When there's something you want to learn or a characteristic you want to possess, it takes time, and you have to have a model or example to imitate. If you want to play an instrument, you'll listen to great musicians and try to replicate what they play. If you want to be an MVP, you'll follow and imitate the best athletes in your given sport. When you're pursuing things, be mindful that Jesus is the ultimate example of a great leader and person, but He wasn't always popular...

POPULARITY FADES. INFLUENCE LASTS.

- Popularity: being like, admired, or accepted by many people. The focus is on how others perceive you. It's fueled by appearance, charisma, social trends, likability, visibility...

- Popularity fades quickly as public opinion changes.

- Influence: the capacity or ability to affect others thoughts, decisions, or actions regardless of popularity. The focus is on the impact you have on others. It's fueled by character, wisdom, consistency, truth, leadership, and spiritual authority.

- It’s long lasting, even when you’re no longer present or well known.

If you're seeking attention, approval, fame, or status - you aren't seeking influence - you're seeking popularity. “Influencers” are just popular… culture is twisting our perception.

When you depend on popularity, it’s up to the people to keep you there.

Popularity lets you be heard, but it won’t let you have impact.

You can impact people when you’re walking in influence.

In Matthew 21:1-10, there's a crowd yelling “Hosanna” at Jesus, praising Him and celebrating Him. Six chapters later in Matthew 27:20-23, that same crowd is yelling “crucify Him.” In 6 chapters, Jesus lost all His popularity.

It’s easy to be popular. Influence costs something.

If even Jesus lost His popularity with the crowds, why is He still the most known person in the world? It’s His influence.

REAL INFLUENCE IMPACTS OTHERS.

Jesus really influenced His 12 disciples - He showed them how He did life, and that’s what changed the world. The little things add up.

Jesus served with a towel, not a title.

- You cannot chase influence. You chase Jesus. He is the key to everything you want in life.

- Biblical influence is grounded in the teachings of the Bible. If you’re not reading your word, you’re never going to gain influence. Christ gave us the example to follow.

Jesus created the feet that He was washing in John 13:1-17.

- Washing of feet was reserved for non Jewish slaves.

- The King of Glory lowered Himself to the position of a non Jewish slave.

- Jesus didn’t wash feet to show off or to be humble. He did it to transform the people in the room.

How to Gain Influence:

1. Humility - lower yourself.

- Seek the Lord lowly.

2. Relationship - know Him deeply.

- Get on your face and pray to Him.

3. Discipleship - be more like Him.

- Live a life that follows the life of Jesus.

- Jesus’s character is what drew people to Him. Not His appearance. Light emanated from Him.