Some Salt, A City, and A Lamp

ENGAGE

Influence

Courtroom Pressure

Being called to be a witness in a court of law may be an anxiety-filled process. Witnesses are often called to testify in court for important reasons.

When a witness is called forward, attorneys believe their testimony can help make or break the case. The defendant is hoping to be saved by the witness; the plaintiff is hoping the witness’s words will bring a conviction. The witness tries to carefully remember all the details, knowing every word spoken will be analyzed. Even the witness’s mannerisms will be critiqued.

Power Outage

On the first night of a youth camp, all the power went out!

No lights. No flowing EXIT signs. Just a dorm full of teenagers and the kind of darkness that feels thick enough to touch.

At first, it was absolute chaos. I remember somebody screamed. Someone else blamed the camp director. A few phones lit up the room a bit. But then the screens started dying out one by one. Batteries were dying.

Then one student finally reached into his duffel bag and pulled out a small flashlight. It wasn’t big or impressive. But when he turned it on, the entire mood of the room shifted. People gathered closer. Conversations softened. Fear faded. That one steady beam gave everyone something to see by.

Later that night, sitting outside, one of the students said, “It’s crazy how much difference one light made.”

The darkness didn’t argue with the flashlight. It didn’t try to vote it out. It just left whenever the light showed up.

The glory of God isn’t just a bright moment in a church service. It’s His character—His goodness, kindness, truth, holiness—shining through ordinary people in ordinary places—in a hallway at school, on a bus, in a group chat.

So what I’m trying to tell you is:

You don’t have to be the loudest voice.

You don’t have to be the most popular.

You Just have to shine!

And when God’s character is on display in you, darkness doesn’t stand a chance!

Now Jesus is going to help us understand this today, because He often used metaphors and examples to help people better understand what He was teaching.

You might not understand a theology textbook, but most people have used salt, and people also know the value of light.

EDUCATE

You Are the Salt of the Earth

Jesus described His people as the salt of the earth.

True Christians draw out the essence of who people are supposed to be, helping them realize their God-given identity. Just as salt helps elevate true flavors, Christians on God’s mission guide people away from worldly influences and help them see who God intended them to be.

All humanity was made in God’s image, but unfortunately sin has tarnished that image. A salt-of-the-earth Christian can look past the brokenness in people, draw out the image of God in them, and help restore them to God’s intended purpose.

However, some Christians have lost their saltiness, or effectiveness.

Matthew 5:13 NLT

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

You Are the Light of the World

Christians on mission for God should stand out from the world around them. Just as a city on a hill is easily visible for miles around, it should be obvious that Christians are who they say they are.

However, Christians should not just stand out for the sake of being different. The church exists in a world full of confused, lost souls needing a solid landmark to anchor them. We should live in a way that God’s kingdom is readily visible in our lives, shining in darkness and drawing others to God.

Our world seems to grow increasingly darker as we approach the soon return of Jesus for His church. As Christians, we have an opportunity to shine brighter than ever. As the world gets darker, the more people gather around the light. We must make sure our light is shining brightly for all to see, beckoning lost and wandering souls to the light of God’s salvation.

True Christians desire for God’s light to shine clearly through their lives and not be clouded by distractions.

Matthew 5:16 NLT

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

That Men May See Your Good Works

We know we are being effective witnesses when the people seeing our good works turn their hearts and minds toward glorifying God.

If we do good works to receive praise from people, we have the wrong motivation. It is not good works so that men will glorify us but so that those works point people to Him.

To be effective, our Christian faith must permeate our entire lives.

We cannot glorify God only on Sundays and still be effective witnesses.

We must allow God to saturate every aspect of our lives to the point that nothing is neglected.

Old Testament animal sacrifices were total and final. The bull or sheep was slaughtered and burned; its entire body was offered as worship to God. Similarly, as living sacrifices, we must make regular trips to the altar to ensure every part of our lives is completely offered to God.

Each analogy Jesus used regarding His people—salt, a city on a hill, and a light in the darkness—describes the nature in which we are witnesses for Jesus.

I Am a Witness

Witnesses tell the story of their experiences. When the jury believes the witness’s story, they are persuaded to cast their vote the way the witness testified.

We witness through evangelism, through inward and outward holiness, and through the very image of God manifested in our daily lives. Evangelism is part of the Great Commission Jesus gave. He commanded the disciples to go, teach, and baptize.

Matthew 28:19–20 NLT

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

We cannot properly fulfill this command without “going,” which means being active and intentional.

Going and teaching are not passive activities. Witnesses must be willing to share their personal testimonies and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Intentional lifestyle evangelism of this kind produces souls entering the kingdom of God through the wonderful gift of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.

Christians cannot reach the world while hiding from the world. However, being in the world does not mean we should act like the world.

John 17:15–19 NLT

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

Be Holy

Jesus never called us to be removed from the world entirely.

A large part of the reason we are here is to be witnesses.

However, Jesus does call us apart from the world to be more like Him for His glory. This is a call to be holy, to be set apart.

Have you ever been to a dinner where paper plates were used? Just a dime a dozen, no one thinks much about paper plates. Yet, a dinner set with pressed tablecloths and China dishes sends a different message because those items are far more unique than the thousands of paper plates and to-go containers we see all the time.

In the same way, living set apart and showing Christ in everything we do and say sends a message to the world.

As Christians, we don’t talk like everyone else, and we don’t text like everyone else. This behavior is not meant to glorify us but so others see Jesus in us! This is what Paul wrote in II Thessalonians 1:11–12.

2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 NLT

So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is glorified in our lives when we become more like Him and are continually enveloped by His nature. This is holiness!

We might be surprised how much God’s glory can be reflected in our lives when God is allowed to saturate every part of us. It is easy to see how God can be reflected in our speech and dress, but God’s glory should also be demonstrated in other parts of our lives.

The process of being formed into God’s image is lifelong and is only completed when we finish our course and make it to Heaven. Until then, we should be in a continual process of self-examination, praying daily for God to keep molding and transforming us.

We should strive to demonstrate God’s love, mercy, and grace in every area of life.

We must be careful not to speak the correct words but live an incorrect lifestyle.

The Pharisees were guilty of this habit. The Pharisees spoke one thing but lived another. Simply stated, they were hypocrites.

A great tragedy in living for God is when someone has all the correct information and knowledge about God but does not translate it into daily living. Just knowing is not enough; we must be the salt and light God intended.

A life that exemplifies Jesus Christ is the greatest witness we could have. How rewarding it is when our friends at school or people we encounter other places see something in us, a difference in how we act and respond, that points them to Him.

That is our mission: to tell what we have seen, not with words only but by letting our lives tell and show what we have seen as well.

EXPLORE

Influence is unavoidable. People are always watching. Ask yourself the question: What message does your current lifestyle send about what you truly believe?

Ben has influence on the football field.

Dawson on his job.

Violet in archery.

We talked about being salt and light. Salt doesn’t try to be noticed; it just changes whatever it touches. Light doesn’t argue with the dark; it just shines.

Jesus didn’t say, “Try to be salt.” He said, “You are the salt.” That means you already carry influence. The real question isn’t if you’re affecting people—it’s how.

EQUIP

At the beginning of this lesson, we talked about that night when the power went out at camp.

The room filled with noise, confusion, and a little fear. Nothing dramatic had happened. It was just darkness. But everything felt different because no one could see clearly.

Then one small flashlight clicked on. It wasn’t huge or blinding, but it was steady. And that one light changed the atmosphere of the entire room.

Being a witness is not just about what you say. It’s about what your life shows.

A witness reflects the character of Christ in everyday moments:

When you choose patience instead of snapping back.

When you refuse to laugh at something crude.

When you defend someone being talked about.

When you show up consistently.

When you tell the truth even if it costs you.

Those moments may feel small, but they are “flashlight” moments.

Someone around you is watching how you handle disappointment. Someone is noticing your consistency. Someone is wondering if your faith is real.

When you live as salt and light, people don’t just see a “church kid.” They see peace that doesn’t make sense, joy that isn’t fake, integrity that stands firm. And slowly, quietly, steadily, they begin to see Jesus.

Prayer

God, help me in the pressure of the moment to be a witness of what I have seen and experienced in You.

Help me to walk in the confidence that You have already given me the power to be salt and light by the Holy Ghost.

Help me to be mindful that my example and influence will make a difference in others. Help me to be godly.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Youth Rally

Rummage Sale

Student-led Service