The Christians Influence In Mt . 5:13-16 The Christian’s influence is describe buy two figures

1. The Christians InfluenceIn Mt. 5:13-16 The Christian’s influence is describe buy two figures

2. 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.

3. [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.

4. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

5. I. Salt

6. The figure of salt implies that the world is in a state of decay Salt: 1. Seasons, making food taste good which would otherwise be tasteless A. Christians Are Salt

7. Christians give the world a “spiritual flavor” that is pleasing to God A. Christians Are Salt

8. 2. Salt Preserves– it keeps things from decaying A. Christians Are Salt

9. The world moves toward sin and corruption – sin is the cancer eating away at the very body of society A. Christians Are Salt

10. THE DANGER --- Salt may lose its ability to flavor and preserve The wrong kind of exposure can rob salt o f its seasoning and saving power B. The Danger

11. The Christian is exposed to the influence of the world If we are not careful we will give in to the tug of the world and in so doing sin and lose our power for good B. The Danger

12. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God Rom. 12:2

13. Only good men can accomplishgood Lk. 22:32 “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” B. The Danger

14. Once the salt has lost its power it is “cast out” as useless– it is “trodden under foot” A Christian who has lost his influence for good is worthless C. The Doom

15. II. Light

16. This implies that the world lies in darkness --- the darkness of sin, of ignorance, of gloom The work of the Christian is to scatter the darkness A. Christians Are Light

17. 1 Jn. 1:5 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” When born of God we become like Him --- we become lights B. Lighted By Another

18. By continued fellowship with Him we keep on shining As long as we walk in the light we reflect the light B. Lighted By Another

19. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 Jn. 1:7

20. “A city set on a hill” Christians must avoid two extremes: 1. A showy display 2. Being too timid C. Light Must Be Seen – Not Hidden

21. Light makes no fuss – does not draw attention to itself – nor does it try to hide C. Light Must Be Seen – Not Hidden

22. Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Mt. 6:1

23. Our light is to be constant – not sporadic “Not a comet, but the sun lights the world” C. Light Must Be Seen – Not Hidden

24. “That they may see your good works” What men see in life has a great influence over their character – it helps them shape their destiny D. Why shine before men?

25. “And glorify your Father who is in heaven” By the power of good works men are turned from darkness to light D. Why shine before men?

26. “Though he may not speak a word, a good man is a powerful preacher” D. Why shine before men?

27. Christians are a two-fold influence: -Salt – in a world of corruption and decay preserve all that is good Conclusion

28. Light – reflect Christ to a world lost in sin and darkness - let men see God’s love at work in your life Conclusion

29. 101 Sermon Outlines (Revised), by Frank L. Cox (Firm Foundation Publishing House), 1971 References