INFLUENCE Matt 5:13-16
PRESENTED BY STEVEN SCHILLER SEPT 4 2022
INTRODUCTION
In "The Beatitudes" Mt 5:3,4,5,6,7-12, we see...
The character of those who would be citizens of the kingdom
The blessedness of the citizens described
In the final beatitude, Jesus implied the attitude the world would often display towards the citizens of the kingdom - Mt 5:10-12
The world would revile and persecute those in the kingdom
The world would say all kinds of evil against them falsely for His sake
The world would persecute them just as it persecuted the prophets before them
-- Thus the influence of the world upon the kingdom would often be one of persecution
Jesus then proceeded to describe the opposite...
The influence of the kingdom upon the world
The impact the kingdom was designed to have upon those in the world
He uses two metaphors in doing so. The first, in Mt 5:13, involves the figure of salt...
"YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH"
SALT HAS SEVERAL CHARACTERISTICS...
It is white, enhances flavor, preserves, etc.
Based on the context, it is probably salt's ability to enhance flavor to which Jesus refers in his illustration
Notice: "...but if the salt loses its flavor..."
Salt has the ability to give flavor to that which is otherwise bland
Job mentioned this ability in Job 6:6
THROUGH THE METAPHOR OF "SALT"...
Jesus depicts the relationship of the citizens of the kingdom to the world as one of:
Making the world palatable (bearable) to God, and possibly to others as well
Perhaps making it possible for God to continue to bear with this world and its "distasteful" wickedness
The idea that the "righteous few" can make it is easier for God to forbear the many wicked is illustrated:
In Abraham's conversation with God over Sodom - Gen 18:20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28-32
In God's dealing with Jerusalem - Jer 5:1
-- So from God's point of view, the citizens of the kingdom give the world what good "flavor" it has!
JESUS WARNS AGAINST LOSING OUR FLAVORING ABILITY!
With pure salt...
It actually never loses its flavor
But when mixed with impurities salt can lose its ability to enhance flavor
We too might lose our ability to be a "flavoring agent" for the world...
By allowing "impurities" into our lives - 1Co 15:33
Therefore, we need to keep ourselves from sin - Ep 5:3,4-7
IF WE LOSE OUR "FLAVOR"...
How are we going to be "seasoned"? (impurities prevent us from being useful)
We will be thrown out!
Is Jesus teaching the possibility of losing our salvation?
He certainly does elsewhere! - Mt 13:40-43; Re 3:15-16
[First of all, then, we are told of the relationship of the kingdom to the world FROM GOD'S POINT OF VIEW: "You are the salt of the earth."
In Mt 5:14-16, we find Jesus teaching concerning those in the kingdom as to their PRIMARY FUNCTION in the world...]
"YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"
USED BY GOD TO TRANSMIT HIS GLORY TO THE WORLD...
They are "lights" in a dark world - Php 2:14-15
Their purpose: to proclaim the praises of God! - 1Pe 2:9; Ep 5:8-9
THEY ARE NOT A "LIGHT" IN AND OF THEMSELVES...
Only in the Lord - Ep 5:8
Christ is the "true" or "original" light - Jn 8:12
Citizens of the kingdom are simply "luminaries" reflecting The One True Light, just as the moon reflects the sun - 2Co 4:6
THEIR TWOFOLD RESPONSIBILITY AS "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"...
They must be visible
Implied by Jesus in His use of a "city" and a "lampstand" as metaphors
Jesus therefore expects His followers to be seen by the world - e.g., Jn 13:35; 17:21
They must radiate (give light)
This principle conveyed by the idea of the lamp
Designed to shine on a lampstand
Not put under a basket
This principle explicitly stated in "let your light SO SHINE before men"
-- The purpose of such visible radiation: so men may glorify the Father in heaven - 1Pe 2:11-12; 2Co 9:12-13
CONCLUSION
The influence and impact that the citizens of the kingdom are to have on the world can be simply stated...
"You are the salt of the earth"
"You are the light of the world"
Why make the effort to be salt and light? Because of He who is described as "your Father who is in heaven"!
An expression which should remind us that God is both:
Tender (He is our "Father"; a term of tenderness)
Majestic (He is "in heaven")
Such a Majestic Being, willing to be our Father, makes Him:
Worthy to be pleased!
And worthy to be praised!
We who claim to be the children of God, citizens of the kingdom, are we:
Pleasing to our Father (by being "the salt of the earth")?
Praising Him (by being "the light of the world")?
If not, then may the prayer of David in Ps 51:10,11,12,13-15 become our own:
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed,
O God, The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise
OBEY THE GOSPEL
HEAR
BELIEVE
REPENT
CONFESS
BE BAPTIZED
LIVE FAITHFULLY
- Home
- Abortion AP
- Abortion laws repealed thank GOD
- Abortion is murder?
- Abortion (forced termination)
- Animations GBN
- Abounding hope
- A place for God`s name(this is it)
- Allelua Amen
- Are you a Christian
- All have sinned
- All scripture
- All authority
- (ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN) STAYING SAVED DB
- Accuser of GOD`S people
- Avoid being mislead by the devil
- Accuser
- Are you the enemy of God
- Abomination
- All power is of God
- Acts conversion chart
- Apologetics press
- Amazing grace
- Adversary
- Afraid in fear of Baptizm
- All things work together for good
- AUDIO RIVERSIDE CHURCHOFCHRIST
- Authority
- Baptizm (antitype)
- BAPTIZM POINT OF SALVATION
- Baptizm search for truth
- Baptizm NT
- Baptizm Greek Baptizo fully covered
- Rebaptizm
- Baptizm forgiveness of sin, washed in the blood of JESUS
- Baptizm immersion not sprinkle, pouring
- Baptized into Christ
- Baptizm point
- Born of water & spirit
- Belief more than knowing there is a GOD
- Blessed is the man
- Bible super human
- Born again
- Bible verse of the day
- Bible God breathed
- Brand new creation
- Brain washed (believing lies)
- Being mistreated for doing good.
- Bought with a price
- Bible is totally reliable
- Bible charts Donnie Barnes
- Blessing or curse
- Bless your enemies curse not
- Be not many masters.
- Rebaptizm scriptually
- Beyond the logos
- Bethel
- Bible read & listen
- Bible inspiration
- Blasphemy the name of Jesus
- Christ
- Christian and spiritual growth Donnie Barnes
- Church built by GOD
- Coming home
- CONTACT
- CONTACT US
- Cast the first stone
- Church built on Christ
- Christianity 101
- Choice 2
- Committed to GOD
- Children giving glory to GOD
- Children learn what they live
- Childrens video
- Christianity full time privilledge
- Counsel of GOD superior than man
- Creation
- Choice I
- Church of CHRIST Romans 16:16
- Condemn your brother with your tongue
- Can GOD`S house be established today?
- Childrens : Digger Doug
- Christs
- Church of Jesus Christ
- CHURCH IN NEEDS
- Dishonoring GOD
- Did Jesus build more than 1 church?
- Dictionary
- Does doctrine matter
- Drinking alcohol
- Deception of false teachers
- Day of the Lord
- Duty of care
- Denominationlism
- Divorce and remarriage
- Essentials of salvation Sunday april 16 2023
- Evil heart of unbelief
- Fabricated truth
- Filthy rags
- False Teaching
- Forgiveness
- False prophets
- Faith
- First gospel sermon
- Falling away
- False preaching can keep u from heaven
- False teacher, False preacher DS
- False brethren
- False Preachers
- False brethren brought in
- Forget God?
- Faith the substance of all things
- Fake preachers
- Grief
- GOD`S PLAN IS NOT MAN`S DESIGN
- GOD
- Gossip David Schmidt
- GOD created all things in 6 days
- Give account for yourself
- Gospel broadcasting network
- Give no offence
- GOD is righteous
- God`s preventative word James Watkins
- GOD`S calling, the good new`s
- GOD first
- GOD built true church not man
- Gospel Enacted
- God`s will for you
- Gospel hid from the lost
- Gospel (good news)
- Hypocrites
- How to get to heaven?
- Hear believe repent confess baptizm
- How do you obey the gospel?
- How is the church organized?
- Hymns
- Hear-believe-repent-confess-be immersed
- Hypocrites1
- Homosexuality
- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- Heart
- Heaven/Hell
- Hope
- Have you obeyed the gospel?
- Is Any Church the LORDS NO! NO!
- Interview with satan(father of lies)
- In Jesus Christ
- Identity of the church
- Inspired word of GOD
- Influence
- In Christ the fullness of the Godhead
- Influence of evil
- In Christ (what is it being in Christ)
- In Christ
- Is there more than 1 church? no
- Inspiration what is it?
- Is your heart right with GOD
- Jesus (way)
- JESUS STICKERS
- Jesus is our faith to our beloved
- Jesus in new testament
- Jesus never changes / Changing world James Watkins
- Jesus Jesus Jesus
- Jesus is Lord (Kurios)
- JESUS
- Jesus & children
- Jesus has come in the flesh
- JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- Kingdom come ?
- Kenya gallery1
- Jesus the way
- Lying Christians is their any without
- Lose your soul?
- LOCATION OF ONE TRUE CHURCH
- LORDS church part 1
- Leaders of this world should be ashamed
- Lost
- Lord`s church
- Light at Riverside Church of CHRIST
- Lamentations 3
- Love God, the creator of Love.
- Love of GOD overcomes
- Lord`s supper
- Lying wonder
- LINKS
- Ladies videos
- Leading to Christ
- Lying preachers
- Looking for things to get better
- Lesson`s books of the bible gbn
- Light of the world
- Law of Liberty inCHRIST
- Man`s device (not GOD`S)
- MURMURINGS, MURMURERS, MURMUR
- Lying 1
- Mat 19:6
- More about JESUS
- Making the change
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- Moral issues
- Meddling & Gossip is sin
- New Creation
- None righteous no not one
- No change
- NT reveals one church
- One Body
- Offenses
- Overcoming the world
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Obey the gospel
- Overcome evil with good
- OneGodOneChurch
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Pleasing God
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Persecution and Oppression
- Preaching Jesus
- practicing SIN
- Pray without ceasing
- Prayer
- Perverting the gospel
- Persecution
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- References on request
- Power of the tongue
- Right hand of falsehood lesson by Steven Schiller
- Reject God
- Root of all evil
- REPENT!
- Riverside gallery
- Preach the word
- ROCK SOLID FAITH JAMES WATKINS
- Religious error
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- Repent
- Repent Repent Repent
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- SIN
- Such were some of you
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- SINS
- Sheet music
- Sober
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- SERMONS
- Sound teaching
- Spirit of GOD
- Rule your own house?
- Salvation
- Stairway to heaven
- SHEPHERD
- Searching for truth
- Service to GOD
- Slave of the creator
- Same sex marriage
- Standard of authority
- Sincere,True Ministry
- STOP
- Spirit to the churches
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- Scriptual and unscriptually organized churches
- Searching for truth(book)
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- Speak evil of no man
- SPIRIT & TRUTH
- Speaking evil of Christian brother
- Slander
- Short lessons
- Thanks to GOD
- Truth about
- The dog has returned to his vomit
- The children
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Take the name of Jesus with you
- Slave of GOD
- Time for truth
- The holy spirit
- Salvation of the LORD
- The Lord`s Supper
- The Church
- Those who persecute you
- This is God`s church
- The way we were
- The Body is the Church
- Truth for the world
- The devil
- The Lord is my shepherd
- Truth
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- Turn from sin to GOD
- Unless the Lord build the house
- Unified church James Watkins
- Vengeance
- WOE WOE WOE
- What names on your sign
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Wearing the crown
- Withdrawal fellowship
- James Watkins
- What GOD has cleansed
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- What is the Gospel?
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- When you die
- Worship
- Whose family are u ruling
- Wonderful Grace
- What must i do to be saved?
- Worshipping idols not God
- Walking with GOD
- Worship to God
- WORSHIP NOV 6 2022
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- What is the church?
- Worship of idols instead of GOD
- Wicked
- Wonderfully made
- WE NEED JESUS
- You are not your own
- You must be born again
- Your unbelief
- You give good gifts
- You can join any denomination except the LORDS CHURCH
- Who`s church is it? Deity
- Home James Watkins
- Gossip is sin
- Home
- Abortion AP
- Abortion laws repealed thank GOD
- Abortion is murder?
- Abortion (forced termination)
- Animations GBN
- Abounding hope
- A place for God`s name(this is it)
- Allelua Amen
- Are you a Christian
- All have sinned
- All scripture
- All authority
- (ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN) STAYING SAVED DB
- Accuser of GOD`S people
- Avoid being mislead by the devil
- Accuser
- Are you the enemy of God
- Abomination
- All power is of God
- Acts conversion chart
- Apologetics press
- Amazing grace
- Adversary
- Afraid in fear of Baptizm
- All things work together for good
- AUDIO RIVERSIDE CHURCHOFCHRIST
- Authority
- Baptizm (antitype)
- BAPTIZM POINT OF SALVATION
- Baptizm search for truth
- Baptizm NT
- Baptizm Greek Baptizo fully covered
- Rebaptizm
- Baptizm forgiveness of sin, washed in the blood of JESUS
- Baptizm immersion not sprinkle, pouring
- Baptized into Christ
- Baptizm point
- Born of water & spirit
- Belief more than knowing there is a GOD
- Blessed is the man
- Bible super human
- Born again
- Bible verse of the day
- Bible God breathed
- Brand new creation
- Brain washed (believing lies)
- Being mistreated for doing good.
- Bought with a price
- Bible is totally reliable
- Bible charts Donnie Barnes
- Blessing or curse
- Bless your enemies curse not
- Be not many masters.
- Rebaptizm scriptually
- Beyond the logos
- Bethel
- Bible read & listen
- Bible inspiration
- Blasphemy the name of Jesus
- Christ
- Christian and spiritual growth Donnie Barnes
- Church built by GOD
- Coming home
- CONTACT
- CONTACT US
- Cast the first stone
- Church built on Christ
- Christianity 101
- Choice 2
- Committed to GOD
- Children giving glory to GOD
- Children learn what they live
- Childrens video
- Christianity full time privilledge
- Counsel of GOD superior than man
- Creation
- Choice I
- Church of CHRIST Romans 16:16
- Condemn your brother with your tongue
- Can GOD`S house be established today?
- Childrens : Digger Doug
- Christs
- Church of Jesus Christ
- CHURCH IN NEEDS
- Dishonoring GOD
- Did Jesus build more than 1 church?
- Dictionary
- Does doctrine matter
- Drinking alcohol
- Deception of false teachers
- Day of the Lord
- Duty of care
- Denominationlism
- Divorce and remarriage
- Essentials of salvation Sunday april 16 2023
- Evil heart of unbelief
- Fabricated truth
- Filthy rags
- False Teaching
- Forgiveness
- False prophets
- Faith
- First gospel sermon
- Falling away
- False preaching can keep u from heaven
- False teacher, False preacher DS
- False brethren
- False Preachers
- False brethren brought in
- Forget God?
- Faith the substance of all things
- Fake preachers
- Grief
- GOD`S PLAN IS NOT MAN`S DESIGN
- GOD
- Gossip David Schmidt
- GOD created all things in 6 days
- Give account for yourself
- Gospel broadcasting network
- Give no offence
- GOD is righteous
- God`s preventative word James Watkins
- GOD`S calling, the good new`s
- GOD first
- GOD built true church not man
- Gospel Enacted
- God`s will for you
- Gospel hid from the lost
- Gospel (good news)
- Hypocrites
- How to get to heaven?
- Hear believe repent confess baptizm
- How do you obey the gospel?
- How is the church organized?
- Hymns
- Hear-believe-repent-confess-be immersed
- Hypocrites1
- Homosexuality
- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- Heart
- Heaven/Hell
- Hope
- Have you obeyed the gospel?
- Is Any Church the LORDS NO! NO!
- Interview with satan(father of lies)
- In Jesus Christ
- Identity of the church
- Inspired word of GOD
- Influence
- In Christ the fullness of the Godhead
- Influence of evil
- In Christ (what is it being in Christ)
- In Christ
- Is there more than 1 church? no
- Inspiration what is it?
- Is your heart right with GOD
- Jesus (way)
- JESUS STICKERS
- Jesus is our faith to our beloved
- Jesus in new testament
- Jesus never changes / Changing world James Watkins
- Jesus Jesus Jesus
- Jesus is Lord (Kurios)
- JESUS
- Jesus & children
- Jesus has come in the flesh
- JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- Kingdom come ?
- Kenya gallery1
- Jesus the way
- Lying Christians is their any without
- Lose your soul?
- LOCATION OF ONE TRUE CHURCH
- LORDS church part 1
- Leaders of this world should be ashamed
- Lost
- Lord`s church
- Light at Riverside Church of CHRIST
- Lamentations 3
- Love God, the creator of Love.
- Love of GOD overcomes
- Lord`s supper
- Lying wonder
- LINKS
- Ladies videos
- Leading to Christ
- Lying preachers
- Looking for things to get better
- Lesson`s books of the bible gbn
- Light of the world
- Law of Liberty inCHRIST
- Man`s device (not GOD`S)
- MURMURINGS, MURMURERS, MURMUR
- Lying 1
- Mat 19:6
- More about JESUS
- Making the change
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- Moral issues
- Meddling & Gossip is sin
- New Creation
- None righteous no not one
- No change
- NT reveals one church
- One Body
- Offenses
- Overcoming the world
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Obey the gospel
- Overcome evil with good
- OneGodOneChurch
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Pleasing God
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Persecution and Oppression
- Preaching Jesus
- practicing SIN
- Pray without ceasing
- Prayer
- Perverting the gospel
- Persecution
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- References on request
- Power of the tongue
- Right hand of falsehood lesson by Steven Schiller
- Reject God
- Root of all evil
- REPENT!
- Riverside gallery
- Preach the word
- ROCK SOLID FAITH JAMES WATKINS
- Religious error
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- Repent
- Repent Repent Repent
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- SIN
- Such were some of you
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- SINS
- Sheet music
- Sober
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- SERMONS
- Sound teaching
- Spirit of GOD
- Rule your own house?
- Salvation
- Stairway to heaven
- SHEPHERD
- Searching for truth
- Service to GOD
- Slave of the creator
- Same sex marriage
- Standard of authority
- Sincere,True Ministry
- STOP
- Spirit to the churches
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- Scriptual and unscriptually organized churches
- Searching for truth(book)
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- Speak evil of no man
- SPIRIT & TRUTH
- Speaking evil of Christian brother
- Slander
- Short lessons
- Thanks to GOD
- Truth about
- The dog has returned to his vomit
- The children
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Take the name of Jesus with you
- Slave of GOD
- Time for truth
- The holy spirit
- Salvation of the LORD
- The Lord`s Supper
- The Church
- Those who persecute you
- This is God`s church
- The way we were
- The Body is the Church
- Truth for the world
- The devil
- The Lord is my shepherd
- Truth
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- Turn from sin to GOD
- Unless the Lord build the house
- Unified church James Watkins
- Vengeance
- WOE WOE WOE
- What names on your sign
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Wearing the crown
- Withdrawal fellowship
- James Watkins
- What GOD has cleansed
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- What is the Gospel?
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- When you die
- Worship
- Whose family are u ruling
- Wonderful Grace
- What must i do to be saved?
- Worshipping idols not God
- Walking with GOD
- Worship to God
- WORSHIP NOV 6 2022
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- What is the church?
- Worship of idols instead of GOD
- Wicked
- Wonderfully made
- WE NEED JESUS
- You are not your own
- You must be born again
- Your unbelief
- You give good gifts
- You can join any denomination except the LORDS CHURCH
- Who`s church is it? Deity
- Home James Watkins
- Gossip is sin
/