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Matthew 5:13-20

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Rev. Anita Thompson,
Associate Pastor for Music & Worship,
First Baptist Church of Ahoskie, North Carolina

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit
    • "Witness"
    • "The Succession of Founders and Messengers"  
  • "World Light," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
  • Stephen Carlson's color-coded Greek Synoptic Parallels: 5:13-16.
  • Chapter XV, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. c 110). (Longer version only - 4th cent interpolation.)
  • Chapter CIV, Dialogue With Trypho, Justin Martyr. (c 160)
  • VIII, 40-43, 46-49; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
  • I.III.2, I.VI.1, IV.VII.3, IV.XIII.1, IV.XXXI.3, IV.XXXIV.2, IV.XXXVII.3, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • Chapter IX, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
  • Chapter IX, Exhortation to the Greeks, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • III.11, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter XXVI, The Prescription of Heretics, Tertullian (c. 200)
  • I.1, I.8, II.18, II.19, III.4, III.6, IV.26, VI.15, VI.18, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • II.2, II.13, On The Apparel of Women, Tertullian (c. 202)
  • IV.7, IV.9, IV.12, IV.36, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter VII, Exhortation to Chastity, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter II, Chapter XIV, On Idolatry, Tertullian (c. 211)
  • V.14, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
  • Chapter VII, On Monogamy, Tertullian (c. 215)
  • Chapter VI, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
  • V.II, VI.XIX, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
  • I.24, II.11, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • VI.38, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
  • V.X, VII.LI, VIII.LXX, Against Celsus, Origen (c. 246)
  • X.3, X.12, XIII.15, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • Epistle VI -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250)
  • On the Unity of the Church, Paragraph 1, Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250)
  • Epistle LXII -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 253)
  • Epistle LXXVI -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 255)
  • Augustine: "Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount." (Book I, Part I.)
  • Homily XVI - Matthew 5:17, Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew, St. Chrysostom (c. 380)
  • Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, John Calvin, 1558: Matthew 5:13-16/Mark 9;49-50; 4:21; Luke 14:34-35; 8:16; 11:33, Matthew 5:17-19/Luke 14:17.
  • From the Catena Aurea, Patristic Commentary by St Thomas Aquinas.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "You shine and give light by being made partakers of the true light."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "Mankind, lying in ignorance and wickedness, were as a vast heap, ready to putrify; but Christ sent forth his disciples, by their lives and doctrines to season it with knowledge and grace."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "To establish, illustrate, and explain its highest meaning, both by my life and doctrine."
  • The Sermon on the Mount 4 (Matt 5:13-16), 5 (Matt 5:17-20). Sermons by John Wesley.
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "The value of salt for these purposes is abundantly referred to by classical writers as well as in Scripture; and hence its symbolical significance in the religious offerings as well of those without as of those within the pale of revealed religion."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "Salt preserves from corruption. The disciples of Christ preserve the world from general corruption. Whatever becomes utterly corrupted is doomed to be destroyed."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, (y Evangelio) Matthew 5:13-20, Emerson Powery, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "Who are 'salt' of the earth? They are the humble, the ones who mourn, the meek, and those who thirst after doing what is right in the world."
  • City on a Hill, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2011.
  • "Salt and Light," John R. Brokhoff, Preaching the Parables, SermonStudio sample, 2011.
    • "There is an underside to the parables of salt and light. There is Law as well as Gospel. What happens when salt is no longer salty and the light is hidden? Is there no forgiveness? Is there a second chance?"
  • "Restoring Beauty," Kate Huey, ucc.org: Sermon Seeds, lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, bulletin back page, 2011.
    • "The church is no secret society, Jesus tells us, right from the beginning. Or, as Eugene Peterson translates it, 'We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill….Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine!  Keep open house, be generous with your lives...' (The Message)."
  • Lectionary Blogging, Epiphany 5, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2011.
    • " The law points to Jesus, just as the prophets did.  As Jesus "fulfills" (plerosai) prophesy, he also "fulfills" the law.  Fulfillment means that the cup is not only full but "over-flows".  The law and prophets are not only completed, but the Jesus event exceeds them. "
  • "Salt and Light," David Lose, Working Preacher, 2011.
    • "...we need to actually show people that they are, in fact, salt and light. So I suggest starting a "Salt & Light Log." Really. Start asking people to collect examples of where God has worked through them to help someone else."
  • "A 'Salt and Light' Job Description," Alyce McKenzie, Patheos, 2011.
  • "Jesus' listeners, living in the context of Roman domination, would probably have known that Rome saw itself as a 'light to the world.'"
  • "You Old Salty Sea Dog," Neil Chappell, aweirdthing, 2011.
  • "I think, if there’s one thing that the Sermon on the Mount has to teach, it is that faith and action go hand in hand."
  • Preaching Matthew 5:13-20, Stephen Muse, Lectionary Homiletics sample, 2011.
  • "First Thoughts on Year A Gospel Passages in the Lectionary: Epiphany 5," William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "God is light. Jesus is light. And, says Matthew's Jesus, so are you! But not as an elite, as a group of privileged people, be it Israel or Christians, who once, perhaps, were good salt, but as people living the kind of life called for in the challenge of the beatitudes."
  • "The Light of the World," "Jesus' Teaching about the Law," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • "Salt and Light," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
    • "What are the differences between the leader and the follower? When does a follower lead?"
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Matthew5:1-12, David Ewart, 2011.
    • "Don't think that my teachings replace or reduce the law and the prophets. And don't think you can skip the details. Details count. But something more than the details is also needed. You must align your whole self with what God desires - that is what those in Heaven are like."
  • "Matthew 5:13-20, The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany," Let Your Light Shine: The Sermon on the Mount in Epiphany, David L. Tiede, Word & World: Theology for Christian Ministry, Luther Northwestern Theological School, 1984. Matthew in the Margins, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • Wellspring of the Gospel, Ordinary 5A, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
  • "With Ears to Hear," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Sermon on the Mount," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2008.
  • "The Freedom of Obedience," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Sermon on the Mount," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2008.
  • "St. Benedict in the City," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Cities and Towns," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2006.
  • "Apostle at my Door," Mitchell Hay. Commentary from The Christian Century's "Living by the Word," January, 1999. At Religion Online.
    • "The Apostle had just come out on video and I watched it late one evening. Duvall's portrayal of the scoundrel/saint giving his whole salt self to a calling from God had me questioning the somewhat comfortable nature of my pastoral ministry."
  • "You, Therefore, Must Be Perfect," commentary by Fred B. Craddock in The Christian Century, 1990. At Religion Online.
    • "God?s perfection in this context is, therefore, love offered without partiality."
  • "Two Areas for Faithfulness," commentary by Fred B. Craddock in The Christian Century, 1990. At Religion Online.
    • "Anyone who appeals to faith and freedom in Christ to do less, be less, give less, serve less and love less than our forebears has grossly misunderstood Jesus? message." 
  • "You...are Salt and Light," Jerry Goebel, One Family Outreach. "Focus on scripture from a justice perspective." Exegesis, study, and teen study and activities.
    • "We cannot just to look to Jesus in praise of his light; indeed, we praise Jesus when we take his light to the world."
  • "Must We Obey the Law?" Stewart E. Lauer, in Kerux: The Online Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed)
    • "The coming of Christ and his kingdom in no sense was to abolish even one requirement or teaching of the Old Testament?at least when the Old Testament is properly understood."
  • "The Fatal Failures of Religion: #1 Secularism," from the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "I am impressed by the fact that the circumstances which bring some men to God?s blessing are identical with those which cause others to curse God."
  • "The Fatal Failures of Religion: #2 Legalism," from the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "Our Lord never intended to set aside the Old Testament Scriptures; He came to fulfill them."
  • "The Subjects of the Kingdom and their Influence in the World," by J. Hampton Keathley III at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "...the way we display our light or the good works is critical. It should be done in such a way that men ultimately come to know that our light is Jesus Christ, that the means of our good works is not us, but God?s grace in Jesus Christ within us."
• Articles & Background:
  • "Sermon on the Mount," wikipedia.
  • "Sermon on the Mount," multiple articles and resources, Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2008.
  • A number of articles about Salt at Jewish Heritage Online Monthly.
  • "Towards Sharing the One Faith," Faith and Order Paper No. 113. World Council of Churches, 1996. A study/discussion guide on the Nicene Creed.
  • "Ministering to the Business Community," Thomas K. Tewell, Theology Today, 2003.
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Ballard, Bruce W., "The Death Penalty: God's Timeless Standard for the Nations?" Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2000.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Carter, Warren, "Jesus' 'I Have Come' Statements in Matthew's Gospel," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Craddock, Fred, "Two Arenas for Faithfulness," The Christian Century, 1990.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Fueter, Paul D., "The THerapeutic Language of the Bible," International Review of Mission, 1986.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Metzger, Paul Louis, "Christ, Culture, and the Sermon on the Mount Community," Ex Auditu, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
    • Pak, G. Sujin, "Response to Metzger," Ex Auditu, 2008.
        EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
        EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Minear, Paul Sevier, "The Salt of the Earth," Interpretation, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Staalsett, Gunnar, "Letting the Light Shine," Currents in Theology and Mission, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Walaskay, Paul W., "Between Text & Sermon, Matthew 5:17-20," Interpretation, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Reviews:
• Sermons:
  • "We Are Blessed," the Rev. Dr. Bill Britt, Day 1, 2011.
  • "How Much Sin Is Too Much?" William B. Kincaid, III, And Then Came the Angel: Gospel Sermons for Advent/Christmas Epiphany A, SermonStudio, 2011.
  • "Forgiveness from the Heart," Phyllis Tickle, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 2009.
  • "Fear of Public Speaking," the Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Day 1, 2009.
  • Christians Must Be A Light in the World, Martin Niemoller, Berlin, 1936.
  • "Following the Kiss," the Rev. William Carter, Day 1, 1999.
  • "God's View of Who You Are," John Jewell, 1999.
  • "Salty Christians," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington - Sermons from Seattle.
  • "You Are the Light of the World," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington - Sermons from Seattle.
  • "Quality Above Power," Dr. Myron Augsburger, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1995.
  • "'Antisthenes' (or 'The Law'), a lost dialogue on Matthew 5:13-20," L. Gregory Bloomquist, Saint Paul University, Ottawa.
  • "The Power of Gratitude," the Rev. Arthur Cribbs, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 2000.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily
    • Ordinary 5, 2011 Ordinary 6, 2011
    • Ordinary 6, 2008
    • Ordinary 5, 2005
    • Ordinary 5, 2002
    • Ordinary 5, 1999 (Dr. Mary G Durkin)
    • Ordinary 5, 1996
• With Children:
  • "Children's Literature: A Resource for Ministry," Feb 6, Union Presbyterian Seminary, 2011. Connections: Matthew 5:15-20 and This Little Light of Mine by E.B. Lewis.
  • "How Much Sin Is Too Much?" William B. Kincaid, III, And Then Came the Angel: Gospel Sermons for Advent/Christmas Epiphany A, SermonStudio, 2011.
  • "Sermon on the Mount," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "Christians Are the Salt of the World," Fr. Max Bowers, Kid's Church.
  • "Radiate," Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
  • "Let Your Light Shine," and "Plugged In and Turned On," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
• Drama:
  • "The Light of the World," John McNeil, dramatix.
  • "Out of the Salt Shaker," Nina Wallestad, Dramatic License. Conditions of Use.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Matthew 5:16, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: Matthew 5:13-16, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Matthew 5:13-16, at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
  • Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 5:17-19, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
• Hymns and Music:
  • “Up On a Mountaintop”  Text:  Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Tune:  Slane 10.10.10.10 (“Be Thou My Vision”)  This hymn is part of  "The Sermon on the Mount: A Worship Service of Lessons and Songs."
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Matthew 5:14, 16, 18. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymn Selections, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • "Salt and Light are Found in Me," TEXT: Mark Ryman (2005) based on Matthew 5:13-20. TUNE: "Ratisbon." New Hymns for the Lectionary.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Let Every Lamp Be Burning
    • O Word of God Incarnate
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Matthew

• INDEX BY SCRIPTURE
• PODCASTS

• Baptism of Jesus - Jan 8
• Epiphany 2 - Jan 15
• MLK, Jr - Jan 15
• Prayer for Christian Unity - Jan 18-25
• Confession of Peter - Jan 18
• Epiphany 3 - Jan 22
• Conversion of Paul - Jan 25
• Epiphany 4 - Jan 29
• Presentation - Feb 2
• Epiphany 5 - Feb 5
• Epiphany 6 - Feb 12
• Transfiguration - Last Epiphany - Feb 19
• Epiphany 7 - Feb 19
• Ash Wednesday - Feb 22
• St Mathias - Feb 24
• Lent 1 - Feb 26
• Lent 2 - Mar 4
• Lent 3 - Mar 11
• Lent 4 - Mar 18
• St. Joseph - Mar 19
• Lent 5 - Mar 25
• Annunciation - Mar 25
• Palm Sunday - April 1
• Passion Sunday - April 1
• Holy Monday - April 2
• Holy Tuesday - April 3
• Holy Wednesday - April 4
• Holy Maundy Thursday - April 5
• Good Friday - April 6
• Holy Saturday - April 7
• Easter Vigil - April 7-8
• Easter Day - April 8
• Easter Evening - April 8

• Calendars
• YEAR A
• YEAR B
• YEAR C
• FESTIVALS/SPECIAL DAYS (includes Creation)
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF TERRORISM/WAR/PEACE RESOURCES
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF NATURAL DISASTER

©2010 and 2011, Jenee Woodard