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Explore the key aspects of being a Christian: being a preserving and flavorful influence like salt, and illuminating the world as light. Discover how our example can preserve souls, irritate the world, create thirst for God, and flavor our surroundings. Let our light expose darkness, guide others, and attract them towards the truth. Reflect upon the potential of our influence and consider how we can make a positive impact on the world.
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What it means to be a Christian The Christian is…Salt
Influence • Proper example always important • We are always examples • 1 Cor. 11:1 • 1 Tim. 4:12 • Phil. 2:14-15 • 1 Peter 2:12 • Matthew 5:13-16
Salt Preserves • It can keep foods from spoiling • Our example, can keep souls from being lost. • Cf. Gen. 18:20-32, 2 Chron. 34:23-39. • Who knows if our example will preserve some soul from eternal destruction? • We also preserve the word – its truth and purity, Psa. 119:11
Salt Irritates • On wounds it can be painful • Sometimes our example is an “irritant” to the world • Heb. 4:12 • John 15:18-19, 1 John 3:13 • Matt. 5:10-12
Salt creates thirst • Some foods make us thirsty • Does our example cause others to thirst for GodCf. Acts 16:25 • While many will mock, some may inquire further
Salt flavors • We enjoy seasoning on food • Matt. 5:13, What good is salt that loses its flavor? • Let us live to try and make our world a little better place • Cause the world to glorify God Matt. 5:16 • God’s word WILL make the world better Can we have too much salt?
We are the light of the world • Matthew 5:14-16 • Light is associated with God (1 John 1:5), Jesus (John 1:4-5, 8:12) good example and His word! (2 Pet. 1:19)
We are the light of the world • We need to let our light shine! Phil. 2:14-16
Light illuminates • It helps us see. • The word of God Psa. 119:105
Light exposes • Eph. 5:11-13, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them…But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.” • John 3:20-21
Light drives away darkness • Darkness is the absence of light. We introduce light into dark spaces. • When we shine the light of God’s word, it can drive away darkness
Light guides us • Light gives us direction • Walk as children of light – Eph. 5:8, 1 John 1:7
Light can attract others • Many people seek to escape darkness and head toward light. • We let our light shine Matt. 5:14-16 Can we have too much light?