In this sermon, Pastor Mark Deering continues the “Upside Down Kingdom” series, exploring Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. He examines Matthew 5:13–16, where Jesus tells his followers they are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” Pastor Mark explains three key insights: to be effective salt, believers must be authentic and avoid hypocrisy; to be light in the world, we must work together in community rather than attempting to go it alone; and finally, we must stop hiding our light under a basket, embracing vulnerability in all areas of life. Throughout the message, Pastor Mark emphasizes that the Sermon on the Mount is fundamentally about relationships—with God and with others—and he challenges us to examine where we might be failing to fully embrace our role as salt and light.
Reflection Questions
- What stuck out in today’s message? What did you find challenging and encouraging? Did you learn anything new?
- What are your first thoughts when you think about salt and light?
- Read Matthew 5:13–16. How do verses 11 and 12 act as a transition into this week’s passage?
- What are the practical uses of salt and light for the original audience? How does these cultural insights deepen your understanding of what Jesus is saying?
- Based on what Pastor Mark taught and what you observe in the text, what are some ways we might hide our light or become unsalty? Do you resonate with one of these reasons?
- What are some ways that we can hide our light from others? Why can it be intimidating to shine our light before others?
- Pastor Mark gave us three clues for how the passage helps us to be salt and light (we can’t be fake, we can’t go alone, and we can’t stand on our own). Which is the most difficult for you and why?
- Jesus says we should let our light shine before others so that they may see our good works and glorify God. How do we balance our outward actions of “shining our light” without falling into seeking selfish recognition or praise?
- What are some ways your Small Group community can challenge and encourage each other to be salt and light in the next week?
