2. You are the Salt of the Earth

4. 13 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. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 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. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

5. Our lesson today is about how we influence others!

6. “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.” Matt. 5:13 Mark 9:50 Luke 14:34

7. The Salt of the Earth Preservative: Illustration - Cure Meats, Preserves Gen.18:20-32,- Could not find 10.f Prov.14:34

8. Good Influence : Lk.15:1-2, Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

9. Acts 28:15 15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

10. Phil. 1:12-14 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

11. Col. 4:6 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

12. What kind of influence do you have on others? 1. Do people know that you are doing good? Matt. 5:16 2. Do they know that you will not approve of evil. I Cor. 5:1-7 3. Will they feel free to tell dirty stories, use filthy language and talk in a disgraceful way? I Cor. 15:33 Ill. Death of a Young lady…

13. The family had this epitaph Written on her tombstone:

14. II Kings 2:19-22 -Elisha used salt to purify the waters of the city of Jericho. Christians are to promote purity Phil. 4:8 “good report” Christians separate from world Influence thinking of others Rom. 12:1-2

15. Keep yourself pure Example: Gen. 39:9 Joseph….How can I do this great wickedness and sin against my God? When you are tempted, Remember Joseph!

16. Often the presence of a Christian in the crowd will change the conversation. Obscene language will many times cease because of our influence and presence. Or…do we live so much like the world around us that no one can tell the difference?

17. 1. Do we use the same vocabulary of filthy and suggestive words? 2. Do we wear the same suggestive “sexy” clothing as the world? 3. Do we frequent the same filthy movies That is common among the worldly. Salt is to have a purifying effect! We can only do this if we are living in a way that shows others that we are different..we are Disciples of Jesus Christ

18. Salt causes thirst..salty popcorn!! Mt.5:6 “...thirst after righteousness” Godly influence helps 1 Pet. 3:1-2 “without the word be won” Lead others to Christ

19. You live right so others will want to live Right! I Cor. 11:1 Paul said: Follow me even as I follow Christ. Mtt.6:33 Seek first. You attend worship so others will See your life…”Why does he/she go to Every service?? (Heb. 10:25)

20. Makes food taste better “Salt is the stuff that makes things taste bad when it is left out.” Job 6:6 “Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

21. So many hugged my wife last Sunday and Wed. night…they knew she was not suppose to speak… That meant so much to her…to know you love her, that you are thinking about her, and you care. We want to be with good people.

22. Christians sweeten life Gal. 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens” 2 Cor.1:3-5 “be able to comfort them” Influence can enhance life for others Eph. 4:32 Be ye kind, one to another,

23. Salt Can Become Useless When the world enters our life 1 John 2:15-17 “love not the world” Rom. 12:2 - “be not conformed” “be ye transformed”

24. Salt Can Become Useless Cast out Useless if we lose our influence Become hypocrites –Despised by the world – No respect from the faithful “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?” Luke 14:34

25. Jesus compares us to Salt... Preserve Purify Makes Thirsty Enhance flavor Influence

26. “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.” Matt. 5:13

27. What influence do you have? Dorcas/Tabitha Acts 9:36-42 Would you want everyone in the world To be the kind of person that you are?

28. Fathers, you want your sons to grow up to be just like Dad? Eph. 6:4.. 2 Tim. 3:14-17 Mothers, do you want your daughters to do just like Mom? Ez. 16:44 Behold,every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter!

29. Are you telling others about Jesus? About the way that leads to Heaven? About the way that brings forgiveness Here. Ill. Roger