Influencing Others

Jesus touched people’s lives, He loved them, and they loved Him.

As followers of Jesus, how is our influence? Today’s sermon will look at influence. Influence simply put is… causing an effect in others. As followers of Jesus, we influence others by allowing the presence of God in us to shine out of us.

Consider our scripture for today.

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. —Matthew 5:13-16

This scripture tells us that all believers have influence…good or bad. So what is your influence like? Today I want to look at** 6 ways we can influence people for Christ.**

1. Make a decision to lead others in the right direction.

Our verse for today reminds us that one of the remarkable things about salt is that it preserves things… it helped inhibit rot and decay.

We might ask ourselves, do I promote or cause decay and rot in others? Consider

but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. —1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Related to this we might consider: How do we speak to others? Either personally or on social media. How do we treat the opposite sex? How do we negotiate business, or financial dealings? How do we live and when others are not looking at us? What does our thought life look like?

Can or is your behavior a stumbling block for others?

2. Get close to those you want to influence.

Salt doesn’t do you any good sitting on your table in your salt shaker. It’s got to get out of the saltshaker and into the food to make it taste better. In the same way, it’s difficult for any real leaders to influence people from a distance. Jesus told us to

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. —Matthew 28:19-20

Notice it says GO…NOT to hibernate in the church building, or depend on the pastor, or elder or teacher to do the work of ministry.

3 Be a growing Christian.

The starting point for influencing others is not how you look, but what you ARE! Are we influenced by the world? That’s like the salt losing its flavor – it’s not worth anything. Jesus said, “You might as well throw it away”

You’ve got to stay close to God, love others, really care about others and reach out to others. Jesus warned the people at Laodicea

I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. —Revelation 3:15-16

A real, growing, submitted and passionate relationship with God is the starting point for influencing others!

4. Realize that your life is on display.

Did you know that your life is always on display? The life of a growing, walking, obedient, submitted Christian shows people the way, and you can’t hide that!

To influence others, you’ve got to show them the way to go! Much like light shows us the way we should travel.

5. Let your beliefs shine. That is what verse 15 in our opening scripture this morning discusses.

Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. —Matthew 5:15

What Jesus is saying here is very simple: Light is meant to be seen!
Jesus did not say “You are the light of the church.” He said, “You are the light of the world.” GO INTO THE WORLD!

Peter reminds us

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. —1 Peter 5:10

Our suffering for good can be a witness for other to come to Christ! What are you doing with the light of your life?

6. Make everything you do for God’s glory.

We are told to Let your light so shine before men.The end result is others seeing “Wow! God has really made a difference in their life!”

Let me sum up our sermon on influence with this formula.
High Potency + Close Proximity = High Impact

High Potency means- being“strong salt” and living a life that really is surrendered to God

Close Proximity is- a willingness to get close to people, into their lives.And an attitude that says “watch, and I’ll be a witness for Jesus”
High Impact produces- people who will follow you in the right direction and people who will want what you’ve got.

So the question is, how are you influencing people? In what direction are you guiding people?