You And Your Influence

No question that we have influence over many areas in our

life. What kind of influence we have is

the focus of this sermon.

Introduction

• Influence is what causes other things to react.• Influence causes reactions in many areas.• Domestic.• Spiritual. • Social.• Civil. • Economic.

Domestic• This has to deal with the home and family unit.• We can influence loved ones to be good or to be

bad.• We can influence them to love God, or not.• There is a duty of parents towards children, and

children towards parents.• Ephesians 6:1-4

Spiritual

• Compare the influence of the zealous, sacrificial, regular attending, cheerful, concerned, long suffering, truth-seeking member whose affections are "on things above" with that of:

• The neglectful, tight-fisted, self-seeking, seldom-attending, morose unconcerned, short tempered, truth disregarder who pursues the religion of convenience while rejecting the religion of conviction.

• Acts 20:17-32.

Spiritual

• How we conduct ourselves inside and outside the assemblies, is of great importance.

• Phil. 3:17-19; • Rom. 16:17,18; • Prov. 6:16-19; • 1 Tim. 3:15.

Social

• Compare the influence of the neighborly, friendly, community-minded, helpful, example-setting person with that of:

• The un-neighborly, unfriendly, selfish, unconcerned, and impure individual.

• Matthew 5:14-16• Galatians 6:10• Hebrews 12:14

Civil

• Compare the influence of the tax-paying, law abiding, patriotic person who is "subject to the higher powers" with that of:

• The tax-evading, law-breaking, unpatriotic individual who continually speaks evil of the "higher powers.“

• Romans 13:1-7

Economic

• Compare the influence of the prompt, friendly, cooperative, hard- working, conscientious, company-concerned employee with that of:

• The seldom-on-time, grouchy, uncooperative, "gold-bricking", company-despising employee.

• Romans 13:6• 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Conclusion• So much more can be said about influence.• Our goal should be to influence others to do what is

right before God.• Our example should be sufficient to accomplish this

task.• What kind of example do you show towards others.• What kind of influence do you have upon others?