09-05-10 AM - The Stewardship of My Life: Using My Influence

Click here (or right click and select "save as") to download "The Stewardship of My Life (Part 1): USING MY INFLUENCE "

What is influence? 

Let me tell you what it’s not. 
It’s not fame. 
It’s also not wealth.

Cambridge Dictionary definition:
 “It is the power to affect how someone develops, acts, or thinks.” 


Matthew 5:16 (CEV).  Jesus is talking. 
“Let your light shine so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.” 

 Mt. 5:13 (TEV)“You are like salt for the whole human race.”  Why does God want us to be the salt of the earth?

Because salt does a couple things: it seasons or improves taste, and it preserves. 

Jeremiah 15:19 (NLT), “You are to influence them.  Do not let them influence you.”

“I don’t want you to be a thermometer

I want you to be a thermostat

The Bible says you do three things.

I.  I must recognize my influence.

Who do I influence?” - Everybody you come in contact with. 

everybody you come in contact with you have the potential for influence. 

WHAT KIND of an influence are you? 

How are YOU influencing others? 

Galatians 6:4 (Msg) says “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given.  Then sink yourself into that.” 

Exodus 4:2 (NIV) “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘What is in your hand?’  ‘ A staff,’ he replied. ” 

THE PROBLEM: We have the tendency to be conscious of the talents and gifts we DON’T have – not what we have.


II. I must exercise my influence

Five Levels of Influence.

1.  By smiling at people.

Proverbs 15:30(NIV) “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart.” 

2.  By sympathizing with people

2 Corinthians 1:4 (NCV) says “God comforts us so that when others have trouble we can comfort them with the same comfort that God gives us.” 

3.  By serving people.

1 Corinthians 9:19(Msg)“Even though I’m free of the expectations of everyone I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people.” 

Mt 20:26 (CEV) “If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others.” 

You can IMPRESS people from a distance but you can only INFLUENCE them up close.  

synergistic relationship.[the total result is greater than the sum of the individual parts.] 

4.  By speaking.

Ps107:2(KJV) “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” 

Edmund Burke once said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” 

2 Tim. 4:2 (CEV) “…preach God's message. Do it willingly, even if it isn't the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient.”

Ephes. 4:15 (NIV) “…speaking the truth in love…”  

Proverbs 31:8-9(TEV) “Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves.  Protect the rights of all who are helpless.  Speak for them and protect the rights of the poor and needy.”

5.  By sacrificing.

Hebrews 9:14(CEV) “Jesus Christ was sinless.  Yet He offered Himself as an eternal and spiritual sacrifice to God.  That’s why His blood is much more powerful and makes our conscious clear.  Now we can serve the living God and no longer do things that lead to death.” 

1 John 3:16 (Msg) “This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves.”

Great sacrifice equals great influence. 

Philippians 2:17(GW), “My life is being poured out as part of the sacrifice and service that I offer to God for your faith.  And yet I am filled with joy.” 

If you want great influence you’ve got to make great sacrifices. 

Heb. 13:16(GW)“Don’t forget to do good things for others and to share what you have with them. These are the kinds of sacrifices that please God.” 

Smiling, sympathizing, serving, speaking up and sacrificing.