Shining in the Shadows

Sermon Series: Kingdom Living – The Sermon on the Mount

Week 2 – Salt and Light

Text: Matthew 5:13–16 Title: “Shining in the Shadows”

Introduction

A morning of worship, a lifetime of grace.

What difference do you make in the world around you? When you walk into a room, do things change because you’re there? Jesus says they should. In Matthew 5:13–16, He gives two powerful images that describe the influence His followers are meant to have: “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.”

He doesn’t say, “Try to be salt” or “Do your best to shine.” He says, “You are.” These aren’t commands to strive toward but identities we live out as Kingdom people. Salt flavors food and preserves it from decay. Light exposes darkness and brings clarity and hope. That’s how Jesus describes your role in the Kingdom.

But here’s the danger: salt can lose its saltiness, and light can be hidden. If that happens, we miss the purpose for which Christ placed us in this world.

Main Point 1: Salt Preserves and Distinguishes (v. 13)

Jesus begins with salt: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?”

Historical Background: Salt has been produced for thousands of years using two main methods: evaporation and mining. In coastal regions, seawater is collected in shallow ponds where the sun and wind slowly evaporate the water, leaving behind crystallized salt. In other places, salt is mined from underground deposits formed by ancient seas that dried up long ago. These deposits are either dug out or dissolved in water, then brought to the surface and evaporated to yield salt.

Because it could preserve food and add flavor, salt was so valuable that it shaped economies and even determined the location of cities. Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt—giving us the word “salary.” Unlike many luxuries, salt was essential for survival. It also carried symbolic meaning, often used in religious rituals as a sign of purity and permanence.

When Jesus called His disciples the “salt of the earth,” His listeners understood. Salt was precious, essential, and influential. But salt could also lose its distinctiveness. If it became mixed with impurities, it turned into tasteless powder, good for nothing but being thrown on the road.

As followers of Christ, we preserve what is good in a world full of moral and spiritual decay. We add the flavor of joy and grace to conversations and relationships. But if we lose our distinctiveness—if we compromise with the culture—we become ineffective.

Main Point 2: Light Reveals and Guides (vv. 14–15)

Next Jesus says: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”

Historical Background: Before electricity, people relied on natural sources and simple tools to produce light. The earliest were torches—sticks wrapped in resin-soaked material. Later, oil lamps became common in the ancient Near East. These small clay or metal lamps burned olive oil with a wick, giving a steady flame that allowed families to see and work at night. Candles made from beeswax or tallow appeared in medieval Europe and remained the main household light source for centuries.

The invention of gas lamps in the 18th century and the electric light bulb in the 19th changed the world. For the first time, cities were illuminated at night, productivity increased, and communities became safer after dark. From torches to light bulbs, light has always been essential for driving back darkness and providing safety, clarity, and hope.

That’s why Jesus’ statement is so powerful. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. A lamp belongs on a stand, not under a basket. Our light is meant to shine—not for our glory, but for God’s.

Main Point 3: Our Influence Points to God (v. 16)

Finally, Jesus explains the purpose: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Our good works—acts of kindness, compassion, and service—are visible testimonies to God’s character. But the glory is not meant for us. It goes upward. When people see us living differently, their eyes are drawn to our Father in heaven.

When we live as salt and light, the world sees a picture of God’s goodness. That’s why our influence matters. We are not here to impress others but to point them to Christ.

Application

So how do we live this out?

Preserve through Integrity. Let your honesty and faithfulness stand out at work, in school, in your community.

Flavor through Joy. Encourage others; speak words seasoned with grace. Let people “taste” Christ in your presence.

Shine through Good Works. Serve visibly—not for attention, but to glorify God.

Stay Close to the Source. Salt without distinctiveness and light without oil are useless. Stay connected to Christ daily.

Illustrations

Salt: Just a pinch changes everything in a dish. You may feel small, but your presence makes a big difference in God’s Kingdom.

Light: A lighthouse doesn’t exist to be admired—it exists to guide ships safely to shore. Your life isn’t about drawing attention to yourself but helping people find their way to Christ.

Transition to Conclusion

Salt can’t help but be salty. Light can’t help but shine. That’s what happens when Christ lives in us—we can’t help but influence the world. The only question is whether we’ll embrace that calling or hide it.

Conclusion

So I ask you: are you salty enough to make a difference? Is your light shining, or is it hidden under a basket of fear or compromise?

Jesus doesn’t say you might be salt and light—He says you are. The only question is whether you will live like it.

Let’s be the kind of people whose presence slows decay, whose words bring flavor, and whose actions shine with the love of Christ. Because when people see that kind of life, they won’t glorify us—they’ll glorify our Father in heaven.

Closing Prayer

“Lord, thank You for calling us salt and light. Forgive us when we’ve lost our distinctiveness or hidden our faith. Fill us with Your Spirit so that our lives may influence the world around us—preserving truth, bringing joy, and shining with love—so that others may see You and glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Would you like me to now build Week 3 – Righteousness That Exceeds (Matthew 5:17–48) in the same