2. Jesus builds on those virtues and mindsets to express how
This Series will look at Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which began with The Beatitudes
last week.
Jesus builds on those virtues and mindsets
to express how
His followers should impact others while living in this world.

4. Jesus wants difference-makers in this world, not “wallflowers”.
Jesus chose 3 symbols that would be most noticeable when they are absent:
Salt
Light
A City up on a Hill
Jesus wants difference-makers
in this world, not “wallflowers”.

5. Just as the Prophets were God’s “salt”
in the Old Testament,
Jesus called His disciples to share God’s message in the New Testament.
In the Greek, the passage literally reads, “You alone are the salt of the world.”

6. Just as the small, individual grains of salt bring flavor to the larger food dish…
Jesus makes it clear that His followers and His Church are His decided vehicle to bring vibrant life to this big world.
Any other “good” that we or others do, apart from Him, is just adding bland salt.

7. Jesus mentions the issue of “tasteless salt.”
This normally would not be an issue.
Pure salt actually NEVER loses it’s flavor,
but when it’s mixed with impurities
salt is more likely to lose it’s power
to bring flavor to food.
* Ephesians 5: * 1 Corinthians 15:33

8. Jesus also refers to His Church as
“a city on a hill” that can’t be hidden.
No doubt, this was in reference to Jerusalem’s similar geography.

9. John 8:12 & 9:5
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”
“While I am in the world,
I am the light of the world.”

10. Beginning with Moses’ encounter with God on Mt
Beginning with Moses’ encounter with God on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 34), it was understood by the Old Testament writers that spending more time with God and filling our minds with His Word will fill us with radiant light that will honor Him.

11. Likewise, we are only effective “lights” for Jesus in this world as we stay in connection to Him as the source of True Light.
We “reflect” His love & glory like the Moon reflects the light of the Sun to Earth.

12. Whether out of fear, apathy, or hatred…
when we “hide the light” and don’t share the Gospel that has saved us or the good works we are uniquely created for (Eph. 2:10); we are not being obedient followers of Jesus.
This earthly life is to be used for God’s glory,
not just for our comfort.

13. your good deeds and glorify God
1 Peter 2: 11-12
11 “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see
your good deeds and glorify God 
on the day He visits us.”

14. Notice Jesus’ choice of wording, as it relates to God: It’s not Lord.
It’s not God.
It’s “Your Father in Heaven.”
This trend will continue on
throughout the Sermon on the Mount.