Sermon on the Mount – Pt 2
2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NLT)
1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
Matthew 5:13-20 (NLT)
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
1. You are the salt of the earth. Don’t lose your God-flavor!
2. You are the light of the world. Don’t hide your God-brightness!
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NLT)
14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?
3. Live right because you are made right with God through Jesus.
Matthew 22:35-40 (NLT)
35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
SMALL GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: Jesus taught that you are the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and given a right way to live.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Matthew 5:13-16.
– What does it mean to be the salt of the earth? What are some practical ways we can preserve and enhance our “God-flavor” in our relationships, workplaces, and communities?
– What does it mean to be the light of the world? How can we embrace our role as the light of the world and let our “God-brightness” shine in a way that glorifies God?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share with the Group.
Read Matthew 5:17-20 and Matthew 22:35-40. What does it mean to you, to live according to this passage and teaching of Jesus? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you an area where you can grow and align your life with His word.
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Pray that we (as followers of Jesus and The Church) would stay rooted in God’s truth and seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives, so that we may continue to be effective salt and light in the world.