TEXT:  Matt. 5:13-16

INTRODUCTION:

A.      WE ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH( vs. 13 ).

          1.       The influence of salt in our speech( Col. 4:6 ),

                             our lives( 2 Tim. 2:19 ).

          2.       What if we lose our flavor?

B.      THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD( vs. 14 ).

          1.       John 8:12.  Ours is a reflected light

                             - we hold forth his light( Phil.  2:15 ).

          2.       A city set on a hill

                             - we are seen & watched( vs. 14 ).

          3.       Our purpose is to shine that light.

C.      ARE OUR LIGHTS UNDER A BUSHEL?

I.      THE BUSHEL OF HYPOCRISY.

A.      "SCRIBES, PHARISEES, HYPOCRITES!"( Matt. 23:1-7 ).

B.      Rom. 2:17-24.  OUTCOME OF HYPOCRISY.

II.     IGNORANCE.

A.      IGNORANCE IS NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF...UNLESS

          1.       We choose to remain ignorant( Heb. 5:12-6:3 ).

          2.       It becomes an excuse to do evil( Eph. 4:17-19 ).

B.      STUDY( 2 Tim. 2:15;  1 Pet. 3:15 ).

C.      TRAGEDY OF IGNORANCE( Matt. 15:14 ).

III.    EVIL SPEECH.

A.      PETER, CASE IN POINT( Mat. 26:69 ).

B.      WHAT BE EVIL SPEECH?

          1.       Foul language( Matt. 26:69 ).Let's delete our expletives.

          2.       Lying( Rev. 21:8 ).

          3.       Gossip( James 3:8-10 )

                             The cure( 2 Thes. 3:11-12;  1 Thes. 4:11-12 ).

          4.       Foolish jesting( Eph. 5:3-5;  Titus 2:1-8 )Sober.

C.      SEASONED WITH SALT( Col. 4:6;  Eph. 4:29 ).

IV.   HALF-HEARTED SERVICE.

A.      DILIGENCE DEMANDED( Heb. 6:11-12; 11:6 ).

B.      HEAVEN IS DIFFICULT( Luke 13:24 ).

C.      2 Tim. 1:12.  HOW COMMITTED ARE YOU?

CONCLUSION:

A.      WHAT IS YOUR INFLUENCE LIKE?

          1.       Are you good for nothing?

          2.       Does your light shine?

B.      ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN?