Looking at the disciple’s identity as salt and light in Christ for the sake of the world.
Matthew 5:13-16
Sermon Outline
“You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world…” (Matthew 5:13, 14)
“You are…”
- The disciples
- The crowds
- Who is the “you”?
- The unexpected ones in God’s mission
Metaphor and the Power of Mental Pictures
- Jesus’ use of metaphor in Matthew 5:13-16
- Why mental pictures are invaluable for life
“You are the salt of the earth…” (5:13)
- The importance of salt: flavor, preservative, fertilizer
- Discipleship and saltiness
- Warning: don’t lost your saltiness
“You are the light of the world…” (5:14-16)
- The importance of light in a town and a house
- Discipleship and light-shining
Encouragement: let your life shine to God’s glory
- Wholistic or Complete Discipleship
- Discipleship of being and resting
- Discipleship of mission and action
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When have you met someone who truly seemed to live out their faith? What was it about their life that makes you describe them as this sort of person?
- 2. This week we continue studying Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount by looking at Matthew 5:13-16. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through His Word, and then, whether you are alone or with a group, read that text aloud.
- From what you know about the context of this passage, both in 5:1 and the previous section of the beatitudes (5:2-12), who would you say is the “you” of this section?
- This section of Jesus’ teaching is built on two rich metaphors. The first is salt, which was used as a preservative, seasoning, and even fertilizer in the ancient world. In light of these uses, what do you think Jesus means when He says, “you are the salt of the earth”?
- In verse 13 Jesus offers a warning about salt that loses its saltiness. What would you say this warning means for disciples of Christ?
- What do you think it looks like to live a “salty” life for God on earth?
- Jesus’ second metaphor is light. First, He references light in a corporate sense of buildings that are gathered in a city on a hillside (5:14). Next, he references light in an individual sense of a household lamp (5:15). What do you think Jesus is trying to say with these two metaphors when He states, “you are the light of the world”?
- With verse 16 Jesus makes a straightforward connection between being light and our daily lives. What is that connection between our daily living and our relationship with God?
- What do you think it looks like to shine our light for God’s glory through our good deeds?
- Reflect on this section we are studying (5:13-16) in light of Matthew 5:11-12. How do you think these two teachings support, augment, or balance each other?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study? If you’re on your own, write that down and pray over that this week. If you are with a small group, share your answers with one another before closing in prayer.
DIG DEEPER
- Consider memorizing one or both of the images here: Matthew 5:13 or Matthew 5:14-16
- Sketch, draw, or paint one of the images from this portion of Scripture. Share it with someone when you’re done to start a conversation about what it means to follow Jesus.
- Consider reading Professor Anthony B. Bradley’s article on this passage, “You are the Manure of the Earth”
- Explore parallels to this passage from other parts of Scripture, writing your own comments and thoughts about how these illumine Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5: