Changed to Reflect: Be Salt & Light

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Yesterday morning I decided to stay focused on a challenge from Ephesians 2:8–9. My plan was to close out my sermon with a challenge from Matthew 5:13–16 and answer the following question: How are you reflecting Jesus in this world as the church? Because of time and because we love challenging our Vintage family to process and grow in our community groups, I made the commitment to share my conclusion through a blog. I pray that individuals and community groups will walk through this great passage and answer how they can reflect Christ through all relationships in New Orleans and beyond.

Vintage Church Win #2:
Reflecting Christ through All Relationships

How are you reflecting Jesus in this world as the church? Jesus explains in his sermon on the mount how to reflect Him in this world. Everything in this sermon is a proclamation that the Christ-life is not about what we do, it is more importantly about what Christ has done and empowers us to do through His Holy Spirit. Let’s look at two of the many challenges by Jesus in Matthew 5:13–16.

Be Salt

Matthew 5:13
13“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.”

Being Salt is all about Relational Representation.

What does salt do?

  • Brings Preservation—Salt is the most indispensable necessity of life. Before the refrigerator, people would use salt to keep food preserved through different hunting seasons.
  • Brings Purity—Salt can bring a cure to ailment and disease. People travel from all over the world to experience the healing salts of the Dead Sea in Israel.
  • Brings Thirst—Salt can bring a desire for water or drink. There is nothing like some salty popcorn to bring out some crazy thirst.
  • Brings Flavor—Salt can make things tasty. Gumbo is great. Gumbo with the right flavor is incredible. Salts help create this taste.

Ultimate Purpose of Being Salt: To preserve, purify, and represent the real flavor and satisfaction of the Gospel.

Your LIFE should be a relational representation of THE salt. Remember this isn’t about what we do. It is about who Christ is and what He has done.

Be Light

Matthew 5:14–16
14“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Being Light is all about Strategic Proclamation.

What does light do?

  • Brings Visibility—Lights up a room.
  • Brings Exposure—Big light mirrors expose imperfections.
  • Brings Understanding—On a trail at night a light can provide understanding of direction.

Ultimate Purpose of Being Light: To create visibility, exposure, and an understanding of the Gospel.

Once again your LIFE should be a strategic proclamation of THE light. Remember this is isn’t about what we do. It is about who Christ is and what He has done.