Subject: Why did God choose you? Why did God call you out of darkness into his marvelous light?
Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16.
Big Idea
God chose you to create kingdom glimpses for the world to see. God called you out of darkness into light so that you could be a living demonstration of heaven.
Jesus is making a statement of identity and purpose.
Matthew 5:13. How can salt lose its flavor?
Matthew 5:14-15. Who puts a lamp under a basket?
Salt and light have a purpose. So do the children of God.
Psalm 34:1-3, 8.
Your purpose is to bring out the flavor of God’s goodness and shine forth the beauty of God’s love in front of a watching world—to create kingdom glimpses for the world to see. You’re a city set on a hill (Matthew 5:14b).
If we don’t fulfill our purpose, no one will. There is no other salt or light but the Church (Matt 5:13-14).
Illustration: Imagine a world without salt and without light. Unsalted popcorn…
Implications: How do we fulfill our purpose?
Be first. Preach later.
Sharing Jesus with others doesn’t begin with a bullhorn.
A missionary who’s worked a lot with muslims told me, “They won’t listen to a stranger. They won’t listen to you until they know you and respect you.”
Start small.
“Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
What if “love your neighbor” means love your neighbor?
Take the next step: ++Be the first Christian your neighbors like.
Work together.
Conclusion
God chose you to bring out the flavor of his goodness and shine forth the beauty of his love in front of a watching world.