Are you influenced or influential?

Can you think of people who have influenced you? Most people can. Maybe it was a boss, a parent, a coworker, a pastor, or a relative. Whoever it was, this person had an influence on who you are today.

Chang Shen had someone who was influential in his life as well. (story from Jesus Freaks Volume II page 77)

You see, no matter what part of the world you live in, there are people who are influential. These people are often born influential, they are the sports teams captains, the leaders, the first place finishers, CEO’s, presidents, managers. These people lead an influential life.

Then there are other people who are influential because they want to be. These people choose to be influential because Christ has called them to, just like he has called each one of us as well.

James Webster, the missionary that baptized Change Shen wanted to be influential. He made a choice to serve those less fortunate with medical care, but most of all, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He knew he could restore sight to a blind man, but only Jesus Christ could restore life to a lost soul.

Let me read a short story out of Matthew 16:13-16

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

We have Simon Peter…an influential person who knew Jesus personally and was willing to say so.

Jesus’ disciple Peter made a stand right here for Jesus Christ. He became an influence to those around him.

Turn with me to 1 Peter. The two books that Peter writes are very much like a sermon and in fact some people believe that Peter could have been preaching as these books were being written.

Do you see in verse 1 who this is addressed to?

To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia

This region was just north of the Mediterranean Sea and spanned roughly 1500 sq. miles. More than anyone could possibly traverse on foot on a regular basis.

You see Peter wasn’t an influence because he was standing in front of these people.

He became an influence because he was respected for what he taught and because he stood up for what he believed even though he was under persecution in Acts (chapter 4 and others).

Peter also felt the pain of crumbling under persecution. You can read about that in Matthew 26 where Peter disowns Jesus 3 times then the rooster crows.

What was happening to Peter wasn’t much different from what happens around the world today.

Read story from Jesus Freaks II about Faninus on page 142.

Turn with me to 1 Peter 3:14-15.

Peter tells us that if we should suffer for doing what is right we are blessed.

We all want to be blessed…We want to be blessed in many different ways, but usually we don’t pray for suffering, we don’t pray that God would have us beaten and imprisoned.

How many people do you know who have been beaten because they were Christian? How many of your friends have been murdered because they wouldn’t turn away from Christ?

How many of us can name a couple modern day martyr’s?

That is what we think of when we think of persecution. We think of someone being martyred. However, turn with me to 1 Peter 4:12-19…this is where we live.
1Pe 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
1Pe 4:14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
1Pe 4:15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
1Pe 4:16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

This is the kind of suffering we see today. In America people are more often ridiculed than burned at the stake. We are made fun of instead of hung from the gallows.

Rom 5:3 … but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

Perseverance is not giving up in spite of opposition.

To become an influential person and make a difference in the life of those around you, you need to develop these qualities in your life.

1. Perseverance – James 1:2-4

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

2. Two strong legs – Galations 5:1

Galations 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

This slavery is a figurative slavery. To become an influential person we need not be held down by anything. We need to rid our lives of sin that so often holds onto us.

If we are going to influential rather than influenced, and if we want to influence people around us for the gospel that Christ has called us to preach, we need to persevere in the good fight. Standing firm for what is right, and standing firm against what is wrong.

Let me read to you a quote (Jesus Freaks Volume II – Stories of Revolutionaries who changed their world: Fearing God, Not Man pg 58)

Some people influence us with their lives, and others influence us with their deaths. Most of us know who Jim Elliot is. He was speared to death by headhunters in Ecuador while serving the people as a missionary.

Jim Elliot influenced more people with his death than he did during his life. Millions of people have read his journals that were made into a book.

Many more people were reached after he died, than during his ministry while he was alive.

It is a fact that most of us will not see death because of persecution. Therefore, our time to influence people is with our lives.

We do that by showing people around us the love that Christ has first show us.

Let me leave you with 1 Peter 2:12

1Pe 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

If these people are going to be glorifying God of the day he comes, they have to know Him and have a personal relationship with him.

If you have never asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Savior of your life, do it right now. Nobody can tell you what will happen to you as you leave this place. If you are waiting until “later�? or until you are a “good person�? that time will never come. Today is the day you need to make a commitment to Jesus Christ!