Following Jesus - Sermon 3

Be The New You!

Text: Matthew 5:13-20

Introduction

Jesus is speaking to His closest followers. He first expounds upon the blessed life. It is this blessed life that speaks to how a follower of Jesus remains true to their new identity.

Here is a brief cross-section of what an authentic light looks like: (give a brief explanation of the beatitudes).

Jesus follows with the NEW identity of the believer. You and I may live in a world where many struggle with identity, but never let that be said of those who belong to Jesus. Here is the AWESOME reality now of YOUR life as a believer; you have entered into a life in Christ that makes a impactful difference in the world!

Someone once said, “The kind of men who changed the world, are the men the world could not change!”

Let’s be honest, everyone has within them the desire to make a difference with their life. Not just a difference that is short lived, but a difference that outlasts you! The most discouraging hurdles we face in parenting, our job, ministry is this thought that “I am not making a difference!”

That being said, Jesus has given us guideposts that helps us stay in the direction of making an eternal difference in people’s lives. He starts with the blessed life (fuel for the flame; power behind your message) and then segways into your NEW CALLING and IDENTITY.

You might ask, “How do I know that I am living true to my new identity in Jesus Christ?” Here is a simple way to determine that: Does my life line up with the calling on my life from King Jesus?

1) The Value Of A Salty You

He gives to earthly comparatives; SALT & LIGHT.

First, let’s start with SALT:

This mineral in it’s most genuine state is very beneficial!

Let’s think of it’s benefits: flavor, preservation.

The FLAVOR aspect speaks to a change that is needed.

That particular food is just not exactly hitting the mark to meet your standards.

The only way to meet that standard of flavor, the salt has to be at it optimum performance.

NOTICE, the genuine state of salt is what is desired! That means the desired state can be lost! The mineral remains salt, but it’s ability to fulfill it’s purpose has been lost.

SPIRITUAL APPLICATION

The world in it’s natural state is not and cannot meet the standards of God’s desire! (v20)

God’s desire is that you perfectly live in a state of righteous. HOLD UP.....WE CAN’T DO THAT!!!

Someone is going to have to provide that kind of perfection for us.....JESUS HAS DONE THIS!!!

QUESTION - with what message has Jesus sent you out into the world with???

So, the message (or flavor) the world needs is the gospel of Jesus.

CAVEOT - If your life is not matching up with your message, you have lost your impact! This does not mean the gospel has lost it’s impact, but you have!

Jesus has told you how to be salty (vv. 3-10).

A kingdom focused life will bring the KING into focus.

People only see king Jesus through your life when Jesus IS king of your life.

For the gospel to impact the world, the believer (the salt) must deliver it!

The PRESERVATION aspects speaks to prevention of change of the desired state.

Your life becomes salty due to the application of God’s Word.

We are to be salty because of the change Jesus makes in someone and His promise of preservation of that change.

SALT is used for the purpose of preserving something very valuable for a particular period of time.

Illustration: Things like ham, canned goods, etc. are preserved for the purpose of being useful up to latter date.

SPIRITUAL APPLICATION

The Spirit of God has preserved you for a latter time and the time leading up to then.

That time is a time when God calls you home to be with Him forever!

Not only are you salty because of the change Jesus provides to all, but because He keeps all who will come to Him!

Do you enjoy the fact that Jesus will NEVER LOSE YOU?

2) The Value Of Your Brilliance

There are some aspects of light to be considered:

First, it is a resource by which something is removed.

Blindness is removed.

Darkness is removed.

As long as the light source is active, sight is available and clarity is in focus.

Also, a light is pointless to have if it is hidden some way (under a basket)(city on a hill)

Second, light is provided to remove darkness and blindness in a certain range.

Illustration: If you are walking in the dark, it would be the purpose of light to direct to the safest path. Also, your desire for the light is to shine at a certain distance. (use two flashlights to illustrate)

Jesus clarifies the RANGE of which the light is to shine; to ALL who are in the house.

SPIRITUAL APPLICATION

YOU ARE THE LIGHT!

There is proper fuel to illuminate the gospel (show the graphic)

You make an eternal differenCE by your life shining in such a way, all who are around you SEE JESUS CLEARLY.

Verse 16, “...may see your good works”

The blessed life (beatitudes), taking up your cross daily, living for His commandments.

The result is glorifying God!

God desires that none perish but all enter HIS KINGDOM.

The Bible says that man is in a state of blindness and without the proper light, they will continue to pursue further into blindness and darkness!

Without the initiative of God, light would never have come (Jesus) and would discontinue shinning now (sending you out).

People need to know that man’s perspective of righteousness (Pharisees) is not God’s!

God’s standard and His fulfillment of His standard is what YOU must shine the light on.

CONCLUSION

So, without salty salt and consistent light, many will pursue only what imitates the real. In the words of my Savior and yours if you have trusted Jesus as Savior, “Go ye therefore!”