Secrets of Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16)

Big Idea: We represent God’s Kingdom by being distinctive from and close to the people in our worlds.

Purpose: To live according to Kingdom values in relationship with the people in our worlds.

We want to influence our worlds but are afraid of what it will take.

You don’t need to be a superstar to change your world. You need two qualities: distinctiveness and relationship.

1. We are here to positively influence our worlds

a. We are to help preserve our world (salt – preservative, seasoning, fertilizer) – Examples of how followers of Christ, at their best, have done this: prison reform, medical care, trade unions, abolition of slavery, abolition of child labor, establishment of orphanages, reform of penal code

b. We are to light up our world (light – hope; necessary for life)
“There is nothing more useful than salt and sunshine” (Roman officer)

2. Our influence comes from two qualities

a. Our influence comes from our distinctiveness (5:13) – Salt

When we are not distinctive, we are good for nothing (thrown away, used for roads) – Israel

We maintain our distinctiveness by living out the values of the Kingdom (Beatitudes)

b. Our influence comes from our proximity (5:14-16)

Our faith is not a private matter – Don’t withdraw!

We show our light by who we are in the ordinariness of life (authenticity)

3. When we are distinctive and in relationship, people will know the Kingdom of heaven is in the world and will glorify the Father in heaven

We are all in one of the following four quadrants. Goal: bottom-right; distinctive and in relationship.

Everybody can do this – genuinely changed, and to be friends.

The Message paraphrase: “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth…You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.”

Missional Confession

We are the church, a community of God's people chosen to share the good news of Jesus Christ. We are blessed to be a blessing.

Just as the Father has sent his Son into the world for the sake of the world, Jesus has sent his Church into the world for the sake of the world.

We believe that the Holy Spirit not only calls us but enables us for that mission.

Jesus Christ has defined us as witnesses – distinct and yet connected to the world around us.