“KINGDOM INFLUENCE”
TEACHING ABOUT SALT AND LIGHT.
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:13-16 NLT
- Salt preserves: In the ancient world salt slowed decay. Christians are meant to slow the moral and spiritual decay of society.
o By praying for their community.
o By serving their community.
o By standing firm on God’s truth.
- Salt must remain distinct: If salt loses its saltiness, it becomes useless.
- Christians are called to be set apart, to be distinct rather than blend into the world. If disciples lose their distinctiveness, they lose their influence.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Mathew 5:14-16 NLT
- Light dispels the darkness.
- Our good works should point to God: Visible deeds are meant to direct praise to God, not to the believer.
- Christian behavior validates the Christian message. Character counts!
Three Practical Ways to Share Your Faith
- Use What You Have.
- Invite Someone to Church.
- Share Your Story.
- Who I was before Jesus.
- How I met Jesus.
- Who I am now because of Jesus.
JESUS TEACHES US THROUGH THE BEATITUDES WHAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD WILL LOOK LIKE HERE HE TEACHES US WHAT IT IS BUILT UPON.
TEACHING ABOUT THE LAW.
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” Matthew 5:17-20 NLT
- Jesus emphasized the eternal nature of the Word of God. • Jesus goes out of His way to promote the authority of Scripture. • Jesus’ purpose was to establish the Word, to embody it, and to fully accomplish all that was written.
- The Word was written with intent; it was meant to be fulfilled. • The Word is faithful and trustworthy; “everything” it says will be accomplished.
JESUS IS COMING BACK FOR HIS CHURCH.
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NLT
Now what?:
SERMON Based Discussion Questions:
