it's useless anyhow. So go back now to the book of Colossians, chapter three and verse 16. I want to tie these together and answer the questions I asked earlier. Look in Colossians three and verse 16. He says, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. Teaching and admonishing one another, how? In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. So I began this message by sharing the title, You Are Contemptible. And one of the ways that we become contemptible is by our speech, by our conversations with others. And the way that we watch our mouths and our tongues is we do exactly what Colossians 4 and verse 6 says. We always season our conversation with grace and with salt and with knowledge.

We let no corrupt communication proceed out of our mouth. We only speak that which is edifying and godly. And the word of Christ is dwelling in us richly in all things. OK. And as long as we're speaking the word of Christ, we're certainly watching our tongues and our mouths. So I want you to go back to Matthew, chapter five, to our text, because I want you to see this, I'm trying to tie all of this together for you momentarily.

The Consequence of Lost Saltiness

Christians who lose their saltiness become worthless, are trodden underfoot by men, and risk being spewed out by Christ.

So I started the message with the title, you are contemptible. I pointed out in the introduction that each one of us is contemptible in one way or the other. You are either contemptible in the eyes of man, or you're contemptible in the eyes of God. So in verse 13 of Matthew chapter 5, our Lord says, You are the salt of the earth. Now watch. But if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? In other words, you can't regain it usually.

It is therefore good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden under the foot of men. So if salt has lost its savor, its saltiness, it is good for nothing. What do you do with it? You throw it out, you stomp it in the ground. Our Lord said it similarly in Luke chapter 14 and verse 34. He said, salt is good, but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? So now the salt has lost its savor. He said it's good for nothing now, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.

The interesting thing is the Greek word katapateo, and it literally means to tread underfoot, to trample and to tread down. So metaphorically speaking, what our Lord is saying is that if we have lost our saltiness, then we are worth nothing other than being treated rudely and with contempt and to be spurned and to be absolutely worthless and merit no respect whatsoever. Wow. So when we as Christians then compromise and become worldly and lose our lives and lose our biblical principles is what I'm trying to say. We lose our saltiness and we become absolutely worthless. We become contemptible to God and to man. And so man then refers to us as hypocrites and pretenders and fakes because they see that we profess one thing and live another and they laugh at us and they mock us.

Now, the laughing and the mocking would be fine if we were living a righteous and obedient life. But when they laugh at us and mock at us because we're unbiblical and ungodly, it just indicates we've lost our saltiness and they're trampling us under their feet. Now, I want you to look in your Bibles to Psalm 123, hold Matthew 5. We're coming back there. But look in Psalm 123. Psalm 123. And look, if you would please, at verses three and four. Psalm 123 at verses three and four. Look what David prayed. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease and with the contempt of the proud. You see, the wicked and the world already despise us and hold us in contempt. And when we lose our saltiness, when we lose our biblical principles, when we live and act like the world, we're giving them even more reason to despise us and to tread us underfoot. Now, I want you to go back in your Bibles to the book of Revelation chapter 3 and look at verse 16. Look at what the Lord told the church. Look at it. Revelation chapter 3 and verse 16.

He's talking to the church of the Laodiceans. In fact, verse 14, he said, unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. Watch verse 15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert cold or hot, so then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

Now, the word lukewarm, of course, refers to that which is tepid, T-E-P-I-D, tepid, however you pronounce it, tepid, it means lukewarm. Most people like coffee and you like it either cold or hot, but not in between. I don't like warm water. I like ice water. I'm just simply saying our Lord says because you're neither cold or hot, you're lukewarm, I'm going to spew you out. John Gill, the great Baptist expositor, wrote on this about a lukewarm professor. Listen to what he said. A lukewarm professor is one that serves God and mammon. He hauls between two opinions and knows not what religion is best and cares little for any, yet keeps in a round of duty, though indifferent to it and contents himself with it, and is unconcerned about the life and power of godliness, and takes up with the external form of it, and has no thought about the glory of God, the interest of Christ or truth.

And this was too much the case of this church, at least of a great number of its members, whereas it was very loathsome to Jesus Christ. Now, the word I want you to look at it. Look what he said. He said in verse 16, so then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. The word spew is a very interesting word and I can give you an excellent illustration of it. The word spew is an old verb that means to vomit or to reject with extreme disgust.

Betrayal and Contempt

Betraying Christ through disobedience makes one contemptible to God; obedience is the only way to avoid His contempt.

An easy way to be held in contempt by God is to betray Jesus Christ. And we betray Him every day by our attitudes and by our actions. And the world is always exceedingly glad and happy and will accept us and love us as long as we betray Jesus Christ. If you'll look in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Mark, chapter 14, Mark 14, and verse 10. Look at it. Here's a passage you're completely aware of, but look at it. Look in Mark chapter 14, and let's begin reading there in verse 10. Look what the Bible says concerning Judas Iscariot. You know that Judas betrayed Christ. Here it is. Mark chapter 14. Notice, if you would please, verse 10. He says this, Mark 14, and verse 10. And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests to betray him unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. It's the betrayal of Jesus Christ that makes the wicked glad.

And they were willing to pay Judas in order to betray Christ. You know, many professing Christians are like Judas, in one sense of the word, because they're looking for a convenient time and a convenient way to betray Christ and get what they want and what they desire. But unhappily, many professing Christians are not even up to the par that Judas is up on, because at least Judas betrayed him for money. Most Christians betray Him just to satisfy their own desires and their own lusts. We want what we want, and we're willing to violate the Word of God to get what we want. And when we treat God with such contempt by our disobedience and rebellion and iniquity and transgression of His law, He justly and righteously places us in contempt.

Now, I want you to look in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Malachi. I've got to hurry, but look at Malachi, chapter two, if you would. The last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, chapter two. Look at verses seven through nine. Look at what the Bible says. Malachi two, verse seven. God says, for the priest's lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. Now watch.

But you are departed out of the way. You have caused many to stumble at the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. Therefore, I have made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as you have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law. So how then does a Christian make sure that God does not hold him in contempt? And the answer is obedience. Let me tell you something. I certainly do not want my heavenly father angry with me. And the way to keep him not angry is by obeying him. That's why David said in Psalm 119, verse 22, remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept thy testimonies. Think if you would. We may be held in contempt by man in one of two ways, first, we may be held in contempt for living a righteous, godly and holy life.

In this sense, they persecute us wrongly. That's why our Lord said, blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my name's sake. Secondly, men may hold us in contempt because of our disobedience, our un-Christian attitudes and actions and our compromises and our betrayals of the faith. And we rightly and justly deserve that contempt. On the other hand, God will also hold us in contempt if we betray His Son and disobey Him. And I had much rather be held in contempt by man than by God. And I've got news for you.

The Apostle Paul says this, know that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Thus, you are contemptible in one way or the other. Either man is holding you in contempt because of your obedience to God, or God is holding you in contempt for your disobedience to him. And the problem is God's contempt is eternal. He said in Daniel 12 in verse two, and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake some to everlasting life and some to everlasting contempt. So if you and I want to honor God, we must obey him. And how do we obey him? By being the salt of the earth.

Conclusion: Be Salty

Weaver calls for self-examination, repentance, and obedience to be the salt of the earth and honor God.

So the question is, are you salty? Have you lost your saltiness? If you have, you better repent and beseech him for his mercy and grace. It's only as we keep his word and obey him that we have salt in ourselves. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee. We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. Lord, we ask that you would indeed make us salty, that we might honor thee and glorify thee.

Help us to be obedient and bring our lives into greater conformity to Your Word. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Contemptibility of All People

Summary: Every person is contemptible either before God or before man, depending on their obedience or disobedience.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'You are contemptible and so am I. Each one of us happens to be contemptible one way or the other.'

The Metaphor of Salt

Summary: Salt illustrates the Christian's role in the world: to flavor, preserve, sting, create thirst, and maintain covenant peace.

Evidence: Weaver lists five uses of salt and applies each to the Christian life.

The Danger of Losing Saltiness

Summary: A Christian who compromises and loses biblical distinctiveness becomes worthless and is rejected by God and man.

Evidence: Weaver warns, 'If salt has lost its savor, it is good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.'

Obedience vs. Disobedience

Summary: Obedience to God leads to being held in contempt by man but honored by God; disobedience leads to God's contempt.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'I had much rather be held in contempt by man than by God.'

The Power of Speech

Summary: Speech must be seasoned with grace, salt, and knowledge to avoid corrupt communication and idle words.

Evidence: Weaver cites Colossians 4:6 and Ephesians 4:29 to emphasize wholesome, edifying speech.

Key Arguments

You are either valuable or worthless

Summary: There is no middle ground; a Christian is either salt of the earth (valuable) or has lost saltiness (worthless).

Evidence: Weaver says, 'We're either valuable or we are worthless.'

Salt must mingle yet remain distinct

Summary: Christians must engage the world without becoming like the world, just as salt mingles with food but remains distinct.

Evidence: Weaver explains, 'Salt, in order to be effective, has to mingle with the substance it's affecting, and yet at the same time, it remains distinct from that substance.'

Rebuke is an act of love

Summary: Confronting sin is commanded by God and is a demonstration of love, not hatred.

Evidence: Weaver cites Leviticus 19:17 and Revelation 3:19 to show that rebuke is linked to love.

Lukewarmness provokes God's rejection

Summary: Being neither cold nor hot leads to being spewed out by Christ, indicating extreme disgust.

Evidence: Weaver references Revelation 3:16 and the Greek word for 'spew' meaning to vomit.

Betrayal of Christ brings contempt

Summary: Disobedience and compromise are forms of betraying Christ, making one contemptible to God.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'An easy way to be held in contempt by God is to betray Jesus Christ.'

Scripture References

Matthew 5:13

Context: The primary text: 'Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?'

Job 6:6

Context: Used to illustrate that unsavory food needs salt, just as the world needs Christians.

Genesis 19

Context: Sodom and Gomorrah would have been preserved if ten righteous men were found, showing the preserving power of salt.

Leviticus 19:17

Context: Commands rebuke of a neighbor to avoid hating him in the heart.

1 Timothy 5:20

Context: Public sin requires public rebuke so that others may fear.

Revelation 3:19

Context: Jesus says, 'As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten,' linking rebuke to love.

Proverbs 27:5

Context: Open rebuke is better than secret love.

Galatians 6:1-2

Context: Restoring a fallen brother must be done in a spirit of meekness.

Matthew 9:9-13

Context: Jesus mingled with sinners to affect them, demonstrating salt mingling yet remaining distinct.

Leviticus 2:13

Context: Every meat offering was to be seasoned with salt, called the salt of the covenant.

Numbers 18:19

Context: A covenant of salt forever given to Aaron and his descendants.

2 Chronicles 13:5

Context: The kingdom was given to David by a covenant of salt.

Mark 9:50

Context: Have salt in yourselves and have peace one with another.

Proverbs 6:19

Context: God hates those who sow discord among brethren.

Proverbs 21:23

Context: Whoever keeps his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

Matthew 12:36

Context: Every idle word will be accounted for in the day of judgment.

Colossians 4:6

Context: Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt.

Ephesians 4:29

Context: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.

Colossians 3:16

Context: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.

Luke 14:34

Context: Salt is good, but if it loses its savor, it is fit for nothing.

Historical References

Roman soldiers paid in salt

Context: Weaver mentions the tradition that Roman soldiers received a salt allowance, giving rise to the phrase 'not worth his salt.'

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Context: Quoted as saying he might have entered the ministry if clergymen didn't look like undertakers.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Context: Wrote in his diary, 'I have been to church today and I am not depressed.'

General William Tecumseh Sherman

Context: Called salt a contraband item during the War of Northern Aggression because of its use in curing meats.

General Richard Stoddard Ewell and Stonewall Jackson

Context: Ewell overheard Stonewall Jackson praying and was convicted, leading to his conversion.

Matthew Poole

Context: Quoted on Mark 9:50, explaining that salt in oneself is necessary to season others.

John Gill

Context: Quoted on Revelation 3:16, describing a lukewarm professor as one who serves God and mammon.

Albert Barnes

Context: Quoted on Revelation 3:16, explaining that tepid water causes nausea and symbolizes God's disgust.

Important Quotes

You are contemptible and so am I. Each one of us happens to be contemptible one way or the other.

Significance: Establishes the central thesis that all people are contemptible either before God or man.

Salt, in order to be effective, has to mingle with the substance it's affecting, and yet at the same time, it remains distinct from that substance.

Significance: Illustrates the Christian's call to be in the world but not of it.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.

Significance: Shows that rebuke is an expression of divine love, not hatred.

Have salt in yourselves and have peace one with another.

Significance: Commands internal saltiness as the basis for peace among believers.

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.

Significance: Key verse on the necessity of gracious, salty speech.

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

Significance: Warns of God's extreme disgust with lukewarmness.

An easy way to be held in contempt by God is to betray Jesus Christ.

Significance: Identifies disobedience as betrayal that brings divine contempt.

I had much rather be held in contempt by man than by God.

Significance: Summarizes the preacher's priority of fearing God over man.

Discussion Questions

In what ways are you currently being 'salt' in your community, and where might you have lost your saltiness?

Context: Based on the call to be salt of the earth and the warning against losing savor.

How can we rebuke a brother or sister in sin while maintaining a spirit of meekness and love?

Context: From the discussion of Galatians 6:1-2 and the stinging aspect of salt.

Does your life make others thirst for the righteousness of Christ? If not, what changes are needed?

Context: Related to the point that salt makes one thirsty.

What does it mean to have 'salt in yourselves' and how does that promote peace with others?

Context: From Mark 9:50 and the covenant of salt.

How can we ensure our speech is always seasoned with grace, salt, and knowledge?

Context: Based on Colossians 4:6 and the discussion of tonal patterns.

What are some practical ways to avoid being a 'lukewarm' Christian?

Context: From the warning in Revelation 3:16.

In what areas of life are you most tempted to betray Christ for personal desires?

Context: From the comparison to Judas and the call to obedience.

How does the fear of God's contempt motivate you more than the fear of man's contempt?

Context: From the conclusion that it is better to be held in contempt by man than by God.

Applications

Examine Your Saltiness

Summary: Evaluate whether your life adds biblical flavor to the world or has become tasteless through compromise.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'What kind of flavor does your Christianity bring forth?'

Confront Sin in Love

Summary: When you see a brother in sin, approach him with meekness and restore him, remembering your own vulnerability.

Evidence: Weaver explains Galatians 6:1-2 and the need for a spirit of meekness.

Create Spiritual Thirst

Summary: Live in such a way that others desire the righteousness and peace you have in Christ.

Evidence: Weaver tells the story of Stonewall Jackson's prayer life convicting General Ewell.

Promote Peace, Not Division

Summary: Actively work to maintain unity and peace among believers, avoiding discord.

Evidence: Weaver cites Mark 9:50 and Proverbs 6:19 about sowing discord.

Guard Your Speech

Summary: Speak only what is edifying, gracious, and seasoned with salt, avoiding idle and corrupt words.

Evidence: Weaver references Colossians 4:6, Ephesians 4:29, and Proverbs 21:23.

Avoid Lukewarmness

Summary: Pursue wholehearted devotion to Christ, rejecting a tepid, indifferent faith that disgusts God.

Evidence: Weaver warns from Revelation 3:16 that lukewarmness leads to being spewed out.

Choose God's Approval Over Man's

Summary: Accept that obedience may bring man's contempt, but it secures God's favor and avoids His eternal contempt.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'I had much rather be held in contempt by man than by God.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T17:45:29Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T09:01:30Z

Clean Transcript

You Are Contemptible

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

I want you to open your Bibles today, if you would please, to the book of Matthew, chapter 5. And we're simply going to read verse 13. Matthew, chapter 5, verse 13. The title of the message, listen carefully, is, You Are Contemptible. I think you will understand why momentarily. Look at Matthew, just verse 13 for right now. Our Lord said, You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted?
#1 | 0:00 to 0:36 | cleaned
It is henceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men. Suppose I told you very bluntly today that you are contemptible. You would probably respond, I do not like to hear those words from you, nor do I want to hear those words from anyone. Suppose I went further and told you that you were not only contemptible, but you were also despicable, useless, worthless, of no value and of no account. Well, you would probably ask me if I was trying to deliberately hurt you or destroy my own ministry at the same time. I'm sure that those thoughts would probably at least enter into your mind, however, the truth is, you really are contemptible. You really are despicable. You really are worthless and valueless based upon your standing according to the Word of God. So let me just point it out very clearly. You are contemptible and so am I. You are contemptible and so am I. Each one of us happens to be contemptible one way or the other.
#2 | 0:38 to 2:08 | cleaned
We are either held in contempt in the eyes of God or we are held in contempt in the eyes of man. We are either deemed valuable or worthless. We are either loved or hated. We are either the salt of the earth and therefore valuable or we have lost our salt, our saltiness, and therefore we are absolutely worthless. So there's no in between. It's kind of like I heard years ago, one man said, you know, honesty is like pregnancy. Either you is or you ain't. There's no in between.
#3 | 2:08 to 2:50 | cleaned
And that's the way it is with this. I mean, we're either valuable or we are worthless. Everyone understands that salt is a necessary item, and it's a necessary item for many reasons. There are some who state that the Roman soldiers were either paid in salt or they received a salt allowance. If that is true, then we can understand where we get the old saying that that man is not worth his salt.
#4 | 2:50 to 3:26 | cleaned
In other words, he really has not worked. He is actually worthless. We have many today that are not worth their salt because many people will not work and therefore they're useless. Our English word salary is derived from the word salt. You see, the English word salary does indeed come from the Latin word salarium, which means stipend or money allowance, and salarium does indeed appear to be linked to salt by the word sal or salaria, which means pertaining to salt. So actually our word salary is derived from the word salt. Did you realize that salt is mentioned over 40 times in the Bible? It is very significant. And there are many uses for salt, and the Bible makes many of these exceedingly clear.
#5 | 3:26 to 4:25 | cleaned
Let me give you at least five of them today before I begin trying to make applications. First of all, salt is used as flavoring. In other words, it is salt that makes things that are unsavory to be edible. There is a verse in Job 6 and verse 6 that asks this simple question. Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? So obviously, if you're going to eat the white of an egg, you're going to add salt, usually salt and pepper. And there are a lot of things that are just simply unedible unless they have salt on them. So an application of this truth to Christians is that since we're supposed to be the salt of the earth, we are to make society and culture livable and enjoyable in that we adhere to the truth of God, we adhere to biblical principles, and therefore we are to be the divine flavor to the world.
#6 | 4:25 to 5:34 | cleaned
We are not to be morose and pathetic and discouraged and defeated. It was Oliver Wendell Holmes who once said, listen carefully, he said, I might have entered into the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers. Then Robert Louis Stevenson added these words, he once wrote in his diary, I have been to church today and I am not depressed. I've been to church today and I'm not depressed. Well, I've got news for you. There are a lot of churches you go to, you'd certainly walk away depressed. Well, the truth of the matter is, we as salt of the earth are to add flavoring.
#7 | 5:35 to 6:29 | cleaned
So the question would have to be, what kind of flavor does your Christianity bring forth? It should be bringing forth a biblical flavor. If it is not, you need to gauge your life according to the Word of God. So, first of all, salt is used as flavoring. Secondly, salt is a preservative. When the Bible tells us, you are the salt of the earth, then he goes on, our Lord says, but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? In other words, our text then presupposes a truth, that is, that the world is decaying and therefore it needs salt. It needs a preservative. Any old timer knows about salted meats. Salt has always been used as a preserver.
#8 | 6:29 to 7:22 | cleaned
I can even remember when I was a boy that meat would be brought in from the smokehouse and the salt would be washed off of it before you begin to cut the meat and cook the meat. So obviously then, salt is important as a preservative. And may I remind you of this, I think you shall recall it very easily. According to Genesis chapter 19, if there had been ten righteous men found in Sodom and Gomorrah, it would have been preserved. But there were not ten righteous men, and therefore Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities of the plain were destroyed.
#9 | 7:24 to 8:06 | cleaned
So if you want to know what the world would look like without the saltiness of Christianity, look around you. Because basically, we've lost our saltiness and we've lost our power to preserve because of our compromise and our apostasy. The decay of society is evident because we have not exercised dominion, we have not been as godly and as holy and as obedient as we should have been, and therefore we have lost, as Christians, our power to preserve.
#10 | 8:06 to 8:47 | cleaned
Let me show you how important salt was. Salt was considered a contraband item during the War of Northern Aggression. I don't even like to mention his name, but I'll give it: General William Tecumseh Sherman. He said this, salt is eminently contraband, because of its use in curing meats, without which armies cannot be subsisted. So he understood that you needed salt to preserve meats, and that's exactly what the armies did. And so he called it a contraband item. Salt, like quinine and other medicines, were contraband during that war.
#11 | 8:49 to 9:39 | cleaned
Because he did not want the southern soldiers to have any assistance at all. So salt not only flavors, according to the Bible, salt also preserves. Thirdly, salt also stings.
#12 | 9:41 to 9:56 | cleaned
Now, if you don't believe that, I have a way to prove it. Wait until you get an open wound and then rub salt in it. And you will find out very quickly that it stings very sharply. So what did we gather as an application from the fact that salt stings? Well, the stinging aspect of salt should remind us that God has commanded us to rebuke, to reprove, and to confront a wicked society and culture. We are to be a sting to the consciences of wicked men. And we sting their consciences by doing that which is right and holy and godly. Let me show you.
#13 | 9:59 to 10:49 | cleaned
I want you to hold Matthew 5. We're certainly coming back there. But look in your Bibles, first of all, to the book of Leviticus chapter 19 and verse 17. Leviticus 19 and verse 17. Look what God says. Leviticus 19 and verse 17.
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God says thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart. Now, wait a minute. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart. Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor and not suffer sin upon him. So if we suffer sin upon our neighbor, if we fail to rebuke our neighbor, if we fail to rebuke our brother, then we hate him. God says thou shalt not hate. And the positive that thou shalt not hate in this context is that we rebuke, we confront.
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Now, that is why in 1 Timothy chapter 5 verse 20, the Apostle Paul told Timothy, them that sin, rebuke before all that others may fear. Now, let me explain something about that verse. A private sin would merit a private rebuke, but a public sin merits a public rebuke. That's why he said, them that sin, rebuke before all. In other words, if the sin has been public, the rebuke is to be public that others may fear. In other words, they see that sin is being confronted and dealt with. Now, I want you to turn to the book of Revelation chapter 3 and look, if you would please, at verse 19.
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We're still talking about rebuking. We're still talking about stinging. So look in Revelation chapter three and verse 19, look what our Lord says to the church. Revelation chapter three, verse 19, he said this, As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous, therefore, and repent. Now, isn't that interesting? Because in Leviticus 19 verse 17, he said, thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart. Thou shalt not suffer sin upon thy neighbor. Thou shalt rebuke him. And now our Lord says, as many as I love, showing you again the positive aspect of Leviticus 19. The positive aspect is thou shalt indeed rebuke. That's what he said. As many as I love. So rebuking then is not an aspect of hatred. Rebuking is not an aspect of being angry with someone. Rebuking is an aspect of love. As many as I love, I rebuke and I chasten.
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Now, there's another verse in the Bible you need to consider. The Bible says in Proverbs 27, verse 5, Open rebuke is better than secret love. Open rebuke is better than secret love. So God says it's more appropriate to rebuke someone in love than it is to love someone secretly and never say a thing to them. So I think it's already pointed out very clearly from the scripture.
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There is a stinging aspect of salt and that stinging aspect is that we do not allow each other to get away with sin and wickedness and rebellion. So here are a few appropriate questions. Think about these. Have you stung any consciences lately? Have you confronted anyone about their sins? Have you confronted an erring brother? And the Bible says very plainly in the book of James, he that converteth an erring brother from the wickedness of his way, he shall save a soul from death. So very obviously, we can ask, have we corrected, have we confronted, have we stung the consciences of a brother or of anyone? Here's another question that we can ask. Now listen carefully.
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When we do sting and when we do confront, we have to understand it must be with biblical love and humility and not with pride, arrogance, haughtiness, a superior attitude or a haughty disposition. Now, I can quote this, but I want you to look back in your Bibles to the book of Galatians chapter 6 at verses 1 and 2. Watch this very carefully. Look in Galatians 6 at verses 1 and 2. Here it is. Galatians 6, begin there with verse 1.
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Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Now, I want you to look at verse one. He says, Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault. Here's a man that trips. Here's a man that falls.
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He may not have planned it. He may not have intended for it to happen, but it did happen. So he is sent.
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Now, God says you who are spiritual restore such an one. That is, you have to rebuke, you have to confront. But how do you do so? In a spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Now, what do I mean by the spirit of meekness? In other words, I have to realize when I'm confronting that erring brother, that if it had not been for the grace of God, it could be me and someone else confronting me. Considering myself, lest I also be tempted. In other words, I can be tempted just like he can be tempted. So I'm not coming to him then with a haughty, arrogant, proud, pharisaical attitude. I'm not saying, Tom, you stupid rascal.
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Why did you do that? What am I going to do if I said something like that to Tom? I'm probably going to get my head knocked in. But obviously, obviously, if I said something like that to him, is he going to respond in a biblical manner to me? And of course not. Because I have not even approached him in a biblical manner. I've called him all kind of names.
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You know, we oftentimes think of people doing things that are very stupid. And we view them as stupid and we can confess that they are stupid. But if you ever stop to think to the person who did it, it may not have been stupid. I mean, he may have been thinking something entirely different. So God says when we go to confront each other, when we go to rebuke each other, we can't come name calling. We can't come with a superior attitude. We can't come saying, well, I didn't do that. The only reason I didn't do that is because of the grace of God.
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We are all sinners and we can all be tempted. And so God says, when we sting, when we rebuke, when we reprove, when we confront, it must be with a biblical attitude. So the question is this, have you stung anyone's conscience lately and have you stung them with biblical humility and love? Understanding that if it were not for God's grace in your life, it would be you that would be being confronted.
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So salt is not only flavoring, salt not only preserves, salt stings. And fourthly, salt always makes one thirsty. Try eating a very salty dish or popcorn or Chinese food, and see if not very shortly you're desiring a lot of liquid. There's been an old saying, Alice and I love fish, fresh fish. Fresh fish, pond fish particularly, river fish, are our favorite foods. But usually, even as a boy, after I'd eat fish, I would always say this as I'd go back for a glass of water, my fish are wanting to swim, you know, because obviously, it makes you thirsty. And so salt, then, does indeed make someone thirsty.
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So the point being is this. If we really have salt in ourselves, if we're really salted Christians, we should be making other people thirst, in one sense of the word, for the righteousness which is found only in Jesus Christ. We should be making people thirst for the water which only He can provide. There was a meeting of the generals in the Southern Army during the War of Northern Aggression.
#28 | 20:09 to 20:45 | cleaned
And General Richard Stoddard Ewell had left his saber in Stonewall Jackson's tent. And he remembered that he left that saber there and returned to pick up the saber. And when he got outside of Stonewall Jackson's tent, he just simply stood because Stonewall Jackson was in that tent wrestling with God in prayer. And after General Richard Stoddard Ewell heard Stonewall praying, he said, if this is Christianity, I must have it. I must have it. I must have it.
#29 | 20:47 to 21:36 | cleaned
And that was the beginning of his conviction and his conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ. So you have to ask yourself this question. Do your words, do your actions, do your attitudes make others thirst for the righteousness that's found only in Jesus Christ? Do our lives make others want to know the truth that you and I possess when we live according to biblical principles?
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Salt, in order to be effective, has to mingle with the substance it's affecting, and yet at the same time, it remains distinct from that substance. You can salt your grits, which you should do. But once you have good salted grits, you eat the grits, but you know where the salt is. You know they're salted. You can taste the salt. The salt has been mingled with the grits, but it's still distinct. You can mingle it with rice. It's still distinct. You can mingle salt with anything. It is still distinct. Salt is unlike the medium in which it is placed.
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Now let me show you what I'm talking about. Look in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 9. Matthew chapter 9. And look at what our Lord told the Pharisees. You see, the Pharisees did not understand this truth about salt. That it can be mixed with a substance and yet remain distinct. So in Matthew chapter 9, notice, if you would, beginning there in verse nine, and as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the receipt of custom, and he said to him, follow me.
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And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. Now note, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to the disciples, why eateth your master with publicans and sinners? In other words, if he was holy, he would know that these are unholy people.
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He would have nothing to do with them. Wow. Watch, if you would, please, verse 12. But when Jesus heard that, he said to them, they that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. So why did our Lord then mingle with the publicans and sinners?
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He mingled with them to affect them. They did not affect him. But he was the true salt of the earth. In other words, as Christians, let me put it to you bluntly, we are in the world, but we are not of the world. We're in the world, but the world is not in us. And there should be something different about our lives in the sense that when other people see us, they can say, well, he is different. He's not only different, but you know, there's something about him.
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May not understand it, may not comprehend it, but there's something about that individual that makes him stand out. Well, what is it? It's the grace of God. It's the mercy of God. It is the truth of God in our lives. And so we should be able to make people thirst after the righteousness of Jesus Christ without becoming one of them who needs the water of life. So our Lord mingled with sinners.
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But he did not become a sinner. We can mingle with the world, but we're not of the world and the world is not to be in us. Fifthly, listen carefully, salt was used in sacrifices and in covenants. Salt was used in sacrifices and in covenants, and yes, salt was used in sacrifices to God. Salt was used in covenants. I'm going to show you just a moment from the Bible.
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But do you realize when men ate together and became friends, there was an Arabic expression that went like this. There is salt between us. In other words, we become friends, we become one. The phrase was very common to the Oriental people. And they consider then eating of salt a pledge of fidelity, which bound them in a covenantal relationship. So I want you to turn in your Bibles, first of all, to the book of Leviticus, the book of Leviticus, and look in chapter two and verse 13, Leviticus chapter two and verse 13. Now, remember, if you would, salt is used in covenants. It's also used in sacrifices to God. So in Leviticus chapter 2 and verse 13, look what the Bible says.
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And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt. Neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering. With all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt. Interesting? God calls it a covenant of salt, or the salt of the covenant. And He says, with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.
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Now, I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Numbers, chapter 18 and verse 19. Numbers 18, verse 19. Numbers 18, verse 19, And all the heave offerings of the holy things which the children of Israel offer unto the Lord have I given thee and thy sons and thy daughters with thee by a statute forever. It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord unto thee and to thy seed with thee. Note, if you would, God refers to it again as a covenant of salt between Aaron and his descendants, in other words, the Levites, it is called a covenant of salt. Now, turning your Bibles to Second Chronicles, Chapter 13, Second Chronicles, Chapter 13. And look, if you would please, at verse five. Second Chronicles, Chapter 13 and verse five, there's about to be a war between Judah and Israel.
#40 | 27:58 to 29:12 | cleaned
the Southern Kingdom and the Northern Kingdom. So in 2 Chronicles chapter 13 and verse 5, the Bible says this, Abijah is the king of the Southern Kingdom. And he says in verse 5, talking to the Northern Kingdom, Ought you not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David forever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt. A covenant of salt. So three times now we've read about this covenant of salt. Now I want you to turn to the book of Mark chapter 9 and look at verse 50. Mark 9 verse 50. In light of those passages that I just showed you, we should be able to understand now the directions of the Lord our God. In the book of Mark, chapter 9 and verse 50, look what our Lord said. Mark 9 and verse 50. He said, salt is good. But if the salt have lost his saltiness, wherewith will you season it? And then he says this, have salt in yourselves and have peace one with another.
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Now isn't that interesting? Have salt in yourselves and have peace one with another. You see, salt is an emblem of a firm union, concord, and agreement. That is why in the Old Testament it was called a covenant of salt and a covenant of peace. Let me give you a quote. Matthew Poole said this, They could not have been salt to season others, if themselves had not first been salted with the gracious habits of knowledge, faith, love, fear of God, now saith our Savior, keep this salt in yourselves.
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Let not this holy fire die from the altar. Take heed of losing your savor and have peace one with another. Listen, it is one thing in the nature of salt to unite and knit the parts of the body salted together. So as the upholding of a union and peace one with another will declare that you have salt in yourselves. By this, says the Apostle, we know that we've been translated from death into life because we love the brethren. In light of the truth of the covenantal salt and the command to have salt in ourselves and have peace one with another, we must ask whether or not we promote peace and harmony or do we bring disruption and division? So when God tells us that we are to have salt in ourselves, he is saying that we are to be the one.
#43 | 31:25 to 32:25 | cleaned
It's kind of like the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians, I think, chapter four, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. That's having salt in yourself. You have to remember this. That one of the things that God has said to hate, in Proverbs 6 and verse 19, is he that soweth discord among the brethren. So you have to ask yourself these questions. Do our attitude, do our actions and words bring peace or division? Do we ever think of holding our tongue? Do we ever refrain from saying the first thought that enters into our mind?
#44 | 32:25 to 33:12 | cleaned
Is it necessary at times to speak rudely, sharply, and loudly? I want to show you a verse. I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs, chapter 21. Again, I can quote this verse because it's one of my favorites and I quote it fairly regularly. But look in Proverbs chapter 21 and verse 23. Look at this. Proverbs 21, verse 23. I love this verse.
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There are so many applications that I could make to my own life. Proverbs 21, verse 23, Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles. How many of you have ever said, oh, I wish I hadn't said that? Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Every one of us. So the Bible says he who so keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
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Now, in light of the fact that our Lord tells us that we are going to have to give an account of every idle word that we speak, it would be wise to watch our mouth and our tongue. Because our Lord said in Matthew 12 and verse 36, listen carefully, but I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment. No wonder he said, who so keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles.
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Now, here are two questions. How do we keep our mouths and our tongues in order to keep our soul from troubles? And how do we make sure that we do not speak idle words? I'll show you the answer. Look in your Bibles to the book of Colossians chapter 4 and verse 6. Colossians 4 and verse 6. Colossians 4, verse 6. Look at what the Scripture says. Here's how we make sure we do not speak idle words, here's how we make sure that we keep our mouth and our tongue. Notice in Colossians four and verse six the Bible says this, let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.
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So according to this passage, we need three things in our conversation. We need grace, we need salt, and we need knowledge. Now, we understand grace and knowledge. I mean, I can't talk to Daniel about a subject, if I don't understand the subject that I'm talking about, if I have no knowledge of it, there's no way I could discuss it with you. I can understand grace, but how in the world? And what does it mean when it says that our conversation is to be seasoned with salt? Well, we understand grace and knowledge, but we don't necessarily understand needing our conversation seasoned with salt. When the Bible says that our conversation should be seasoned with salt, it means that our conversations should be wholesome and savory.
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So let me point something out. Our discourses, our conversations with each other are most important because this is in reality where the rubber hits the road. Do you realize it's our conversations with other people that determines whether or not we end up ministering to them or whether we end up driving them away? And let me point something out. Listen carefully. It is not just what we say. It is also how we say it.
#50 | 37:13 to 37:48 | cleaned
If you have never understood tonal patterns, you need to grasp the implication of tonal patterns. I can say something absolutely acceptable and say it in such a way that it's totally unacceptable. I could look at my wife and say, I love you, sweetheart. And that's acceptable. But I could look at her and say, I love you. And she knows by that tone pattern, no, I don't love her. I'm mad at her. You see, it's the same thing. Our tone patterns reveal our emotions, our feelings, our irritations. So she could keep calling me and finally I could say, what?
#51 | 37:52 to 38:53 | cleaned
Now, did I answer her? Yes. But what did my tonal pattern show? I'm irritated. I'm upset. So it's not just what we say, it is also how we say it. You have to understand that the tonal pattern can convey something totally different from what you're trying to say. This is why I tell people if there is a very important matter, if it's a very delicate matter, talk to someone face to face, not over a telephone, not by email. Because you cannot see facial expressions over a telephone.
#52 | 38:56 to 39:38 | cleaned
Unless you've got one of those smartphones. And unless you're smart enough to know how to use it, but usually most people do not do things like that. I mean, my soul. The VCR that we bought 40 years ago, the light is still flashing on it. I don't know how to, you know, I'm just saying, you know, you don't talk to people. You don't see folks' facial expression over telephone, certainly not by email. Because I can look at you and tell what you mean, not only by your tone pattern, but by your facial expression.
#53 | 39:41 to 40:25 | cleaned
So if something is really serious and something is really worth discussing, you should be able to do it face to face. Now, there are two passages that correlate to Colossians 4 and verse 6. Before we turn to them, look in Colossians 4 and verse 6 one more time and hold this because we're going to come back. He says, Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man. Turn to the book of Ephesians chapter 4, just back a few pages. Ephesians chapter 4, and look if you please at verse 29. Ephesians 4 and verse 29. Watch it. Look what the Bible says. Ephesians 4 verse 29, God says, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. And corrupt communication is not necessarily just cursing. It's not necessarily just slang words. You can say things that just simply do not need to be said.
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And they can be truthful things. If I know something about Robert, if Robert has confided in me, I don't have to run tell it to Wesley. It's none of his business. You follow what I'm saying? Just because you know something does not necessarily mean that you have to tell it. And it can become corrupt if you are revealing things that you should not be revealing. So he says, let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying. And the word edify means to build up and to strengthen.
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But that which is building up and strengthening, that it may minister grace to the hearer. So if it's not going to minister grace to the hearer, he says it's useless anyhow. So go back now to the book of Colossians, chapter three and verse 16. I want to tie these together and answer the questions I asked earlier. Look in Colossians three and verse 16. He says, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.
#56 | 42:23 to 42:46 | cleaned
Teaching and admonishing one another, how? In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. So I began this message by sharing the title, You Are Contemptible. And one of the ways that we become contemptible is by our speech, by our conversations with others. And the way that we watch our mouths and our tongues is we do exactly what Colossians 4 and verse 6 says. We always season our conversation with grace and with salt and with knowledge.
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We let no corrupt communication proceed out of our mouth. We only speak that which is edifying and godly. And the word of Christ is dwelling in us richly in all things. OK. And as long as we're speaking the word of Christ, we're certainly watching our tongues and our mouths. So I want you to go back to Matthew, chapter five, to our text, because I want you to see this, I'm trying to tie all of this together for you momentarily.
#58 | 43:35 to 44:09 | cleaned
So I started the message with the title, you are contemptible. I pointed out in the introduction that each one of us is contemptible in one way or the other. You are either contemptible in the eyes of man, or you're contemptible in the eyes of God. So in verse 13 of Matthew chapter 5, our Lord says, You are the salt of the earth. Now watch. But if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? In other words, you can't regain it usually.
#59 | 44:10 to 44:44 | cleaned
It is therefore good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden under the foot of men. So if salt has lost its savor, its saltiness, it is good for nothing. What do you do with it? You throw it out, you stomp it in the ground. Our Lord said it similarly in Luke chapter 14 and verse 34. He said, salt is good, but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? So now the salt has lost its savor. He said it's good for nothing now, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.
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The interesting thing is the Greek word katapateo, and it literally means to tread underfoot, to trample and to tread down. So metaphorically speaking, what our Lord is saying is that if we have lost our saltiness, then we are worth nothing other than being treated rudely and with contempt and to be spurned and to be absolutely worthless and merit no respect whatsoever. Wow. So when we as Christians then compromise and become worldly and lose our lives and lose our biblical principles is what I'm trying to say. We lose our saltiness and we become absolutely worthless. We become contemptible to God and to man. And so man then refers to us as hypocrites and pretenders and fakes because they see that we profess one thing and live another and they laugh at us and they mock us.
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Now, the laughing and the mocking would be fine if we were living a righteous and obedient life. But when they laugh at us and mock at us because we're unbiblical and ungodly, it just indicates we've lost our saltiness and they're trampling us under their feet.
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Now, I want you to look in your Bibles to Psalm 123, hold Matthew 5. We're coming back there. But look in Psalm 123. Psalm 123. And look, if you would please, at verses three and four. Psalm 123 at verses three and four. Look what David prayed. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease and with the contempt of the proud. You see, the wicked and the world already despise us and hold us in contempt. And when we lose our saltiness, when we lose our biblical principles, when we live and act like the world, we're giving them even more reason to despise us and to tread us underfoot. Now, I want you to go back in your Bibles to the book of Revelation chapter 3 and look at verse 16. Look at what the Lord told the church. Look at it. Revelation chapter 3 and verse 16.
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He's talking to the church of the Laodiceans. In fact, verse 14, he said, unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. Watch verse 15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert cold or hot, so then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
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Now, the word lukewarm, of course, refers to that which is tepid, T-E-P-I-D, tepid, however you pronounce it, tepid, it means lukewarm. Most people like coffee and you like it either cold or hot, but not in between. I don't like warm water. I like ice water. I'm just simply saying our Lord says because you're neither cold or hot, you're lukewarm, I'm going to spew you out. John Gill, the great Baptist expositor, wrote on this about a lukewarm professor.
#65 | 49:02 to 49:45 | cleaned
Listen to what he said. A lukewarm professor is one that serves God and mammon. He hauls between two opinions and knows not what religion is best and cares little for any, yet keeps in a round of duty, though indifferent to it and contents himself with it, and is unconcerned about the life and power of godliness, and takes up with the external form of it, and has no thought about the glory of God, the interest of Christ or truth.
#66 | 49:45 to 50:17 | cleaned
And this was too much the case of this church, at least of a great number of its members, whereas it was very loathsome to Jesus Christ. Now, the word I want you to look at it. Look what he said. He said in verse 16, so then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. The word spew is a very interesting word and I can give you an excellent illustration of it. The word spew is an old verb that means to vomit or to reject with extreme disgust.
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When I was a little boy, my parents went to visit some neighbors and we were always glad when they did because they had children we could play together. And my father and mother were in the living room visiting with their friends. And they were having coffee. Well, dad called me and he said, son, please come get my cup and get me another cup of coffee. I said, yes, sir. Now I went and got his cup. And the lady said.
#68 | 51:01 to 51:42 | cleaned
The saccharine is on the table. Saccharine? I don't know what saccharine is. I've never heard of saccharine. You know, one of those little tiny pills supposed to equal a teaspoon? Well, my father always took two teaspoons of sugar in his coffee. So I put two teaspoons of those little pills in his coffee. I didn't know. I was a kid. He took one swallow of that coffee and I mean, he spat it out right on the carpet. I mean, he looked at me, he said, son, if I didn't think this would kill you, I'd make you drink every drop of it. Well, embarrassing, I'm sure he spat it out on her carpet. Can you imagine what that must have tasted like with two teaspoons of those little saccharine tablets in that stuff?
#69 | 51:44 to 52:56 | cleaned
This is exactly what our Lord is saying. He said, because you're neither cold or hot, but you're lukewarm, I will spit you out. I can't stomach you. I can't hold you in my mouth. You are out of here. Albert Barnes said this. Referring perhaps to the well-known fact that tepid water tends to produce sickness at the stomach and an inclination to vomit, the image is intensely strong and denotes deep disgust and loathing at the indifference which prevailed in the Church of Laodicea. The idea is that they would be utterly rejected and cast off as a church, a threatening of which there had been an abundant fulfillment in subsequent times. It may be remarked also that what was threatened to that church may be expected to occur to all churches if they are in the same condition, and that all professing Christians and Christian churches that are lukewarm have special reason to dread the indignation of the Savior.
#70 | 52:58 to 54:15 | cleaned
An easy way to be held in contempt by God is to betray Jesus Christ. And we betray Him every day by our attitudes and by our actions. And the world is always exceedingly glad and happy and will accept us and love us as long as we betray Jesus Christ. If you'll look in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Mark, chapter 14, Mark 14, and verse 10. Look at it. Here's a passage you're completely aware of, but look at it. Look in Mark chapter 14, and let's begin reading there in verse 10. Look what the Bible says concerning Judas Iscariot. You know that Judas betrayed Christ. Here it is. Mark chapter 14. Notice, if you would please, verse 10. He says this, Mark 14, and verse 10. And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests to betray him unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. It's the betrayal of Jesus Christ that makes the wicked glad.
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And they were willing to pay Judas in order to betray Christ. You know, many professing Christians are like Judas, in one sense of the word, because they're looking for a convenient time and a convenient way to betray Christ and get what they want and what they desire. But unhappily, many professing Christians are not even up to the par that Judas is up on, because at least Judas betrayed him for money. Most Christians betray Him just to satisfy their own desires and their own lusts. We want what we want, and we're willing to violate the Word of God to get what we want. And when we treat God with such contempt by our disobedience and rebellion and iniquity and transgression of His law, He justly and righteously places us in contempt.
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Now, I want you to look in your Bibles very quickly to the book of Malachi. I've got to hurry, but look at Malachi, chapter two, if you would. The last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, chapter two. Look at verses seven through nine. Look at what the Bible says. Malachi two, verse seven. God says, for the priest's lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. Now watch.
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But you are departed out of the way. You have caused many to stumble at the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. Therefore, I have made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as you have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law. So how then does a Christian make sure that God does not hold him in contempt?
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And the answer is obedience. Let me tell you something. I certainly do not want my heavenly father angry with me. And the way to keep him not angry is by obeying him. That's why David said in Psalm 119, verse 22, remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept thy testimonies. Think if you would. We may be held in contempt by man in one of two ways, first, we may be held in contempt for living a righteous, godly and holy life.
#75 | 57:30 to 58:04 | cleaned
In this sense, they persecute us wrongly. That's why our Lord said, blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my name's sake.
#76 | 58:04 to 58:17 | cleaned
Secondly, men may hold us in contempt because of our disobedience, our un-Christian attitudes and actions and our compromises and our betrayals of the faith. And we rightly and justly deserve that contempt. On the other hand, God will also hold us in contempt if we betray His Son and disobey Him. And I had much rather be held in contempt by man than by God. And I've got news for you.
#77 | 58:17 to 58:47 | cleaned
The Apostle Paul says this, know that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Thus, you are contemptible in one way or the other. Either man is holding you in contempt because of your obedience to God, or God is holding you in contempt for your disobedience to him. And the problem is God's contempt is eternal. He said in Daniel 12 in verse two, and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake some to everlasting life and some to everlasting contempt. So if you and I want to honor God, we must obey him. And how do we obey him? By being the salt of the earth.
#78 | 58:47 to 59:38 | cleaned
So the question is, are you salty? Have you lost your saltiness? If you have, you better repent and beseech him for his mercy and grace. It's only as we keep his word and obey him that we have salt in ourselves. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee. We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. Lord, we ask that you would indeed make us salty, that we might honor thee and glorify thee.
#79 | 59:39 to 1:00:08 | cleaned
Help us to be obedient and bring our lives into greater conformity to Your Word. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T17:45:29Z

You Are Contemptible

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

John Weaver preaches on Matthew 5:13, explaining that every person is contemptible—either held in contempt by God for disobedience or by man for righteousness. Using the metaphor of salt, he outlines five functions of salt (flavoring, preserving, stinging, making thirsty, and covenant use) and applies them to the Christian life. He warns that losing saltiness makes one worthless and trodden underfoot, and calls believers to examine their speech, obedience, and witness to avoid being spewed out by Christ.

Introduction: You Are Contemptible

Weaver bluntly states that every person is contemptible, either in the eyes of God or man, based on their standing with God.

Salt as Flavoring

Salt makes unsavory things edible; Christians are to add divine flavor to society by adhering to biblical principles.

Salt as a Preservative

Salt preserves decaying meat; Christians are to preserve a decaying world through godly living and dominion.

Salt Stings

Salt stings wounds; Christians are to rebuke and confront sin in love, stinging consciences with righteousness.

Salt Makes Thirsty

Salt creates thirst; Christians should make others thirst for the righteousness found only in Christ.

Salt in Covenants and Sacrifices

Salt was used in Old Testament covenants and sacrifices, symbolizing union and peace; Christians are to have salt in themselves and promote peace.

Seasoned Speech

Believers must season their speech with grace, salt, and knowledge, avoiding corrupt communication and idle words.

The Consequence of Lost Saltiness

Christians who lose their saltiness become worthless, are trodden underfoot by men, and risk being spewed out by Christ.

Betrayal and Contempt

Betraying Christ through disobedience makes one contemptible to God; obedience is the only way to avoid His contempt.

Conclusion: Be Salty

Weaver calls for self-examination, repentance, and obedience to be the salt of the earth and honor God.

Help us to be obedient and bring our lives into greater conformity to Your Word. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

You Are Contemptible

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	8312014593589
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Revelation: Christ and the Churches
Genre	Sermon
Date	2020-06-14
Dictation Name
Book	Book 139: Revelation: Christ and the Churches — Chapter 13
Source Timed Segments	80

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: You Are Contemptible: Weaver bluntly states that every person is contemptible, either in the eyes of God or man, based on their standing with God.
Salt as Flavoring: Salt makes unsavory things edible; Christians are to add divine flavor to society by adhering to biblical principles.
Salt as a Preservative: Salt preserves decaying meat; Christians are to preserve a decaying world through godly living and dominion.
Salt Stings: Salt stings wounds; Christians are to rebuke and confront sin in love, stinging consciences with righteousness.
Salt Makes Thirsty: Salt creates thirst; Christians should make others thirst for the righteousness found only in Christ.
Salt in Covenants and Sacrifices: Salt was used in Old Testament covenants and sacrifices, symbolizing union and peace; Christians are to have salt in themselves and promote peace.
Seasoned Speech: Believers must season their speech with grace, salt, and knowledge, avoiding corrupt communication and idle words.
The Consequence of Lost Saltiness: Christians who lose their saltiness become worthless, are trodden underfoot by men, and risk being spewed out by Christ.
Betrayal and Contempt: Betraying Christ through disobedience makes one contemptible to God; obedience is the only way to avoid His contempt.
Conclusion: Be Salty: Weaver calls for self-examination, repentance, and obedience to be the salt of the earth and honor God.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

You are either valuable or worthless

There is no middle ground; a Christian is either salt of the earth (valuable) or has lost saltiness (worthless).

Weaver says, 'We're either valuable or we are worthless.'

Salt must mingle yet remain distinct

Christians must engage the world without becoming like the world, just as salt mingles with food but remains distinct.

Weaver explains, 'Salt, in order to be effective, has to mingle with the substance it's affecting, and yet at the same time, it remains distinct from that substance.'

Rebuke is an act of love

Confronting sin is commanded by God and is a demonstration of love, not hatred.

Weaver cites Leviticus 19:17 and Revelation 3:19 to show that rebuke is linked to love.

Lukewarmness provokes God's rejection

Being neither cold nor hot leads to being spewed out by Christ, indicating extreme disgust.

Weaver references Revelation 3:16 and the Greek word for 'spew' meaning to vomit.

Betrayal of Christ brings contempt

Disobedience and compromise are forms of betraying Christ, making one contemptible to God.

Weaver says, 'An easy way to be held in contempt by God is to betray Jesus Christ.'

Scripture References

Matthew 5:13: The primary text: 'Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?'
Job 6:6: Used to illustrate that unsavory food needs salt, just as the world needs Christians.
Genesis 19: Sodom and Gomorrah would have been preserved if ten righteous men were found, showing the preserving power of salt.
Leviticus 19:17: Commands rebuke of a neighbor to avoid hating him in the heart.
1 Timothy 5:20: Public sin requires public rebuke so that others may fear.
Revelation 3:19: Jesus says, 'As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten,' linking rebuke to love.
Proverbs 27:5: Open rebuke is better than secret love.
Galatians 6:1-2: Restoring a fallen brother must be done in a spirit of meekness.
Matthew 9:9-13: Jesus mingled with sinners to affect them, demonstrating salt mingling yet remaining distinct.
Leviticus 2:13: Every meat offering was to be seasoned with salt, called the salt of the covenant.
Numbers 18:19: A covenant of salt forever given to Aaron and his descendants.
2 Chronicles 13:5: The kingdom was given to David by a covenant of salt.
Mark 9:50: Have salt in yourselves and have peace one with another.
Proverbs 6:19: God hates those who sow discord among brethren.
Proverbs 21:23: Whoever keeps his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
Matthew 12:36: Every idle word will be accounted for in the day of judgment.
Colossians 4:6: Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt.
Ephesians 4:29: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.
Colossians 3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Luke 14:34: Salt is good, but if it loses its savor, it is fit for nothing.

Historical References

Roman soldiers paid in salt: Weaver mentions the tradition that Roman soldiers received a salt allowance, giving rise to the phrase 'not worth his salt.'
Oliver Wendell Holmes: Quoted as saying he might have entered the ministry if clergymen didn't look like undertakers.
Robert Louis Stevenson: Wrote in his diary, 'I have been to church today and I am not depressed.'
General William Tecumseh Sherman: Called salt a contraband item during the War of Northern Aggression because of its use in curing meats.
General Richard Stoddard Ewell and Stonewall Jackson: Ewell overheard Stonewall Jackson praying and was convicted, leading to his conversion.
Matthew Poole: Quoted on Mark 9:50, explaining that salt in oneself is necessary to season others.
John Gill: Quoted on Revelation 3:16, describing a lukewarm professor as one who serves God and mammon.
Albert Barnes: Quoted on Revelation 3:16, explaining that tepid water causes nausea and symbolizes God's disgust.

Important Quotes

You are contemptible and so am I. Each one of us happens to be contemptible one way or the other.

Establishes the central thesis that all people are contemptible either before God or man.

Salt, in order to be effective, has to mingle with the substance it's affecting, and yet at the same time, it remains distinct from that substance.

Illustrates the Christian's call to be in the world but not of it.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.

Shows that rebuke is an expression of divine love, not hatred.

Have salt in yourselves and have peace one with another.

Commands internal saltiness as the basis for peace among believers.

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.

Key verse on the necessity of gracious, salty speech.

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

Warns of God's extreme disgust with lukewarmness.

An easy way to be held in contempt by God is to betray Jesus Christ.

Identifies disobedience as betrayal that brings divine contempt.

I had much rather be held in contempt by man than by God.

Summarizes the preacher's priority of fearing God over man.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

In what ways are you currently being 'salt' in your community, and where might you have lost your saltiness?

[Context]

Based on the call to be salt of the earth and the warning against losing savor.

[Question]

How can we rebuke a brother or sister in sin while maintaining a spirit of meekness and love?

[Context]

From the discussion of Galatians 6:1-2 and the stinging aspect of salt.

[Question]

Does your life make others thirst for the righteousness of Christ? If not, what changes are needed?

[Context]

Related to the point that salt makes one thirsty.

[Question]

What does it mean to have 'salt in yourselves' and how does that promote peace with others?

[Context]

From Mark 9:50 and the covenant of salt.

[Question]

How can we ensure our speech is always seasoned with grace, salt, and knowledge?

[Context]

Based on Colossians 4:6 and the discussion of tonal patterns.

[Question]

What are some practical ways to avoid being a 'lukewarm' Christian?

[Context]

From the warning in Revelation 3:16.

[Question]

In what areas of life are you most tempted to betray Christ for personal desires?

[Context]

From the comparison to Judas and the call to obedience.

[Question]

How does the fear of God's contempt motivate you more than the fear of man's contempt?

[Context]

From the conclusion that it is better to be held in contempt by man than by God.

Applications

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T09:01:30Z