The Christian Catalyst

The Christian is to be a catalyst of change of the environment around us.  We are to influence it for the better. 

Matthew 5:13-16  (ESV)

13 (Jesus taught) “You are the salt of the earth,

 

The condition of the world cannot be denied.  The world is in the process of decay.  There is a push to change wrong to be right and right to be wrong. 

 

 

 

All of us at one time were like the world at one time.  We are no better than anyone else without the grace of God. 

 

 

The Gospel should not make us haughty, but humble.  God did not leave us in the condition that He found us.  

 

We are to be the salt of the earth.  Salt is a purifier and a preservative.Salt is white and represents purity.  

 

 

Our faith makes us like salt.  If we are not like salt, we are not believers.  God expects us to influence the world.  

 

 

We are not to be offensive because we are obnoxious.  We are offensive because we stand on the truth of what God has said.

 

 

but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

Jesus is saying that you can lose your influence.  

 

 

Satan will attempt destroy in a moment what you have spent a lifetime in building. 

 

 

This is a warning that you can lose your influence.  Once you've lost your influence.  It is impossible to be restored. 

 

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, 

but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 

Not only is the world sinful.  It is dark.  

Light is a visible reality.  We are to have the illuminating quality of light.  We are to reveal the character of God to the world. 

  

The deeds that we do should reflect our relationship with Jesus, and we do them to manifest His glory.  

Light is silent.  It gives direction.  Salt works secretly, but lights works openly. 

The character of the Christian is the character of Christ. Jesus makes an assertion and not an assumption.  

It's not you might be like salt or light.  You are salt and light.  

We are how God expresses Jesus to the world.  You and you alone are God's method of communicating His salvation through Jesus.  

There is no other plan. 

  

You say that I'm the only Christian on my baseball team.  Then, God has entrusted that whole team to your influence.    

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.

Who is the one person that you can influence this week? 

 

Darryl Craft, Whitesburg Baptist Church

http://www.whitesburgbaptist.org/sermons/the-christian-as-a-catalyst/

Unstoppable Influence

Influence Killers

When we become gripped with fear.

(Acts 9:13-14) "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

When we struggle with insecurity.

(Judges 6:12, 15) When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." "But Lord”, Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."

When we maintain unhealthy relationships.

(Psalm 1:1-2) “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

When we canʼt shake the sin.

(Hebrews 12:1) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Unstoppable Influence

1. Listen to the Holy Spirit and Godly people.

(Acts 9:10) In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 

(John 10:27 NLT) “My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” 

2. Trust God over your intellect. 

(Acts 9:13-14) “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 

(Proverbs 3:5) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…”

3. Believe what God tells you (if it lines up with Scripture) no matter what. 

(Acts 9:15) But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.”

4. Go and do what God has told you to do.

(Acts 9:17-18) Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord— Jesus…has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saulʼs eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized…

Video

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/unstoppable-influence

Discussion Guide

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/files/groups/guides/06-27-10.pdf

Jimmy Bowers, Church of the Highlands

Common Influence

(Romans 12:2 NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Theses things limit your influence.

1. I must protect what's mine.

2. I must benefit myself.

3. I must control my situation.

4. I must win at all cost.

People Have Problems

People will  disappoint you.

(Matthew 14:31 NLT) ... Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

People make mistakes.

(Matthew 16:23) Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me;”

People are selfish.

(Mark 14:37) “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?”

People might betray you.

(Mark 14:71) He (Peter) began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man (Jesus) you’re talking about.”

You will have uncommon influence if you believe the best ever after their worst.

Uncommon Influence

(Matthew 16:18 NLT) Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

(John 21:17 NLT) A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

My influence is not determined by my level of success but by my ability to help you succeed.

1. Focus on the person.

(Philippians 2:3-4 NLT) Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

  

2.Focus on the positive. Forgive the negative.  

(Ephesians 4:32 NLT) Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

If you can't see the positive, you're never going to make it.

3.Focus on their potential.

(1 Peter 4:10 NLT) God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

When we discover the best in others, God shows us the best in us. 

4.Focus on their purpose.

(Ephesians 2:10 NLT) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Love them enough to have hard conversations. 

5.Focus on their growth process.

(Luke 6:38 NLT) Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” 

"My greatest accomplishments in life are someone else's." Billy Hornsby.

Layne Schranz, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/uncommon-influence

All scripture is from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.

---

---