WHAT KIND OF
INFLUENCE DO YOU HAVE AS BELIEVERS OF CHRIST?
(ANO URI NG INPLUWENSIYA
MAYROON TAYONG MGA CRISTIANO BILANG MGA CRISTIANO?)
ACTS 4:13 “Now when
they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned
and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they
had been with Jesus.”
Introduction:
a.
Influence – The power to change or affect someone or something; the ability to
cause changes without directly forcing them to happen; a person or thing that
affects someone or something in an important way.
b. The
Name “Christian” – The name given to believers is a biblical name, mentioned
three times in Scripture (e.g., Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16).
ACTS 11:26 “And when
he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a
whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people.
And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
1 PETER 4:16 “Yet if any
man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on
this behalf.”
We
have a great influence on the people around us because of the root word
“Christ” in Christian. The name “Christ” means Anointed One or Savior,
and that represents a powerful influence—not only to us, but to the entire
world—especially through His death on the cross of Calvary.
ACTS 5:26-28 “Then went
the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they
feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
And when they had brought them, they set them
before the council: and the high priest asked them,
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye
should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your
doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
Five
(5) Great Influences Christians Should Demonstrate to Affect the World Around
Them:
I. THE
INFLUENCE OF THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
( ITO ANG INPLUWENSIYA NG ILAW NI CRISTO JESUS NA
LUMILIWANAG SA BUHAY MO. )
JOHN 1:4-5 “In him was
life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and
the darkness comprehended it not.”
a.
John testified that the Lord Jesus Christ is the “Light” that shines brightly
in his life. Christians should always allow Christ’s light to shine through
them.
MATTHEW 5:16 “Let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father which is in heaven.”
b.
Christians are now children of light, no longer walking in darkness.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:5 “Ye are all
the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night,
nor of darkness.”
II.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE LOVE OF CHRIST
(ITO AY INPLUWENSIYA NG
PAG-IBIG NI CRISTO JESUS NA NAKIKITA SA BUHAY MO.)
2 CORINTHIANS 5:14 “For the
love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for
all, then were all dead:”
a. The
life of every genuine Christian carries the great influence of Christ’s love,
because we have personally experienced that love in our lives.
JOHN 3:16 “For God so
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
b. Paul
was fully confident in his testimony that the Lord Jesus Christ was living in
and through him.
GALATIANS 2:20 “I am
crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of
God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
III.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE LIFE OF CHRIST
( ITO AY INPLUWENSIYA NG
BUHAY NI CRISTO JESUS NA NAKIKITA SA BUHAY MO. )
1 PETER 2:21 “For even
hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps:”
a. The
earliest disciples saw and experienced the example of Christ during His
three-year earthly ministry, through which He established His church.
MATTHEW 16:18 “And I say
also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
b. Every
Christian today serves as a representative of Christ, reflecting His life on
earth.
ACTS 4:13 “Now when
they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned
and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they
had been with Jesus.”
IV. THE INFLUENCE OF THE LONGSUFFERING OF CHRIST
( ITO AY INPLUWENSIYA NG SAKRIPISYO AT PAGTITIIS NI
CRISTO JESUS NA NAKIKITA SA BUHAY MO. )
1 TIMOTHY 1:16 “Howbeit
for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth
all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him
to life everlasting.”
a.
Longsuffering – Patiently enduring pain, suffering, or hardship over a long
period without complaint.
b.
Christians should not be surprised when facing deep troubles and trials,
because Christ Himself experienced great suffering and persecution at the hands
of unbelievers.
JOHN 17:14-15 “I have
given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the
world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them
out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”
V. THE
INFLUENCE OF LOOKING ON THE FIELDS OF CHRIST
( ITO ANG INPLUWENSIYA NG PAG-IBIG SA MGA KALULUWA NG MGA
TAONG MAKASALANAN UPANG MAGKAROON SILA NG KALIGTASAN NG KANILANG KALULUWA KAY
CRISTO JESUS. )
JOHN 4:35 “Say not
ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you,
Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to
harvest.”
a. The ultimate responsibility and influence
of a Christian is to help fulfill the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
MATTHEW 28:19-20 “Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the
end of the world. Amen.”
b.
Christ’s compassion for lost souls to be saved is the heart and final goal of
our Christian influence.
MATTHEW 9:36-38 “But when
he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they
fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he
unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers
into his harvest.”
God
bless you all.
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