You are the Encouragement

Introduction

Lets go over our repeated terms and definitions

What was the base for our 2 questions and this series? ENCOURAGEMENT

the ongoing reassurance that God sees you, God is for you, and God is working through you.

What were our two primary questions from Encouragement?

Where does it come from? UP ON THE MOUNTAIN

Where does it go? TO THE WORLD AROUND US

We have been talking, seeing, and learning for weeks that ENCOURAGEMENT COMES FROM THE MOUNTAIN while having personal time with Jesus. At this moment of the sermon, Jesus turns our seat on the mountain — our perspective becomes like His — looking to the world around us.

We notice the condition of humanity that is corrupting.

What is going to happen to them?

Where is encouragement for them?

Where is the reassurance that God sees them, God is for them, and God wants to work through them?

While looking down from the MOUNTAIN, Jesus reveals the new path by saying…

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.

Prayer Time

———————————————————-

NAME THE MOVIE from this quote: “Do or do not. There is no try.”

If I can share a Yoda Quote to what Jesus was saying — As a Christian, you are not having to try to be something because God has transformed your heart and life into a new creation. A transformed heart means that you are difference maker for the Kingdom.

Salty Encouragement

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.

Jesus doesn’t tell us to become salt; He says we are salt. That means wherever we go, we carry influence. Salt was incredibly valuable in Jesus’ day — it preserved food, purified wounds, and made things taste better. He’s using something ordinary to describe something powerful: your presence matters in the world.

I remember as a kid going to restaurants with my grandfather, waiting to order or the food. He would wet the palm of his hand and sprinkle salt and then lick it. He taught me and all of my cousins this as kids. Every time as kids, we would sit waiting at the table for our papa to grab the salt shaker.

Salt was so appealing! We looked forward to it every time with him

3 Truths About Salt:

Salt Preserves What’s Good Salt keeps food from decaying. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to preserve what’s good and true in a world that’s falling apart. → When we stand for truth, show integrity, or protect others from gossip or cruelty, we’re acting as salt. → The world needs believers who keep it from rotting — who hold onto what is good and remind others that God’s way still works.

→ Ezek 16 talks about salt healing scratches

Salt Adds Flavor Food without salt is bland — just like the world without believers walking in love, joy, and grace. → When you bring encouragement to a discouraged friend, when you show kindness instead of sarcasm, or when you include someone who’s left out — you make life taste better. → People should experience something different — something good — when they’re around you.

→ Job 6:6 “6 Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow?” (egg white)

Salt Works Best When It’s Spread Out Salt doesn’t do anything if it stays in the shaker. It has to be poured out to make a difference. → In the same way, our faith can’t stay contained inside church walls. Jesus sends us out — into our schools, teams, homes, and friend groups — to season those spaces with His goodness. → Faith that stays private never influences the public.

Key thought:

When we live like Jesus, we bring encouragement, truth, and goodness into a world that’s losing flavor. Don’t lose your saltiness — stay close to the Source. The more time you spend with Jesus, the more your life will taste like Him.

YOU ARE THE ENCOURAGEMENT - YOU ARE THE PROCLAIMERS SAYING THAT: our Father in Heaven sees them, for them, and wants to work through them.

Shining Encouragement

Matthew 5:14–16 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. 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.

Light changes everything. Even the smallest light pushes back darkness. Jesus is saying that His followers don’t just carry light — we reflect His light. The world doesn’t need more people pretending to be perfect; it needs more people walking with purpose.

3 Truths About Light:

Light Reveals What’s Real Light shows what’s actually there — it exposes both beauty and brokenness. → Our lives should reveal what’s true about God: His love, His holiness, His forgiveness. → Sometimes shining light means having honest conversations or admitting when you’ve failed — because even that points people to a real Savior.

Light Is Meant to Be Seen Jesus says no one lights a lamp and hides it under a basket. Your faith isn’t meant to stay hidden. → Hiding your light might look like staying quiet when you could speak truth, or blending in when God calls you to stand out. → Your light isn’t about drawing attention to yourself — it’s about reflecting God’s goodness so others can see Him.

Light Overcomes Darkness Darkness doesn’t fight back; it just disappears when light shows up. → One small act of love, one moment of courage, or one word of encouragement can shift an entire atmosphere. → You don’t have to light up the whole world — just your corner of it. Together, we can light up the world for Christ.

Persecution wants to put you in dark places — in these times, we-you-me need to remember that we are the light

Philippians 2:15 “15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

Key thought:

Our light points people to Jesus when we live in a way that reflects His love and truth. The goal isn’t for others to see how great we are, but to see how great God is through us.

CLOSING

“If our behavior does not match our belief, we forfeit our influence” — Josh Saefkow

Jesus invites you to come and learn on the Mountain. Now is the time to take the new path from the Mountain