The Narrow Path: Salt + Light

Intro- When our freezer died…

When something does not fulfill its purpose, it can have grave consequences.

The New International Version (Chapter 7)

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Only through Jesus and His way can we experience the good life now and forevermore.

The New International Version (Chapter 5)

13 “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.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The New International Version (Chapter 5)

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Righteousness is only possibly through Jesus.

We can only be made right not by our actions but by our abiding in Jesus.

The New International Version Chapter 5

13 “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.

Salt was used to purify, preserve, and provide taste.

The church has sadly been known at times more for being salty, rather than salt.

"The greatest danger for Christians in every generation is being indistinguishable from the world."

-Rich Villodas

“To be in the world but not of it requires a faith that is deeply present in the world but radically different from it.”

-Rich Villodas

Followers of Jesus must live out a new life that is compelling, that is actually transformational.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones emphasizes this: “The glory of the gospel is that when the church is absolutely different from the world, she invariably attracts it. It is then that the world is made to listen to her message, though it may hate it at first.”

The New International Version Chapter 5

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Darkness is just absence of light.

Light was created to deliver us from the darkness.

Madeleine L'Engle. "We draw people to Christ, not by telling them how right we are and how wrong they are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they can't help but ask the source of the light."

Jesus has made you right, so go save some people by showing them the light.

Jesus did not come to redefine obedience, He came

Right relationship is not about doing the right things, it’s about the right perspective.

Jesus did not put away the commands but He invited His followers to a different perspective on them.