The Importance of Reputation and Influence

Harold shares an inspiring story of Mr. Henry, a well-loved high school janitor, to discuss the significance of obtaining a good reputation and exerting a positive influence. He delves into the differences between reputation and character, referencing biblical passages and examples to support his points. Harold emphasizes the importance of living a morally pure life, being honest, and watching one's language to maintain a good reputation and strong influence. He encourages viewers to strive for a life that aligns their character with their reputation and encourages them to be active influences in their communities.

00:00 The Story of Mr. Henry: A Janitor's Legacy
02:14 Understanding Reputation vs. Character
03:30 Biblical Examples of Reputation and Character
11:34 The Importance of Influence
20:00 Practical Steps to Build a Good Reputation
28:27 Conclusion: Embrace a Life of Integrity

Transcript

A number of years ago in a relatively small town of about 13,000 people, there was a janitor for one of the high schools by the name of Mr. Henry.

He was a quiet fellow. Wasn't a preacher, wasn't a man of extraordinary means, but just about every student, every teacher, and just about every adult that came through that school knew Mr. Henry and they knew one thing particular about him. That he would be kind, that he was always trustworthy and that he was a very good man and wanted to help people. Years after he passed, people still talked about Mr. Henry and his goodness. They knew about him, not because he shouted, but because he shied. I wanna talk with you, if I may, this morning, about the subject obtaining a good reputation and exerting a maximum influence.

And I think that's the kind of life that all of us perhaps should want. It's the kind of life that every Christian should certainly be trying to live a person that has a good reputation and is exerting a maximum influence. Let me talk to you first of all about reputation. Somebody said Reputation is what people think us to be.

Sometimes they'll make a distinction between reputation and character and they'll say, well, reputation is what people think you to be, but character is what you really are. And they're not always the same, but they should be. But let's, let's explore this idea for a minute. That character, reputation are not always the same.

Somebody has said one time that all that glitter is not gold, and they're just saying that they're people, that their character isn't exactly what their reputation should be. And lemme just give you a couple of passages that that talk about. Our reputation or, or seems to be talking about reputation and the first couple will show you that people have a reputation sometimes and it doesn't really depict who and what they are.

Think about the book of Matthew and the 27th chapter, or excuse me, the 23rd chapter in verse 27 in verse 28. And this is an occasion where Jesus is speaking of the Pharisees and, and listen to what he says. He says, what do you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites, that is somebody that pretends to be one thing, but there's something different.

He goes on, he says, for you are likened to white sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward. But are within full of dead men's bones, out of all cleanliness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity among the people the scribes and Pharisees were looked up to and, and had a reputation of being good.

Jesus was saying that's a facade. And when you tore off that facade, they were full of dead men bones and like a whited ser. There was corruption on the inside. The way people thought of 'em versus the what people they were were different. It can happen to Christians, for instance, in the Book of Revelations, in the third chapter, you're reading about the seven churches of Asia.

The writer says the church at Starters, he says, thou has a name that liveth, but Thou Art did the name that liveth. That's the reputation that you could go around and somebody would talk about the church at starters, and they would rave about how good the church at Sardi was, or that they would present themself as being good and great.

He said, if the truth is known, you're just dead. You're not active, you're not alive. You're not really glorifying the Lord. It was a case that one has a reputation, but they don't have the character. But just like we had said that not all. Glitters is gold. Someone has also said not all that gold is glitter.

Just meaning that there are some things that are good, but, but they don't broadcast theirselves. They have the right character, uh, but they're not just out flashing it for all to see. And let me give you an example of that also. You remember that? Saul had been told that he was no longer gonna be king, and that God spoke to Samuel and said, I want you to go up to Bethlehem and I want you to anoint a new king.

And Samuel said, well, if I go, Saul's going to know what I'm doing and he's going to come and kill me. And so God said, well take with you sacrifices and go up and offer a sacrifice. But also I want you to anoint a new king. And you recall that when he went, he let the sons of David Pass, or the sons of Jesse pass in front of him, and the first one was the oldest and, and Samuel thought this would be the king, and yet God didn't choose him.

And when. God spoke to Samuel. He said, look, not on his countenance or on the height of his stature because I have refused him for the Lord. Seeth not as man seeth for man, looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart and you'll recall that he later chose David. Who wasn't even there present at that time, he was all tending sheep.

But what he's saying is here was not a person that you first think of and, and thought he ought to be king. He wasn't out front and going all the time, but he was doing his job and doing duties, and God recognized him to be good. And God saw his character as well as his reputation and chose him to be king.

Oftentimes, our reputation and character match, and if ever we must choose between good character or our reputation, we'd be wise to choose character. That's the more important. But let me give you some more passages that I think. We ought to consider that, certainly encourage us to have a good reputation and perhaps even goes beyond that and encourages us to be people of good character.

In the Book of Proverbs, in the 21st chapter, or excuse me, the 22nd chapter and verse one, the writer said A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. And loving favor rather than silver and gold. He's said if you have to choose between riches and a good name, you're better off to have the good name than you are the richest.

Kinda like the Jan two that we talked about. Not rich, but well known for his goodness.

A few pages over in Ecclesiastes. In the seventh chapter in verse one, the writer says, A good name is better than precious ointment. Here's an ointment that's precious. People would want it and give it. You remember, Jesus was anointed with a precious orman and some said, well, why did you do that? He was worthy of theor.

But here's the passage saying if you have to choose between being a good person or having a good name and having this ordinance, you're better off with the good name than the precious ordinance. It's a good chance that these passages, when they talk about having a good name, is not only including the reputation, but they can include character as well.

Are encouraging us not only to have a good reputation, but to have that reputation because we are a good character. And I say that because you remember the word name oftentimes stands for the person himself. Not just the reputation, but the person, what he is. We have this statement made of God, holy and reverend is your name or his name, more than just the reputation is being talked about.

He's saying this is who God is. God is holy and reverent. That's who he is. That's his name. And so he's suggesting that we need a good name in these passages that we're talking about. And it probably goes beyond just the idea of, of

just having an invitation or a, a reputation. That it would also be the idea that this is who he is. Lemme talk with you a little bit about influence. Also.

Influence is the power that a person has to affect other persons as seen in the effects they have on these people. I think there's a good illustration of this in the Book of John in the 21st chapter in verse two and three. This is after the death of Jesus, and it tells us that Simon, Peter and Thomas called Deus and Nathaniel of Canaan in Glee and the sons of Ze, which would be James and John.

And two other disciples were all together and it tells us, Simon says unto him, I go a fishing. And they said unto him, we go with thee. And they went forth and entered into the ship immediately. Here's the point. Peter did not make them go fishing. Peter made the choice, I'm going to go fishing. His actions caused those others to choose to do the same thing and to act the way they did.

And that's what influence is. It's not making somebody do it by force, it's setting an example for 'em and encouraging them to do and like where. Everyone has some kind of influence. Someone spoke one time and said The smallest breeze that ever blew some tender blade of grass has waved. And what it's saying is, no matter who you are, you've got an influence over someone.

Someone said a Christian. It can be a BLO or a blessing, but a blank he cannot be. And that's just a way of saying that we all have an influence, especially Christians, and we can have a good influence or we can have a bad influence, but chances are you are going to have an influence and that you're not gonna be without influence.

When you look at the scriptures, you don't really find the word influence used, but I think it's evident from the scriptures that God wants all of us to be a person of strong influence and a person with a good reputation. Listen, if you would, for just a moment to a couple of passages that I think suggests that we certainly do have an influence and God expects us to have an influence.

Matthew, the fifth chapter in verse 13 to 16. You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its saver, wherewith shall it be salted. It is then forth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under the foot of men. He's just telling us that we are people of influence. Salt can be tasted.

There's lots of things that salt does. And it can be used as an antiseptic and a lot of other things preservative. But in that passage, I think he's talking about the savor, the taste of it, and you know when something has salt in it, or maybe better yet, you know when something is missing. Salt. And he said, we as Christians are supposed to be the salt of the earth.

People are supposed to know that we're there. It's to have and be a good influence, not a bad influence. And the same thing when he says, you're the light of the world. The city that sat on a hill cannot be hid. It's, it's the idea that, that we are seeing. We used to come down from Ville, Arkansas that's next to Pa, Arkansas.

If you don't know where it is, and we'd come down the hill and you'd look up in Clinton, Arkansas, and there was a big white on the hill up there. You'd always see it. That's what he's saying. Christians are, it's like that light in the night. You can see it. Maybe you're not right there. Where, where you're getting all the good effect of that light.

If you were up on the top of the mountain and under that light, you'd even get more of it. But he's saying it's seen, it has an effect and that's what he's trying to tell us. That we are to be people of influence, that we as Christians particularly. Supposed to be the light of the world. Look at one Timothy the fourth chapter in verse 12.

Paul says, let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believer in word in conversation in charity, in spirit, in fate, in purity. Don't be a kind of person that somebody despises. They don't only want to be around. He says, rather you be the kind of person that's an example unto others, and let them see and know your conversation, your manner of life, your, your speech, and also your charity, your love and your faith, your purity.

You let them see that so that that will influence them, and so it can be recognized as a Christian because of those characteristics and qualities. Listen to Paul's advice to Timothy in one Timothy four chapter verse 16. Take heed unto thyself and unto thy doctrine continue in them. For, in doing this, thou shall both save thyself and them that hear thee.

He's telling Timothy you've got to live a certain way so that you can convert to other people. It's not that you force them to do it, it's that you show them the kind of life that you live and the kind of blessings that you're receiving so that they want to be a Christian. It's a matter of character, reputation, and influence.

Look to the book of one Peter in the third chapter. Listen to verse 15 and 16. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you, a reason of the hope that is in you. With meekness and fear having a good conscience that whereas they speak evil of you as evil workers, they may be ashamed.

That falsely accuse you of your good conversation in Christ. He's saying, you ought to be living so good that when somebody that's not a Christian comes along and, and badmouth you or paints you in a bad way, you have lived such a way that those people that hear that person will say, that's not true. I know that's not the kind of life he lives, and that your life and your reputation and your example.

Will shine beyond whatever those people are saying, and the true you and the true Christian will come forth. Listen to the book of Galatians in the fifth chapter, verse 22 and 23, but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Then he says against such, there is no law.

He's just saying this is the kind of life that we need to be living. That if we live this kind of life, then our goodness be known, our character and our reputation will be known in that way. Let me just give you some specific things to do to have a good reputation and good character. First of all, be honest.

That would mean you tell the truth. In the book of Ephesians in the fourth chapter in verse 25, you remember that Paul writes, and, and if you're familiar with the book of Ephesians, you know that the first chapter, he talks about the blessings that we have in salvation. And then he gets over in chapter four and he says, now, walk worthy of the vocation worthy you called.

Here's how you ought to be living. And one of the things he says in verse 25 of chapter four is therefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor. We are members one of another. We ought to be living so good that people know that we're telling the truth and they don't doubt what we say they know.

That's the kinda life that we live. Being honest, we care with it. The idea that you're fair and just. You're not trying to get an advantage over somebody. In fact, you'll probably be trying to help them more than get an advantage over 'em and that you're always going to treat that person fair or just, and you'll look to the scriptures even to see how and what that fairness and justice is.

But that's the way you're going to have a good reputation by being honest. Secondly, if you're gonna have a good reputation. Be a good character. You're gonna have to be morally pure. That means no sexual impurities. It means no stealing, including shoplifting. It means a life that's free from drugs and drinking and drunkenness.

Whatever you perceive and whatever the scriptures define as being morally right. That's the kind of life you need to live. If you want to be a person of good reputation and character and have a great influence, you need to watch your language. Remember Matthew the 26 chapter in verse 73 and 74. Peter was in the midst of the crowd and, and doing or watching the crucifixion.

Said, and after a while came unto him. They that stood by and said to Peter, surely thou one of them for thy speech. The eth thee then became, began. He to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cop who you remember that Jesus had said before the cock crows, you will, you will deny me three times.

Peter is following a far off when Jesus is being crucified and he finds himself in the camp of these enemies and they recognize him as having been one that was with Jesus, and he wants now to be disassociated with Jesus. So what does he do? He begins to curse and to swear so that they won't link him with Jesus.

What does that tell us? That if we want to be known of good character and be known as a disciple of Jesus, then we're gonna have to watch our language. Look at Ephesians, the fourth chapter in verse 29. It follows the same fault. He says, let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. But that which is good to the use of edifying that may minister grace unto the hearers.

So here's the. The way to be recognized as a Christian, no corrupt communication coming outta your mouth. And that would perhaps include the cursing that we just talked about, but it would include the lying or any other thing that is against God's word. We won't do that.

Let be said of us when somebody is talking about us. I've never heard that person say a bad word. Well, I've never heard that person say a bad word about anyone. Watch about who we talk about and make sure we only talk about those things that are good. But let me tell you, if we're going to have the right reputation and the right influence, not only are we gonna have to be fair and honest.

Not only are we gonna have to be morally pure, not only are we gonna have to watch our language, but we need to abstain from every appearance of evil. Remember, Paul writes this in the book of First Thessalonians, in the fifth chapter in verse 22, it says, abstain from the appearance of of evil, or every appearance of evil.

Probably that passage is telling us abstained from every form of evil. As a person that's guarding our reputation, we ought to take it as it's written in the new King James and just guard against every appearance of evil that we can, that we don't even want to be thought to be doing evil. Maybe it's something that's not evil, but if the world thinks of it as being evil and, and they're not going to think as high of me as I'm part parting of that as they are, if I don't, he's saying Leave it off.

For a good reputation and maximum influence, abstain from the very appearance of doing evil. And that means we're gonna watch where we go. We're gonna pick our friends carefully. And that doesn't mean you can't try and have an influence over somebody that's evil, but you're not going to run and participate in the things that they participate in so that you're linked with that person in their deeds.

And if we're gonna be a person of influence. We're have to be a person of integrity. One definition says of integrity. It's the state of being of sound, moral, or moral principles.

We need to be true to self and principles that are right and not surrounding them or surrendering them for any other reason, big or small.

People whom the lust of the office does not destroy, and the spoil of the office cannot buy people who have honor and will not lie, and people who will not be deceived by treacherous, flattery, or self-worth. That's the kind of person we ought to be. You remember passages we read in Matthew the fifth chapter, the salt, the light, and in that statement, you're the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

He's telling us you can't hide if you're a true Christian. If you are the Christian that you ought to be, you're going to have. A good reputation and you're going to have a good influence. As we said a moment ago, you detect the salt. You can't, you can't hide the salt. And even more than tasting the salt is when it's not there.

You recognize there's no salt in it. It's bland, it's plain. We need to be able to be an influence. Then the light of the world, you can't hide that light that's up there on the hill. And he's saying that's the way we need to be. If your life isn't what you want it to be, your life is full of mistakes and sins.

If your reputation's not good, if your character's not good, you can be forgiven of all those things. You can come to Jesus and. He will wash you in the world as a baptism, forgive you of all your sins, all your blunders, and you can start to build new life and new character to stay forward, and you can be saved besides that, and you can perhaps influence others to be saved by just being the kind of person that the Bible tells you to be.

If you're here this morning and you're not a Christian, we invite you to come and be a Christian and let your light shine and be the salt of the earth. Have a good influence, good reputation, and good character. We can assist you. We'd invite you to come