Sermon On The Mount Series - Salt And Light

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The Kingdom Life

I. Introduction: Connecting to the Beatitudes

• Brief Recap: What kind of people did Jesus describe as "blessed"? (e.g., poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure in heart).

• The Bridge: Jesus has just described who His followers are. Now, He tells them what they are to do and what their impact should be on the world. The shift is from internal character to external influence.

II. You Are the Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13)

• What is Salt's Purpose? 

  • Preservation: In ancient times, salt was crucial for preserving food, preventing decay. How does this apply spiritually?

  • Flavour/Taste: Salt enhances flavour.

    • How do believers add "flavour" or richness to life and society?

  • Thirst: Salt makes people thirsty.

    • How might believers make others "thirsty" for God or for righteousness?

• The Warning: "If the salt loses its saltiness..."

  • Pure salt doesn't lose its saltiness, but ancient salt often had impurities that could wash away, leaving a tasteless residue.

  • What does it mean for a believer or the church to "lose its saltiness"?

  • What are the consequences? ("no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot").

    • This is a stark warning about ineffectiveness and irrelevance.

• Discussion:

  • In what ways do you see the church (or individual Christians) acting as "salt" today?

  • How can we ensure we maintain our "saltiness"?

III. You Are the Light of the World (Matthew 5:14-16)

• What is Light's Purpose? 

  • Illumination: Light dispels darkness, reveals truth, and helps us see clearly.

    • How do believers bring light into a dark world?

  • Guidance: Light helps us find our way. How do believers offer guidance?

  • Drawing Attention: A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Living out Christ's teachings makes believers visible.

• The Command: "Let your light shine before others..."

  • This is not about boasting, but about living in such a way that God is glorified.

  • What does it mean to "hide your light under a bowl"?

  • Why should our light shine?

    • Our actions should point to God, not to ourselves.

IV. Christ and the Law (Matthew 5:17-20)

• Misconception Addressed: Why might people have thought Jesus came to abolish the Law?

• Jesus' Affirmation: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

  • Fulfill (Greek: pleroo): 

    • What does it mean for Jesus to "fulfill" the Law? (Not just to obey it perfectly, but to bring out its full meaning, to reveal its true intent, to embody it, and ultimately to accomplish what it pointed towards – salvation).

  • Continuity: "Until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." This emphasises the enduring authority and divine origin of God's Word.

• The Warning: "anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands..." 

  • Jesus is not talking about salvation by works, but about the standard for those in His Kingdom.

  • He emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands, even the "least" ones.

• The Greater Righteousness (Verse 20): "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

  • Who were the Pharisees?

    • (Religious leaders known for strict adherence to the Law, often outwardly, but sometimes neglecting its spirit).

  • What kind of righteousness did they have? 

  • What does Jesus mean by "surpassing" their righteousness?

    • This sets the stage for the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus redefines righteousness (e.g., anger as murder, lust as adultery).

• Discussion:

  • How does Jesus' teaching on the Law challenge a legalistic approach to faith?

  • How does it challenge an anti-law approach?

  • What does "righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees" look like in our lives today?

V. Conclusion: Living as Salt and Light, Living by a Higher Righteousness

• Synthesis: How do these three sections (Salt, Light, and the Law) work together?

• Challenge: Reflect on how well you are fulfilling your role as "salt and light."

  • Are there specific areas where you need to allow God to deepen your righteousness so that your influence is more profound for His glory?

See Video from Bible Project on How Jesus Fulfills The Law to the Sermon On The Mount: https://bibleproject.com/videos/jesus-fulfills-the-law