1. Christians are a special people with a special purpose 1Pet 2:9
Yet they can become unfaithful Gal 5:4
Scripture reveals several different pictures of those who have by choice become ineffective in God’s kingdom
They are “good for nothing” in glorifying God and influencing others for good.

2. "GOOD FOR NOTHING" CHRISTIANS #1
SALT THAT HAS LOST ITS SAVOR Matt 5:13
Salt is essential to human and animal diets
Makes food more appetizing
Serves as a preservative
It has medicinal properties
Savor lost: Palestinian salt, lacking purity, lost its savor rather easily
Careless storage caused it to ruin
Sun or moisture would ruin it
Thrown into the footpath - no use elsewhere

3. "GOOD FOR NOTHING" CHRISTIANS #1
SALT THAT HAS LOST ITS SAVOR Matt 5:13
God’s people are the salt of the earth
Preserving the world Gen 6:8; 18:24
Healing power Lk 5:31; Rom 1:16; 2Cor 5:20
Influence for good 1Pet 3:1-2
Not always visible, but vitally missed when not present Rev 14:13
Christians are in constant danger of losing their influence and effectiveness
With God’s help influence and effectiveness can be regained 2Cor 7:6-11

4. "GOOD FOR NOTHING" CHRISTIANS #1
A LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL Matt 5:14-16
Light dispels darkness
It supports life
Makes food (photosynthesis)
Direct or indirect source of all power
God’s people are called lights Phil 2:15; 1Thess 5:5
Christians hold up God’s word Psa 119:105; Acts 26:18
Men in darkness (sin) are doomed to death Rom 6:23; Jhn 14:6

5. "GOOD FOR NOTHING" CHRISTIANS #1
A LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL Matt 5:14-16
Power in light - saving power in the gospel Rom 1:6; Isa 55:11
We are reflected light 1Pet 2:21; Matt 5:16; 2Cor 3:2; Eph 5:8
Putting our light “under a bushel” causes us to be “good for nothing” 1Jhn 1:6; Rev 21:8
If our light is dim or has gone out, with God’s help, it can be rekindled Acts 8:18-24

6. "GOOD FOR NOTHING" CHRISTIANS #1
It becomes obvious that one can become “good for nothing” as a child of God
At that point, God will “spue us out” Rev 3:16
It takes work to be of use to God
To be a good influence
To give light

7. ARE YOU AND AM I “GOOD FOR NOTHING”? 2Cor 13:5
"GOOD FOR NOTHING" CHRISTIANS #1
ARE YOU AND AM I “GOOD FOR NOTHING”? 2Cor 13:5