Today’s passage: Matthew 5:13-16
Helpful thoughts:
- Every time Jesus says “you” or “your” in this passage, He is speaking in the plural form. So, none of this saltiness or shining as a light is an individual endeavor. We are responsible as church to collectively be salt and light.
- Salt is a preservative. The world is given to corruption.
- Light dispels darkness. When a person in the world is blinded by the darkness, they need to see light.
- The method of being salt and light. Do good works that can be seen by the world.
- The result is not for us to be praised.
- The result is for them to begin praising God, giving glory to the Father.
- People who are rejecting God do not give glory to the Father… (See question 1)
Questions to consider:
- What will the result be when lost people see First Baptist Church being salt and light? What will have to happen for them to go from being alienated from God, to giving Him glory and praise?
- How should the fact that Jesus was speaking the in the plural form of “you” impact the way you interact with the church? Are your efforts more powerful when they are apart from the church or when they are united with the church?
- Compare and contrast Matthew 5:16 (“That they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”) and Matthew 6:3 (“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”). What is the difference between these two passages that makes one good and one bad? What is the motive behind the good works and being seen?