Our text is so large today, that we will only take slivers of what ought to be a comprehensive study for every child of God. In a three-part series, of which we will focus on two parts this week I throw to you a challenge. To whom was the Lord ministering to specifically in this lengthy discourse? If you cannot conclusively discern this. You are unlikely to understand, neither accept responsibility for nor live by demands placed upon His unique audience.

If you do, then let’s explore together the import of Matthew 5:13-16 (TPT)

“Your lives are like salt among the people. But if you, like salt, become bland, how can your ‘saltiness’ be restored? Flavorless salt is good for nothing and will be thrown out and trampled on by others. “Your lives light up the world. For how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that your commendable works will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.”

One of such instances, this same statement is repeated howbeit in a different context in Luke 14:34-35, as the Lord often does with very important instructions or lessons. So, why would He do so?

Verse 13 reveals two lessons worthy of note, that:

• Every believer recognises that as an ambassador of Christ, he or she is a person of influence destined to make his environment conform to the interests of the Christ – Ephesians 4:1-2 (TLB/TPT/NLT) – a responsibility to both those outside of the faith and those in the faith; and the second ought to make us sober,
• reveals that a believer who falls out of line, turning away from the calling of being an influencer a change agent for Christ, risks never being restored and will end up thrown out and trampled upon.

Verse 14 is a demand on my availability and readiness as well as yours to be the beneficial influence Christ commands to everyone in the house around me as well as others!

So where is this notion of silent disciple from? Selah