THE CHRISTIAN’S INFLUENCE

God’s law of the heart (2)Matthew 5:11-16

Penge Baptist Church

16th September 2012

Matthew 5:11-16

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

“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.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

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.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

The Salt of the Earth

• “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.”

The Uses of Salt

• Preserving

• Flavouring

• Healing

• Purity

Being Salt

• World cannot stop itself going bad

• God has ordained other restraining influences (state, family)….

• ….but church has the main responsibility

• Christian saltiness is the character shown in beatitudes

• Salt can lose its saltiness if impure – as can Christians if assimiliated to world

The Light of the World

• “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

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.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”.

The Uses of Light

• Warning

• Directing/attracting

• Guiding

• Showing

Being Light

• Jesus said “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12) while his teaching means “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 4:16)

• Christians must reflect Jesus and his teaching• World is a dark place needing light• Our light includes evangelism….• ….but also works of love for neighbours• Light in us can become darkness if conceal truth

How the World Responds

• Negatively by persecution“Blessed are you when people insult you,

persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

• Positively by believing– In the same way, let your light shine before

men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”.

Being both Salt and Light

• Church and world are distinct communities and we are called to be different

• Church must act as a group and not only individuals

• We must accept responsibility this difference puts on us – no case for withdrawal but involvement

• Responsibility is twofold– Prevent the spread of evil by being salt– Promote the spread of truth, beauty and goodness by

being light

Are we ready to be Salt and Light?

• Hard to believe that those showing the blessings (meek, peacemakers, pure in heart) can make a difference…..

• …..but Jesus did not share that scepticism and nor should we!

• By following beatitudes and being salt and light we– Will ourselves be blessed– Will best serve the world– Will glorify God “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear

much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

• “This must be your only retaliation – love and truth for hatred and lies”