Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• It is up to individual Christians to interpret the Bible?
• Do we say that the church has the only interpretation on the Bible?
• On some things details are not clear and there is room for individual interpretation
• On other matters there is absolutely no room for individual interpretation
• Resurrection, the deity of Jesus Christ, the atoning sacrifice on the cross
• This verse is one of the "deep things of God"
• The preacher must give the original meaning of the Scripture, not their own private interpretation
• Perhaps God wants us to spend more time looking at this passage since it is more difficult to interpret and understand
• Example of the Parable of the Lost Sheep that has two different meanings

Different Interpretations of v49

• Continues on from previous passage
• Some believe it only applies to Christians
• Some believe it applies to our works in the judgement seat
• That the Christian's wrong works will be burned up
• Some believe the sacrifice refers to their spiritual worship
• Others believe that the fire refers to the fires of trial
• Some say it only applies to unbelievers
• Some say there is a contrast in v49
• The 'everyone' refers to unbelievers
• The 'every sacrifice' refers to believers

First Half of v49

• Everybody refers to all people
• It applies to men, women and children
• Seasoned with fire
• To refine, to sanctify, to improve in times of trial
• Also applies to the fires of hell
• Jesus denied that none would be lost
• He wept over Jerusalem as they rejected Him

Second Half of v49

• Lev 2:13-14
• These offerings were not for the atonement of sin (which requires blood) but an offering of consecration
• Salt purifies and salt preserves
• As Christians act God purifies and preserves
• Rom 12:1-2
• God does not want us to be conformed to this world
• God wants our sacrifice to be holy
• This happens as the Spirit is working in us
• As we offer ourselves to God, He is at work in us
• This verse must equally apply to both believers and non-believers
• Their sacrifice will also be seasoned with salt, but preserved unto judgement

Specific Teaching of v50

• Tense changes from 'everyone' to 'you'
• Everything that comes from God is good
• We must not mix what is good (God's grace) with sin
• We must not become contaminated
• We must be holy as God is Holy
• Salt is normally a stable substance
• If contaminated with gypsum it is worthless, it cannot be used for anything
• Does this refer to a person who sees the goodness of God yet rejects His love, His church and His people?
• Heb 6:4-6
• It is a call to the disciples to press on, to trust and not to go back
• "Have salt in yourself"
• Let your life be seasoned with God's grace
• "The law of kindness was upon His lips"
• Be holy, don't give way to the pleasures of sin
• "Have peace with one another"
• Remember the dispute earlier on, the bickering on the road about who was greatest (v33)
• Rom 14:19-20
• Do not eat certain foods if it will cause others to stumble
• Do I seek the peace of the whole body of Christ?
• Eph 4:1-3
• Heb 12:14-15
• Agree with one another, be of one heart, let harmony remain
• We have a gospel of peace and Good news
• People look at us, we are like letters read by all men