You Have Influence

Sermon Notes
Jesus’ Strategy to Influence the World: Matthew 5:13-16
1. The Presupposition- darkness and decay.
2. The Plan- Being salt and light.
3. The Problem- “contamination” meaning being made impure or dirty by polluting. Psalm 1
4. The Purpose- God is glorified. Functioning as salt and light bringing pleasure and satisfaction to our God.

Review:
Looking back on last Sunday’s message and your notes, what was the most memorable part for you?

Introduction question for groups:
When you want to get away from people where do you go and what do you do?

Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
1. Read Matthew 11:28-29. If someone came up to you and asked you to name one profound and one practical thing you have learned from Jesus in your life, what would you say?
2. How would you define the word “blessed”? Who do you normally consider to be blessed or fortunate?
3. Read Matthew 5:1-3. To be “poor in spirit” is to acknowledge our spiritual poverty, or bankruptcy before God. Why do you think this is so important on the journey to receiving the kingdom of God?
4. When you read over The 8 Beatitudes, which ones remind you of Jesus?
5. When you read this teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:1-12, how do these eight principal marks of Christian character and conduct challenge you? Which ones have you seen grow most in your life over the years? Which ones would you like to see grow in your life and why?
6. After Jesus taught these Beatitudes, what do you think is His point in verses 13-16?
7. What do you understand “salt and “light” to mean?
8. How do you see Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:7-8; and Matthew 5:13-16 all being interrelated for God’s calling in our life?

Prayer:
Pray for each other that Jesus would teach all of us to grow to be more like Him and reflect His kingdom values toward the people we are in contact with.