{"id":3385,"date":"2015-08-14T00:00:15","date_gmt":"2015-08-14T07:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/?p=3385"},"modified":"2015-08-13T23:52:13","modified_gmt":"2015-08-14T06:52:13","slug":"814-how-to-use-your-influence-for-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/2015\/08\/14\/814-how-to-use-your-influence-for-good\/","title":{"rendered":"8\/14: How to Use Your Influence for Good (\u8bd796:1-13 \u6797\u524d9:1-18 \u4f209:13-12:14)"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>\u8bfb\u7ecf\uff1a\u00a0\u8bd796:1-13 \u6797\u524d9:1-18 \u4f209:13-12:14<\/h2>\n<h2>How to Use Your Influence for Good<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<p>Leadership is about influence. Everyone influences someone. Therefore, in a sense, everyone is a leader. Sociologists tell us that even the most introverted individual will influence 10,000 other people during his or her lifetime.<\/p>\n<p>As I look back on my life, I have been influenced by so many people \u2013 my parents, teachers, friends and family. Just as I have been influenced by others, inevitably what I do and say will influence others for good or ill.<\/p>\n<p>As the African proverb puts it, \u2018If you think you\u2019re too small to make a difference, you haven\u2019t spent the night with a mosquito.\u2019 The mosquito makes a difference in an annoying way, but the principle is the same. One person can stop a great injustice. One person can be a voice for truth. One person\u2019s kindness can save a life. Each person matters.<\/p>\n<p>History is in many ways a story of influence. In reality we all influence one another in all sorts of ways \u2013 from what to have for lunch and what films to watch, to more important matters of truth and ethics.<\/p>\n<p>What we do as individuals, as a community or a nation affects others. How do you use that influence for good? How do you maximise your influence?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<h2>1. Use your influence for the good of <em>everyone<\/em><\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"inline-reading\" href=\"http:\/\/classic.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm%2096:1-13&amp;version=NIV&amp;interface=print\" target=\"_blank\">Psalm 96:1-13<\/a>God chose Israel. He blessed the people of Israel in a special way. His purpose was not that they should feel proud and superior to others. Rather, it was that they should be a blessing to the whole world (Genesis 12:3). They were blessed to be a blessing. They were called to use their influence for the good of all nations.<\/p>\n<p>Now, God has chosen us, the church, to be a blessing to all people. You are blessed to be a blessing.<\/p>\n<p>This psalm has a multi-national focus. It proclaims the wonders and blessings of God to everyone. You are called to bless through:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Worship<br \/>\nIt is interesting to note in passing that worship should be creative and include innovation: They sang \u2018<em>a brand-new song<\/em>\u2019 (Psalm 96:1, MSG).<\/li>\n<li>Witness<br \/>\nAfter worship comes witness:<br \/>\n\u2018Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,<br \/>\nTake the news of his glory to the lost,<br \/>\nNews of his wonders to one and all!&#8230;<br \/>\nGet out the message \u2013 God Rules! (vv.2\u20133,10a, MSG).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Help us, Lord, never to become inward looking or self-indulgent. May everything we do as individuals and as a community be outward focused in order to bring blessing to the world \u2013 proclaiming your salvation day after day.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<h2>2. Use your influence to spread the good news<\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"inline-reading\" href=\"http:\/\/classic.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%209:1-18&amp;version=NIV&amp;interface=print\" target=\"_blank\">1 Corinthians 9:1-18<\/a>Paul is deeply conscious of his influence as a Christian and, in particular, as an apostle. He is absolutely determined to maximise his influence for good and to \u2018put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ\u2019 (v.12b).<\/p>\n<p>It appears that he sees his calling to singleness as one of the ways he can maximise his influence. He is not suggesting that there is anything wrong with marriage. It appears that the other apostles, including \u2018the Lord\u2019s brothers and Cephas [Peter]\u2019 were all married (v.5).<\/p>\n<p>Another way he seeks to maximise his influence is by having a second job; working for a living. He is very keen to point out that he does not need to do this: \u2018The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel\u2019 (v.14). Or as Eugene Peterson translates, \u2018Those who spread the Message be supported by those who believe the Message\u2019 (v.14, MSG). In other words, as Christians we should support financially those who spread the gospel full-time.<\/p>\n<p>Paul\u2019s point is that although he had this right, he did not make use of it. \u2018Our decision all along has been to put up with anything rather than to get in the way or detract from the Message of Christ\u2019 (v.12b, MSG).<\/p>\n<p>Paul is absolutely passionate about the preaching of the gospel. He does not want anything to hinder its maximum impact. Hence, he does not make use of any of his rights \u2013 his mission is paramount (v.15a). He is \u2018compelled to preach\u2019 (v.16a). He writes, \u2018Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!\u2019 (v.16b). He is simply discharging an obligation that he feels.<\/p>\n<p>What he wants more than anything is that people should be able to hear the gospel \u2018free of charge\u2019 (v.18). He would rather die than be deprived of the opportunity to preach the gospel free of charge: \u2018I\u2019d rather die than give anyone ammunition to discredit me or impugn my motives\u2019 (v.15, MSG).<\/p>\n<p>This is one of the reasons why we are determined that no one should ever have to pay for doing Alpha. And, this is why we need to resist every attempt to persuade us to fundraise from guests as soon as they have finished Alpha. We do not want people to pay directly or indirectly for the privilege of hearing the gospel. Paul says \u2018I would rather die\u2026\u2019 (v.15b).<\/p>\n<p>I remember when Billy Graham came to preach the gospel in London in 1989. It was suggested at one point that in order for the tickets not to be wasted, they should be sold for a nominal sum of \u00a31 each. The suggestion was rejected out of hand. Billy Graham had determined that he would always preach the gospel free of charge.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lord, help us always to follow this example of the apostle Paul and to maximise the impact and influence of the preaching of the gospel by making it available free of charge and to put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<h2>3. Use your influence to plant good seeds<\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"inline-reading\" href=\"http:\/\/classic.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Ecclesiastes%209:13-12:14&amp;version=NIV&amp;interface=print\" target=\"_blank\">Ecclesiastes 9:13-12:14<\/a>Solomon is very aware of the power of influence. This influence can be for good or evil.<\/p>\n<p>One wise person can save a city (9:13\u201318a). On the other hand, \u2018one sinner destroys much good\u2019 (9:18b). Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot are glaring examples of this principle. One human being can use their influence for evil and cause great harm.<\/p>\n<p>But, the influence does not have to be as great as these tyrants in order to have a bad effect. \u2018Dead flies in perfume make it stink, and a little foolishness decomposes much wisdom\u2019 (10:1, MSG). If even a dead fly can have a bad influence, the least influential human being can have an influence for evil or good. We can all be the fly in the ointment!<\/p>\n<p>The writer has much to say about how to be a good influence, rather than a bad one:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Watch your words<br \/>\nSolomon reminds us that \u2018words from the mouth of the wise are gracious\u2019 (v.12a). Respond to hot-tempered words with calmness (v.4).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"rteindent1\">Avoid gossiping and bad-mouthing your leaders. Be careful what you say or even think. Don\u2019t revile people \u2018even in your <em>thoughts<\/em>\u2019 or curse them \u2018in your <em>bedroom<\/em>, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say\u2019 (v.20).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Take risks<br \/>\nTo maximise your influence for good you need to take risks. \u2018Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don\u2019t hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others\u2019 (11:1\u20132, MSG). In other words, he says \u2018nothing ventured, nothing gained\u2019. As William Ward wrote, \u2018To love is to risk not being loved in return. To try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"rteindent1\">If we are too cautious we will never achieve anything. \u2018Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap\u2019 (v.4). We could apply this principle to church planting. It will require risk and determination. We must not be daunted by seemingly insuperable obstacles. We must not be put off due to \u2018wind\u2019 and \u2018clouds\u2019.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Spread your efforts<br \/>\nIn order to maximise influence, you might have to juggle different opportunities in your life: \u2018Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed\u2019 (v.6).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"rteindent1\">Don\u2019t put all your eggs in one basket. Press ahead on all fronts and make the most of every opportunity. This is why as a church we try to sow seeds in every direction \u2013 through worship, prayer, leadership, discipleship, theological training, social transformation, evangelism, work in the prisons and with the poor and the marginalised.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Take your opportunities<br \/>\nLife is short. Your opportunities are limited: \u2018Even if you live a long time, don\u2019t take a single day for granted. Take delight in each light-filled hour&#8230; You who are young, make the most of your youth\u2019 (vv.8a,9, MSG).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u200bThe book finishes with a conclusion to all its searching and questioning. The meaning of life ultimately rests in your relationship with God. Revere him and keep his commandments. This is the whole duty for every person (12:13b).<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lord, help me and help our community to make the most of every opportunity that you have given us. Help us to revere you and keep your commandments. Help us to use our influence for good and not for evil. Help us to make the most of every opportunity that you have put before us.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"bioy-body\">Pippa Adds<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<p><strong>Ecclesiastes 12:12<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2018Of the making of books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>That was a prophetic statement! Had Solomon any idea how many books would be written on every subject over the years? There are so many beautiful, inspiring books, but plenty of others less so. I\u00a0had some sympathy many years ago when helping one of our children with their reading homework. They commented, \u2018I don&#8217;t like books. They have words in them\u2019!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>\u8bfb\u7ecf\uff1a\u00a0\u8bd796:1-13 \u6797\u524d9:1-18 \u4f209:13-12:14 H <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/2015\/08\/14\/814-how-to-use-your-influence-for-good\/\" title=\"8\/14: How to Use Your Influence for Good (\u8bd796:1-13 \u6797\u524d9:1-18 \u4f209:13-12:14)\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":148,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bibleinoneyear"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3385"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3385\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3386,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3385\/revisions\/3386"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}