Stay Salty

Passage

Matthew 5:13-16

Sermon Summary

The meaning of these three metaphors (salt, light, and a city on a hill) is often misunderstood. They do not represent strategies to capture political power in society, nor are they just about being nice and aggressively recruiting for Jesus. Rather, they are dynamic identities given to Christians by grace, which we live out in community. They shape many aspects of our life together, but the ultimate test is whether they lead others—both believers and not-yet-believers—to give glory to our Father in Heaven.

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. The pastor claimed that salt and light are neither strategies for political domination, nor are they just about being nice. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
3. Do the people in your life know that you are a Christian? If not, why not? If so, how did they learn it?
4. Both salt and light can suggest many different meanings. Which one(s) seem most persuasive to you?
5. How can our community collectively be salty and lit, like a city on a hill? Consider our whole church, or a smaller subset of it.
6. Is there a person and/or group whose life together stirs you to glorify God? (Homework: Tell them!)
7. Describe a counterintuitive quality that might lead people—even a not-yet-beiver—to give glory to God. Consider the Beatitudes in verses 3-12.

Resources Consulted:

• Africa Bible Commentary, ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo
• True to Our Native Land, ed. Bryan K. Blount
• The New Testament in Color, ed. Esau McCauley
• Matthew for Everyone, NT Wright
• The Message of Matthew,John Stott
• The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: John Pennington
• The Sermon on the Mount: Sinclair Ferguson
• The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard

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