MAXIMUM IMPACT Matthew 5:13-16

CONTEXT - SERMON ON THE MOUNT CROWDS DISCIPLES REPRESENTATIVE – Matthew’s summary of Jesus’ teaching MOST well known but LEAST obeyed Matthew 5:1-2 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them, saying … 7:28-29 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. 8:1 When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16

ONE POINT TWO PICTURES THREE PARTS Understanding Matthew 5:13-16 Is as easy as 1-2-3 MATTHEW 5:13-16 ONE POINT TWO PICTURES THREE PARTS MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16

ONE POINT: PRODUCTIVITY 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. …. 13 “You are the salt of the earth. ... 14 “You are the light of the world. …. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16

ONE POINT: PRODUCTIVITY Our witness should be productive whether it results in people persecuting us because of Jesus or glorifying our Father in Heaven. NOTE: If persecuted it should be because of Him not us. Those who live out Jesus’ Kingdom attitudes can be sure that it is not their behaviour that is the cause of their ‘persecution’ MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16

ONE POINT: PRODUCTIVITY God wants us to be fruitful MATT. 28:18-20 make disciples, baptising LUKE 13:6-9 he went to look for fruit JOHN 14:12 greater works JOHN 15:2-16 bear much fruit EPHESIANS 5:15 making the most of opportunity The natural fruit of the church is converts and disciples ACTS 2:42-47 MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16

TWO PICTURES: SALT & LIGHT 13 You are the salt of the earth. 14 You are the light of the world. : Preserves : Flavours : Dispels darkness : Shows the way MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16

THREE PARTS: 1. PROXIMITY salt needs to be in meat to be effective light needs to be in the dark to be effective We will be productive in sharing our faith to the extent that we are with people (proximity) who need the Lord. MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16

ISSUES NON-CHURCH ATTENDING AUSTRALIANS HAVE WITH CHURCH 1. PROXIMITY can counter misconceptions and earn the right and opportunity to speak about faith ISSUES NON-CHURCH ATTENDING AUSTRALIANS HAVE WITH CHURCH CHILD ABUSE 76% JUDGING OTHERS 69% HYPOCRISY 68% RELIGIOUS WAR 67% MONEY 66% OUTDATED 62% AUTHORITARIAN 58% EXCLUSIVITY 58% Teach slaves to … show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive. TITUS 2:9-11 MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16

ISSUES NON-CHURCH ATTENDING AUSTRALIANS HAVE WITH CHURCH 1. PROXIMITY can counter misconceptions and earn the right and opportunity to speak about faith ISSUES NON-CHURCH ATTENDING AUSTRALIANS HAVE WITH CHURCH CHILD ABUSE 76% JUDGING OTHERS 69% HYPOCRISY 68% RELIGIOUS WAR 67% MONEY 66% OUTDATED 62% AUTHORITARIAN 58% EXCLUSIVITY 58% Wives … submit … so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by your behaviour 1 PETER 3:1-2 MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16

MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16 THREE PARTS: 2. POTENCY 13  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything. 16 … let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. In order for proximity to be productive we need to be salty & shiny (spiritual potency) MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16

MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16 THREE PARTS: 2. POTENCY GALATIANS 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. SPIRITUAL POTENCY A life being transformed by the Spirit of God as we read, meditate, worship, fellowship and obey MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16

THREE PARTS: 2. POTENCY SPIRITUAL POTENCY ROMANS 2:23-25 You who say that people should not … do you commit … do you rob temples? … do you dishonour God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” SPIRITUAL POTENCY A life that people see as authentic (practising our preaching) MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16

THREE PARTS: 3. PROFESSION I PETER 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect People can only persecute you because of Jesus or glorify God when they know that your actions come from your faith MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16

LIVE PRODUCTIVELY Live close to God – spiritual potency Have intentional caring authentic relationships with people who do not know Jesus - spiritual proximity Be ready to speak about your motivation and your experience of faith with people in a way that invites them into the journey – spiritual profession Have something to show and to say Have someone to show and to say it to Say it so someone may understand MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16

MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16 COMMUNION Thank you Jesus that you came and showed us what God is like and how we could know him. All of this was from alongside, as one of us. Thank you that you gave everything. MAXIMUM IMPACT: Matthew 5:13-16