Sunday Recap - Here as in Heaven: Salt and Light - 9th March 2025

These passages speak into our Kingdom Identity – we are both SALT and LIGHT. As the Salt of the Earth, we are here to preserve God’s truth and righteousness on Earth. We ‘stay salty’ by remaining pure in heart, uncontaminated by the ways of the World. We are purified by ‘fire’ – which can look like enduring trials of suffering and persecution. BUT, we are not to hide away from the World. We are called to be a light. To go and reflect Jesus to a world filled with darkness.

Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Luke 14:33-35 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have - cannot be my disciples. 34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Mark 9:49-50 49 Everyone will be salted with fire.50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
1 Peter 1:6-7 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
John 8:12 12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 9:5 ‘While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Ephesians 5:8-16 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Message Specific Reflection Questions:

• Is there anything in your life that you might need to give up or cut off in order to remain salty?  
• Can you remember a trial or suffering that you have endured that has refined your faith? Would you consider sharing that experience with your small group as an encouragement to them?  
• What does being ‘a light in your world’ look like right now?  
• Where are you shining God’s light into the darkness right now?  
• Consider praying for God to show you (and your group) where you need to be a light in the darkness.

Reflection Questions:

• What encouraged or challenged you from the message?
• What do you feel like God is saying to you?
• What is one action point you can apply to your life?
• Is there someone you can share this action point with to keep you accountable?