Salt and Light

Pastor David Jones

Sunday Morning’s Message – 5^th July 2026

 YouTube - Salt and Light - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKRAGC1dQ1Q&t=8s

Theme:

Followers of Jesus are called to influence the world by preserving what is good, reflecting God's character, and pointing others to the Father.

Leader Guide:

Please choose what best suits your group and fits the time well. You do not need to discuss every question. Create your own questions that fit your group. Choose two or three areas to discuss.

Have fun, Jesus people!

Connect group Discussion

Icebreaker (optional)

If you could instantly improve one thing in your community, workplace, school, or neighborhood, what would it be and why?

Setting the Scene

Matthew 5 begins Jesus' most famous message—the Sermon on the Mount.

After seeing the crowds, Jesus went up onto a mountainside. His disciples gathered around Him, and He began teaching them. The Beatitudes describe the character of those who belong to God's Kingdom. Immediately afterwards Jesus explains what that Kingdom life looks like in everyday society.

Important to remember

The Sermon on the Mount is not about how to become right with God. We are made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ—not through good works (Ephesians 2:8–9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boas). The Sermon on the Mount teaches us how people who already belong to Jesus are to live. Right living is the result of a transformed heart.

Read again - Matthew 5:13–16

Part One — Salt of the Earth "You are the salt of the earth."

Notice Jesus doesn't say:

"Try to become salt."

He says,

"You are the salt of the earth."

The question isn't whether we are salt.

The question is whether we're acting like it.

Why Salt?

In the first century, salt was incredibly valuable. Without refrigeration it preserved food from spoiling. It added flavor.

Some ancient Roman soldiers even received salt allowances as part of their pay, contributing to the origin of expressions like "worth his salt." While the exact origin of the English phrase is debated, it reflects salt's recognized value in the ancient world.

Salt reminds us that disciples are...

1. Valuable

Jesus says His followers are precious.

God has intentionally placed every believer where they are.

Discussion questions

What does knowing you are valuable to God change about the way you see yourself?

Where has God positioned you to make a difference?

2. Preserving

Salt slowed decay. Christians are called to resist moral and spiritual decay by living differently. Our presence should make our families, workplaces, schools and communities healthier.

We don't simply complain about culture and help preserve what is good.

Discussion Questions (Choose one or two questions that fit your discussion)

Where do you see "decay" in today's culture?

How can Christians preserve hope, truth and love without becoming judgmental?

Can you think of someone whose Christian example has positively influenced your life?

3. Flavorful

Salt enhances everything it touches.

Read and discuss - Colossians 4:6 "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt..."

Followers of Jesus should make life better wherever they go.

People should experience more hope...

More peace...

More encouragement...

More grace... because we're present.

Discussion

What does it look like to "add flavor" at work, school or home?

How can our conversations become more gracious this week?

Losing Our Saltiness

Jesus warns: "If the salt loses its saltiness..."

Pure salt doesn't become unsalty.

However, the salt commonly collected around the Dead Sea often contained many impurities. When exposed to moisture, the actual salt could dissolve away, leaving behind a substance that looked like salt but had lost its usefulness. Jesus uses this as a vivid picture of ineffective discipleship.

We lose our effectiveness when:

• Truth is compromised for acceptance.

• Holiness is replaced by worldliness.

• Faith becomes private instead of visible.

• Love grows cold.

• Obedience gives way to convenience.

Discussion Question

Which of these challenges do Christian's face most today?

What helps you remain spiritually "salty"?

Part Two — Light of the World "You are the light of the world."

This statement would have been astonishing. Elsewhere Jesus declares: "I am the Light of the world." Yet here He tells ordinary disciples: "You are the light of the world." Important to remember we don't generate our own light. We reflect His.

Light Reveals

Light makes things visible

It provides direction.

It exposes danger.

It brings hope.

As Christians, people should see Jesus more clearly because of our lives.

A City on a Hill and A Lamp on a Stand

Jesus says: "A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."

Many Galilean villages were built on elevated locations and could be seen from great distances, especially when lamps illuminated them after dark. The image would have been immediately familiar to Jesus' listeners.

Likewise... Our faith isn't designed to remain hidden.

Discussion (Choose one or two questions that fit your discussion)

What causes Christians to hide their faith?

How can we confidently live for Christ without becoming pushy?

People don't light lamps to hide them. They place them where everyone benefits. God has positioned every believer somewhere strategic.

Where has God placed you to shine this season?

Who benefits because you're there?

Good Deeds That Point to God

Jesus says: "...that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

The Greek word translated "good" is kalos, meaning more than morally right. It also carries the idea of something beautiful, attractive, noble and excellent.

Christian lives should display beautiful acts that naturally draw attention to God.

Illustration

The moon has no light of its own, it reflects the light of the sun. Likewise... Christians don't produce God's glory. We reflect it.

Read and discuss - 2 Corinthians 3:18

The closer we grow to Jesus... The brighter His character shines through us.

Discussion Questions

Have you ever known someone whose life reflected Jesus so clearly that it inspired your faith?

In what practical ways can we reflect Christ this week?

Read and discuss - 2 Corinthians 5:18

God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ. Now He has entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation.

Every Christian is called to help people find peace with God. Salt preserves, light reveals and both point people toward Jesus.

Closing Thought and Encouragement

This is the first time in Matthew's Gospel that Jesus explicitly speaks of God as "your Father." King Jesus wasn't simply teaching ethics. He was inviting His followers into a personal relationship with God.

As Charles Spurgeon wrote:

"The object of our shining is not that men may see how good we are... but that they may see grace in us and God in us."

Final Question

Who is your 1? —the person God is calling you to love, pray for, and influence toward Christ?

Prayer

Pray for one another.

Ask God to help each person:

 Shine brightly for Christ.

Reflect the Father's heart.

Be intentional about reaching their "one" this week.

Notes