Marching Orders From the Master

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Give Honor

Text: Matthew 5:13-16

Matthew 5:13–16 ESV

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 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.

In August 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered one of the most iconic speeches in history during the March on Washington.

But before thousands of people gathered to march for civil rights and equality, they were given marching orders. 

Dr. King and other leaders of the movement made it clear that this wasn’t just a walk—it was a mission.

They had a purpose. They were marching to make a difference, to shine a light on injustice, and to call the world to action.

Those orders gave the marchers clarity about their cause, courage to stand in the face of opposition, and commitment to stay the course.

And as I reflect on those marching orders, I can’t help but think of another leader standing before a crowd—not on the steps of a memorial, but on the side of a mountain.

This leader wasn’t organizing a political protest or a movement for civil rights, but He was giving His followers a charge—a divine set of marching orders that would shape the mission of the Kingdom of God.

Here they are, A crowd, gathering together

—some curious, some desperate, and some ready to follow wherever Jesus leads.

But right at the center of it all are His disciples—the ones who have committed themselves to Him, the ones He’s training for the work ahead.

And in this moment, Jesus isn’t just teaching a crowd; He’s giving His disciples marching orders.

These aren’t casual suggestions or nice ideas for living—they’re directives straight from the King of Kings, delivered with authority and clarity.

Jesus is laying out a mission for His followers.

He’s telling them, “This is who you are, and this is what you’re called to do.”

And make no mistake about it:

these are not roles they can pick up and put down when it’s convenient.

These are God-given responsibilities and identities that define their very existence as His people.

One of the things I love about the book of Matthew is how it presents Jesus as a master teacher.

From the moment He begins His ministry in the book of Matthew, He does not merely perform miracles and miracles only,

Yet we find that, He comes to reveal the kingdom of God and to teach His followers how to live according to it.

Matthew paints Jesus as someone who not only performs acts of power but also speaks with authority and gives clear, concise instructions on how we can better live our lives to the Glory of God.

We see Jesus is delivering this famous “Sermon on the Mount” where He teaches the Beatitudes, calls His followers to be salt and light, and reveals God’s heart for righteousness and holiness.

It is here, on this mountainside, that we find one of the most defining moments of Jesus’ ministry

Because Jesus is giving His disciples marching orders.

These orders aren’t for just any moment—they are for the mission they are called to accomplish.

And what Jesus makes clear is that if you want to fulfill the mission, there are certain things you simply Don’t do.

if your taking notes,

the first thing that you don’t do is

1. Don’t Lose Your Saltiness (13)

Jesus begins this message by saying,

Matthew 5:13

Matthew 5:13 ESV

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

When Jesus says, "You are the salt of the earth,"

He is not merely giving a compliment but he’s making a statement about the role His followers are to play in the world.

Salt in Jesus' time was extremely valuable to the point where it could be used as a currency,

Salt was not just as a seasoning but salt was used for several other reasons, one being preservation.

In the ancient world, salt was used primarily to preserve food, particularly meat.

Without refrigeration, the way to prevent meat from spoiling was to pack it with salt.

Salt absorbed the moisture, which prevented the meat from going bad.

The meat would be salted down and kept for months, sometimes even years, depending on the amount of salt used.

So, when Jesus calls us the salt of the earth,

He is saying that we, as His followers, are meant to preserve the moral, spiritual, and ethical fabric of this very society.

Just as salt prevents corruption in food, our role as Christians is to prevent corruption in the world.

We are here to preserve the truth of God's Word and the values that honor Him.

But it wasn't just preservation.

Salt also had value and was used as currency in some places.

Roman soldiers were often paid in salt, and that’s where the phrase “worth your salt” comes from.

Salt was valuable because it was both necessary and scarce.

Jesus was telling His disciples—and He’s telling us today—that we have value in God’s kingdom.

We are not meant to blend in with the world around us or insignificant.

We are meant to stand out,

and

We are meant to bring value to the world because of the gospel we carry.

Our lives are not meant to be wasted or ordinary; we are to add value to the people around us by the way we live,

value to the people around us by the way we speak,

and value to the people around us by the way we serve.

we are to PRESERVE and ENHANCE

Preserve and enhance bringing your children to church.

Preserve and enhance discipleship over popularity

Preserve and enhance authentic worship over performance.

Preserve and enhance marriage vows over fleshly desires.

Preserve and enhance godly values over cultural pressures.

Preserve and enhance relationships over conflicts.

Preserve and enhance integrity over convenience.

Preserve and enhance the truth of the gospel over false teachings.

Preserve and enhance kindness over bitterness.

Preserve and enhance hope over despair.

And the sad reality is, sometimes we can’t tell the difference between those who are preserving and

enhancing FROM those who are pushing and encouraging

AND THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, BEING SALTY IS AN OPPORTUNITY, AND IF YOU LOSE THAT OPPORTUNITY, JESUS SAYS THAT YOU’RE USELESS.

JESUS SAYS

DON’T LOSE YOUR SALTINESS, BUT THEN HE SAYS,

2. Don’t Dim Your Light (14-15)

Look at what the word says Matthew 5:14-15

Matthew 5:14–15 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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.

Now let’s break it down like this—Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.”

You’re not just a light, you are the light.

and There’s something about this light, church, that changes everything.

Jesus didn’t say, “You are a light like the stars in the sky.”

He said, You are the light of the world.

You are the one who carries the truth of the Gospel.

You are the one who is supposed to illuminate this dark world with the power of the Holy spirit living on the inside of you!

Now, back in those days, light wasn’t like it is today. They didn’t have streetlights or headlights on their cars.

A simple lamp was the tool.

and A lamp is meant to be put on a stand, out in the open, for everyone to see so that it could light up a dark space.

And Jesus is saying, "You are that lamp."

You’re meant to shine for the world to see.

So Jesus is saying Your life, your actions, your faith—should shine.

And this is not just about being religious on Sundays. This is about being visible every day in your actions, your words, and your influence.

In a world that’s often dark, where people are searching for meaning, direction, and hope, don’t dim your light.

In a world where we are more concerned about the TikTok bans when statistics show that our students are the least religious generation yet, Dont dim your light.

in a world where our young people are struggling, facing trauma, confusion, and despair, hopelessness, devistation, depression, anxiety, and lowself asteem, Dont dim your light,

hether it's in your family, your school, your workplace, or your community—don't dim your light.

For God knows the plans He has for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope. Don’t dim your light, You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Don’t dim your light,

For He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Don’t dim your light, Booker t Washington needs your light

Norview needs your light

Maury needs your light

Ruffner needs your light

PB young needs your light

J cox needs your light

your jobs need your light

married people need your light

engaged people need your light.

Church people need your light

Unchurch people need your light

you can’t let your light dim, because the world needs your light THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE…..I’m gonna let it shine ALLLL in my home

3. Don’t Forget about God (16)

Matthew 5:16 ESV

16 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.

I want to remind you today, your light isn’t for you.

It’s not for you to shine and get the credit.

You don’t shine to be seen, you shine so that God is seen.

It’s all about Him, church.

It’s not about your name being called or your work being acknowledged.

It’s about others seeing the goodness of God through you.

It’s about pointing people back to the One who gave you the light in the first place.

When you do good works, when you love, when you forgive, when you serve, it’s not for recognition

it’s for the glory of God.

When people see your light shining, they should be drawn to Him, not you.

They should see the love of God, the mercy of God, the grace of God shining through your life.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about us—it’s about Him.

You are the vessel, but He is the source.

You are the reflection, but He is the light.

So, when you shine, don’t forget to reflect the glory of God.

The purpose of your light is to point people to the Father.

The reason you walk in love, the reason you serve, the reason you show kindness isn’t so that you get the glory—but so that people can see God and give glory to Him.

In everything you do, let it be a reflection of God’s light in you.

Don’t just be a beacon for your own fame or your own desires.

Let your good works point back to God.

When people see your actions, your kindness, your joy, your peace, it should draw them to the Father. Because this world needs to see the light of God, and He’s chosen you to shine it.

So I leave you with this, church:

Shine your light. Don’t hide it.

Shine your light Don’t dim it

Shine your light Don’t let fear or doubt or the distractions of this world cause you to forget why you’re shining in the first place.

Shine your light so that the world can see God and give glory to Him.

Shine your light so that the lost can find their way.

Shine your light so that the broken can be healed.

Shine your light so that those in darkness can come into the marvelous light of Jesus Christ.

And when you shine, know this:

You’re not doing it for your name, you’re doing it for His.

Shine your light—for His glory, and for His kingdom