You are called to be different! God did not design us to blend in with the culture around us. Discover how you were created to bring love and light to our dark world!
Notes 📓✏️:
“Where do you get the concept of justice?”
“Where do you get that notion of equality and fairness?”
You’re Different
You’re not meant to blend in, you are meant to stand out.
Stanley Hauerwas, Theologian: “[This] sermon, therefore, is not a list of requirements, but rather a description of the life of a people gathered by and around Jesus.”
Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV): “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
- Salt of the earth
- Light of the world
- City on a hill
Before Jesus talks about HOW we should live, He describes WHO we are.
“That what you are in your culture.”
“You’re different.”
Your life will be starkly different than the culture around you.
Your life is meant to influence (salt) and illuminate (light).
Influence
“How are you using your influence?”
“Worth your salt.”
“How valuable is our influence?”
It doesn’t take a lot of salt to change something!
Your small choices can have a big influence for God!
Illuminate
A dark world needs a bright church.
“God can!”
God Is Able – Hillsong Worship:
God is able
He will never fail
He is almighty God
Greater than all we seek
Greater than all we ask
He has done great things
Lifted up
He defeated the grave
Raised to life
Our God is able
In His name
We overcome
For the Lord
Our God is able
Discussion Questions 📝❓:
- What does it mean to be the “salt of the earth,” and why do you think Jesus used this metaphor?
- What does it mean that “your influence is currency,” and how are you spending it?
- What do you think it means that these metaphors used by Jesus (salt of the earth, city on a hill, etc.) are not just about what we do, but about who we are?
- Why do you think Jesus’ message of loving your enemies was so revolutionary to the crowd that was listening?