Having an Influence

Philippians 2:8 KJV 1900

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

phil 2.

The desire of Christians who refuse to acquiesce to the status quo, who are determined to see things changed in society and long to have some influence for Jesus Christ.

Are we powerless?

Or can Christians exert some influence for Jesus Christ?

There is a great deal of pessimism around today that grips and even paralyzes people. They wring their hands in a holy kind of dismay.

Society is rotten to the core, they say. Everything is hopeless; there is no hope but the return of Jesus Christ.

What Is Influence?

Influence sometimes is defined as the “ability to produce an effect without apparent force or direct authority.”

Some people, by virtue of their personalities, have greater influence than others. A spiritual person longs to exude more influence for good.

How can we develop greater Christian influence? Here are some principles for meditation.

Display Genuine Interest in Others

Try to cultivate a genuine interest in people.

Get to know the names of those with whom you have frequent contact — the lady at the market, your auto mechanic, your doctor, pharmacist, etc. Get on a first-name basis. Inquire about their families. Ask about their children.

In a bustling society, people are surprised and pleased when someone expresses sincere, personal interest in them.

When engaged in conversation with others, do not dominate the scene.

Everyone has encountered the type of person with whom you cannot get a word in edgewise. Motor-mouths are not appreciated.

Be willing to listen as well as to converse. Show folks that you value what they say — even if it’s trite and sometimes almost nonsensical.

Don’t be a know-it-all. No one is, but not-a-few think they are. There is no subject upon which they cannot pontificate for hours on end whether they know anything about it or not.

If you have a medical problem, they can completely diagnose it, recite a number of cases where friends have died of the ailment, and provide you with a healing remedy that may be ordered from Mexico.

If your automobile is running rough, they know exactly what the problem is, though they may be unable to discern a screwdriver from a wrench.

One can hardly influence others when he acts as if he knows everything about everything.

Be careful about Criticism

In attempting to exert Christian influence upon worldly friends, do not begin by correcting everything you observe that is wrong in their lives.

If you attempt to initiate a relationship by immediately calling attention to their dress, language, recreational activities, political orientation, you likely will get nowhere.

First, influence others by example.

People listen to the way you talk. They observe how you dress. They soon become familiar with your patterns of religious activity.

If they have a spark of spiritual interest, eventually they will comment or ask questions. Watch for open doors. You don’t have to break them down.

Be Patient with Others

Be patient with people. Remember how long it took you to learn the fundamentals of the Christian life (read ). Growth does not come instantly, but slowly and steadily.

1 Timothy 3:1–3 KJV 1900

1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

If you appoint yourself as the one who sets the timetable for growth in the Christian “babe” or for others who have spiritual problems, you will become frustrated and irritated when your expectations are not met.

Furthermore, your frustrations will show in how you talk and behave — often causing your influence to shrivel up rather than blossom.

Watch for signs of growth. Encourage and commend these. Compassion and patience are virtues, not compromises.

Be Gentle, Not Abrasive

Leaders with influence stand out.

For example, suppose a person says: “We are saved by faith, not works. Baptism is a work, so it can’t be a part of the salvation process.”

Instead of responding, “That’s false doctrine!” why not say something like this. “You know, there are a couple of passages on this theme that are intriguing. Jesus described ‘belief’ as a work [; cf. ], and God saw the ‘works’ of the people of Nineveh as they ‘repented’ [; ], yet both belief and repentance are required by God. Why don’t we study these texts?”

Exerting influence is a skill — almost an art form — and every Christian needs to study more about how to influence others for good, whether they be non-believers, weak kinsmen in Christ, family members, or special friends.

When a teacher has influence, students seek a relationship outside of class and ask advice on topics outside of the curriculum.

When a manager has influence, employees pitch in on projects without being asked.

having the mind of God....

When a pastor has influence, Christians find any excuse to join his Sunday morning coffee hour conversations.

When an older sibling has influence, the closeness lasts well into adulthood. In each case, we follow influential leaders, not because we have to, but because we want to.

Philippians 2:1 KJV 1900

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

Philippians 2:5 KJV 1900

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Paul is saying let us have the same characteristics as Christ

Have the same like minded attitude as Christ....

Having an Influence requires:

I. Humility

phil 2.7

Philippians 2:7 KJV 1900

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Humble- freedom from pride or arrogance

Humble- freedom from pride or arrogance

Believers are exhorted to have the same attitude—selfless humility—Christ exhibited in His humiliation and condescension. The word here translated attitude is translated “like-minded” in verse 2.

Jesus influence was because he humbly served!

Colossians 3:12 KJV 1900

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Ephesians 4:1–2 KJV 1900

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Ephesians 4:2 KJV 1900

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Though possessing full deity (; ), Christ did not consider His equality with God () as something to be grasped or held onto.

In other words Christ did not hesitate to set aside His self-willed use of deity when He became a man.

Elaborate here ----

As God He had all the rights of deity, and yet during His incarnate state He surrendered His right to manifest Himself visibly as the God of all splendor and glory

Embrace Humility as One of Your Core Values

Your influence will be directly related to your humility

Don’t be a know-it-all. No one is, but not-a-few think they are. There is no subject upon which they cannot pontificate for hours on end whether they know anything about it or not.

If you have a medical problem, they can completely diagnose it, recite a number of cases where friends have died of the ailment, and provide you with a healing remedy that may be ordered from Mexico.

If your automobile is running rough, they know exactly what the problem is, though they may be unable to discern a screwdriver from a wrench.

One can hardly influence others when he acts as if he knows everything about everything.

Humble- freedom from pride or arrogance

Letting someone ahead of you in line when you see they are in a hurry is an act of humility. Cleaning the bathroom of your office, even though you own the company, is an example of humility. ...

An athlete who credits his success to his teammates, even though he has great skill, shows humility.

That step is to practice humility. Scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” ().

But what does it mean to be humble?

To be humble is to realize how weak we are, how helpless we are to change the course of our lives in our own power. It’s to ask God for His forgiveness and to trust Him for His guidance.  That’s what He wants to see abiding in our hearts.

He wants us to realize and confess our helplessness, our sinfulness, and our complete need for Him in our lives; and we can do exactly that, regardless of the depth of the flaw, since we know God will never reject those who come to Him with a humble spirit:

In our text jesus made himself of no reputation!

he was God but came down to man. ...

When was the last time you lowered yourself to give attention to someone else..

A boss that wipes tables will have an audience

A parent that apologizes to his children will have an influence

A husband that listens to his wife will have an influence....

Having an Influence requires:

II. Becoming a Servant

Philippians 2:7 KJV 1900

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Phil 2.

Christ’s humiliation included His making Himself nothing, taking the very nature (morphē) of a servant, and being made in human likeness (v. 7).

These statements indicate that Christ became a man, a true human being.

The words “made Himself nothing” are, literally, “He emptied Himself.” “Emptied,” from the Greek kenoō, points to the divesting of His self-interests, but not of His deity.

“The very nature of a servant” certainly points to His lowly and humble position, His willingness to obey the Father, and serve others. He became a man, a true human being. “Likeness” suggests similarity but difference. Though His humanity was genuine, He was different from all other humans in that He was sinless ().

No better example of humiliation and a selfless attitude for believers to follow could possibly be given than that of Christ. With this example before them, the saints at Philippi should be “like-minded” (v. 2) and live humbly before their God and each other.[1]

Doulos, the word translated “servant” here, usually means “slave.”

He became the bondservant of His Father. Jesus came to do always those things that pleased the Father (), to live a life of perfect obedience to the Father.

The Lord did not come to assert His own will, but to say, “Thy will be done” (). He came to be the perfect servant anticipated in the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament (; ). “Behold my servant,” said God in , and in the matchless fifty-third chapter we see Him becoming “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” ().[1]

You want influence then serve!

You want to lead then serve!

You want an audience then serve!

Mark 10:45 KJV 1900

45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

mark 10

Matthew 23:11 KJV 1900

11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

John 13:14 KJV 1900

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

1 Corinthians 9:19 KJV 1900

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

Illustration of serving - A community church needs to be in the community...

Serving.....

When we serve we earn the right to be heard!

They will never listen until the see .....

Influence with your children - serve them

Influence with you spouse serve them

Influence with you r community serve them

You will never have influence until your learn Humility and servce.

Having an Influence requires:

III. Obedience

III Obedience

phil 2.

Philippians 2:8 KJV 1900

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Obedience - Compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority.

Jesus was obedient to the father ..

compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority.

He did what he was called to do?

Influence requires disciple and obedience to be seen by the observer.

Hypocrite - is someone that says something and does something else.

He is not obedient to the stated and known goal.

Jesus finished what he came to do ..

That my friend will influence people.....

You want influence :

be obedient in the word

be obedient in prayer

be obedient in worship

So many fall away

2 Timothy 4:10 KJV 1900

10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

How many start right but don't finish!

You will have influence if you start and stop change course etc...

Luke 14:28 KJV 1900

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Luke 14:28–30 KJV 1900

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Obedience mans doing what si right and staying the course.....

Illustration - Auburn University 1 st day - 80% will not graduate....

1. Jesus Calls Us to Obedience

In Jesus Christ we find the perfect model of obedience. As his disciples, we follow Christ's example as well as his commands. Our motivation for obedience is love:

John 14:15 KJV 1900

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (, ESV)

2. Obedience Is an Act of Worship

While the Bible places strong emphasis on obedience, it's critical to remember that believers are not justified (made righteous) by our obedience. Salvation is a free gift of God, and we can do nothing to merit it. True Christian obedience flows from a heart of gratitude for the grace we have received from the Lord:

Romans 12:1–2 KJV 1900

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:1 KJV 1900

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

romans 12.1

3. God Rewards Obedience

Over and over again we read in the Bible that God blesses and rewards obedience:

"And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me." (, NLT)

Genesis 22:18 KJV 1900

18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

James 1:22–25 KJV 1900

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

james 1. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. (, NLT)

Look at Christ Influence

The books of 1 John and 2 John clearly explain that obedience to God demonstrates love for God. Loving God implies following his commands:

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. (, ESV) Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. (, NLT)

5. Obedience to God Demonstrates Our Faith

When we obey God, we show our trust and faith in him:

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, "I know God," but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. (, NLT)

6. Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

The phrase "obedience is better than sacrifice," has often perplexed Christians. It can only be understood from an Old Testament perspective. The law required the Israelite people to offer sacrifices to God, but those sacrifices and offerings were never intended to take the place of obedience.

But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king." (, NLT)

7. Disobedience Leads to Sin and Death

The disobedience of Adam brought sin and death into the world. This is the basis of the term "original sin." But Christ's perfect obedience restores fellowship with God for everyone who believes in him:

For as by the one man's [Adam's] disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's [Christ's] obedience the many will be made righteous. (, ESV) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (, ESV)

8. Through Obedience, We Experience the Blessings of Holy Living

Only Jesus Christ is perfect, therefore, only he could walk in sinless, perfect obedience. But as we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from within, we grow in holiness. This is known as the process of sanctification, which can also be described as spiritual growth. The more we read God's Word, spend time with Jesus, and allow the Holy Spirit to change us from within, the more we grow in obedience and holiness as Christians:

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don't give up on me! (, NLT) This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sands along the seashore—too many to count! There would have been no need for your destruction, or for cutting off your family name." (, NLT) Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. (, NLT)

The verse above says, "Let us work toward complete holiness." So, we don't learn obedience overnight; it's a lifelong process that we pursue by making it a daily goal.

Conclusion - look at the results

Philippians 2:9–10 KJV 1900

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

I. Humility

II. Becoming a Servant

III. Obedience

legacy