Here are my notes on the last two sections we’ve covered – Salt and Light and the ending section dealing with the 6 specific sins. Let me know if you have any questions or can’t follow my thoughts through the notes.

Salt and light

Matthew 5:13-20

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.17 “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished! 19 Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Salt:

What does salt do?

• Improves the taste – adds something that nothing else can 
• Used as a preservative 
• Used as a cooking method – it can incase something and keeps it moist while being cooked

What is the connection between salt and Christians in the world?

How do we stay salty?

Light: 

What is the purpose of light? 

How does it impact the environment it is in?

What is your favorite form of light?

What if it was gone?

Law and what the prophets said:

Jesus didn’t come to take the law away. He came to be the fulfillment of justification in the law. 

Matthew 5:21-48

Jesus discusses 6 different sins that He wants us to see in different ways than they’ve been presented before.

#1: Murder – Verses 21-26 – Exodus 20:13

21 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be answerable to the court.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be answerable to the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 23 Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25 Come to good terms with your accuser quickly, while you are with him on the way to court, so that your accuser will not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will not be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last quadrans (about 1/64 of a daily wage).

#2: Adultery – Verses 27-30 – Exodus 20:14

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 Now if your right eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.

#3: Divorce – Verses 31-32 – Deut. 24:1-4

#4: Be a person of your word – Verses 33-37

Lev 19:12, Deut 23:21, Ps 56:12

#5: Retaliation – Verses 38-42

Exodus 21:24, Lev 24:19-20, Deut 19:19-21

#6: Love your enemies – Verses 43-48 – Lev 19:18