BODY PARTS: Speak Up or Shut Up

Text:
Matthew 5:13-16
Acts 16:25-34

Summary:
Evangelism is both a specific gifting from the Holy Spirit to some believers and also a general call for all followers of Jesus Christ.  Jesus teaches his followers to be the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World.  In Acts, we see a powerful example of how Paul and Silas were Salt and Light, and what impact it had on those around them.


1.  READ Matthew 5:13
Let's take a look at the different roles of salt, specifically in the first century when Jesus was preaching Matthew 5.  Are you fulfilling the roles that Jesus called you to as a follower of his?
a. Salt was a form of currency for soldiers in the army and many other jobs.  So salt was VALUABLE.  What spiritual worth are you bringing to the lives of others around you?
b.  Without preservatives or refrigeration, salt was necessary for the longevity of the life of food.  Salt PRESERVES.  For us, salt preserves life eternal with Jesus.  Have you ever led someone into a relationship with Jesus, helping to preserve their spiritual life?  What about planting seeds in their life?
c.  Our lives should be better and more full than non Christians because we have forgiveness, satisfaction, joy, salvation, hope, a future.  Salt SEASONS.  How is your speech and actions adding seasoning to the lives of those around you?
d.  We salt the roads before an ice storm.  Salt MELTS.  God can use something you say or do and begin to melt a hardened heart and make it receptive to the Gospel message.  Are your words Gospel saturated so that hearts are being melted, or abrasive and negative so that hearts are being hardened towards the Gospel?
e.  We gargle with warm salt water to heal a sore throat.   Salt HEALS.  Christians and the Gospel bring healing to a hurting and broken world.  Are your words and actions bringing healing to the lives of others, or doing more harm and creating more division?
f.  It's why bars give away free pnuts and Mexican restaurants give away free chips and salsa.  Salt makes your THIRSTY.  As Christians, our lives should make other people "thirst."  They should want what we have because it seems so great.  Has anyone ever asked you about the distinct differences they see in your life?  A good attitude, a different outlook on life, or how you respond to things around you?  Are you ready to give an answer for that if someone does ask?

2.  REREAD Matthew 5:13.  What are ways that a Christian can lose their saltiness?  What does Jesus say about the effectiveness of Christians that aren't the salt and light that they are called to be?

3.  READ Acts 16:25Paul and Silas didn't allow the distractions of life to get in the way of them being salt and light to the world.  What are things (both good and bad) that distract you from being salt and light?  (busyness, talk about everything else except Jesus, focus on the negatives and what Christians are AGAINST rather than what we stand FOR, fear, inability to answer possible questions so avoid the subject all together, etc).

4.  READ Acts 16:31-32Being Salt and Light involves both actions and words.  What are way that you SHOW people that you are salt and light?  What are some ways that you can bring God up in your conversations to use your WORDS as salt and light?

5.  READ ACTS 16:33-34What are some of the characteristics of men and woman that have been truly impacted by Jesus?a. Washed their wounds (treat people differently than before you met Jesus)b. Was baptized at once (immediate obedience to Jesus)c. He and his family (Shows that the soldier went home and led his family to Jesus by being salt and light)d. Brought them into his house (community and fellowship with believers and non believers)e. Set food before them (served them, provided for the needs of people)f. Rejoiced with his family and everyone around him (worship, honor, praise, thanksgiving, gratitude towards God)