Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

A reminder to consider others Please: Turn off your cell phone or set to vibrate only Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early)

Being Salt & Light Matthew 5:13-16 What is the Gospel message according to your life? Matthew 5:1-16

Context Matthew 5-7 Matthew 5:20 - your righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees to enter the kingdom The Beatitudes are statements that describe the blessings given to those that are truly righteous

Context Matthew 5-7 Matthew 5:10-13 describe the reaction of the unrighteous to those who are righteous Matthew 5:13 & 14 are also statements of fact: You are the salt of the earth You are the light of the world

The Salt of the Earth Matthew 5:13 Salt is now a common and inexpensive commodity, but in the ancient world is was very valuable In ancient Jewish culture salt was used: As a seasoning (Job 6:6) As a preservative (Exodus 30:35)

The Salt of the Earth Matthew 5:13 Salt was considered to be something that added goodness - Colossians 4:6 Salt had medicinal value (Ezekiel 16:4), and was required as part of several sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13; Ezekiel 43:24) Some covenants were sealed with salt (Numbers 18:19; 2 Chronicles 13:5)

The Salt of the Earth Matthew 5:13 Christians are to add a divine flavor to the world - though the world does not always like that flavor In contrast to the unrighteous, the Christian finds joy and meaning for life in God that transcends the present

The Salt of the Earth Matthew 5:13 Mimicking worldly entertainment does not produce true worship of God by the Christian Salt is also a preservative and the righteousness of a Christian retards societal moral and spiritual decay

The Salt of the Earth Matthew 5:13 Christian political activism is important in preserving righteousness in society, but our real hope is revival Our state & nation have declined morally because professing Christians have lost their salty qualities

The Light of the World Matthew 5:14 Light is an often used analogy for the nature of God & the Christian: 1 John 1:5-7; Luke 1:79; John 8:12; Light exposes the darkness: It scatters evil It guides the way for the righteousness (Psalm 119:105)

Losing our Savor, Hiding our Lights Matthew 5:13-15 You are salt and light by virtue of the characteristics of righteousness God develops in you Salt mixed with impurities loses its good qualities as it takes on the qualities of the impurities

Losing our Savor, Hiding our Lights Matthew 5:13-15 A Christian whose righteousness is compromised by the world becomes useless for the cause of Christ Repent of worldly influences of unrighteousness and pursue godly influences of holiness

Losing our Savor, Hiding our Lights Matthew 5:13-15 Jesus, not other Christians, sets the standard of righteousness - described in the Sermon on the Mount By its very nature, a light shines - that is only compromised when it is hidden

Conclusion Develop your saltiness and make your light brighter: walk in righteousness - don’t pollute it or hide it

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

We are called to be God’s people, Showing by our lives His Grace; Jackson, Thomas / Haydn, Franz Joseph : Text © Copyright 1975 by Broadman Press ARR UBP – CCLI License No. 378119

One in heart and one in spirit, Sign of hope for all the race;

Let us show how He has changed us And remade us as his own; Let us share our life together, As we shall around his throne.

We are called to be God’s servants, Working in His world today; Taking His own task upon us, All His sacred words obey.

Let us rise then to His summons, Dedicate to Him our all; That we may be faithful servants, Quick to answer now His call.

We are called to be God’s prophets, Speaking for the truth and right; Standing firm for godly justice, Bringing evil into light.

Let us seek the courage needed, Our high calling to fulfill; That we all may know the blessing, Of the doing of God’s will.

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ