Salt and Light:

Matthew 5:13 "...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..."

How is salt useful?

- it is one of the basic necessities of life.

- it's used to both preserve and enhance the flavor of food.

Can salt lose it's saltiness?

- sodium chloride is a stable compound, which doesn't cease to be sodium chloride.

- mixing it with impurities can cause it to become useless.

Name some institutions with the potential to preserve and enhance human life:

- the state, by properly enacting and enforcing laws.

- the family, by properly raising responsible children.

- the schools, by properly educating children.

- the church, by properly giving people a moral framework.

Are these institutions preserving and enhancing human life?

What causes these institutions to fail?

- impurities mixed in with their God given reasons for existence.

- an increasing amount of the kingdom of this world.

What causes these institutions to succeed?

- purity.

- alignment with kingdom of God reality.

Should we be surprised at the decay of our society when God is pushed to the periphery?

Why are Jesus' disciples necessary for the welfare of the world? What does Jesus expect of us?

- to preserve and enhance human life.

How are we doing?

What is the difference between salt and honey?

- salt can be quite biting.

- honey adds sweetness.

Why is trying to sweeten the world around us destined to failure?

- a biting realization of sin is necessary to move humanity to repentance and salvation.

Matthew 5:14-16 "...You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In 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..."

Why does the world need light?

John 8:12 "...Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life...”

- without light, the world walks in darkness.

What light do disciples offer the world?

- good works are a stark contrast to the selfishness of corrupted humanity.

When are Christians guilty of hiding a lamp under a basket?

- when submitting to the demands of a pluralistic society that demands no Christianity in public.

What is the end result of shining before others?

- God is glorified.

Taking Christ's words seriously leads to blessings, good works, and glory for the Father.

The Law and the Prophets:

Matthew 5:17-20 "...Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven..."

Do you prefer the Old Testament or the New Testament?

Which is most important?

- they are both equally important.

- Jesus was in the Old Testament concealed, but in the New Testament revealed.

** Why did Jesus come?

- to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.

- OT doctrinal teaching was partial, but fulfilled in Christ.

- OT predictive 1st coming prophesy was fulfilled by Christ.

- OT ethical precepts (moral law of God), which were superficially interpreted by the scribes, were fully revealed and fulfilled in Christ.

Prior to the end of the age, what will pass away from the Law?

- not an iota, not a dot.

- the law is as enduring as the universe.

How are people ranked in the kingdom of heaven?

- personal obedience or disobedience to the commands, even the least.