Preaching Mode Test

Jesus wants you to know who you are.

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.

“You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world…”

Knowing who you are is important.

You understand your value in the kingdom.

(illustration) Wait a year before you serve.

You understand your place in the world.

(illustration) Next Move

Employments for people with disabilities.

They are also finding their place in the world.

Some things to note:

Your giftedness isn’t a qualifier for who “YOU ARE”

Jesus was speaking to a crowd of people

Mixture of age, gender, ability, wisdom…

Jesus was speaking to His followers and that was the only qualification.

If you are a Christian …

This is who you are!

YOU ARE the salt of the earth & YOU ARE the light of the world.

If you’re not yet a Christian …

This is who you are meant to be

Jesus is describing OUR PURPOSE in life.

We are not here by accident. (every life is valuable)

Your new identity came with purpose

Jesus (the greatest teacher) describes our new identity and purpose with two analogies…

You are the salt of the earth.

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.

To understand an analogy, you need to see what is in common

Salt known for certain qualities

Flavor enhancement – makes things more appealing.

a. Ever eating fries with no salt (yuck)

Preservati

Keeps food from rotting (and harmful bacteria)

This a great analogy for us…

We are able to give appealing flavor to our faith.

Being kind, loving others

Being generous with our things.

We are help preserve our culture.

From toxic hatred.

From immorality.

And we need this now so badly – “CUTIES”

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.

If salt loses it taste … It is no longer good for anything…

What is Jesus saying here

We are not “salt” by our mere presence

We do this through our witness.

Jesus wants you to guard your witness.

If your kingdom message to the world becomes ineffective, what good is it but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot? PROTECT YOUR WITNESS!!!!

SOBERING!!!

If one loses their saltiness, they have altogether lost their purpose for existence!!!

Think about the tragedy of one who has the power of God living in them and yet they allow their testimony of that to become ineffective.

How do we do this?

Salt loses its flavor by becoming “watered down”

This is done by weak theology!

Gospel message is missing all together!!

Salt can also become overpower and offensive.

Legalism or hatred

You are the Salt of the Earth

Guard your message & don’t let it become useless.

You are the light of the world

Matthew 5:14 ESV

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

John 8:13 ESV

13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.”

John 9:5 ESV

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Matthew 5:14 ESV

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

Jesus wants you to shine His light into a dark world.

Don’t become ineffective … Don’t be ridiculous.

Matthew 5:15 ESV

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.

Why would somebody light a lamp just to hide it?!!!!

Did you ever see your silence or worldliness as being REDICULOUS?!!!

Maybe it should be seen as SELFISH

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.

Let your light shine

Notice it didn’t say “make” – the power is Jesus

Give glory to GOD

Everything we do is supposed to Glorify God.

(Illustration) – Night Shift Sleep routine–

· Cardboard in windows

· Room COMPLETELY DARK

· Wake up disoriented

· Look for light around the door.