Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. We're here together. In this place. At this time. And it's good. Our hearts are open. Our spirits are ready. We're here to learn. To grow. To be changed.

Today, we're looking at a passage from the Book of Matthew. It's a passage many of us know well. It's a passage that speaks to us. Challenges us. Inspires us. "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:13-16).

Powerful words. Words that call us to be more. To do more. G.K. Chesterton, a man of great wisdom, once said, "We are all in the same boat, in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty." We are called to be salt and light. We are called to influence and to make a difference. We are called to be loyal to one another in the stormy sea of life.

But what does it mean to be salt and light? How do we live this out in our everyday lives? These are questions we will seek answers to today.

Let's bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day. We thank you for your Word. We ask that you open our hearts and our minds to your message today. Help us to understand what it means to be salt and light. Guide us as we seek to live out your call in our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

Friends, let's get ready. Let's open our hearts. Let's be changed. Because today, we're not just reading words. We're living them. We're not just hearing a message. We're becoming it. Let's be salt. Let's be light. Let's be the difference. Welcome to our service today.

The Call to Influence

In Matthew we find ourselves confronted with a powerful image. Salt. A common, everyday substance, yet one that carries a profound significance. Salt preserves, enhances, and brings out the best in what it touches. It's a silent influencer, working behind the scenes, often unnoticed, yet making a significant impact.

In the ancient world, salt was highly valued. It was a symbol of purity, a preservative that prevented decay, and a flavor enhancer that brought out the best in food. It was so important that it was often used as a form of currency.

Now, let's think about this in the context of our lives. We're called to be like salt. We're called to preserve the good, to enhance the lives of those around us, to bring out the best in others. This is an active, intentional choice to influence the world around us in a positive way.

The second part of our call - to be light. Light illuminates, guide, and bring clarity where there was once darkness. Just as a city on a hill cannot be hidden, our influence should not be hidden. It should be visible, shining brightly for all to see. In a world that can often feel dark and confusing, we're called to be a beacon of hope. We're called to guide others towards truth and love. We're called to illuminate the path that leads to a better, more fulfilling life. This is not a call to be the center of attention, but rather a call to guide others towards the source of all light - our Heavenly Father.

Thirdly, let our light shine before others. This is not a call to boast or to seek recognition for our own sake. Instead, it's a call to live in such a way that others can see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven. Our influence should not draw attention to ourselves, but rather point others towards God. Our actions, our words, our attitudes - they all have the power to either draw people closer to God or push them further away. We're called to live in such a way that our lives become a living testimony of God's love and grace.

Finally, we're called to be a city set on a hill. A city that is visible for all to see. A city that stands as a beacon of hope in a world that can often feel hopeless. Just as a city on a hill cannot be hidden, our influence should not be hidden. It should be visible, shining brightly for all to see. Our lives should serve as a testament to the transformative power of God's love.

Recap/Transition. Our call to influence is not a call to power or prestige. It's a call to service. It's a call to love. It's a call to make a difference in the world around us. It's a call to be salt and light.

Proximity and Differentiation

Just as salt is a preservative and purifier, so we are called to be like salt ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO