People of Influence
Matthew 5:13-16
SALT OF THE EARTH
The church has lost its influence because Christians have neglected their responsibility to be salt and light in the world.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” Matthew 5:13
- Salt has five primary uses.
- Salt seasons food
- Salt preserves
- Salt stings
- Salt gives strength
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
- Salt creates thirst
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
We are to be people of influence. We are to be the salt flavoring a tasteless world.
Being salt means taking a stand for truth even when it isn’t popular.
- All you need is 2%
It’s time for the salt to get out of the shaker.
When the salt comes out of the shaker it does two things:
- The salt dissolves
- The character of the world around us is changed
LIGHT OF THE WORLD
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
- What does light do?
- It penetrates
- It reveals
- It exposes
Darkness distorts reality. Everything looks different. It is only when you turn on the light that you see things as they really are.
Two things will happen when you shine your light:
- Others will see your good deeds.
The word “good” in the Greek means attractive or beautiful. Jesus is saying people will be attracted by the beauty of your life.
- Others will give God the credit.
When you let your light shine before men, God is glorified. That’s how much influence we have. We can point men to God. We can lead them out of darkness into the light.
Light does not call attention to itself. It provides illumination so that other things can be seen as they really are.