#Influencer.

Introduction

2 Corinthians 6:16–17 NKJV

16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”

Pray

Introduction: Influence (n): he capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.

Give the definition of social media or media influencer.

Influence is a type of power. It is the power to shape, motivate, and change.

John C Maxwell says, “The true measure of leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.”

Point 1: Choose Your Influence

The Lord told us to come out from among them, not to ride with them or stay with them (the world)

. What does this mean? This means that we don’t move with the crowd. As Christians, we are to rise above the crowd and be the influence wherever we are. There is a clear separation between us and the world.

Ezra 9:12 NKJV

12 Now therefore, do not give your daughters as wives for their sons, nor take their daughters to your sons; and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land, and leave it as an inheritance to your children forever.’

Why did God call us to come out? Why the separation? It is simple, so we can live holy and righteous and so we can be the influence. To stay in with them is to turn away from following the Lord.

Deuteronomy 7:4 NKJV

4 For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly.

We are going to have to choose whether we will be influenced by the world or by God.

Joshua 24:15 NKJV

15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

We must choose to let God be our influence. When we choose God and become obedient to His Word, the Holy Spirit then empowers us to use our influence.

Point 2: Use Your Influence

A recent survey went out asking “How do people start attending church?” The survey found that

2% said they came because of advertising

6% said they came because of organized visitation

6% said they were invited by the pastor

86% said they were invited by a friend.

I am here to tell you today that you are an influencer. You have the power. In fact, the Bible has a lot to say about the matter. John 1:4 says:

John 1:4 NKJV

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

His life was the light of men. The Bible further goes on to say:

Matthew 5:13–16 NKJV

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Give an illustration of how your struggle and testimony has made you an influence to the lost. Then talk about how their testimony has made them an influence. Empower them.

Talk about the Greek word Oikos and how God has placed you specifically where you are to reach people.

You can either put it into practice or as they say, “Use it or lose it,” you can lose your influence.

Point 3: Lose Your Influence

You see, we were called to be salt and light. Death is the condition of the world because of sin, and salt is a preservative.

However, look at verse 13, salt that loses its flavor will be thrown out and trampled underfoot by man.

Then it goes on to say about light that we aren’t supposed to hide our influence. We are to use it among men to glorify God.

Is your life the light of men? If you are the only Bible someone ever read, would they get the Gospel by how you are living?

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Conclusion

You are the influence and God has strategically placed you where you can be the most effective.

So often we are willing to cross oceans with the Gospel but not the dinner table.

Who is lost around you? Make a list. Bring them to church with you next week.

Challenge: Reach out to previous members of this church and call them.

Altar Call.