Living Under the Influence

Introduction: Defining the Pain

Have you ever stopped to consider all the things that influence your life? We define influence as an effect, impact, control, sway, hold, power, authority, domination, supremacy, and leadership.

We are all influenced by something and usually many things. That's the reason we are so complicated. Influence is one of the most significant forces on the planet. The influences over your life will shape who you are and what you become. Therefore, a person must take heed to the influences that allow in their life.

A real-life change will only happen when you choose to be influenced by something or someone new. The reason why God and the existence of God is such a hot topic is because of the influence God and religion have on a person's life. If you believe in God as the creator and master of all things, then you are subject to him. Some want to dismiss God and desire to be influenced or affected by something or someone else.

Before we go any farther, I want you to think of what or who has the most significant influence over your life right now.

Family.

Husband or wife

control, sway, hold, power, authority, ascendancy, mastery, domination, supremacy, leadership; guidance, direction, pressure

Everyone is influence by something and usually many things. That’s the reason we are so complicated.

Friends (Peer pressure)

Religion

Government

God

The Bible

Social Media

Broadcasting: TV, Radio

Your past

When Jesus came on the scene, there were significant influences of the day. You had the Jewish religion that was controlled by the Jewish government that was controlled by the Roman government. The reason these governments killed Jesus was that He came presenting a new influence over people: The Kingdom of Heaven.

The book of Matthew begins with the establishment of Jesus as heir to the throne of David. The wise men proclaimed Him as the Messiah that would come. As we get to chapter 3, we find John the Baptist proclaiming this new influence in the lives of people.

Bible Study: Defining the Passage

Passage: Defining the

The Influence of the Kingdom

Matthew 3:1–2 ESV

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matt 3:1

The elements of the Kingdom of Heaven.

This Kingdom is a Spiritual Kingdom which sets it above any man-made borders or governments.

This Kingdom has a King that rules and reins over all other kings.

John 18:33–35 ESV

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?”

John 18:33–37 ESV

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

John 18:36–37 ESV

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

John 18:33-

This Kingdom has subjects.

Subjects of the kingdom chose to live under the influence of King Jesus.

Subjects allow the King to have final authority over their lives and actions.

Entrance into the Kingdom

Matthew 3:5–6 ESV

Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

Matthew 3:

1) Repentance

a) Confession: 2 confessions for the Christian

Confession of Sin.

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Confession of the Savior and Lord.

Romans 10:10 ESV

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Romans 10:9–10 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Rom 10:

Rom 10:

b) Turning

Matthew 3:7–8 ESV

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

Matt 3:7

Bearing “fruit of repentance” is following the way of Christ.

Allowing the influences of the Kingdom to mold and shape your life.

The Holy Spirit to guide you in to all truth.

The Word of God, which is the truth, to instruct and correct you.

The Pastors of the kingdom to lead you.

The Church of the kingdom to love you.

You know when you are in the right place when all these influences agree. (The Holy Spirit, The Word, The Pastor, and the People).

2) New Birth

John 3:5–8 ESV

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

John 3:

a) You must be born again.

Born again is a spiritual awakening through the Spirit of God to the kingdom of God.

The Spirit of God brings the influence of the nature and character of God on your life guiding you into all truth.

b) Rejecting the old nature of Adam and Receiving the new nature of Christ.

Moving from Adam’s line of death to Christ’s line of life. (Passing from death to life.)

Walking under the influence of the Spirit of God and not the spirit of man.

The Response to the Kingdom

Matthew 3:11 ESV

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Matt 3:11

1) The baptism of water for repentance.

a) A picture of your death and resurrection in Christ.

b) A public profession that you are under the influence of King Jesus.

2) The baptism of the Holy Spirit

Romans 6:3–4 ESV

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

a) You are immersed in the Holy Spirit.

b) You are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

c) You are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Walking in the Spirit makes you a source of Kingdom influence and not a slave to the worldly influence.

a) A picture of your death and resurrection in Christ.

b) A public profession that you are under the influence of King Jesus.

The Results of the Kingdom

Matthew 3:13–15 ESV

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.

Matthew 3:13-1

Matthew 3:16–17 ESV

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matt 3:16

The baptism of Jesus illustrated unity with God.

1) The heavens were opened to Him.

2) The Spirit descended upon Him.

3) The Father was pleased with Him.

Our baptism illustrates unity with God.

1) The heavens are opened to us.

2) The Spirit has descended on us.

3) The Father is pleased with us.

Next Steps: Defining the Process

Confess your sin to God and receive Jesus as your King.

Turn from the influences of the world that lead you astray and live under the influence of the Spirit.

Proclaim your repentance and allegiance to Christ through the obedience of Baptism. (Not to redeem you, but in light of your redemption).

Become a source of influence for the kingdom of God instead of a slave to the influences of the world.