The Shining Light" Pastor Will Shurley (Sunday, February 8, 2026

Psalm 103’s assurance of mercy and pardon opens this service, reminding hearers that God knows human frailty and removes transgression as far as the east is from the west. That gospel comfort frames the ensuing instruction: Jesus calls those gathered—people marked by need, meekness, mercy, and persecution—to a surprising identity. They are already the salt of the earth and the light of the world: not aspirational goals but present realities rooted in Christ’s arrival and the unfolding fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham and Israel. These images signal both flavor and preservation for a broken world and illumination that pushes back cosmic darkness.

Jesus does not abolish the law but fulfills and reinterprets it, moving legalism into the language of love. The command that one’s righteousness must exceed that of the scribes is not an impossible demand; it is made possible because God pours divine love into believers’ hearts by the Spirit. That love is the cross-shaped power by which humans can love God with whole selves and love neighbors sacrificially, thus embodying the law’s true intent.

Practical application emerges plainly and urgently. Being salt means enhancing life’s goodness and preserving neighborly flourishing; being light means exposing what hides in shadows and guiding others to God’s glory. The life of faith is not quiet privatism but a visible, costly witness: small acts of kindness, bold self-giving, and steady obedience that testify to the kingdom’s presence. The congregation is called again to remember its identity—redeemed sinners equipped for holy service—and to refuse to shrink back from the ordinary moments where salt and light are most needed.

The service closes with petitions for wisdom and persistence, an affirmation of the Apostles’ Creed, and an exhortation to go forth as the people already declared salt and light. The charge is pastoral and pastorally confident: God’s enabling grace both pronounces the identity and supplies the power to live it out, so the church may shine and season the world until the dawning day when nations stream to the brightness of God’s reign.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Believers are salt of the earth God names the needy and marginalized as the agents who give flavor and preservation to a decaying world. This identity is not earned; it is declared in Christ’s arrival, which calls disciples to influence culture by embodying God’s restorative presence. Salt’s power is humble but decisive—subtle seasoning that changes taste and resists spoilage. [43:23]
• 2. Believers are light of the world To be light is to disclose, guide, and dispel darkness so others may see God’s glory through concrete acts of mercy and truth. Light exposes what lies hidden and redirects eyes toward God’s reign, inviting nations to stream toward divine brightness. This vocation extends beyond private faith into public witness grounded in holiness and compassion. [43:43]
• 3. Love is the law fulfilled Righteousness flows from the Spirit’s infusion of Christlike love into human hearts, turning obligation into gift-shaped obedience. When love governs action, the commandments cease to be mere prohibitions and become life-giving paths toward neighbor flourishing. The cross shows that such love is costly, and costly love is the very currency of the kingdom. [61:50]
• 4. Obedience flows from given love Jesus requires exceeding righteousness, but he also supplies the means by which it can be realized—divine love poured out in the Spirit. This makes ethical commands not unreachable demands but attainable responses to grace; obedience is participation in a re-creating love. Thus the Christian life is practical, bold, and sustained by the same generosity that saved it. [58:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [29:15] - Opening: Hymn and Psalm 103
• [32:19] - Children’s Moment and John 3:16
• [42:11] - Opening Prayer and Sermon Intro
• [43:09] - Scripture: Matthew 5:13–20 Read
• [49:47] - You are Salt and Light
• [53:25] - Salt: Flavor and Preservation
• [56:04] - Fulfillment of Old Testament Promises
• [61:50] - Love Poured Out by the Spirit
• [65:14] - Application: Be Salty and Shine
• [87:09] - Benediction and Announcements

Based on the sermon summary and transcript provided, here is a Bible study discussion guide.

Bible Reading
Matthew 5:13-20 (ESV)
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Observation questions

1. In the passage, what two things does Jesus directly tell his followers they *are*, not what they should become?
2. According to the sermon, what two primary functions does salt serve, making it a powerful metaphor for believers? [52:33]
3. What does Jesus say is the ultimate purpose of letting our light shine before others (verse 16)?
4. How does Jesus clarify his relationship to the Old Testament Law and the Prophets in verses 17-18?

Interpretation questions

1. Jesus pronounced this identity to a crowd described as needy, meek, and persecuted. [49:17] Why is it so surprising and significant that he gives this title of "salt and light" to people who might feel weak or insignificant?
2. The sermon connects this calling to Old Testament promises about Abraham's offspring and Israel's light. [56:04] How does understanding this biblical background change what it means for us to be "salt" and "light" today?
3. The command to have a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees seems impossible. How is this command not a death sentence, but actually good news? [01:03:01]
4. What is the "special love between the people of the Lord" and where does it ultimately come from? [01:01:30]

Application questions

1. The identity of being salt and light is a present reality, not a future goal. [50:42] What would change in your daily life if you truly believed you are already the salt of the earth and light of the world because of Christ?
2. Salt enhances flavor and preserves. [53:25] What is one practical way you can "enhance the flavor" of life for your family, coworkers, or neighbors this week? What is one way you can act as a "preservative" against brokenness or decay in your community?
3. Light exposes what is hidden and guides people. [43:43] Is there an area in your life or in your relationships where God might be calling you to gently expose something to the light of His truth? Is there someone you can guide toward the hope you have?
4. The power to live this out comes from God's love being poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. [01:01:50] When you face a situation that makes you want to "smack somebody upside the head," how can you pause to remember that Jesus loved you first, and draw on His love to respond differently? [01:06:10]
5. We are not defined by our sins, our past, or what others say about us. [01:06:52] Which of these false identities do you most often believe instead of your true identity in Christ? How can you combat that lie with the truth that you are salt and light?
6. This calling often plays out in small, ordinary moments. [01:07:16] Can you share about a "little God moment" this past week where you had an opportunity to be salty or to shine? What happened?