influence of
christians
Matt. 5:13-16
Introduction:
1. All of us are creatures of influence -
a. Christ and Paul, Acts 20:35, 1 Cor. 11:1
b. Father over his son -
2. Bad company is the ruin of good
character, 1 Cor. 15:33, NEB
3. Evil companionships corrupt good
morals, 1 Cor. 15:33 ASV
4. “...
a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” 1 Cor. 5:6
1. God
demands and expects good influence
a. “A
good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” (Prov. 22:1)
1. “good” is singular accusative, and means
beautiful, attractive, as well as ‘good’
b. “Ye
are the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13)
1. Salt was connected with purity; both Romans and Jews recognized this.
Christians must be examples of purity - James 1:27; Mark 9:49-50
2. Salt was in the ancient world most common in
preserving food stuffs.
3. Christians, being the salt of the earth,
must have preserving influence -
4. A great quality of salt is the fact of its
power to give flavor (Job 6:6)
Can
that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the
white of an egg?
a. This is the ‘winsome’ ingredient found in
the influential Christian.
c. Ye
are the light of the world” - Matt. 5:14
1. Christians are to be like the Lord in this
respect, John 9:5
As
long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
2. The Philippians were just this, Phil. 2:15
That
ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst
of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
3. Disciples must ‘SO shine before men, that
they may see your GOOD works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.’
a. two greek words for good -
1. agathos,
defines a thing good in quality -
2. kalos,
which not only means good, but winsome and beautiful and attractive.
b. Jesus said ‘KALOS” -
4. Such good deeds are to draw men unto God -
not self,
5. Seen in wife’s behavior - 1 Pet. 3:1-2
2. How to have a
good influence
a. Be
consistent, practice what we preach
James
2:18 - Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith,
and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my
faith by my works.
Rom.
2:21 - Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou
that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
1
Tim. 4:16 - Take heed unto thyself, and
unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save
thyself, and them that hear thee.
b. Be
uncompromising with truth -
Galatians
2:4-5 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in
privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might
bring us into bondage:
5
To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the
gospel might continue with you.
1
Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
Eph.
6:1-18
YET DO SO WITH KINDNESS / LOVE / RESPECT
c. Avoid
offenses -
1
Corinthians 8:9-13
9
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock
to them that are weak.
10
For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple,
shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things
which are offered to idols;
11
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye
sin against Christ.
13
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the
world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
1
Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles,
nor to the church of God:
2
Corinthians 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not
blamed:
Philippians
1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and
without offence till the day of Christ;
1. cf. Jesus in Luke 17:1-2; Matt. 18:7ff
OBVIOUS = AVOIDING THAT WHICH IS SINFUL,
NEEDED = avoiding that which is
detrimental to others --
D.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER – BY THIS KNOWN AS DISCIPLES – John 13:34-35
1. Serve
the needs of others,
Matthew
23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Gal.
5:13 - ....by love serve one another
Acts
20:33-35
2. Serve
with fervency, Fervency is a condition
of fidelity,
Romans
12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour
preferring one another;
Revelation
3:15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert
cold or hot.
16
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee
out of my mouth.
CONCLUSION:
1. when dead - one’s influence continues - Heb.
11:4
2. “.... and their works do follow them” - Rev. 14:13.