Strategies for Christian Influence How to increase flavor and shine brighter #2 PERSONAL EXAMPLE

There is a Real and Effective Difference between…. “Telling” people how to live “Telling” people how to live (The O.T. Law) “Showing” people how to live “Showing” people how to live (Jesus Christ)

1 John 4:9-11 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

How Can I Wield My Personal Example Effectively? 1. Right Speech

Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

What is “Right” Speech? 1. Authentic, Eph. 4:25

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

What is “Right” Speech? 1. Authentic, Eph. 4:25 2. Sincere, Matthew 12:36

Matthew 12:36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

What is “Right” Speech? 1. Authentic, Eph. 4:25 2. Sincere, Matthew 12:36 3. Thoughtful, Colossians 4:5

Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

What is “Right” Speech? 1. Authentic, Eph. 4:25 2. Sincere, Matthew 12:36 3. Thoughtful, Colossians 4:5 4. Flavorful, Colossians 4:6

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

How Can I Wield My Personal Example Effectively? 1. Right Speech 2. Stick your message

Luke 9:57-58 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

Luke 8:19-21 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” 21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

Sticking a Message??? 1. Make ceremonies 2. Mark events 3. Public acknowledgements 4. Ground breaking 5. Ribbon cutting 6. Cards 7. Special notes 8. Thank yous 9. Share stories, etc., etc.

How Can I Wield My Personal Example Effectively? 1. Right Speech 2. Stick your message 3. Step up and be visible

“Quietly Competent” has its place but “influence” requires you to be visible.

Acts 5:41-42 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Confident rejoicing & continued teaching

Acts 16:37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” “Making waves” drove the message home

1 Peter 2:12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. What they “see” changes them

Our influence is directly related to our visibility

How’s Your Flavor? How bright is your light with… Right speech? Sticking your message? Being visible?

Matthew 5:16 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.