Matthew 5:13–16
13“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15“nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Focused Thinking: (5:13)
How is Jesus using the metaphor of salt here?
Salt protects things from spoiling or decaying.
Salt also makes people thirsty.
- Christians should have a preservative effect upon the world.
- Christians should make people thirst for the truth.
Salt must maintain its purpose in order for it to be valuable.
- Christians must fulfill their purpose of salt and light.
- Christians must prevent decay and penetrate darkness.
The Holy Spirit prevents sin in and through us.
The Holy Spirit shines light in and through us.
Personal Application: (5:13)
I pray that my life will preserve my wife and children from sin.
I pray that my life and leadership will preserve Highpoint from sin.
Focused Thinking: (5:14–16)
How is Jesus using the metaphor of light?
Light is meant to shine and give direction.
- Christians are to shine like a city on a hill.
- Christians shouldn’t shade, conceal or hide their light.
Where should our light shine?
“Let your light shine before men…”
What should our light accomplish?
“…in such a way that they may see your good works,”
“…and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
They should glorify My Father, not me.
Personal Application: (5:14–16)
I pray that my life and light will cause my wife and children to glorify God.
I pray that my life and light will cause Highpoint to glorify God.
I pray that the light of Highpoint will cause this city to glorify God.
I pray that You will strengthen the light of Highpoint.
Interactive Prayer:
Father, I pray that You will conform my character to the character of Christ. Give me desire and discipline to be more committed to the Word and prayer than ever before. Give me the spiritual honesty to always confess and repent of sin. Help me to pursue with the discipline of an Olympic athlete. Help me to never buy into the standards of the world instead of the standards of the Word. Give me the ability to never compromise my relationship with You. Help me be the man of God that You desire me to be. Help me to discipline myself to develop my strengths and gifts.
Father, help me to maximize Your light in and through my life. I pray that the light will chase out the darkness. I pray that the light will be the most visible to my wife and children. Help me to prioritize doing ministry with Mark and Annika. Help me to make sure they don’t just learn the truth, but help me help them to live the truth. Give Mark and Annika a passion to let Your light shine in and through them.
Father, increase the light of Highpoint Church. Give us the ability to start a spontaneous movement that is built upon our people being lights in their homes, neighborhoods and workplaces. Father, give our people the ability to truly be salt and light in the lives of their friends and co-workers. Father, give us the ability to be an incredibly strong light of compassion and grace. Give us the ability to be a light of grace upon grace. Give us the heart to be a “Friend of Sinners” to this city. Father, make us a church that is truly a perfect place for imperfect people.
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