Weird

Who have been the greatest influencers in your life?

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16 NLT – “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

· Attracting people to a life of freedom

o No burden of sin to carry

§ Titus 2:14 NLT – He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

o The fruit of the Spirit in action

§ Galatians 5:22-23 NLT – the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

· Lifting up the culture’s values through right living and leading

o Salt adds flavor, cleanses and preserves

§ Matthew 5:13 NLT – You are the salt of the earth.

o A surrendered life to Jesus gives an example to follow.

§ Philippians 2:14-15 NLT – Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

§ Romans 13:13-14 NLT – Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

§ 1 Peter 2:12 NLT – Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

o People will ask why you live the way you do

§ 1 Peter 3:15 NIV – Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

§ Colossians 4:6 NIV – Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

· People praising God because you served them

o Matthew 5:15-16 NLT – …No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

o Psalm 112:9 NLT – They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.

Do you realize the Lord is using your life?

· Proverbs 4:18 NLT – The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

Next Steps

o Memorize: Colossians 4:6 NIV

o Evaluate: Is the way I live my life attracting people to Jesus?

o Action: Look for a way to serve your neighbor this week. Give God the glory for the opportunity and watch as others praise Him too.