The Power of Influence
Matthew 5:13-17 MSG
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that
brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will
people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the
garbage. Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out
the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going
public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you
don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on
a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!
Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others,
you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—
either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete.”
The Power of Influence:
- THE POWER OF A PURE HEART
Matthew 5:13 NLT
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?
Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as
worthless.”
Matthew 15:17-20 NKJ
“Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the
stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth
come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness,
blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with
unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
Matthew 5:8 NKJ
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
1 Peter 1:15-16 NKJ
…but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Romans 12:2 NKJ
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and
perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 MSG
Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even
thinking.
1 John 2:15-17 NKJ
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world,
the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the
flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of
the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does
the will of God abides forever. - THE POWER OF LOVE
Matthew 5:43-48 NKJ
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate
your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse
you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use
you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for
He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the
just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have
you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your
brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax
collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in
heaven is perfect.”
John 3:17 NKJ
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that
the world through Him might be saved. - THE POWER OF LIGHT
Matthew 5:14-16 NKJ
“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.”
1 Peter 2:9 NKJ
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own
special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out
of darkness into His marvelous light…