Gateway Visalia
The Way
The Way Matthew 5:13-16 Pastor Lance Ainsworth January 16 & 19, 2025 Salt and Light.
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:00 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
Introduction:
When we allow God to reign in our hearts, we desire His will, and we carry out the actions of His Kingdom, which are actions that bring shalom--restoring wholeness, healing brokenness and moving towards others in love.
Matthew 5:13 NIV
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
As salt, we are to be men and women who are enduring in our loyalty and trustworthiness and transforming the world around us.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
As salt, we are to be men and women who are enduring in our loyalty and trustworthiness and transforming the world around us.
Jeremiah 10:1, 14-16 NIV
"This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them.”
"This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them.”
"14 Everyone (those who follow the idols made by craftsmen) is senseless and without knowledge; (this is the Hebrew phrase translated as moraino—senseless and without knowledge) every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. The images he makes are a fraud; they have no breath in them. 15 They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish. 16 He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including Israel, the people of his inheritance—the Lord Almighty is his name."
Trusting God’s story is living in the reality that no one is like their God and they are His inheritance.
We are the salt—we transform the world around us, and it is foolish for us to be fearful of the things that are terrifying to the world around us.
Hebrews 12:28a NIV
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,"
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,"
He knows that one of the temptations of fear is that it can lead us to distrust Him, and in our distrust, we begin to reach for control.
The reality of Jesus’ kingdom is that everyone who apprentices under Jesus is to be salt and light and matters in the building of the Kingdom of Shalom.
The reality of Jesus’ kingdom is that everyone who apprentices under Jesus is to be salt and light and matters in the building of the Kingdom of Shalom.
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Being vs. Doing. “You are the salt. . . you are the light.”
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Being vs. Doing. “You are the salt. . . you are the light.”
Isaiah 42:6 NIV
6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,”
6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,”
It would be preposterous for the church to hide from the world.
The Way
Pastor Lance Ainsworth & Lindsay Reid
Matthew 5:13-16
January 16th & 19th, 2025
Salt and Light.
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: When was a time you experienced deep darkness, physically or spiritually?
Read Aloud: Matthew 5:13-16
1. v.13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” To be good for nothing is a result of worshiping false idols. What are some modern-day idols? How does the worship of these idols cause mankind to lose its purpose? How can fear be an idol in our life?
2. v.14-16 “14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” What is the purpose of light in a practical way? How does that relate to us being light? What is the difference between doing good things and being salt/light? What is the goal of good deeds?
3. Read Matt 5:3-12; how do the characteristics of the Beatitudes help us understand what it looks like to live as salt and light? Which of the characteristics from the Beatitudes do you think is most urgent for Christians to express in our culture today?
Pastor Lance Ainsworth & Lindsay Reid
Matthew 5:13-16
January 16th & 19th, 2025
Salt and Light.
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: When was a time you experienced deep darkness, physically or spiritually?
Read Aloud: Matthew 5:13-16
1. v.13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” To be good for nothing is a result of worshiping false idols. What are some modern-day idols? How does the worship of these idols cause mankind to lose its purpose? How can fear be an idol in our life?
2. v.14-16 “14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” What is the purpose of light in a practical way? How does that relate to us being light? What is the difference between doing good things and being salt/light? What is the goal of good deeds?
3. Read Matt 5:3-12; how do the characteristics of the Beatitudes help us understand what it looks like to live as salt and light? Which of the characteristics from the Beatitudes do you think is most urgent for Christians to express in our culture today?