Salt and Light Matthew 5:13-16

You are the salt of the earth "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men." Matthew 5:13 (also found in Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34)

You are the salt of the earth Salt Salt –Sodium chloride (mineral) –Spice that enhances flavor –Preservative –Draws water to itself

You are the salt of the earth Salt Salt –Sodium chloride (mineral) –Spice that enhances flavor –Preservative –Draws water to itself You You –are “salt” –enhance life –preserve righteousness –draw others to yourself & to Jesus

You are the light of the world "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (also found in Luke 8:16-17; 11:33-36)

You are the light of the world Light Light –God created light –God separated light from darkness –Light defeats darkness –Light enables us to “see” –God’s light enables us to receive truth and have understanding

You are the light of the world Your Light - a beacon of righteous living Your Light - a beacon of righteous living

You are the light of the world Your Light – no confusion! Your Light – no confusion!

Your witness… is usually not what you say! Your witness is who you are! Actions speak louder than words!

Normalcy: Yeshua is the definition of normal

Yeshua is the definition of normal On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water."

Yeshua is the definition of normal So they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the head- waiter.” So they took it to him. When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” John 2:1-10

Yeshua is the definition of normal And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, "Who do the people say that I am?" They answered and said, "John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again." And He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered and said, "The Christ (Messiah) of God." Luke 9:18-20

After having Received Revelation from Jesus ‘Lord, use me to advance your kingdom. I’ve spent too much of my life serving Satan. Make me a vessel for your kingdom.’ So, according to your petition, He puts you in a place where He can use you.

Lord, I don’t like where I am! I hate my… I hate my… –JOB! My boss is an idiot My boss is an idiot My co-workers don’t… My co-workers don’t… –Marriage! –Living situation –Teachers/coaches If you are functioning as “salt” & “light,” “where you are” will be a better place because you are there?

But Lord, You don’t know what I have to deal with… Those who are always complaining are contributing to the problem and are, therefore, not a part of the solution!

How God feels about complaining! "Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the LORD; and when the LORD heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp." Numbers 11:1

Be content in where He has you "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13

The Christian Mafia “As a body of believers we should be as a ‘Christian Mafia!’ No one knows exactly who they are who they are where they are where they are if/when they will show up if/when they will show up what they will do, what they will do, but clearly they have a defined purpose and goal.” Dr. John Tolson Carlo “Don Carlo” Gambino Do you know this man?

As a beginning teacher… your attention is drawn to: 1)disciplinary problem children 2)strong personalities that demand your attention 3)Then you realize that in a class of 35 students… 4)Focus on the quieter children doing what they are supposed to be doing! Be content to be “just” a body member.

The Great Commission But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20

Be Faithful In Small Things "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?" Luke 16:10-12 Paraphrase: ‘If I can’t trust you with a little thing why would you think I would trust you with something big?’