Deeper Prayer Life A Sermon Series on Prayer

Praying Through The Sermon on the Mount: Your Mission Must Be Clear Matthew 5:13-16

The passion to live righteous lives and the feeling of repugnance toward sin sometimes drive Christians to stay away from the sinful environment. But our Lord Jesus Christ affirms our unique roles in the world.

He expects us to be both distinct from the people of the world and yet fully involved in the society where we live. Our distinctiveness and our presence will demonstrate a visible goodness that will challenge the community to follow our lead as we follow Jesus Christ.

You are the SALT of the Earth: Living with a sense of Distinctiveness (v. 13)

A rough Dead Sea, with salt deposits on cliffs.

Near Ein Gedi, salt builds up along the shores of the Dead Sea.

1.You are the SALT of the earth: Living with a sense of Distinctiveness (v. 13) “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”

1.You are the SALT of the earth: Living with a sense of Distinctiveness (v. 13) What were the uses of salt in Jesus' time? 1.Cleansing 1.Purifying 1.Preserving 1.Seasoning 1.Antiseptic / Disinfectant 1.Sustaining moisture in humans in very dry climates

1.You are the SALT of the earth: Living with a sense of Distinctiveness (v. 13) “Christians are called the 'salt of the earth' because of their penetrating and preserving power in a lost world... Believers are salt. It is not an option. The only choice is what kind of salt will they be. Salt can become adulterated and useless. Lost people are watching.” (Bob Utley; The First Christian Primer: Matthew)

1.You are the SALT of the earth: Living with a sense of Distinctiveness (v. 13) As the salt mixed with impurities can lose its saltiness, so Christians must be careful not to lose the effectiveness of their testimonies. As the salt mixed with impurities can lose its saltiness, so Christians must be careful not to lose the effectiveness of their testimonies.

“If salt (v. 13) exercises the negative function of delaying decay and warns disciples of the danger of compromise and conformity to the world, then light (vv ) speaks positively of illuminating a sin-darkened world and warns against a withdrawal from the world that does not lead others to glorify the Father in heaven.” (Carson, 'Matthew')

You are the LIGHT of the World: Living with a sense of Destiny (vv )

1.You are the LIGHT of the world: Living with a sense of Destiny (vv ) “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”

1.You are the LIGHT of the world: Living with a sense of Destiny (vv ) “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

What does light represent in the Bible? 1.Purity 1.Truth 1.Knowledge 1.Divine Revelation 1.God’s Presence 1.God’s Direction 1.You are the LIGHT of the world: Living with a sense of Destiny (vv )

“Flight into the invisible is a denial of the call. A community of Jesus which seeks to hide itself has ceased to follow him.” “Flight into the invisible is a denial of the call. A community of Jesus which seeks to hide itself has ceased to follow him.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Cost of Discipleship) 1.You are the LIGHT of the world: Living with a sense of Destiny (vv )

“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:15-16) (Matthew 4:15-16)

1.You are the LIGHT of the world: Living with a sense of Destiny (vv ) “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12) (John 8:12)

As the moon derives its light from the sun, so Christians reflect the holiness of Jesus Christ in their lives. As the moon derives its light from the sun, so Christians reflect the holiness of Jesus Christ in their lives. 1.You are the LIGHT of the world: Living with a sense of Destiny (vv )

For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken... we shall be made a story and a by-word throughout the world. We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God... We shall shame the faces of many of God's worthy servants, and cause their prayers to be turned into curses upon us til we be consumed out of the good land whither we are a-going. (John Winthrop)

"It is not easy to be a dedicated Christian. Our society is not a friend to God nor to God’s people. Whether we like it or not, there is conflict between us and the world. Why? Because we are different from the world and we have different attitudes." (Warren W. Wiersbe) Conclusion

While there is an "occupational hazard" attached to the roles of Christians, there is a greater "blessing" that results to the believers' carrying out these roles. And it is a crucial blessing because the health of the world depends on the Christians' "saltiness" and “brightness.” Conclusion

Our clear mission from the Lord is this: Conclusion That we become who He wants us to become and that we do what He wants us to do. He wants us to become Christlike in every way and He wants us to serve Him as His witnesses.

Our clear mission from the Lord is this: Conclusion He calls us to ABIDE in Christ and then to ADVANCE His Kingdom. Know Christ and Make Him Known