Salt and Light
Matthew 6:8
Ministering the Word of God
- The focus on Matthew 5:13-16
Contrast Between Early and Contemporary Church
- Disparity between the church of 85 AD and 1985
- Importance of understanding the purpose of the church
Context of the Sermon on the Mount
- Overview of Matthew 5-7 as the "manifesto of the King"
- Timing related to Jesus' baptism, temptation, and early ministry
Theme of the Sermon
- Matthew 6:8 summarized as "Do not be like them"
- Call to a distinctive Christian lifestyle
Audience and Structure
- Jesus teaching his disciples (Matthew 5:1)
- Breakdown of the Sermon on the Mount: Beatitudes (5:3-12) and metaphors (5:13-16)
Beatitudes: Difference from the World
- Call to a radical, internal lifestyle
- Examples from Beatitudes:
- Hunger and thirst for righteousness (5:6)
- Pure in heart (5:8)
- Peacemakers (5:9)
Metaphors: Impact on the World
- "Salt of the earth" (5:13): Role of salt to penetrate, preserve, and season
- "Light of the world" (5:14): Role of light to illuminate
Testimony and Consistency
- Importance of sustaining a testimony for Christ
- Examples from professional sports and corporate world demonstrating Christian integrity
Examples of Christian Influence
- Personal stories of individuals demonstrating Christian values in challenging situations
Call to Penetrate and Illuminate Society
- Christians as salt and light in society
- Importance of contact and influence in the world
Testimony in Adverse Conditions
- Example of believers behind the Iron Curtain
- Living a quality Christian life that compels others to ask for an explanation
Meaning and Purpose of Life
- Jesus' promise of abundant life
- Addressing societal questions and demonstrating an alternative lifestyle
Christianity in Various Contexts
- Living out Christianity in different professions and daily life situations
Understanding Christian Influence
- Primary ministry in the workplace
- Being salt and light in one's sphere of influence
Conclusion and Prayer
- Call to be different in a deteriorating and darkening society
- Prayer for being effective representatives of Christ
About the Contributors
Howard G. Hendricks
Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, known simply as “Prof,” directly or indirectly touched millions of lives in the evangelical community and beyond. For more than sixty years Prof served on the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), where he taught more than ten thousand students. He served as the chairman of the Center for Christian Leadership for over twenty years. He also ministered in person in more than eighty countries. Through speaking engagements, radio, tapes, films, the sixteen books he authored and coauthored, countless journal and popular-market articles, his service on numerous boards, and his work as a chaplain to the Dallas Cowboys (1976–1984), his reach was and is worldwide.
His legacy, in partnership with Jeanne, his wife of more than sixty-five years, includes four children and six grandchildren. Holding large audiences enthralled at venues such as Billy Graham’s conference center or Promise Keepers’ stadium rallies, Prof would confide, “It’s wonderful to be here with you, but I have a group of delicious students waiting for me back at the seminary.”
Contributors
