The Power of Influence Influence To have an

The Power of Influence

Influence • “To have an effect on something; power to sway” (Encarta Dictionary) • “The act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion or force or direct exercise of command” (Merriam. Webster) 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 3

The Power of Evil Influences (Prov 22: 24 -25; 1 Kgs 11: 1 -4) • Corrupting influence of evil and error, 1 Cor 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 (2 Tim 2: 14, 16 -18) – Through the deception of lust, Prov 6: 25 -29; Heb 3: 13 4

The Power of Evil Influences (Prov 22: 24 -25; 1 Kgs 11: 1 -4) • Corrupting influence of an unfaithful Christian, 1 Cor 5: 6 -7; 8: 10 -13 – Our sin can influence other Christians to join us in sin, Gal 2: 11 -13 – Our sin can influence unbelievers to reject God, Rom 2: 24, 1 Tim 6: 1; Titus 2: 5 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 • Denial of Christ, John 18: 18, 25 • Apostasy, 1 Kings 11: 2, 4 -6 • Divine wrath, 2 Chronicles 19: 2; Proverbs 13: 20 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 or force or direct exercise of command” (Merriam. Webster) 8

The Influence of the Gospel Romans 1: 16 • Contrasted 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 • Paul, Acts 26: 9 – Power to change conduct, Eph 4: 24; 5: 8 -10 • Paul, Acts 9: 1, 20 -21 9

The Influence of the Gospel Romans 1: 16 • Contrasted with the corrupting influence of sin and error, 1 Cor 5: 6 -8; Col 1: 3 -6 – Power to change spiritual condition (from death to life), 2 Tim 1: 10 • Paul, Acts 22: 14 -16; Rom 6: 4 – Power to change darkness to light, 2 Cor 4: 3 -4 • Paul, Acts 9: 17 -18; 1 Tim 1: 12 -16 10

The Power of Godly Influences • The flavoring and preserving power of a godly influence, Matt 5: 13; Mark 9: 50 – Flavor your environment with words of goodness and deeds of kindness, Col 4: 5 -6 (Prov 15: 1 -2) – Preserve godliness in a world of sin and wrath, Ezekiel 22: 30; 1 Peter 2: 11 -12 11

The Power of Godly Influences • Saving power of a godly influence, 1 Pet 3: 1 -2; 2: 11 -12 – Turn the attention of the lost to the saving gospel of Christ • Encouraging power of a godly influence, 2 Cor 9: 1 -2; Heb 10: 24 -25 – Your zeal to be faithful will stir up others 12

The Power of Godly Influences • Evangelizing power of a godly influence, 1 Ths 1: 8 -10; Jno 1: 43 -46 – The news of conversions influences others to greater faith • Posthumous power of a godly influence, Heb 11: 4 – Your influence will live after you are gone 13

The Power of Influence • Let no one say, “I have no influence!” • As surely as the sun influences the earth, your life influences many people in unseen ways. 14

The Power of Influence • Let no one say, “I am not influenced by others!” • As surely as the moon influences the tides, you are influenced by the people around you and the values they hold. 15

The Power of Influence • Pursue the influence of godliness and flee the influence of the world, 1 Tim 6: 11 • “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”, Rom 12: 20 -21 16