Influencing the World Through Love and Community

Summary

### Summary

Influence Church is dedicated to helping individuals know God, find freedom, discover their purpose, and influence their world. In our ongoing series, "Change Your World," we delve into how we can be salt and light in our communities, as Jesus instructed in Matthew. This week, we focus on the most excellent way to influence the world: love. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 12 and 13, we explore how love is the foundation for meaningful influence.

Love is not just a feeling but a process that involves intentional actions. The first step is to add value to others. This means genuinely caring for people and helping them improve their lives, rather than merely preaching to them. Jesus exemplified this by adding value to people's lives, making them feel important and loved.

The second step is to build intentional community. Relationships should not be left to chance; we must actively create opportunities to connect with others. Small groups at Influence Church are designed to foster these connections, emphasizing mutual support and growth rather than formal teaching.

The third step is to share struggles. Authentic relationships are built on vulnerability and honesty. By sharing our own struggles, we create a safe space for others to do the same, fostering deeper connections and mutual support.

Finally, the fourth step is to connect people to Jesus. This should come naturally after the first three steps. When people see the love and value we add to their lives, they will be more open to hearing about our faith. The Holy Spirit is the one who ultimately convicts and convinces people, so our role is to create an environment where that can happen.

By following this process, we can effectively influence our world and lead others to Christ, just as Jesus did.

### Key Takeaways

1. Add Value to Others: True influence begins with adding value to people's lives. This means genuinely caring for their well-being and helping them improve, rather than merely preaching to them. Jesus exemplified this by making people feel important and loved. When we add value to others, we earn the privilege to influence them. [07:29]

2. Build Intentional Community: Relationships should not be left to chance. We must actively create opportunities to connect with others. Small groups at Influence Church are designed to foster these connections, emphasizing mutual support and growth rather than formal teaching. Intentional community helps us to inspire and support one another. [10:46]

3. Share Struggles: Authentic relationships are built on vulnerability and honesty. By sharing our own struggles, we create a safe space for others to do the same, fostering deeper connections and mutual support. This openness allows us to grow together and truly support one another. [18:40]

4. Connect People to Jesus: After adding value, building community, and sharing struggles, we can naturally connect people to Jesus. This should be the culmination of our efforts, not the starting point. When people see the love and value we add to their lives, they will be more open to hearing about our faith. [23:37]

5. Follow Jesus' Example: Jesus added value to people's lives, created community, and shared in their struggles before talking about faith. By following this process, we can effectively influence others and lead them to Christ. The Holy Spirit is the one who ultimately convicts and convinces people, so our role is to create an environment where that can happen. [25:53]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Introduction to Series
[03:18] - Seize the Moment
[04:51] - The Most Excellent Way
[06:10] - Love as a Process
[07:29] - Step 1: Add Value to Others
[09:45] - Misconceptions About Adding Value
[10:46] - Step 2: Build Intentional Community
[12:08] - Importance of Small Groups
[13:15] - Small Groups at Influence Church
[14:58] - Finding Your Tribe
[15:48] - Anyone Can Build Community
[17:52] - Different Types of Small Groups
[18:40] - Step 3: Share Struggles
[20:05] - The Importance of Vulnerability
[21:04] - Ecclesiastes on Community
[22:44] - Circles Are Better Than Rows
[23:37] - Step 4: Connect People to Jesus
[25:53] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[26:38] - Closing Verses
[28:04] - Final Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 5:13-16: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
2. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31: "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way."
3. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3: "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."

### 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 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, what are some of the roles and gifts mentioned that make up the body of Christ?
3. What does 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 say about the importance of love in relation to spiritual gifts and actions?
4. How did Jesus exemplify adding value to people's lives according to the sermon? [08:38]

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus use the metaphors of salt and light in Matthew 5:13-16 to describe His followers' influence in the world?
2. How does 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 emphasize the diversity of gifts within the church, and why is this diversity important for the body of Christ?
3. What does 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 suggest about the relationship between love and other spiritual gifts or actions?
4. How can the process of adding value to others, as described in the sermon, change the way we approach evangelism? [09:45]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationships. How can you intentionally add value to someone's life this week? [07:29]
2. Think about your community. What steps can you take to build intentional relationships rather than leaving them to chance? [10:46]
3. Vulnerability is key to authentic relationships. Is there a struggle you can share with someone in your small group to foster deeper connections? [18:40]
4. How can you create an environment where people feel safe to share their struggles, as suggested in the sermon? [20:05]
5. Consider someone in your life who is not a believer. How can you add value to their life and build a relationship before sharing your faith? [23:37]
6. Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in the process of influencing others. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit rather than your own efforts? [25:53]
7. Jesus added value to people's lives before talking about faith. How can you follow this example in your daily interactions? [24:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Adding Value to Others
True influence begins with adding value to people's lives. This means genuinely caring for their well-being and helping them improve, rather than merely preaching to them. Jesus exemplified this by making people feel important and loved. When we add value to others, we earn the privilege to influence them. [07:29]

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." — Philippians 2:4 (ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may need encouragement or support. How can you add value to their life today in a tangible way?

Day 2: Building Intentional Community
Relationships should not be left to chance. We must actively create opportunities to connect with others. Small groups at Influence Church are designed to foster these connections, emphasizing mutual support and growth rather than formal teaching. Intentional community helps us to inspire and support one another. [10:46]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." — Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

Reflection: Identify a group or community you are part of. What steps can you take to build deeper, more intentional relationships within that group?

Day 3: Sharing Struggles
Authentic relationships are built on vulnerability and honesty. By sharing our own struggles, we create a safe space for others to do the same, fostering deeper connections and mutual support. This openness allows us to grow together and truly support one another. [18:40]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." — Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a personal struggle you are currently facing. Who in your community can you share this with to foster mutual support and deeper connection?

Day 4: Connecting People to Jesus
After adding value, building community, and sharing struggles, we can naturally connect people to Jesus. This should be the culmination of our efforts, not the starting point. When people see the love and value we add to their lives, they will be more open to hearing about our faith. [23:37]

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." — 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone who has shown interest in your faith. How can you gently and respectfully share more about Jesus with them today?

Day 5: Following Jesus' Example
Jesus added value to people's lives, created community, and shared in their struggles before talking about faith. By following this process, we can effectively influence others and lead them to Christ. The Holy Spirit is the one who ultimately convicts and convinces people, so our role is to create an environment where that can happen. [25:53]

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." — Mark 10:45 (ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on how you can serve others in your daily life. What specific actions can you take to follow Jesus' example of service and love?

Quotes

### Quotes for outreach

1. "We are called to add value to people. I hear many times from different people like, hey, if you have struggles in your life, it's because you have sin in your life. Or if you have financial struggles, it's because you don't tithe to church. Or if you have a marriage struggle, it's because, and on and on and on. Without realizing, actually, we need to help people and add value to people." [08:38] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If you add value to people, you will earn the privilege to influence them. Let me say it again. If you add value to people, you will earn the privilege to influence them. We supposed to start right there. We don't start with preaching. The church many times got it backwards." [09:45] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "People don't care what you know until they know that you care. We are not there to judge one another. We are there to help one another. And circles are better than rows. Rows has its purpose. But circles are much better than rows." [22:44] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Connecting them to Jesus is actually the end of the process, not the beginning of the process. Connecting them to Jesus is the most important, but you need to take the right steps to get there. So if you do the first thing, the first three, they will probably ask you about what is so special about you. Probably they are wondering, what do you believe in? Can you tell me more about your faith?" [25:16] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "By following this process of expressing love, we will influence others. I want to close with these verses from 2 Corinthians, Chapter 2. Now, He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere like a sweet perfume. If it's not good, nice-smelling perfume, maybe our theology is not right." [26:38] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "Let's be intentional in slowing down and pay attention to what God is doing and how he orchestrates all those divine moments. If you didn't listen to the previous two messages, I really encourage you go listen because this series is actually building on each message. Last Sunday I talked about how important it is to seize the moment and live in the moment. There are a lot of people around us that need what we have." [03:18] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Love is more than knowing someone's name. It's more than knowing someone's struggles or what he's going through in life. Today, I want to talk about this process of loving someone. I want us to see love as a process at the end of today. So, our four steps that I want to share. And step number one is we have to be intentional to add value to them." [06:10] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We have to be very intentional in creating opportunities and moments to be able to add value to people. To inspire people. For this reason at Influence Church we are very intentional and pay attention to small groups. Let me just correct a couple misconceptions that we have about small groups." [12:08] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Sharing our struggles helps us overcome them. Andy Stanley once said, you either wear a mess, are a mess, or one step away from a mess. So we all are somewhere there. But when we join together, when we come together, when we are intentional in adding value to one another and create those circumstances, when we are open with one another, when we share struggles with one another, then we are growing together." [20:05] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If we follow this process, it's going to be much easier to share the Gospel and share Jesus with them. Connecting them to Jesus is actually the end of the process, not the beginning of the process. Connecting them to Jesus is the most important, but you need to take the right steps to get there." [25:16] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?