Working Challenges

Six studies on the Sermon on the Mount looking at key challenges at work

The Challenge of Our Witness at Work

Matthew 5:13-20

Introduction:

How do you feel about people knowing you are a Christian at work?

How do you feel about telling people about Jesus at work?

What are the biggest barriers to you being a good witness for Jesus at work?

You are the salt of the earth (v.13):

What does Jesus mean by saying Christians are "the salt of the earth"?

See Job 6:6, Ezekiel 16:4, Jeremiah 48:9

Often at work it is tempting to not be distinct. Rather we conform to the culture of our workplace. What are the main areas where you feel you need to be distinct in your workplace rather than conforming to the prevailing culture?

You are the light of the world (v.14-16):

If the danger with the salt is that we are CONFORMING, what is the danger with the picture of the light in verses 14-16? The danger of CON _ _ _ _ ING

What are some ways we can conceal our light at work?

"Christians need to be salt and light in their work environments. That is why we should not give up working in a secular environment unless we are specifically called out of it. We are called to have an influence in the office, factory, police force, hospital, shop, or wherever it is that we are working. This is where front line ministry takes place". Nicky Gumbel

What actually is the light representing according to verse 16?

So first and foremost this is about the quality of our lives - our good deeds - rather than our verbal witness about Christ. But which bit of verse 16 would not take place if we didn't actually speak about Jesus?

What would happen instead?

"Evangelism must be counted as one of the good works by which our light shines and our Father is glorified". John Stott

To be good witnesses at work, we need both our actions and our words to be pointing people to the Lord Jesus who is THE light of the world.

What actions are you going to take and pray through concerning your witness at work as a result of this study?

When we are tempted to despair, when we are fed up with our work, it is a huge encouragement that God has placed us there to be salt and light for Him. We can make a difference for Him as we aim not to conform to the culture, nor conceal our connection to Him.