Attractional Christianity
Matthew 5:13-16 MSG
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the
God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?
You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here’s another way to put it:
You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be
kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers,
you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light
stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house;
be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up
with God, this generous Father in heaven.”
Matthew 9:9-13 NLT
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s
booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and
followed him. Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests,
along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees
saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When
Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he
added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not
offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those
who know they are sinners.”
Characteristics of the Salt & Light of Jesus:
- The HUMILITY of Jesus.
Philippians 2:3-8 NLT
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than
yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not
think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine
privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When
he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a
criminal’s death on a cross.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 MSG
Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily
become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious,
nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the
demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but
I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become
just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a Godsaved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted
to be in on it!
Characteristics of the Salt & Light of Jesus: - The WISDOM of Jesus.
Luke 2:52 NKJ
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Matthew 22:33 NKJ
And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.
Colossians 4:5 NKJ
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
Matthew 10:16 NKJ
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents
and harmless as doves.”
Characteristics of the Salt & Light of Jesus: - The BOLDNESS of Jesus.
Matthew 7:28-29 NLT
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,
for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.
Acts 4:29-31 NLT
“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in
preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs
and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the
meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the
word of God with boldness