Salt & Light Part 1

We have already seen in the first 12 verses of Matthew Chapter 5 Jesus teaching His disciples about God’s blessings that come as they live in His Kingdom under His rule.

This week we look at two words Jesus used, Salt and Light.

Read Matthew 5:13-16.

Discuss in your group the general benefit(s) of…..

• Salt when it is used properly and the results of when it is not.
• Light when it is used most effectively and the results of when it is not.

Let’s now look at each of these.

1. Light.

• Who is the source of light? See 1 John 1:5, 1Timothy 6:16, Genesis 1:3-5.
• Why did Jesus come?
• What did John the Baptist say? John 1:4-9
• What did Jesus say about himself? John 12:46, John 8:12.
• What is the condition of sinful mankind? John 3:19-20, Job 24:13.
• What does Paul say the Devil has done? 2 Corinthians 4:4
• What did Jesus say is the end result of those who trust in themselves instead of His righteousness? Matthew 22:13.

2. Salt

Salt was important in the ancient world.

Read Leviticus 2:13 how God said to add it to grain offerings.

Read 2 Kings 2:19-22.

Salt is used as a preservative and as a flavour enhancer. Imagine how our food would taste without salt in it.

3. Application

Read again Matthew 5:13-16 where Jesus said to His disciples…‘You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.’

• What did Jesus say is the purpose of light and what are we to do with God’s light in us?

Read also Peter’s words in 1 Peter 2:9.

• How do we do this?
• What are we not to do?

It has been said we witness by Life and by Lip.

A. We witness by Life. (The way we live) ‘We are the light of the world.’

As unsaved people look on at our lives what do they see?

Read Paul’s instructions in Ephesians 5:7-13, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, Philippians 2:14-15 and Peter’s in 1 Peter 3:15-16.

What did Jesus command us to do to that would:

• ‘Prove to the world that we are his disciples’? John 13:34-35.
• Cause the world to believe His Father sent Him? John 17:21.

Is there a fellow Christian whom you are not loving or one with? Share and ask in the confidentiality of your group to pray for you and with God’s guiding and help seek to resolve any issues to bring unity.

B. We witness by Lip. (What we say) ‘We are the salt of the earth.’

• What was Jesus message to Paul when he was converted? Acts 26:16-18.

Discuss Paul’s instructions in the following passages,

• 2 Timothy 2:15-16.
• Colossians 4:5-6.
• 1 Peter 3:15-16.

How can we use God’s Word to help us according to the following verses?

Psalm 119:105, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

What urgency should we put on being ‘Salt’ and ‘Light’ to people around us who are blind and lost on their way to eternal destruction? Read John 9:4, 1 Corinthians15: 58.

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Bible Study EvangelismMatthewSermon on the Mount