“People of Influence” Matthew 5:13-16

I. Salt has a hidden influence. Salt gives taste. –It improves the bland taste of certain foods. –Our role as Christians is to influence the mundane. Colossians 4:6, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

I. Salt has a hidden influence. Salt is a preservative. –It prevents food from going bad. Especially in days before refrigeration –Our role as Christians is to have a positive influence in opposition to evil. We can change the evil around us!

I. Salt has a hidden influence. Salt makes us thirsty. –Salty popcorn leads to buying more soda. –Our role as Christians is to make others want more of Christ.

II. Light has a visible influence. Light dispels darkness. –The smallest light gives hope in the darkness. –Our role as Christians is to make others want more of Christ. How we live our lives.

II. Light has a visible influence. Light reveals what is there. –Flashlights are used to find things in the dark. –Our role as Christians is to search for what is lost. Luke 15:8-10, "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.“ NIV

II. Light has a visible influence. Light gives guidance. –Light illuminates the way to go. Path through the woods in the dark without a flashlight Dark road without headlights –Our role as Christians is to light the path to show others the way to eternal life.