1. The Christian’s Influence Philippians 2:15

2. Christian Implies Conversion Newness of life, Rom 6:3-4 A new creation, 2 Cor 5:17 Raised with Christ, Col 3:1-3 Put off old man and put on new man, Col 3:9-10 2

3. The Christian’s Influence Philippians 2:14-16 Blameless (free of censure) in God’s sight and man’s, 2:15 (2 Pet 3:14) Harmless (innocent), Rom 16:19 Without fault: Without blemish, blame, rebuke; No reprimand needed Else, we hinder truth (2:14, 16) 3

4. Be Honest in Character Principle, not just “policy”, Phil 4:8 – Matter of personal honor that affects your influence on others, 2 Cor 8:18-21 – Strengthens effectiveness, Acts 6:3 – Dishonesty destroys good influence, 1 Peter 2:11-12 Always be truthful, Eph 4:25; Matt 12:34-35 (Prov 6:16-19) 4

5. Be Pure in Speech 1 Peter 3:10 Abandon vulgar hearts and profane language, Eph 4:29; 5:4; Col 4:6 – Vulgar speech influences vulgar people; it does not draw people to Christ – Uncontrolled tongues do great damage to the cause of Christ, James 3:5 Sound speech that cannot be condemned, Titus 2:7-8 5

6. Be Pure in Living Maintain the purity of the church for which Christ died, Eph. 5:25-27 – Conduct must be “becoming”, Phil 1:27 – The present world needs the influence of purity! Titus 2:11-12 – No double standards, Rom 12:1-2; Gal 2:20 6

7. Be Pure in Living Church must not condone sin, 1 Cor 5:1-2, 13; Gal 6:1; 2 Ths 3:6, 14-15 – Goal is to bring about repentance and reformation – Influence and health of the church is at stake, 1 Cor 5:6-7; cf. Acts 5:11, 13-14 7

8. Be Kind and Considerate Eph 4:31-32; 1 Cor 13:4 Kindness shows sincerity towards others, 1 Pet 1:22; Rom 12:9 – Helps each other overcome trials and sin, Gal 4:16 – Without harshness, bitterness and belittling, 2 Tim 2:24-26 8

9. Be Uncompromising with the Truth Live your convictions – Daniel, Dan 1:8-9, 14-16, 17-20 – Apostles, Acts 4:17-21; 5:29, 26 Hypocrisy destroys good influence – Stand unyielding for truth, 2 Tim 4:2 – Good influence is destroyed in compromise, Rom 8:31, 35-37 9

10. The Christian’s Influence Philippians 2:14-16 Blameless (free of censure) in God’s sight and man’s, 2:15 (2 Pet 3:14) Harmless (innocent), Rom 16:19 Without fault: Without blemish, blame, rebuke; No reprimand needed Our salvation is at stake! 10