21st Sunday after Pentecost!
Focus Statement. Jesus said Christians "are" the salt and
light of the world.
Function Statement. Because of this sermon, people will realize
that Christ has passed the torch to us to be
the salt and light of the world and will
yield their lives more fully to God!
Intro.
A. We live in a world
where we see corruption in
Government; we see polarization in politics!
B. We see churches
fighting!
C. We see shootings in
our schools, homes, and work
places!
D. We see people who
claim the title Christian do immoral acts,
even preachers and politicians!
E. It can get depressing! We ask ourselves, "What can one little
Christian do? What can a small group of Christians do?
Trans.
Christ made two statements during His sermon on the
mount that left no doubt
as to the impact Christians could
have on the world! Let's look and see what they are.
Prayer
Matt. 5:13-16
I. "You are the salt of the earth;"
A. Notice Christ says,
"You are" the salt of the earth,
not "You can be."
If there is to be any salt, it will be us! Christians are
the salt of the earth!
B. What are some
characteristics of salt?
1. Salt creates a
thirst!
a. If we really
get in touch with God, if we
really put our complete trust in God and live for
God, if we love for and like God, people will want what we have!
b. It will
change our lives in such a positive
way that people will thirst for God because
of us!
2. Salt has been
used as a preservative.
a. People used
to salt down their meat to
preserve it.
b. Christians
are a preservative for our world;
we keep it from spoiling!
c. Each good
act that we do makes the world a better
place to live!
d. We preserve
peoples lives for God as we
offer the
kingdom to them!
e. Each new
person who comes into the Kingdom makes
our world a little better!
d. We can preserve justice in the world today as we allow God's
kingdom to come in our lives and on earth as it is in heaven! As we:
1) Reach
out to all people and invite them
to church.
2) Give a
loaf of bread in Jesus' name
through supporting the free food shelf, Thrift Store,
Benevolence fund, or Options.
3) Work to overcome racial prejudice in our community.
4) Work to support “Warm the Needy!”
5) As we allow our standing for justice and standing for those who
can’t stand for themselves effect how we vote!
C. So Christ said, "We are these things!" We will make an impact on the world we live
in! Praise the Lord!!
II. "You are the light of the world." Not we might be!
A. Notice again; Christ
said, "You are."
We are that that stands as a light in a dark lost
world!
B. Let's look at some
qualities of Light.
1. No matter how
small the light, when it is placed
in a dark room, we can see!
a. The
Christian life serves as a light in that
Christians help people see that God loves them.
b. No matter how small we may feel, there are those who are looking to us as an example of
how a life should be lived;
we may be the
only Bible some people
read. If we help
people see God’s love by the way we live, we have
served as a light!
c. I am more and more convinced that the best way we can be lights in
the world and represent Christ in our world is by sharing Unconditional Love as
Jesus did!
2. We are a light in
that our lives should guide
people to Christ!
a. We don't have to be a famous preacher or for that matter any
preacher, to lead someone to Christ!
1) We don’t even have to have all the right versus memorized!
2) We just need to tell them that Christ has made a difference in our
life!
b. We are all
to be in ministry for Christ!
3. What gets us too
much of the time is:
a. Our light is
not shining in the right place, and
we are not sending out the right
messages.
b. We are still
babes in Christ!
c. We need to
totally commit our lives to
Christ and get our act
together!
d. We need to
grow as Christians and let God develop in us Godly attitudes and virtues!
e. When we live
the kind of life that God wants
to develop in us, people will see the
difference and will want what we have!
1) I am
talking about being perfected in
Love!
2) Living
Christ’s Unconditional Love and
having that virtue in our
lives and not
so much caught up into
judging as much
as into loving!
f. When God has been able to develop this kind of virtue in us, we
will have the
opportunities because people will be
interested!
g. Then, we
"will be" lights!
III. The fact that Christ started out both times with "You are"
is positive!
A. No matter how out-numbered we may be, no matter how bad things
get, if we are truly dedicated to Christ, we will make a positive difference in
the world!
B. We will be salt!
C. We will be light!
D. We will be able to
make things better!
Conclusion:
A. Are we truly dedicated
to Christ? Are we really
trusting in him with all our hearts? Wesley said,
"It is impossible for any that have it, to conceal the
religion of Jesus
Christ." We are Salt and Light!
B. As we truly yield to
Christ, we will be able to be
Salt & Light: we will be able to make a
difference for the good, no matter what is going on in the world!
C. What can a Christian
do?
1. We can trust that
Christ can make a difference!
2. We can live an example by letting the Lord live and love through
us!
3. We can live a
life that people will want what
we've got!
D. Do you need to more fully yield to God this morning as we encounter
Christ at the table? Do you need to come
to Christ for a first time commitment? If you make a first time commitment, let
me know so I can help you with your new walk in Christ!
Prayer of
Confession
Service of
Communion
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