Category: Influence
Subject: Influence
The Patternists: Scripture Condemns a Bitter Spirit
The Bible clearly reveals that it is a sin to entertain bitterness in our hearts as children of God. Consider the following passages:
(Ephesians 4:31), “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”
(Hebrews 12:14-15), “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.”
We see bitter and hateful words in the day’s political rhetoric, in Facebook comments and online discussions, and in the words that pass between men and women in the streets of our country.
It is fine for a child of God to hold a political opinion, to stand for what is right and to stand against what is wrong. It is sinful, however, for a child of God to descend to hatefulness and bitterness in tone, words or actions. There is no provocation or evil that is visited upon us by the ungodliness of men that can justify an unseasoned tongue or action from God’s people.
Please think of that before you pen or share your next post, or as you are talking around a cup of coffee in your local cafe. We are to be the salt of the earth. Remember, “if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (Matthew 5:13b).
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Sermon: DANGER Signs of Apostasy
The lesson identifies four danger signs that signify the possibility one may fall from grace:
* Isolating onself from God’s people
* Listening to bad counsel
* Being corrupted by ungodly companions
* A faltering prayer life
Sermon: Influence (Why it Matters…)
As Christians, our influence upon others matters greatly. If we have a positive influence, it may lead to the saving of our souls.
Additionally, negative influences may endanger us, it we allow them. We should always assess both our influence on others, and those who may influence us!
From the Preacher’s Pen: A Good Reputation
One of the qualifications for a bishop, listed in 1 Timothy 3:7, is an attribute that all of us should strive to have, “Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside.”
The text refers to a person’s reputation. We all have one, and it is either a good one or a bad one. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14a,16). His words show the purpose of a good influence on our part, that God may be glorified.
The righteous God of heaven deserves to be glorified by His adopted children. Everything we do should be a reflection of Him. In this way those who are not Christians will get a good idea of who God is, and will desire to know Him better. For this reason, it is important that we have a good name. “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1).
This influence sometimes extends well beyond our own awareness. Remember the child’s song:
Oh, be careful little ears, what you hear (repeat)
For the Father Up above, Is looking down in love,
So be careful little ears what you hear.Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see, (repeat)
For the Father up above, is looking down in love,
So be careful little eyes what you hear.Oh, be careful little mouth, what you say, (repeat),
For the Father up above, Is looking down in love,
So be careful little mouth what you say.Oh, be careful little hands, what you do (repeat),
For the Father up above, Is looking down in love,
So be careful little hands what you doOh, be careful little feet where you go (repeat)
For the Father up above, Is looking down in love,
So be careful little feet where you go.Oh, be careful little mind what you think (repeat)
For the Father up above, Is looking down in love,
So be careful little mind what you think.Oh, be careful little heart what you love (repeat)
For the Father up above, Is looking down in love,
So be careful little heart what you love.
Sermon: A Faithless and Perverse Generation
Just as 2,000 years ago, we today live in the midst of a Faithless and Perverse generation. Our response must be to maintain our faith and purity, and shine as lights in the world.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Having Godly Influence
Thursday night we went to see my nephew Darryl play in the Division 3A state championship game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. For the third straight year The Yoemen won the championship with a 70-40 victory.
This year was a bit different for the family. Darryl was on the team last year as a freshman, but did not play in the game. This year he was a starter on defense, and contributed a fumble recovery and 7 or 8 tackles in what was a dominating performance by the Cameron team.
Obviously his mom and dad are proud. Darryl is a very good athlete, and will continue to impress on the football field in seasons to come, Lord willing. Having said that, there was one moment, just after the game was over, that made all of us even more proud of him. As the two teams gathered at midfield and kneeled down, Darryl (as a sophomore) was asked to lead the two teams, all the cheerleaders, coaches and other participants in a prayer of thanksgiving.
That showed me that Darryl is living in such a way as to glorify God, and be known as a young man of faith (cf. Matthew 5:14-15). While it is one thing to dedicate yourself to excellence on the football field, it is quite another, more important thing to live a godly life that is recognized and appreciated by others! “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).
Sermon: Will You be Missed if Your Seat is Empty?
1 Samuel 20:18, Jonathan’s statement, “You will be missed, because your seat will be empty” serves to introduce the lesson, will you be missed if your seat is empty?
Sermon: “Whose Faith Follow”
The lesson is a study on influence. Our need to emulate champions of faith – and our responsibility to serve as an influence on others.
Sermon: “Borne by Four”
Sermon by Marc Smith.
In this lesson, Marc uses Mark 2, and the phrase from the KJV indicating that the paralytic man was carried by four men to see Jesus. The phrase is used to illustrate the point that each of us have those who have borne, or influenced us in our lives. Saul of Tarsis is a good example, and four men are mentioned: Gamaliel, Stephen, Annanias and Barnabas who had a profound influence upon him and his conversion to Christ.
Trademarking “Tebowing”
The New York Jets backup quarterback has been a bit of a public relations sensation since entering the NFL. Most agree that the hype surrounding him is probably greater than his actual talent. But, that being said, he is extremely popular, in part because he is a very religious individual and is very forthcoming about his faith.
After touchdowns and on other occasions each game, Tebow drops down to a knee, and in front of tens of thousands of fans, and millions of viewers on television, says a short prayer. Some wag coined his practice “Tebowing” (the name is pronounced with a long ‘o’, like an archer’s bow).
The Christian’s Influence
A recent thought I heard goes as follows:
Your shadow falls upon others. Often that shadow falls in places beyond your control or awareness. While is it true that you can’t control where the shadow falls, you can control the one who casts the shadow. You can control yourself.
Each of us has influence. We control whether we influence others for good, or for evil. The Bible is full of scriptures that teach the importance of being a good example.
Sermon: The Tri-Fold Character
Sermon 1 of 9
Gospel Meeting May 5-10, 2012
Speaker: Chip Foster
The sermon examines the character of the Centurion in Luke 7:1-10, as it is assessed by those who witnessed his behavior, as he humbly assessed in himself, and finally as assessed by the Savior. The applications are obvious, and clearly established by brother Foster.
In the News: Another Rock Star Dies
British singer Amy Winehouse died on July 23, 2011. Winehouse was a talented performer with a distinctive voice and style, who died following a history of drug abuse, at the age of 27.
Her death is one in a long line of untimely deaths of celebrities and performers. In fact, the age of 27 seems to be significant, as singers Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix and Janice Joplin all died at that age as well. All were heavy drug users, and Hendrix and Joplin died of drug overdoses. Cobain committed suicide.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Facebook Posts
Many in the congregation are familiar with social networking on the computer. The most prominent example of this is Facebook, where “friends” share pictures, videos, internet links, and personal information online.
Some Facebook denizens have hundreds and hundreds of “friends”, which are in reality often merely acquaintances, schoolmates, and friends of friends. With such a large and varied “audience” reading the posts you send out, it is important to ask yourself how your Christian influence will be impacted, before posting any message, picture or other link.
Last week, I came across a beneficial quote regarding Facebook, attributed to David Lanius.
“We do need to always remember that our posts are a reflection of who and how we are. To those traveling on an honest, earnest, and genuine path of faith — diligence in purpose should always reflect His Holiness (1 Peter 1:15, Ephesians 4:29) lest we become the cause for others to sin or remain in it.”
Think about it!
Sermon: How Should You Choose Your Friends?
This sermon is directed especially to young people, and indicates that as Christians we must avoid evil companions. It gives Biblical examples of those who chose foolishly (Solomon and Rehoboam), and those who chose wisely (Christ and Paul), and gives suggestions on how to choose good companions.
Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
