Influencer

Influencers

I. Introduction

An influencer is a new breed of individuals who wield significant sway over consumer behavior and industry trends. An influencer is more than just a social media personality; they are individuals who possess the unique ability to shape the opinions, preferences, and purchasing decisions of their audience. Famous influencers are regarded as authorities within their respective fields. Here are some the top influencers right now:

Cristiano Ronaldo a soccer player has 500 million followers on instagram alone. Rules the influencer world.

Leo Messi another soccer player has also surpassed the 500 million mark on combined platforms.

Singer Selena Gomez has 376 million instagram followers. Justin Bieber, The Rock, Kim Kardashian and of course Taylor Swift.

Paul would have been called an influencer today. He literally wrote the majority, 12 or 13 of the 27 books, of the New Testament. He planted at least 14 churches. He single handedly shaped the opinions, structure and position of the New Testament Church. Many believe he is the most influential person in Christianity second only to Jesus. His influence is still wielding power today in the modern church.

Influencers today tend to share their opinions, their preferences, their knowledge to shape their followers lives. Paul, in addressing the church in Corinth, however, took a completely different approach. Even though he was brilliant, classically trained as a Pharisee, an expert in the Law I want to draw your attention to what he says to the church of Corinth as perhaps a jumping off point on how we should operate as influencers today . . . and rest assured that even though you may not have 500 million followers on social media you are an influencer. You are not neutral. You are either influencing the people around toward Jesus or away from Jesus.

Notice what he says . . .

1 Corinthians 2:12 (MSG)

You’ll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God’s sheer genius, I didn’t try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified.

Vs. 2 in a couple of other versions . . .

ERV - I decided that while I was with you I would forget about everything except Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.

CEV - In fact, while I was with you, I made up my mind to speak only about Jesus Christ, who had been nailed to a cross.

With all of the knowledge and wisdom that Paul could bring to bear. With all the information at his disposal. Paul, when addressing the church, states I chose to forget everything except Jesus Christ and His death on the cross.

He says no polished speeches. No commentary on the latest philosophy. If he was here today in our climate he would have added no dissertation on the political turmoil or spending time composing our latest Facebook rants. Instead, he teaches us that if we are going to be the influencers that we have been called, designed, anointed, set apart and tasked with being then . . .

Jesus must become central again! ?Not added on but THE thing about us. We know so much that we don’t influence to what we should know best. Our ability to influence is going to be determined by our willingness to make Jesus our central message again. We don't need anything else - eloquence, special gifting, gimmicks, gifts. We need folks who will just begin to focus on the knowledge of Christ and bring that to bear in every arena of their life . . . not just their church life. We try to influence by ever other means. Just bring Jesus into the mix. Just bring Jesus into work. Just bring Jesus to school. Just bring Jesus to the neighborhood. Just bring Jesus home. Where is Jesus located in your life? Is He central? Does everything else revolve around Him or does Jesus orbit your hobbies, your opinions, your positions, your job? If we are going to influence this generation it is going to require us to make Jesus the main thing again!

As we re-present Jesus we must present Him . . .

Consistently

Paul tells his spiritual son in 1 Timothy 4:16, “Be careful of how you live and what you believe. Never give up. “

”Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.“

1 Timothy 4:16 NLT

Notice the order Paul lists for Timothy. Life comes before teaching. Paul is telling Timothy (and us) that we must be careful how we live because our consistency in walk, talk, and attitude either preaches or unpreaches the gospel. We contradict the Jesus we talk about by how we live, behave, act, respond. Our life speaks louder than our words. St. Francis Assisi: “Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words”.