Title: Salt and Light
Theme: To show that as the kids go back to school the Lord has called them to be Salt Light into the community.
Text: Colossians 4:1-6, Ephesians 5:15-21
Introduction
Over the last few Sundays we have been talking about Authentic Christianity. This is real Christians. We started by looking at Matthew 5:13-16
Devotional Time
Col 4:1-6 NIV Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
(2) Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful (diligent, earnest, purposeful) and thankful. (3) And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. (4) Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. (5) Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity (redeeming the time). (6) Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Final Greetings
Eph 5:15-21 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, (16) redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17) Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (18) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, (19) speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, (20) giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (21) submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Eph 5:15-21 NIV Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, (16) making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (17) Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. (18) Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (19) Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, (20) always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (21) Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Lessons Learned
I. We are to be salt
A. Seasoning (Flavoring) to the world
Mat 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. (14) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (15) "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. (16) "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Rev 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
II. We need to be wise in our decisions
A. Wisdom is taking the knowledge that we have and applying it.
III. We need to be prayerful so that we can know what the Lord’s will is
A. God has a purpose and plan for us
IV. We need to “redeem the time” make the most of every opportunity
Make the most of the moment that we have, it will go by fast
V. We need to walk in the fullness of the Spirit
A. This means to be sensitive to His spirit
VI. How we speak to one another is important
A. Our conversation (often times in the Bible the Words conversation is used interchangeable with our lives and walk
B. We are what we say
1Pe 3:16-17 Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. (17) It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad.
VII. We need to look for opportunities to give thanks to the father
A. We have an opportunity in life to make a difference.
Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
