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The Christians Influence

In Mt. 5:13-16 The Christian’s influence is

describe buy two figures

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• Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

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• [14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

• [15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

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• [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

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• I. Salt

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A. Christians Are Salt

• The figure of salt implies that the world is in a state of decay

• Salt:• 1. Seasons, making food taste

good which would otherwise be tasteless

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A. Christians Are Salt

• Christians give the world a “spiritual flavor” that is pleasing to God

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A. Christians Are Salt

• 2. Salt Preserves – it keeps things from decaying

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A. Christians Are Salt

• The world moves toward sin and corruption – sin is the cancer eating away at the very body of society

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B. The Danger

• THE DANGER --- Salt may lose its ability to flavor and preserve

• The wrong kind of exposure can rob salt o f its seasoning and saving power

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B. The Danger

• The Christian is exposed to the influence of the world

• If we are not careful we will give in to the tug of the world and in so doing sin and lose our power for good

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Rom. 12:2

• And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

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B. The Danger

• Only good men can accomplish good

• Lk. 22:32• “But I have prayed for thee, that

thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren”

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C. The Doom

• Once the salt has lost its power it is “cast out” as useless – it is “trodden under foot”

• A Christian who has lost his influence for good is worthless

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• II. Light

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A. Christians Are Light

• This implies that the world lies in darkness --- the darkness of sin, of ignorance, of gloom

• The work of the Christian is to scatter the darkness

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B. Lighted By Another

• 1 Jn. 1:5 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

• When born of God we become like Him --- we become lights

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B. Lighted By Another

• By continued fellowship with Him we keep on shining

• As long as we walk in the light we reflect the light

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1 Jn. 1:7

• But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

25C. Light Must Be Seen – Not Hidden

• “A city set on a hill”• Christians must avoid two

extremes:• 1. A showy display• 2. Being too timid

26C. Light Must Be Seen – Not Hidden

• Light makes no fuss – does not draw attention to itself – nor does it try to hide

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Mt. 6:1

• Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

28C. Light Must Be Seen – Not Hidden

• Our light is to be constant – not sporadic

• “Not a comet, but the sun lights the world”

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D. Why shine before men?

• “That they may see your good works”

• What men see in life has a great influence over their character – it helps them shape their destiny

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D. Why shine before men?

• “And glorify your Father who is in heaven”

• By the power of good works men are turned from darkness to light

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D. Why shine before men?

• “Though he may not speak a word, a good man is a powerful preacher”

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Conclusion

• Christians are a two-fold influence:

• - Salt – in a world of corruption and decay preserve all that is good

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Conclusion

• Light – reflect Christ to a world lost in sin and darkness - let men see God’s love at work in your life

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References

• 101 Sermon Outlines (Revised), by Frank L. Cox (Firm Foundation Publishing House), 1971