Bobby Stafford The Power of Influence        Influence

The Power of Influence

Introduction:

“Have you ever failed to recognize something valuable?  As Stan Caffy prepared for married life, he cleaned out his garage and donated many of his possessions to the Goodwill.  One of the items he donated was a tattered copy of the Declaration of Independence that had been hanging in his garage for a decade.  Stan’s trash turned out to be another man’s treasure.  This particular version of the Declaration of Independence was a rare copy made in 1829.  A man named Michael Sparks spotted it, and he purchased the document for $2.48.  Sparks later auctioned it for almost a  half-a-million.  Not a bad profit.”  Bible.org

You and I possess something very valuable – our influence.  This influence is very powerful and it can do much good or much evil.  Remember the children’s song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. . .”

Text:  Matthew 5:13-16

Body:

I.  Salt of the Earth 

Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?  It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.” NKJV

·  In the 1^st Century, salt had a variety of functions.  Because of this,  it was highly valued.  Sometimes Roman soldiers would be paid with salt.  If he didn’t perform his duties, people would say, “He’s not worth his salt.”  Christians add value to our society.

·  One important purpose of salt is as a preservative.  Salt keeps meat from decaying and becoming rotten.  God’s people keep the world from corruption.  We are to influence the world for good.  There was not enough salt in the antediluvian world to save it.  (Genesis 6:5, 11-12) “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 11-12 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.  So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.” NKJV  Remember Sodom.  (Genesis 13:13) “But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.” NKJV

(Genesis 18:22-25) “Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham till stood before the Lord.  And Abraham came near and said, ‘Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?  Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would you also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?  Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You!  Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?’ ” NKJV  Remember the Canaanites.  (Deuteronomy 9:3-5) “Therefore understand today that the Lord your God is He who goes over before you as a consuming fire.  He will destroy them and bring them down before you; so you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as the Lord has said to you.  Do not think in your heart, after the Lord your God has cast them out before you, saying, ‘Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land; but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out from before you.’  It is not because of your righteousness of the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” NKJV

·  Another function of salt is as a seasoning agent, to enhance the flavor of food.  We need to make people thirsty for Christ, a hunger for the gospel of Christ.  Instead of withdrawing from society, we need to get involved in society [education, politics, media . . .] and make it a better place.  (II Corinthians 2:14) “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” NKJV

·  Salt also functions as an antiseptic, a disinfectant.  Christians are to help disinfect a dirty, sinful world.  This means we cannot compromise on sin.  We must be honest with people even if it hurts.  Salt has a sting to it when put on a wound.  That is part of the healing process.  We are to be “salt of the earth,” not “sugar of the earth.”

·  Another point Jesus brings up is that salt can become useless.  Salt from the Dead Sea contained impurities.  If it was not processed correctly, it would have a poor taste and become useless.  A disciple may lose those qualities that make him salt.  He loses his purpose and influence.

(Revelation 3:15-17) “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I could wish you were cold or hot.  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.  Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” – NKJV

·  So Christians, you are to be preserving your community. 

II.  Light of the World 

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” NKJV

·  Christians, and only Christians, are the only light of the world.  (I Thessalonians 5:5) “You are all sons of light and sons of the day.  We are not of the night nor of darkness.” NKJV  This is because we belong to Christ, the source of light.  (Isaiah 49:6) “Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” NKJV  (John 1:9) “That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.” NKJV

·  Christians are to light up a dark, sinful world.  Christianity is not something done in a corner, but out in the open.  Christians must go public and never apologize for their beliefs.

·  In Jesus’ day, homes were lit by small, clay lamps.  Since most Jewish homes were small, placing a lamp on a stand could light up the entire home.  Yet how many Christians extinguish their lamps when they go to school, work, sporting events, and community activities.  Christians are to bring light to the world and give the world a glimpse of who Christ is.  (Philippians 2::15-16a) “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life,” NKJV  We must do what is good and right and true.  (Ephesians 5:7-9) “Therefore do not be partakers with them.  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth). NKJV  Set the proper example.  (I Peter 2:11-12) “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” NKJV  Every small act of service makes the world a little brighter.

·  Light dispels darkness.  Spiritual darkness consists of ignorance, unbelief, error, immorality.  (Ephesians 5:11-13) “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.  For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.  But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.” NKJV  Christians have a responsibility to expose these for what they are.  By doing this, we also approve those things that are excellent.  (Philippians 1:10-11) “that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” NKJV

Conclusion:

Am I making people thirsty for Christ?  What are some dark areas in my world that I can shine some light into?  Do people I associate with know I am a disciple of Christ?  Do I bring glory by how I live my life? 

We must be “plugged” into a light source to shine the light into the world.  Are you in Christ and are you abiding in Christ.

 

Bobby Stafford 

February 25, 2018