Sunday September 20, 2026

Sermon Title: Engaging the World Around You

Series Big Idea: Jesus' most famous sermon reveals the deep and lasting satisfaction of living life His way

Sermon Big Idea: A disciple doesn't earn his saltiness or light; he bears it because Christ has made him His own

Introduction                                   

In a world marked by confusion and chaos, Christ-followers need clarity on how to live out their faith publicly. Jesus in Matthew 5:13-16 prescribes God’s strategy, not ours, for engaging the world as salt and light.

Resist the Wrong Approaches

Believers must resist the wrong approaches of isolation, imitation, and intimidation, knowing that Jesus calls us to a public, distinctive, and courageous faith. Faith that hides, blends in, or shrinks back in fear falls short of the mission Jesus clearly commands.

Embrace God's Strategy

Jesus teaches that every Christian is to be an impactful presence; salt that preserves and seasons, light that cannot be hidden, strategically placed by God to make His glory visible. Our visible good works and bold gospel witness must always direct all praise back to the Father.

Conclusion

Jesus calls us to live without compromise, shining His truth in both word and deed for the world to see. By embracing this calling, our lives bring glory to God, and invite others to know the hope we have in Christ.

Matthew 5:13-16 Bibliography

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997. Print.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017. Print.

Quarles, Charles L. Matthew. Ed. T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, and Andreas J. Kˆstenberger. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Academic, 2022. Print. Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary.

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. Print.

Phillips, John. Exploring the Gospel of Matthew: An Expository Commentary. Kregel Publications; WORDsearch, 2014. Print. The John Phillips Commentary Series.

Butler, John G. Analytical Bible Expositor: Matthew. Clinton, IA: LBC Publications, 2008. Print.

Platt, David. Exalting Jesus in Matthew. Ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2013. Print. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary.

Adult Questions for LESSONmaker. Bellingham, WA: Logos, 2024. Print.

Brown, Francis, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs. Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon 1977: n. pag. Print.

Vaughan, Curtis. Ephesians. Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press, 2002. Print. Founders Study Guide Commentary.

Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.

Morris, Leon. The Gospel according to Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992. Print. The Pillar New Testament Commentary.

Nolland, John. The Gospel of Matthew: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 2005. Print. New International Greek Testament Commentary.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998. Print.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003. Print.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014. Print. Lexham Bible Reference Series.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003. Print.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006. Print.

Brown, Jeannine K. Matthew. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.

Wilkins, Michael J. Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.

Weber, Stuart K. Matthew. Vol. 1. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.

Blomberg, Craig. Matthew. Vol. 22. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992. Print. The New American Commentary.

Barnes, Albert. Notes on the New Testament: Matthew & Mark. Ed. Robert Frew. London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885. Print.

Turner, David, and Darrell L. Bock. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 11: Matthew and Mark. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2005. Print.

France, R. T. Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 1. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985. Print. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999. Print.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. Print.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992. Print.

Willmington, H. L. The Outline Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999. Print.

Souter, Alexander. A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament 1917: n. pag. Print.

Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001. Print. The Tyndale Reference Library.

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