ATMOSPHERE OR POWER OF INFLUENCE

2 CORINTHIANS 2:1

A. "FOR WE ARE UNTO GOD A SWEET SAVIOUR OF CHRIST IN THEM THAT ARE SAVED, IN THEM THAT PERISH"
  1. The atmosphere in which we live is something that touches and affects us at every inch of our being:
    1. You cannot see it; but it is easily felt and perceptible
    2. It influences us outwardly and inwardly, physically and morally
  2. In fact, we are all involved in it; we have a part of its influence:
    1. God created us that way
    2. We exert a definite influence upon our surroundings good or gad, helpful or harmful, and who is sufficient for these things B. ATMOSPHERE OR POWER OF HUMAN INFLUENCE
  3. Moral and spiritual atmosphere is a real force:
    1. Someone has aid, very forcefully that experience proves that nothing exerts so great an influence on the physical organism as the moral atmosphere which is breathed by it
    2. There can be no escape from the influence of human beings; it is contagious more that we realize; Examples: One man led a whole nation into idolatry - 2 Kings 17:21; and again, one man led all Israel back to God - I Kings 18:39-46
  4. Moral or spiritual atmosphere does much to mold our personality for good or bad:
    1. That was true in the experience of Sachets who came under the influence of Christ - Luke 19:9; that was true in the life of one Sergius Paulus who came under the influence of Paul - Acts 13:7-12
    2. On the other hand, the atmosphere of one woman - Jezebel ruined the life of Ahab and led many of the Israelites into gross idolatry
  5. Moral and spiritual atmosphere is made by the people that live in it:
    1. We do not merely draw on it but also contribute to it; Example: Peter said, "I go fishing" and the reaction was instant, "They say unto him, we also go with thee" - John 21:3
    2. Paul, in one of his dark hours on his way to Rome took bread and gave thinks to God in the presence of them all and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were they of good cheer and they also took some meat" - Acts 27:34-38 C. WHAT MAKES OUR SUBJECT SO SOLEMN IS THE FACT THAT WE ARE SORT OF PRO-CREATORS OF THE ATMOSPHERE IN THIS WORLD
  6. We influence someone else consciously or unconsciously:
    1. For good or for bad
    2. That influence begins inn our home, our family is the first recipient of the atmosphere we create; Examples: Joshua, addressing Israel said, "As for me and mine house, we will serve the Lord" - Josh. 24:15; how many parents can speak for their families; Lois and her mother Eunice transferred their faith to Timothy, one of God's faithful servants - 2 Tim. 1:5
  7. Our relationship with the world or with Christ are the telling factors of the atmosphere we create and live in:
    1. Moses was in the presence of God forty days and forty nights and the glory of God influenced the person of Moses so that the people could not look at him - Ex. 34:29-30
    2. Aaron, on the other hand, lived in the atmosphere of unbelievers and idolatry - with the result that sin left a sad impression upon his life
  8. He who communes with God, spends more time under the influence of the Holy Sprit, is bound to become a partaker of the divine nature - 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Pet. 1:2-8
  9. But they that associate with worldly minded persons will soon reflect the influence of the atmosphere of sinners; tell me who your associates are and I will tell you the atmosphere you create and the atmosphere that influences your life. These are very serious things to think about.


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