Influence
A. WE ALL POSSESS INFLUENCE( Rom. 14:7 ). SOMEONE IS WATCHING.
B. MAY BE GOOD OR BAD, NOT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME( Matt. 12:30 ).
C. YOU CAN'T LOSE IT, EVEN IN DEATH( Heb. 11:4; Rev. 14:13 ).
D. OUR RESPONSIBILITY THEREFORE IS GRAVE.
A. IN WORD.
1. We must be pure in speech( Eph. 4:29; 5:2-4; Col. 3:8-9 ).
2. Matt. 12:34-37. SPEECH, AN INDEX TO CHARACTER( Col. 4:6 ).
B. IN MANNER OF LIFE( Phil. 1:27 ).
1. We have claimed a standard( Eph. 4:1 ).
2. That standard demands direction and commitment( 1 Pet. 3:15 ).
3. J.C.Roady, "The best sermons are not preached in the pulpit."
C. IN LOVE.
1. Where there is no love, the gospel withers( John 13:34-35 ).
2. Who do we love?( Matt. 22:37-40; 5:43-44 ).
D. IN SPIRIT.
1. Spiritual goals and outlooks( Matt. 6:33; Col. 3:1-2 ).
2. The fruit of following spiritual goals( Gal. 5:22-23 ).
E. IN FAITH( Heb. 11:6 ). TRUST AND CONFIDENCE.
1. Faith is seen in what it produces( James 2:14-18-24 ).
2. Will we go "anywhere with Jesus?"( 2 Tim. 1:12 ).
F. IN PURITY.
1. "Without contamination or admixture" - No sin in our lives.
2. Only then can we serve acceptably( 2 Tim. 2:19-21; 2 Cor. 7:1 ).
3. How can we maintain this purity? A good starting place( Phil. 4:8 ).
A. "YE ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH." Flavor and preservative.
B. "YE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD."
1. A city set on a hill. A visible target( Phil. 2:14-16 ).
2. Lights in a dark world.
3. Sin and shame disrupt the flow of light( 1 Pet. 2:11-12 ).
4. Our light is not our own( 1 Pet. 2:9; Matt. 5:16 ).
A. ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN? IS YOUR INFLUENCE GOOD OR BAD?
B. HOW MAY WE INFLUENCE YOU TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN?