Big Idea - True followers of Jesus are the salt and light of the earth. Like Jesus, they are to make an impact for the Kingdom by their presence in it. How can we make a difference in the world? How are we to be bringing the Kingdom to a lost and sinful world? First, by being salt and light, that we are a witness to the Kingdom and the truth of God by the distinctive qualities of our life. Jesus has just listed many of thee qualities, or attitudes in the sermon’s introduction. These qualities are produced by His transforming work in our lives, but we can lose our saltiness by living more like the world than like the King, by walking in the flesh rather than in the Spirit. The distinctive life of the disciple is not only a matter of attitudes but these attitudes must move us to real actions of loving and serving - of good deeds. But it is not enough to simply possess these qualities. We must live in such a way that we are displaying these qualities visibly before a watching world. Our lives cannot be private and secluded, but we must find ways to engage in the kinds of relationships with those who are not Christians that allow the light and salt of our life to make an impression upon them. Through these godly attitudes and loving actions, the world should see Christ in us and be drawn to know the king. In this way, our Father in heaven is glorified here on earth.
