Matthew 5:13-16

Intro: Welcome my Friends

BIBLE TEXT: Matthew 5:13-16 ““You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

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

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Sermon Title: flavor To The World

Joke:

In a small town far away, a young man started his own business—a dime store at the corner of two streets. He was a good man. He was honest and friendly, and the people loved him.

They bought his goods and they told their friends about him.

His business grew and he expanded his store. In a matter of years, he developed his one store into a chain from coast to coast.

One day, he was taken ill to the hospital, and the doctors feared that his life was ending soon.

He called together all three of his adult children and gave them this challenge: “One of the three of you will become the president of this company that I have built over the years.

To decide which one of you deserves to become the president, I am going to give each of you a one-dollar bill.

Go today and buy whatever you can with that one dollar, but when you get back here to my hospital room this evening, whatever you buy with your dollar must fill this room from corner to corner.”

The children were all excited at the opportunity to run such a successful organization.

Each went to town and spent the dollar. When they came back in the evening, the father asked, “Child number one, what have you done with your dollar?”

“Well, Dad,” he said, “I went to my friend’s farm, gave him my dollar, and bought two bales of hay.”

With that, the son went outside the room, brought in the bales of hay, undid them, and began to throw the hay up into the air.

For a moment, the room was filled with hay. But in a few moments, the hay all settled on the floor and the room was not completely filled from corner to corner, as the father had instructed.

“Well, child number two, what have you done with your dollar?

“I went to Sears,” he said, “and bought two pillows made with feathers.” He then brought in the pillows, opened them, and threw the feathers all over the room. In time, all the feathers settled down on the floor and the room was still not filled.

“And you, child number three,” the father added, “what have you done with your dollar?”

“I took my dollar, Dad, and went to a store like the one you had years ago,” the third child said. “I gave the owner my dollar and asked him for some change. Some quarters and dimes and nickels.

I invested 50 cents of my dollar in something very worthwhile, just like the Bible says. Then I gave 20 cents of my dollar to two charitable organizations in our city.

Twenty more cents I donated to our church. That left me with one dime. With the dime, I bought two items.”

The son then reached in his pocket and took out a little matchbook and a little candle. He lit the candle, turned off the light switch, and the room was filled.

From corner to corner, the room was filled—not with hay, not with feathers, but with light.

His father was delighted. “Well done, my son. You will become president of this company because you understand a very important lesson about life. You understand how to let your light shine. That is good.”

Title Points: 3 points , Let Your Light Shine

Outline 1

Bible Text : Matthew 5:13 ““You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”

One Teaching Idea: (1 Sentence or Less)

As salt preserves and brings out the best flavor of food, so believers should be the salt of the earth and affect others positively.

Jesus told his disciples that if they wanted to make a difference in the world, they would have to be different from the world.

God would hold them accountable to maintain their “saltiness” (that is, their usefulness).

We must be different if we want to make a difference.

Cross Reference: Mark 9:50 “Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.””

1st Point: Have a positive impact on others

One Application: We so often try to blend in with the world. But God has called us to be set apart.

This starts by us having the peace and love for others.

Personal Story: I remember seeing a bad example of this before coming to the Lord. My family members would say they loved God but they would blend in with the world

Outline 2

Bible Text : Matthew 5:14 ““You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

One Teaching Idea: (1 Sentence or Less)

As salt makes a difference in people’s food, so light makes a difference in their surroundings.

Jesus would later explain, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through darkness, but will have the light of life”

Cross Reference: John 8:12 “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.””

2nd Point: Let Other’s See Jesus Through Your Light

One Application:

Christ’s disciples must live for Christ, shining like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.

They are like lights in a dark world, showing clearly what Christ is like.

Because Jesus is the light of the world, his followers must reflect his light.

Personal Story: I love bringing groups on mission trips, because when we get back. They can see that same light is the light that you should let the whole world see.

Outline 3

Bible Text : Matthew 5:15-16 “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

One Teaching Idea: (1 Sentence or Less)

People place lights on stands for them to spread their warm glow

The believer’s light shines not for himself but to reflect the light back to the Father and so direct people to him.

Cross Reference:

3rd Point: You Have What Others Need

One Application:

Being Christ’s disciples means spreading the light to everyone with whom we have contact.

Personal Story: I remember when I was a new believer only talking about jesus around people at church