Influence for Christ

Matthew 5:13-14, You are the salt of the earth, 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. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Big Idea: We are not called to withdraw from society…

But to influence it through our relationships.

1.  Influence through the relationships of husbands and wives.

(Journal) Colossians 3:18-19, Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 

Ephesians 5:22, Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord…. 

Ephesians 5:25, Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

2.  Influence through the relationships of parents and children.

(Journal) Colossians 3:20-21, Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 

Ephesians 6:1, Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Ephesians 6:4, Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

3.  Influence through the relationships of masters and servants.

(Journal) Colossians 3:22-4:1, Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 

For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in Heaven.

Ephesians 6:5-8, Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 

Ephesians 6:9, Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that He who is both their Master and yours is in Heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him.

Next Step:  Pray for men.