Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
1. Our calling as Christians – being salt (v.13a)
Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
2. What if we lose our saltiness? (v.13b)
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
3. You are the Light (v.14-16)
John 8:12 “Then Jesus spoke to them again saying I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
A. Light Exposes Darkness
Ephesians 5:8-13 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
B. Light serves as a guide
C. Light causes us to know Him more
John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Revelation 2:1, 5 “He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lamp stands…
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stands from its place unless you repent?”