Recap from the intro of this series:
- - Entrust = To assign the responsibility of something valuable to someone in confidence
- - God has entrusted us things that which He considers valuable
- - We looked at the parable of the Talents learned a few things about stewardship.
- - God owns everything (The master owned the entire property in the parable). The first step in stewardship is understanding that everything belongs to God.
- - We are stewards of what God has given us (the talents of gold the servants had were given to them by the master). What God has given us God considers valuable.
- - God expects a return (the master received a report from each servant when he returned). God expects for us to be faithful with what He has given us and not do nothing out of fear.
- - What we do with what we have been given matters.
- - Last week we talked about how we have been given the greatest message in history to steward.
- - The gospel is one that God has given us to steward.
- - We steward the gospel by preaching it…
- - By living it…
- - And by preserving it (passing it down)…
Part II - Entrusted to Influence
Actors
musicians
CEOs,
the president of the United States,
content creators,
athletes,
celebrities
etc.
What do all of these people have in common? Influence…
However, people imagine that you have to be a celebrity, have a large platform, or thousands of followers on social media to be considered an influencer. Culture has hijacked the meaning of the word influencer. They define it as someone who impacts the behavior of others due to the amount of followers they have in their audience.
However, where I grew up, a teacher was an influencer, parents were influencers, coaches, business owners, mentors, grandparents, etc.
The truth is that everyone has influence. No matter who you are or where you are from, you have influence. My hope is that when we leave here today, every person will see themselves as an influencer. You have no idea how God can use one moment in your life to change the course of someone else.
Influence begins and ends with people. It’s all about relationships.
Everyone of us have people around us. You have someone in your life that you impact everyday. In fact, you have people in your life who have impacted your life. Someone in your life influenced you to come to Christ, to choose the career you are in, to become the person you are today. Someone influenced you! Just as someone influenced you, you are influencing others.
Everyday, people are watching how you live, how you treat others, how you respond to pressure, and how you carry yourself in conversations, at work, and even online.
Whether you know it or not, you are making an impact.
The question isn’t “do you have influence?” The question is: what am I doing with the influence I have been given?
Today, we are going to talk about that that means and how you can shone wherever you are.
Influence = The ability to impact the thoughts, actions, or direction of others. It is the impact you make around you. No matter who you are, you have the ability to impact somebody in your life. Why? Because everyone has influence whether they realize it or not.
Influence is not about being famous, it’s about being faithful where God has placed you.
Influence is using who you are, where you are, and what you have to help move others closer to God.
Influence is important to God because He uses people to reach people.
God has given you influence for the purpose of you leading people to Him for His glory. That is His goal! However, influence has to be stewarded because what you do with it matters.
God has given you influence for the purpose of you leading people to Him for His glory. That is His goal! However, influence has to be stewarded because what you do with it matters.
Jesus has something to say about influence as well…
Matthew 5:13-16 — “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
- 1. God has given you influence
“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” (v13—14) - • Who is Jesus speaking to? He was not speaking to kings and leaders, he was speaking to ordinary people.
- • You have influence (everyone does)
- • You have influence because God has given it to you
- • Everything belongs to God, even our very breath
- • You may not feel influential, but God has placed you in positions, on purpose for His purpose.
- • Think about your circle—your family, coworkers, classmates, teammates, social media. You’re influencing someone, whether you know it or not.
- 2. Your influence is meant to be used
“A city on a hill cannot be hidden… neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.” (v14-15) - • You have no idea how one conversation and one moment of encouragement can change someone’s life.
- • God might use one word, He might use one sentence, all it takes is one moment to change someone’s life
- • However, we have to be willing to see ourselves the way that God sees us
- 3. Influence is meant to point people to Jesus
“Let your light shine before other , that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (v16) - • The purpose of influence is to point people to the One who made it
- • You can be a bridge or barrier to Christ
- 4. What we do with it matters greatly to God
