Becoming Godly Influencers in a Dark World

 

Summary

### Summary

Tonight, we gathered to reflect on the power of influence in our lives and how we can be godly influencers in a world filled with negative influences. We began by acknowledging the many ways we are influenced, both positively and negatively, and how this shapes our actions and attitudes. The focus was on Matthew 5:13-16, where Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We discussed how our influence can be hindered by indifference, ineffectiveness, and blending in with the world. These behaviors make us lose our "saltiness" and diminish our ability to impact others for Christ.

We then explored four powerful ways to influence the world around us: enlightening others, defeating darkness, doing good, and bringing glory to God. Enlightening others involves showing God's love through our actions and attitudes, making us a beacon of hope and joy. Defeating darkness means living a life so different from the world that it shines brightly, exposing and overcoming evil. Doing good involves practical acts of kindness that reflect God's love and bring glory to Him. Finally, bringing glory to God means living in a way that points others to Him, not to ourselves.

We also discussed practical ways to influence others: through our words, by caring for others, and by modeling a godly life. Our words should be seasoned with grace, our actions should demonstrate genuine care, and our lives should be a consistent example of Christ's love. We are reminded that our influence is powerful and can either draw people closer to God or push them away. Therefore, we must be vigilant and intentional in how we live our lives, always aiming to be a positive influence for Christ.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Influence: Every one of us is influenced by others and, in turn, influences those around us. Our influence can either be godly or ungodly, and it is crucial to be aware of how our actions and attitudes affect others. Being indifferent, ineffective, or blending in with the world hinders our ability to be the salt and light that Jesus calls us to be. [30:18]

2. Enlightening Others: As Christians, we are called to be the light of the world. This means our lives should reflect God's love and joy, making us a beacon of hope in a dark world. Our personality, actions, and attitudes should enlighten those around us, showing them the love of Christ in practical and meaningful ways. [37:45]

3. Defeating Darkness: Our lives should be so different from the world that they shine brightly, exposing and overcoming evil. This involves living out our faith in a way that is visible and impactful, not hidden or compromised. Our devotion to God should be evident in our attitudes, speech, and way of life. [42:45]

4. Doing Good: Practical acts of kindness are powerful ways to influence others for Christ. Whether it's holding a door open, speaking kindly to a stranger, or helping a neighbor, these actions reflect God's love and bring glory to Him. We should always be looking for opportunities to do good and let our light shine before others. [43:40]

5. Bringing Glory to God: Our ultimate goal in influencing others should be to bring glory to God, not to ourselves. This means living in a way that points others to Him, demonstrating His love and grace through our actions and words. Our influence should always aim to draw people closer to God and help them see His goodness. [45:26]

### YouTube Chapters

1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [04:53] - Opening Prayer
3. [05:29] - Announcements and Prayer Requests
4. [08:01] - Bulletin Review
5. [09:11] - Updates and Changes
6. [12:33] - Prayer for Country and Schools
7. [15:03] - Preparing for School Year
8. [19:48] - Praise Reports
9. [23:24] - Altar Prayer
10. [29:23] - Introduction to Matthew 5
11. [30:18] - The Power of Influence
12. [34:40] - Hindrances to Influence
13. [37:02] - Ways to Influence
14. [42:45] - Defeating Darkness
15. [43:40] - Doing Good
16. [45:26] - Bringing Glory to God
17. [49:11] - Practical Ways to Influence
18. [55:16] - Personal Influences
19. [56:29] - The Power of Influence Recap
20. [58:06] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 5:13-16
- Matthew 22:37-39
- Colossians 4:6

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 5:13-16, what are the two metaphors Jesus uses to describe the role of His followers in the world?
2. In the sermon, what are the three behaviors mentioned that hinder our influence as Christians? ([34:40])
3. What does Colossians 4:6 say about how our speech should be? How does this relate to influencing others?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus use the metaphors of salt and light in Matthew 5:13-16 to describe the influence of His followers? What do these metaphors imply about the nature of Christian influence?
2. The sermon mentions that indifference, ineffectiveness, and blending in with the world hinder our influence. How do these behaviors specifically affect our ability to be "salt and light"? ([34:40])
3. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus emphasizes loving God and loving our neighbor. How does this commandment relate to being a godly influence in the world?

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily interactions. Are there specific ways you can be more intentional about being a "light" to those around you? ([37:45])
2. Think about a recent situation where you may have been indifferent or ineffective in your influence. What could you have done differently to be a more positive influence for Christ? ([34:40])
3. The sermon highlights the importance of doing good as a way to influence others. Identify one practical act of kindness you can perform this week to reflect God's love. ([43:40])
4. How can you ensure that your words are "seasoned with grace" in your daily conversations? Is there a specific relationship where you need to be more mindful of this? ([46:19])
5. Consider the people in your life who look up to you. How can you model a godly life for them in a way that brings glory to God and not to yourself? ([45:26])
6. The sermon mentions the power of influence through caring for others. Is there someone in your life who is carrying a burden that you can help with? How can you show them genuine care and support? ([47:01])
7. Reflect on the idea of bringing glory to God through your actions. What specific steps can you take to ensure that your influence points others to God rather than to yourself? ([45:26])

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Influence
Our lives are constantly influenced by others, and in turn, we influence those around us. This influence can be either godly or ungodly, and it is crucial to be aware of how our actions and attitudes affect others. Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, but our influence can be hindered by indifference, ineffectiveness, and blending in with the world. When we lose our "saltiness," we diminish our ability to impact others for Christ. Therefore, we must be vigilant and intentional in how we live our lives, always aiming to be a positive influence for Christ. [30:18]

Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV): "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Think about a recent situation where you had the opportunity to influence someone. Did your actions and words reflect Christ? How can you be more intentional in being a godly influence in similar situations in the future?


Day 2: Enlightening Others
As Christians, we are called to be the light of the world. This means our lives should reflect God's love and joy, making us a beacon of hope in a dark world. Our personality, actions, and attitudes should enlighten those around us, showing them the love of Christ in practical and meaningful ways. By living out our faith authentically, we can draw others to the light of Christ and offer them the hope and joy that only He can provide. [37:45]

Ephesians 5:8-9 (ESV): "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)."

Reflection: Identify one person in your life who seems to be struggling with darkness or despair. How can you show them God's love and joy through your actions and words this week?


Day 3: Defeating Darkness
Our lives should be so different from the world that they shine brightly, exposing and overcoming evil. This involves living out our faith in a way that is visible and impactful, not hidden or compromised. Our devotion to God should be evident in our attitudes, speech, and way of life. By standing firm in our faith and living out our values, we can defeat darkness and be a powerful witness to those around us. [42:45]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you may be compromising your faith. What steps can you take to ensure that your life shines brightly and exposes darkness?


Day 4: Doing Good
Practical acts of kindness are powerful ways to influence others for Christ. Whether it's holding a door open, speaking kindly to a stranger, or helping a neighbor, these actions reflect God's love and bring glory to Him. We should always be looking for opportunities to do good and let our light shine before others. By doing good, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those around us and point them to the love of Christ. [43:40]

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Reflection: Think of a specific act of kindness you can do for someone today. How can this act reflect God's love and bring glory to Him?


Day 5: Bringing Glory to God
Our ultimate goal in influencing others should be to bring glory to God, not to ourselves. This means living in a way that points others to Him, demonstrating His love and grace through our actions and words. Our influence should always aim to draw people closer to God and help them see His goodness. By living for God's glory, we can make a lasting impact on the world around us and fulfill our calling as followers of Christ. [45:26]

1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV): "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Reflection: Consider your daily routines and interactions. How can you intentionally live in a way that brings glory to God and points others to Him?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "When we are indistinguishable, I think this is a key one for the world we live in today. We get so wrapped up to blending into this world that we lose our effectiveness. We're not being the influencers that we need to be because we're so blended nowadays nobody wants to stand out do we because most of the time we stand out as a Christian as a Christ follower watch out but we lose our influence we hinder our influence when we blend into the world around us." [34:40] (37 seconds) ( | | )

2. "We should be the light. The Christian life is not just about us. It's about those around us. Christianity is other-centered. It's about everybody. We should be the light around people. People should see the light in us. Meaning if we're the light, if we are to enlighten, which means our personality should show that, shouldn't it?" [37:45] (25 seconds) ( | | )

3. "To be a powerful influence for Christ, we should be enlightened. We should enlighten folks. People should see God's love in us. We should be the happiest people there are. Because we've been saved. That we know where we're going to spend eternity. That no matter what comes our way in this messed up, evil world, this is not the end. And there's something better coming." [39:18] (26 seconds) ( | | )

4. "We should be doing good. Whatever we can do. Let your light so shine that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, which is in heaven. That could be holding doors for somebody. That could be pushing a buggy in instead of just leaving it out in the parking lot. That could be anything. Speaking to a neighbor. Buying somebody's lunch if you're out somewhere." [44:36] (31 seconds) ( | | )

5. "We need to be influencing them to Christ. We need to be pointing them to Christ by how we live our life. And it's not going to be easy. Because people still get on our nerves. People still make us mad. People still make us want to get our hands on them sometimes. It's going to be hard. And we can do it. Like, how can we do it? Right here. has the power to help us." [57:32] (34 seconds) ( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "When there's a lack of concern for the world around us or our focus is our own, is on our own lives without concern for others, it takes away our saltiness. When we start looking at just our little world, our little bubble, we lose our saltiness. We're not being an influence for those around us when we're indifferent." [34:40] (20 seconds) ( | | )

2. "If we allow ourselves to be watered down, tasteless, bland, just like the world around us Christians, we lose our testimony and thus our ability to add meaning to people's lives. Those things hinder us. And for us to be a godly influence, we can't just focus on ourselves. We can't just have a negative attitude or things. I mean, it's easy to have those negative attitudes in the world we live in." [35:56] (28 seconds) ( | | )

3. "Our love, our God in us should not be hidden. Our life for God is so different that it's hard to hide. Our attitudes, our speech, our way of life, our devotion to God. If we blend it in too much to this world, we lose our opportunity to defeat the darkness around us. Again, God's, what God's done in our life and who he is should be obvious to those around us. It should be obvious who we love and who's first in our life." [42:45] (26 seconds) ( | | )

4. "We have powerful ways to influence the world around us also by bringing glory to our Father. Psalms 115.1 reminds us, It's not about us, y'all. It's not about a preacher. It's not about a Sunday school teacher. It's not about anybody else. It's about God. It's not about a title. I don't like titles. But a lot of times there are people who make it about a title. It's about them. It's about God." [45:26] (42 seconds) ( | | )

5. "We are an influencer in ways we'll never know. We're influencing people every single day. Today, you influence many people. You're like, I don't think I did. You did. You're influencing people today, right here. When you come to church every week, you're influencing our young people. Either in a godly way or an ungodly way. So you are always influencing somebody. Whether it's your workplace, whether it's your home, you are influencing them. And you'll never know it." [49:50] (37 seconds) ( | | )

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Transcript
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