“People of Influence”

Matthew 5:13-16

I. Salt has a hidden influence.

• Salt gives taste.– It improves the bland taste of certain foods.– Our role as Christians is to influence the

mundane.• Colossians 4:6, “Let your conversation be always

full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

I. Salt has a hidden influence.

• Salt is a preservative.

– It prevents food from going bad.• Especially in days before refrigeration

– Our role as Christians is to have a positive influence in opposition to evil.

• We can change the evil around us!

I. Salt has a hidden influence.

• Salt makes us thirsty.

– Salty popcorn leads to buying more soda.

– Our role as Christians is to make others want more of Christ.

II. Light has a visible influence.

• Light dispels darkness.

– The smallest light gives hope in the darkness.

– Our role as Christians is to make others want more of Christ.

• How we live our lives.

II. Light has a visible influence.

• Light reveals what is there.– Flashlights are used to find things in the dark.

– Our role as Christians is to search for what is lost.• Luke 15:8-10, "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and

loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.“ NIV

II. Light has a visible influence.

• Light gives guidance.

– Light illuminates the way to go.• Path through the woods in the dark without a

flashlight• Dark road without headlights

– Our role as Christians is to light the path to show others the way to eternal life.