Influencers Series

Today, almost anyone can be a celebrity. With the expansion of social media there are people who with an iPhone and camera can become what is called “an influencer.”

The title “influencer” is a huge word in our culture.

Influencers are everywhere. The title “influencer” means: “to power to affect the decisions of others because of his or her authority, knowledge, position, or relationship with their audience.”

Based on their level of influence, they are paid.

Because of the power of influencers, some people follow them blindly. They are attracted to a number of things:

a) The way they dress

b) Their ability to attract a crowd

c) Their talents

d) Their platform

Concern is rising about the power of influencers and articles are cropping up everywhere giving warnings about influencers.

Here’s some of the recent warnings I found in secular articles warning against influencers.

a) Good marketing can make anyone appear to be an expert. They’re not necessarily.

b) Good marketing can make anyone appear to be any way they want to thing they are. They’re

not necessarily the way they appear.

c) Just because someone has a big following does not meant that. Know what they’re doing.

d) Jesus because someone has a big platform does not mean they’re a good teacher for you.

Explanation:

The Book of Hebrews is written to a number of people who were struggling. They were Jewish Christians wo were facing persecution and dealing with influencers that were telling them to abandon their trust and belief in Jesus.

In the Roman Empire, Judaism was a recognized religion but Christianity was not. Furthermore, from reading the book of Acts we discover than much of the persecution of Christians stemmed from the Jews that rejected Jesus.

Hebrews 10:32-36 tells us that these people were facing as we read: “But remember the former days when after bring enlightened (before you believed and accepted Jesus) you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property knowing that you have yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence which has a great reward. “

Let’s face it: We’ve got it easy up next to them, yet, strangely enough, the topic of influencers is not new. Today, there are good influencers and bad influencers. There are godly influencers and ungodly influencers. They question is: Who is going to influence you?

Transitional Sentence: As Christians, Jesus is our greatest influencer. What does He do to influence you?

I. He Influences Who We Follow

vs. 1- “Therefore holy brethren partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus the Apostle

and High Priest of our confession.”

Explanation:

Have you ever heard someone say: “You are under the influence?” This is a statement often made to someone who is intoxicated with alcohol of another mind-altering drug.

In our culture, while drugs are influencers; there are many other things and people that influence us and impact our minds and our thinking.

If I wanted to get you all distracted today, I would begin talking about many of the influencers that are impacting the way you think through a multiplicity of things such as sermons, songs, political statements, and cultural beliefs.

In the mention of their names, what often happens is that you would be impacted. It would affect how far you would be willing to listen to me. If you were offended by the fact that I was calling out a person; you might even decide whether or not you would stay through the service or most definitely whether you would return. Do you know why? You are under their influence.

One of the things that was happening when the Book of Hebrews was written was that there was a lot of name dropping. One of those names was the name Moses.

Understand, the name of Moses was a good name. Moses name and the Old Testament law is synonymous. The New Testament refers to the commands of God as the “law of Moses.” Moses not only brought the 10 Commandments down from Sinai, but he wrote the whole Pentateuch, delivered the plans for the Tabernacle, and the Ark of the Covenant.

Moses is a key figure in God’s plan and revelation of himself. Yet, the enemies of Jesus, while they were religious, they rejected Jesus. The honored Moses and dishonored Jesus.

Therefore, in verse 1 we read the words, “consider Jesus...” In other words, while your eyes are on Moses, you need to make a shift of your focus onto the Messiah.

The word “consider” (katanoeo) implies giving close and continuous attention and observation of Jesus.