Christians are a special people with a special

purpose 1Pet 2:9

Yet they can become unfaithful Gal 5:4
Scripture reveals several different pictures of those
who have by choice become ineffective in Gods
kingdom
They are good for nothing in glorifying God and
influencing others for good.
SALT THAT HAS LOST ITS SAVOR Matt 5:13
Salt is essential to human and animal diets
Makes food more appetizing
Serves as a preservative
It has medicinal properties
Savor lost: Palestinian salt, lacking purity, lost its savor
rather easily
Careless storage caused it to ruin
Sun or moisture would ruin it
Thrown into the footpath - no use elsewhere
SALT THAT HAS LOST ITS SAVOR Matt 5:13
Gods people are the salt of the earth
Preserving the world Gen 6:8; 18:24
Healing power Lk 5:31; Rom 1:16; 2Cor 5:20
Influence for good 1Pet 3:1-2
Not always visible, but vitally missed when not present Rev 14:13
Christians are in constant danger of losing their influence
and effectiveness
With Gods help influence and effectiveness can be regained
2Cor 7:6-11
A LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL Matt 5:14-16
Light dispels darkness
It supports life
Makes food (photosynthesis)
Direct or indirect source of all power
Gods people are called lights Phil 2:15; 1Thess 5:5
Christians hold up Gods word Psa 119:105; Acts 26:18
Men in darkness (sin) are doomed to death Rom 6:23;
Jhn 14:6
A LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL Matt 5:14-16
Power in light - saving power in the gospel Rom 1:6;
Isa 55:11
We are reflected light 1Pet 2:21; Matt 5:16; 2Cor 3:2; Eph 5:8
Putting our light under a bushel causes us to be good for
nothing 1Jhn 1:6; Rev 21:8
If our light is dim or has gone out, with Gods help, it can be
rekindled Acts 8:18-24
It becomes obvious that one can become good for
nothing as a child of God
At that point, God will spue us out Rev 3:16
It takes work to be of use to God
To be a good influence
To give light
ARE YOU AND AM I GOOD FOR NOTHING?
2Cor 13:5