Are You An Influencer?

Intro:

Good evening.

This evening I have a serious question for all of us. Are you ready for it?

Are you … an influencer?

Now, our young people might laugh at that a little bit because that’s a term they are well familiar with!

What is … an influencer? (as is defined by the popular culture) (word of the year 2018)

Here is the usual definition, according to influencermarketinghub.com: Influencer - “people who have built a reputation for their knowledge and expertise on a specific topic. They make regular (social media) posts about that topic on their preferred social media channels and generate large followings of enthusiastic, engaged people who pay close attention to their views. Brands love social media influencers because they can create trends and encourage their followers to buy products they promote.”

In other words, these are people who go on various social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and others and convince their followers to buy lots of stuff, essentially!

(And it works. This is THE way to do branding and marketing these days if you want to market to young people and sell things).

But there is a much shorter definition of the word influencer too — the original definition of the word — oxford dictionary online says an influencer is: “a person or thing that influences another.”

So … I ask again — Are you an influencer?

Well, according to that most basic definition, I would have to say that I don’t know ANYONE who does not influence SOMEBODY?

So I would say that we are ALL influencers in that regard!

You see, no one lives in a vacuum! We all live around various family members, friends, coworkers or fellow students, associates, companions, contemporaries, and even rivals or even enemies we might say — (Incidentally, Jesus tells us to do what for our enemies? Love them, and pray for them!)

But anyways, we all have INFLUENCE that we give off toward others!

I want us to break down that social media influencer definition we saw earlier, and then we are going to talk about some various realms of life that we influence people by in one way or another.

Social Media Influencer Defintion:

“People who have built a reputation for their KNOWLEDGE and EXPERTISE on a specific topic.”

That begs the question — If we can expect to influence people (in a good way) for Christ, are we knowledgable in the Word of God? Do we have any expertise in it?”

It was often said in days of old that members of the Church of Christ were extremely well-studied.

“Those folks really know their Bibles,” it was said.

And if you want to see a really good example of this, look up Garland Elkins on the Phil Donahue show back in the 1980s I think it was — He was quoting Scripture left and right on national television, but not just Garland Elkins — A whole section of members of the church were there quoting Scripture!

Is it still said of us today that we are “walking Bibles,” so to speak?

1 Peter 3:15 still says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”

Back to our definition, and a couple other things that stuck out at me: Influencers “generate LARGE FOLLOWINGS of engaged people who PAY CLOSE ATTENTION to their views.”

Now I don’t know about LARGE followings, but I do know that we all have people in our lives that ARE paying close attention to us!

People are watching us, people are looking at how we react to various situations, people want to know about what we think about things.

People may want to get our advice.

They may test us from time to time to see if we are going to “put our money where our mouth is,” so to speak.

Why? Because people KNOW US for being Christians!

(or at least they SHOULD!)

They should know us by our LOVE like we talked about last Sunday morning in John 13.

They should know that we don’t think like the rest of the world, don’t talk like the rest of the world.

And they should know that we don’t ACT like the rest of the world!

Titus 2:7-8 - (Paul speaking to the young preacher of course, but the principle applies for ALL Christians) - Paul says, “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”

In other words, if one of those enemies we talked about earlier says something slanderous about us that isn’t true, other people around us should say, “Oh, no (so and so) surely wouldn’t do a thing like that — He is a good and faithful Christian.”

Our influence matters, brethen!

Let’s talk about three areas where our influence matters for the rest of the lesson.

Our Influence Matters Online:

Speaking of social media influencers, right?!

I realize that this isn’t a main point for everyone, but it is a main point for a majority of us here today because I would say that most of us have a social media presence online.

For better or worse, social media is here and I think probably to stay (and I tend to think it’s more toward “worse” than better, honestly).

But there are some good uses for social media — I’m not totally against it by any means.

The only one I am on is Facebook — I do use YouTube from time to time, but the average person apparently has 8.6 personal social media accounts — That’s a lot!

For Christians, social media has probably become one of the largest impacts we HAVE on people around us, for better or for worse.

I’ve got a verse from Proverbs that I want to dictate our activities on social media:

Proverbs 10:17 - “He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray.”

The ESV says that last part this way - “LEADS OTHERS ASTRAY.”

Social media has the power to do that!

It has the power to help us lead others to the TRUTH as well!

But it’s one or the other!

“He who keeps instruction is in the way of life.”

We sometimes sing: “I’m in the way, the bright and shining way. I’m in the glory land way!” “Telling the world that Jesus saves today, yes, I’m in the glory land way!”

“Now, come take a look at my social media profile!”

(And sometimes, people will see on our social media profile’s … Bad language, immodest dress, dirty jokes, gossip, passive aggressive comments about other members of the church, and on and on we could go!)

Brethren, we have to be careful what we post on social media.

On any given day looking at our Facebook wall, are we posting more of which of the following?

Bible verses, evangelistic videos and articles, and church events, OR …

Sports content that MAYBE we are flirting with elevating to the level of idolatry, or politics, or a constant barrage of jokes and humorous videos, etc.

Anything wrong with sports, or politics, or sharing a funny appropriate video?

(Not at all).

But it IS an interesting exercise to go to your social media profile and just count everything up — What am I posting MORE? Why am I liking and sharing more?

It might be a subtle indicator of where the treasure of our heart lies (See Luke 6:45)!

Next …

Our Influence Matters at Work/at School:

This one is a big one because … aside from spending time in our homes, where do we spend the bulk of our time? (For a lot of us, it’s at work … or at school!)

How are we influencing our non-Christian coworkers, bosses, subordinates, and fellow students?

You may have a boss at work that you really just can’t stand! (Alright … How are you going to let that affect your work ethic for him?)

You may have coworkers who seem to always be looking for ways to undercut you in order to allign themselves better with the boss — perhaps try to get that promotion that you feel you deserve.

How you going to handle that?

Do you think that’s one of those “love your enemies” and “pray for your enemies” moments? (I think so!)

For those young people who are in school — How do you deal with the school yard bully?

How do you deal with the person who is constantly stirring the pot?

Causing “drama” at school?

These are all questions that come back to our INFLUENCE.

In addition to how we handle ourselves in the face of workplace adversity (we’ll call it), or adversity at school, the Bible also says quite a bit about things like work ethic, about knowledge, about diligence, etc.

Whether it’s in the workplace, or at school, or on an athletic team, etc., Christians should be known for being the “go to guy/gal” who will get things done right.

You ought to be the BEST employee at your job!

Proverbs 10:4 says, “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

Proverbs 12:24 says, “The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.”

Proverbs 13:4 says, “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.”

And Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”

(In other words, work HARD for the things you want in life … and don’t fall for get-rich-quick schemes!)

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says - “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”

(Let’s turn and read Eph. 6:5-9.)

And finally, Colossians 3:23 should be an underlying principle for everything we do in the workplace - “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

People are watching us at the workplace and at school.

But finally …

Our Influence Matters in the Church:

This one goes without saying, right?

But we need reminding!

When you sing for those around you to hear you, you’re doing what?

“Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16)

And what does that mean you’re doing?

INFLUENCING other Christians!

When you’re nodding off during the sermon … … … :)

You know who you’re influencing? (Me!)

And you better believe I’m gonna influence you! (Haha)

When you’re at worship, and you’re on time for Bible class, and you’re at every fellowship opportunity you can make — You’re there influencing the people around you!

And if you are NOT there for those things? (Guess what — You’re still influencing people, but in a negative way).

These are all important reminders!

Church, again I say — No one lives in a vacuum!

The Bible says it this way - “No man lives to himself, and no man dies to himself!” (Rom. 14:7)

Contrary to what Cain thought after the Lord confronted him for murdering Abel, you really ARE your brother’s keeper!

Let me finish with this important reminder from Gal. 6:1-2 that we really are in this together!

Galatians 6:1–2 “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

You know what that means? That means you have tremendous power to INFLUENCE your brothers and sisters in Christ, and thus a RESPONSIBILITY to do so! (To fulfill the law of Christ!)

Conclusion:

Yes, you ARE an influencer!

We all are!

And I hope these things will remind all of us to guard that influence!

We are the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world!” (Matt. 5:13-16)

How’s your salt lately? (Well-seasoned?)

How’s your light? (You might need to change the batteries!)

(Give invitation)