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If we’re going to make a difference, there has to BE a difference. Discover how Jesus expects & empowers us to be Salt & Light to our desperate world.

In Jesus’ day, salt was very valuable, primarily used as a preservative for meat, keeping it from spoiling, as well as adding flavor. 

• Jesus expects His followers to be a preserving influence in the middle of a rotting culture. Real salt never loses its saltiness, but in the ancient world salt was mixed with many impure substances or impure substances were never filtered out.
• Salt from the Dead Sea was easily attainable as water evaporated and the salt was left…along with residue from crystals of gypsum (a mineral that can be mistaken for salt). It might look good, but it won’t taste good. It might LOOK like salt, but it isn’t doing what salt is intended to do - preserve & add flavor to what it touches. 
• To PRESERVE the culture we must not become POLLUTED by the culture. We must remain PURE.
• If we’re going to make a DIFFERENCE, there’s got to be one. 
• If we’re going to make a difference for people in our culture, we can’t distance ourselves from people in our culture. We must be in proximity to people.

Pure salt influences what it comes into contact with, but polluted/diluted salt makes no difference, and is no longer good for anything except for throwing out to be a part of the pavement.

During the day, a town built on a hill would not be hidden as the sun shone on it. At night the multiple oil lamps of homes would cause the surrounding area to glow. Cities lit up at night could not be hidden. So too, Jesus says…You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Jesus also called HIMSELF “the light of the world” (Jn. 8:12). Jesus is like the sun, powerful, brilliant, & life-giving; the focus of the New Testament shows that everything revolves around HIM.

Jesus says His disciples are the light of the world too, as the moon reflects the light of the sun. Followers of Jesus are His representatives, reflecting His light to the world until the Son rises once again.

It is unthinkable to light a lamp and then immediately put it under a bowl. Our passion for Jesus should be visible and obvious, not secret and hidden. Disciples of Jesus are expected to be the light of the world - and let that light shine before others so they won’t have to continue to live in the dark.

• Purity without Proximity = NO INFLUENCE. There must be a DIFFERENCE but we can’t stay at a DISTANCE.
• Proximity without Purity = NO INFLUENCE. If there’s no difference in your life, you won’t make a difference in others’ lives. 
• Proximity & Purity without Passion = NO INFLUENCE. Acting like a Christian shows people that you’re different, but doesn’t tell them why you’re different. Be passionate about sharing the light of the world in our dark culture!  

Others see your good deeds, and end up glorifying the Father because of your influence!

BIG TRUTH: We influence others to HONOR GOD by our Purity, Proximity, & Passion.

Can you imagine someone saying that they came to Jesus because of your influence?

Can you name one or a few people the Lord has used to be SALT and LIGHT to you?

• Who is the LIGHT God has used in your life to point you to the true LIGHT OF THE WORLD?  
• Who is God using YOU to INFLUENCE for the KING?  
• Do you HIDE the LIGHT? Or do you SHINE the LIGHT wherever you go? Do your words, actions, & attitudes point to the LIGHT of Jesus…or does it leave people wandering in the dark?

Jesus was different from the “experts in the law” - different in a good way. (Matt. 7:28-29) Many of those “experts” believed that Jesus was twisting the Scriptures, because He didn’t fit the mold of their traditions. Many even said that Jesus was breaking God’s laws. Jesus now confronts that charge with the most powerful response in history. Imagine someone actually saying the words, “You don’t believe the law or the prophets!” - as Jesus responds:

Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV) Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets [Jesus is talking about what is written in the Scriptures]; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

WHAT?!!!? Can you imagine one of US saying this, “I will fulfill what the Scriptures say. I will perfectly LIVE OUT what the Scriptures say.” Yeah, right!

Jesus had the highest view of Scripture (Old Testament writings). 

• The Greek word for smallest letter written by Matthew is the letter i = iota (pr. yōta).
• Jesus was likely speaking Aramaic/Hebrew & this word would have been the Hebrew yod (pr. yōd), (looks like an apostrophe), the first letter in YaHWeH reading right to left (יהוה).
• A stroke (keraia) literally means “little horn”, a small mark that helps distinguish one Hebrew letter from another (an extension of a letter).
• What some might think are the most insignificant letters of the Scriptures not be erased, until everything it says is accomplished. Who could do that?

Based on the words of Jesus, what do you think He would say to those who imply that God winks at sin? While many in our culture say obeying God’s laws is being legalistic, Jesus thinks obedience is all about trust, and He expects His followers to follow what He says. Remember what Jesus told His disciples.

Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus doesn’t EXPECT us to do what He doesn’t EMPOWER us to do. And He expects and empowers us to OBEY Him and the Scriptures.

What is YOUR view of the Scriptures? 

• Just words written by fallible humans OR God’s Words written THROUGH people TO people?
• Just words you can take or leave? OR…are the Scriptures God’s commands to trust and follow?
• If children were to watch your life and follow your example, which would YOU be labeled? - LEAST - leading others to disobey God OR GREAT - showing others how to obey God through your daily actions?

Jesus doesn’t EXPECT us to do what He doesn’t EMPOWER us to do. And He expects and empowers us to OBEY Him and the Scriptures.

What is YOUR view of the Scriptures? 

• Just words written by fallible humans OR God’s Words written THROUGH people TO people?
• Just words you can take or leave? OR…are the Scriptures God’s commands to trust and follow?
• If children were to watch your life and follow your example, which would YOU be labeled? - LEAST - leading others to disobey God OR GREAT - showing others how to obey God through your daily actions?

Were the Pharisees and teachers of the law the examples of how everyone else should live? Not exactly. 

They too, had broken God’s laws. Those who recognize they can’t keep the LAWS of GOD are more likely to seek the GRACE of GOD to receive a righteousness that comes from beyond ourselves. We must turn to the One who IS righteous, the ONE who CAN fulfill the Scriptures - the Lord Jesus.

• Jesus is our salvation who makes us right with God and then empowers us to do what He expects us to do. Stop trying to do it on your own! TRUST Jesus, turn from your sin, ASK Him to forgive you and take over.
• Kent Hughes: “This takes us right back to ground zero of the first Beatitude. ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God’ (5:3)…“Blessed are those who are spiritually bankrupt, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” “Blessed are those who realize they cannot make it on their own, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

With the help of Jesus, we ARE the SALT of the EARTH, the LIGHT of the WORLD - taking the message of Jesus others.

BIG TRUTH: We influence others to HONOR GOD by our Purity, Proximity, & Passion.

discussionquestions

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

1. What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? (You might need to look back in your notes to help explain your answer.) 
2. Read Matthew 5:13-16 and explain how, as salt & light, we can be used to impact our culture. 
3. The BIG TRUTH from this passage is: We influence others to HONOR GOD by our Purity, Proximity, & Passion.   Why must the follower of Jesus have each of these characteristics in order to impact others? What happens when one of these characteristics is lacking in our lives?
4. Read Matthew 5:17-19. How significant does Jesus think the Scriptures are? What does Jesus say about those who lead others to discount and dilute the Scriptures versus those who lead others to appreciate and apply the Scriptures?
5. How did Jesus fulfill the Scriptures and what are some examples of how the Old Covenant was accomplished by Jesus and now gives way to the New Covenant? (You might want to spend some time reading Hebrews 8-9.)  
6. Read Matthew 5:20. How could anyone have a righteousness that surpasses the religious leaders of the day? Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. How is it that any of us can be considered righteous? What should those who have been made right with God desire for others?
7. Share prayer needs and pray for one another.