Sermon Tone Analysis

*/How to Have Sustained Influence/*; NV 7~/27~/03 AM

*OS:* If you know anything about cars you have to be amazed at how all those moving parts work together to move from point A to point B. If the timing gets off, or the alignment gets crooked your car will self destruct over time.

*I.      **The same is true of any business or more importantly any church.*

A.   When every thing is working together there are three questions that have clear concise answers:

                      1.       *A* What are we trying to accomplish?

                      2.       *:*How are we going to accomplish it?

3.       *:*Where do I fit in?

B.    *B* As a church we are trying to accomplish bringing people into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.

1.       Jesus didn’t say, “Go meet” He said, “Go make disciples”.

2.

That is our task.

As we accomplish that work we bring glory to God.

C.   Why do you want to do all that you want to do? *How ~/ Environment.

C “Jesus meeting environment”*

                      1.

Why move?

Why change?

2.       It’s all part of the how we are going to accomplish what God has for us to accomplish – Bringing people into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.

*II.

**D** Where do I fit in?*

A.   God has commissioned us to be influencers.

1.

We can’t make people believe, pray, go to church etc.

We can only influence.

2.

We have been called to develop sustained influence with people.

B.    Jesus has and had the greatest sustained influence of all time.

1.

Even after 2000 years buildings are built to His glory, songs are written, etc.

                      2.       How did He do it?

*III.

**Every person has a sphere of influence.*

A.   Grandparent, parent, employee, employer, ect.

B.     Scott Adams, creator of the popular "Dilbert" cartoon, tells this story about his beginnings as a cartoonist: You don't have to be a "person of influence" to be influential.

In fact, the most influential people in my life probably are not even aware of the things they've taught me.

When I was trying to become a syndicated cartoonist, I sent my portfolio to one cartoon editor after another—and received one rejection after another.

One editor even called and suggested that I take art classes.

Then Sarah Gillespie, an editor at United Media and one of the real experts in the field, called to offer me a contract.

At first, I didn't believe her.

I asked if I'd have to change my style, get a partner—or learn how to draw.

But she believed I was already good enough to be a nationally syndicated cartoonist.

Her confidence in me completely changed my frame of reference and altered how I thought about my own abilities.

This may sound bizarre, but from the minute I got off the phone with her, I could draw better.

You can see a marked improvement in the quality of the cartoons I drew after that conversation.

/Citation:/ James M. Kouzes and Barry Posner, Encouraging The Heart (Jossey-Bass, 1999); submitted by Van Morris, Mount Washington, Kentucky

C.   Our lesson this morning will be helpful in every aspect of your life, but especially as you strive to help others come into a fuller relationship with Jesus Christ.

*TS]* Jesus, the greatest influencer of all time.

How did He do it?

*I.      **E** ACCEPTANCE (Mathew – Levi) **:**Mark 2:13-17*

A.   Matthew was a traitor, imagine the scene.

The disciples probably wanted to spit on him, and Jesus said, “come with us” – Notice what happened…

                      1.       *:*Acceptance paves the way to influence.

He accepted everybody.

2.       Everybody is acceptance magnets – look for strangers to talk to?

No – we seek acceptance.

B.    We are generally non-acceptant of those who are different.

1.

They may talk to my kids!

                      2.

The reason you are hesitant is not because of spiritual reasons but because you are insecure.

You are just uncomfortable with them.

3.

Your Savior didn’t do that, your sin didn’t drive Him away.

C.   Think about the implications of being out accepted by others…

                      1.       Parents – we cannot afford to let our children’s friends to out accept us.

2.       Men you cannot allow any other person to out accept you with your wife.

3.       Ladies your home should be the most accepting place on earth for your husband.

D.   We should be the most accepting people on the face of this earth.

“I had a bad experience with the church” (you got rejected by spiritual people you thought would love and accept you.)

E.    *F* How was Jesus so accepting?

1.       *:*Served, *:*Listened, and He *:*participated.

Why?

Acceptance paves the way to influence.

Why not build a building and say, “I’m Jesus, come to Me” He listened…why?

He knows their hearts.

Why?

Because listening communicates acceptance and acceptance paves the way to influence.

*II.

**G** COMPETENCE (Amazed at His teaching, as one having authority, not as the scribes) Mark 1:21-22*

A.   He was good at what He did.

Our culture is very tuned in to performance or competence.

We must be as good as we can be at whatever God has called us to do.

B.    Look at the posters in your kids bedroom – open to their influence because they are competent at something that interest your children.

Conference – who’s speaking?

What did they do?

C.

You get advice from people who accomplished something.

*:*Competency in any arena opens up the door to influence people.

Not just for income, but for influence sake.

D.   Be the best you can be for the Lord.

1.       *H* Colossians 3 /23 //Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,/

/                      2.       /*:*Colossians 4 /5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

/

                      3.

People who don’t know Christ are watching your work and you life.

E.    Competence paves the way to influence.

We are closed to the influence of people who are incompetent.

F.    Mom – How do you do it?

Your house is so organized, and your children are so well kept…

III.

* I AUTHENTICITY* (The people who knew Jesus best where those who actually gave up their lives for what Jesus taught them.)

A.   Jesus was what He said and claimed.

B.    *:*Authenticity paves the way to influence.

We are not open to the influence of people who are not what they claim to be.

C.   Consistency between words and deeds

D.   *J* Matthew 5:14-16 more to that person than meets the eye.

E.    People are watching you so they will be let off the hook.

F.    Preacher at Home Depot – after all this time.

I go to your church…