The Sermon on the Mount: Living a Life of Influence

The Sermon on the Mount  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Introduction

Read Matthew 5:13-16
Matthew 5:13–16 ESV
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
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We are living in a world that is dying. It is not hard to see the rapid decay of our society around us each day. Sin continues to affect humanity and we see its corrupting affects in every sphere of life, families and marriages are breaking apart, crime is rising, sin continues to be celebrated, and corruption is a given in government. And as we are entering into a new election cycle, news media and political candidates will be highlighting the ills and decay of society even more than normal.
We are constantly trying to figure out what to do to make things better. We are always looking for answers and different thoughts and opinions are offered on how to fix things.
However, God’s Word tells us there is only one answer that can fix the brokenness we all feel, Jesus.
But how does a lost and dying world encounter Jesus and experience the hope that comes from Him?
The answer to that question comes in the next part of Jesus’ sermon. He is calling us as His people to be people of influence.
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Slow the Decay of Sin

As Jesus has just finished up describing the character of a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven, He turns now to the impact that this person should have on the world around him or her.
He begins with the image of salt. You are the salt of the earth.

Salt is a preservative

Salt slows the decay of meat
in the ancient world they would cure meat in salt to prevent decay so the mest would last longer
salt is also used to help prevent infections in wounds
salt reduces the moisture that allows harmful bacteria to grow and cause decay and infection

Salt does not restore the state of meat

salt cannot be used to restore meat, just keep it from decaying any more than it has

We are meant to slow the decay of sin around us

we should have such a presence in the lives around us that causes others to stop and think through their words and actions
do The words people use around you continue to be vulgar or do they stop when You enter because they do not want to offend you
do you affect their actions in a positive way or do you encourage and promote vulgar and crass language and behaviors
Jesus is saying that we should have such an affect upon those around us that it causes them to stop and think about how they are living and what they are doing
we should have a preservative affect on the lives of those around us

We are not meant to stop or reverse the decay around us

We cannot save anyone else

know however that while we might affect the behavior of those around us we cannot actually cause them to be saved
we are not called to save or reverse the effects of sin, only to be a presence which causes the slowing down of the decay of sin in our friends and family

Only Jesus can do that

see only Jesus can actually bring restoration and salvation
but as we live our lives of influence, it should slow the decay of sin down and lead them to want to know why there is a difference in our lives
pour lives should open up conversations to the gospel and to show them that our lives are different not because I’m any better but because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross
the cross does not just save us from sin, it saves us for holiness and to bring a freedom from the power of sin in our lives
Therefore, as we live, we should be living lives of holiness and lives that bring conviction to those God is calling unto holiness through His Son, Jesus.

Show the Joy of Following Christ

Show the Joy of Following Christ

Salt Brings Flavor to Food

Salt is tempting to overuse because of the flavor it brings
Popcorn
steak

We are meant to bring joy and flavor to life

As people who have the character described in the beatitudes, we should demonstrate the joy of Christ
We belong to the kingdom of heaven
We are comforted from our mourning
We are inheriting the earth
We are being filled with righteousness
We have received God’s mercy
We will get to see God
We are called children of God
listen if you and I have received the gospel of Christ, knowing that Christ has died for our sins and set us free from the penalty and power of sin, we should be the most joyful people this world has ever seen.
Why should we not have a serious joyfulness about us?
Galatians 5:22 ESV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
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And yet, many Christians are known by their lack of joy in life...
why? Either because they are self-righteous and there’s nothing that can steal our joy faster than thinking that we must earn our position before God because we are also afraid of losing that position
or because we are still living in sin. some People are just Christian enough to be miserable. They know of Christ and have made a verbal profession of him but they have never surrendered their lives to him and found the abundant life that comes from living in submission and obedience to Jesus.
The Office - Angela Martin
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Let Others See Jesus in You

Light -

Brings Illumination -

seems basic but it illuminates our environment so we can see the world around us. We can see the beauty of life and the world. We can also see the dangers and obstacles around us so we can avoid harming ourselves.
slaughter canyon

Brings Life -

light also brings life. Life would not be possible without the light and heat we receive from the sun.

Us -

illuminate Jesus

We are called to live lives that show the character of Christ.
the way we live should show people what Jesus is like. There was a saying that was popular back when I was a teenager
you might be the only Jesus people will ever see.
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seek To bring life to others

We are called to live lives that bring blessing and flourishing to others.
this will affect the way we treat and respect others. Life is diminished as we seek our own way instead of humbling ourselves and seeking the best for others
the way you handle yourself in your job and in your submission to your boss or organization
the way you drive in the roads and show consideration to others or seek their safety
the way you submit yourself in your marriage for the good of your spouse instead of insisting on your own way
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Hiding the Light

of course it is possible to hide the light that Christ has given to us
we hide the light by walking in the darkness of our own sinful desires and lusts
we hide the light as we try to conform to the standards of this world
It is foolishness to have a light that is covered up
We might try to hide our righteousness so we can blend into the darkness of the world
We might try to hide our light so that we do not face the persecution and hatred of the world
John 3:19–20 ESV
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
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Tell Others About Jesus

Light clearly reveals the world around us

We must clearly reveal who we are following

A False Dichotomy

There’s a phrase that has gained some popularity over the last couple decades, which sounds good, but I believe it’s premise is false:
Share the Gospel and if necessary, use words.
There are some who say I’m going to share Jesus by what I preach, while they’re lives do not match what they preach
There are some who say I’m going to share Jesus by how I live, while never speaking the truth of the Gospel with those around us.
We must live and speak in such a way that when people see us, they will respond to the One True God in one way or another, either they will respond in faith and repentance towards Him or they will reject Him, but either way, they will know who they are responding to and will ultimately bring glory to God.

Conclusion

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