Powerful Influences PART 1 Influence To have an

Powerful Influences PART 1

Influence • “To have an effect on something; power to sway” • “The act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command” PART 1 2

The Good Influence of Godly Deeds and Examples • • Young people on believers, 1 Tim. 4: 12 Young men on opponents, Titus 2: 6 -8 A godly spouse on partner, 1 Pet. 3: 1 -2, 7 A Christian on unbelievers, 1 Pet. 2: 11 -12 PART 1 3

The Power of Evil Influences (Prov. 22: 24 -25; 1 Kgs. 11: 1 -4) • Corrupting influence of evil and error, 1 Corinthians 5: 6 -8 – Leaven: Causes fermentation (formation of carbon dioxide gas) that expands dough – Through the persuasion of false teachers, Gal. 5: 7 -9; Matt. 16: 11 -12 – Through the deception of lust, Prov. 6: 25 -29; Heb. 3: 13 PART 1 4

The Power of Evil Influences (Prov 22: 24 -25; 1 Kgs 11: 1 -4) • Corrupting influence of an unfaithful Christian, 1 Cor. 5: 1 -2, 6 -7; 2 Tim. 2: 16 -18 – Our sin can influence other Christians to join us in sin (or tolerant it), Galatians 2: 11 -13 – Our sin can influence unbelievers to reject God, Romans 2: 24, 1 Timothy 6: 1; Titus 2: 5 PART 1 5

The Power of Evil Influences (Prov 22: 24 -25; 1 Kgs 11: 1 -4) • Corrupting influence of the ungodly, Mark 15: 11 – The influence of evil associations results in: • Misery, Numbers 33: 55 • Parental shame, Proverbs 28: 7 • Moral defilement, 1 Corinthians 15: 33 -34 • Denying Christ, John 18: 18, 25 -27 • Apostasy, 1 Kings 11: 2, 4 -6 • Divine wrath, 2 Chronicles 19: 2; Proverbs 13: 20 PART 1 6

Romans 1: 16 THE INFLUENCE OF THE GOSPEL PART 2 7

Influence • “To have an effect on something; power to sway” (Encarta Dictionary) • “The act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command” (Merriam. Webster) PART 2 8

The Influence of the Gospel Romans 1: 16 • Contrast with the corrupting influence of sin and error, 1 Cor. 5: 6 -8; Col. 1: 3 -6 – Power to change the mind, Eph. 4: 20 -23 – Power to change conduct, Eph. 4: 24; 5: 8 -10 – Power to change spiritual condition (from death to life), 2 Tim. 1: 10 – Power to change darkness to light, 2 Cor. 4: 4 -6 PART 2 9

The Power of Godly Influences • The flavoring and preserving power of a godly influence, Matt. 5: 13; Mark 9: 50 – Flavor your environment with goodness, Colossians 4: 6 (Prov. 15: 1) – Preserve godliness in a world of sin and wrath, Ezekiel 22: 30 – Create thirst for righteousness, Matt. 5: 6 PART 2 10

The Power of Godly Influences • Saving power, 1 Peter 3: 1 -2; 2: 11 -12; 1 Corinthians 7: 14 • Encouraging power, 2 Cor. 9: 1 -2; Hebrews 10: 24 -25 • Evangelizing power, 1 Thess. 1: 8 -10; John 1: 43 -46 • Enduring power, Hebrews 11: 4 (35 -40) PART 2 11

The Power of Influence • Everyone has influence of some kind – No one can say, “I have no influence” • As surely as the sun influences the earth, your life influences many people in unseen ways PART 2 12

The Power of Influence • Everyone is influenced by others – No one can say, “I am not influenced by others” • As surely as the moon influences the tides, you are influenced by the people around you, the values they hold and the things they do PART 2 13

The Power of Influence • Flee the influence of the world and pursue the influence of godliness, 1 Timothy 6: 11 • “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good, ” Romans 12: 21 PART 2 14