“Kingdom Living: Our Influence” (Matthew 5:13-16)
Jesus spelled out the unique identity of His followers as influencers for God.
1. Salt (vs. 13)
 a) “You”- emphatic, “salt of the earth” (among the inhabitants of this planet). Salt had 2 primary uses: 
     one - and one +.
 b) Salt was a preservative. It was rubbed into meat to prevent decaying (no refrigerators). Because of sin, 
     life on earth is rotting. Our role is to rub into society so that we slow down this process.
 c) Positively, it enhanced. It was used as a seasoning for food to bring about a better taste, and in small 
     quantities as a fertilizer.
 d) “tasteless”- Real salt does not lose it saltiness, but their salt found near the Dead Sea was combined 
     with impurities. Since the salt was more water soluble, it dissolved more rapidly, and one was left with 
     a substance that looked like salt but was not. It could not perform the functions of salt, and was thrown 
     on slippery places for people to walk on (marble courtyards in the temple. Today- to patch flat roofs). 
     It is sad downward spiral from a place of great influence to ordinary road dust on which people walk.
 e) As Christ’s followers, we are to fulfill the role as ones who slow down decay in our rotting society & 
     enhance the taste of our tasteless society.
2. What does it look like?
 a) This will come as a by-product of pursuing kingdom beatitudes rather than worldly beatitudes.
 b) One graciously raises objections to moral decay, bad laws and organizations that drift from high 
     standards to support immorality.
 c) It shows attitudes & speech that express thankfulness, graciousness, contentment & respect (Col. 4:6). 
 d) It means being great listeners and having substance to share in conversations to benefit others.
 e) It includes developing excellence in your field of work, study or research.
 f) It means creating entertainment in the music, writing, art & acting world that promote wholesome, 
     family values, beauty, honorable virtues & pure humor.
 f) Volunteer and be active in community organizations to keep them moving in a healthy direction.  
3. Light
 a) “You”- emphatic, “the light/world” This implies the people of the world are in the darkness of sin, 
     evil, deception & ignorance (Gen. 1:3-4). Since Christ is the light of the world, when we come to Him, 
     we become light by nature as well (John 8:12, 12:36, Eph. 5:8).
 b) Light stands out: “city/hill”- around the Sea/Galilee & Israel elevated cities stood out by day with their 
     limestone glistening in the sunlight & by night with lamps in every house lit. 
 c) Light dispels darkness: “lamp/basket”- A typical home of common people had a projecting stone in the 
     wall on which a lamp (clay container with oil & a wick lit) was set and it lit the whole room. This light 
     was valuable to see in their house because typically they only had on small window. It would be silly 
     to hide this candle under their earthenware grain measure basket, because they would not be able to 
     see inside their house and the light might go out.
 d) Just as these light are beneficial so Christians are to let their light of Christ’s presence in them shine 
     before others so they may see our good/attractive works, and glorify our heavenly Father Who is the 
     source of this light (I John 1:5).
4. What does it look like?
 a) We are not to act in a way that draws attention to us, but Him.
 b) Striving after the character qualities of the beatitudes will be a bright light.
 c) Do not be embarrassed or ashamed when you stand out for Christ.
 d) Point to Him as the One Who can take away people’s darkness.
 e) Grow in your marriage, family & other relationships to attract others to God & His designs.
 f) Consistently do beautiful deeds that show you belong to a kingdom far better than this world.