Wisdom: Influence | Rev. Nathan Bell

31 May 2026 Find out more about Jesus ⁠https://hillschurch.org.au/Jesus⁠ Find the answers to life's biggest questions. Try Alpha. ⁠https://hillschurch.org.au/alpha⁠ Can we pray for you? Request prayer. ⁠https://hillschurch.org.au/⁠ and click 'Prayer Request' Button. To give/tithe to the work of Hills Church, follow the link below ⁠https://hillschurch.org.au/give⁠ Sermon Notes: In this message, Pastor Nathan continues our Wisdom series by looking at the power of influence. Proverbs reminds us that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. True wisdom comes from God, the author of life, and helps us live for His greater good. Pastor Nathan begins by recapping the series so far: Wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord. A wise person remains teachable. A wise person guards their heart. A wise person understands the power of their words. This week, the focus is influence. Proverbs 13:20 says: Walk with the wise and become wise, but associate with fools and get in trouble. Pastor Nathan asks two key questions: Who and what do you allow to influence you the most? We are all influenced by the people and voices around us. Family, friends, teachers, pastors, workmates, media, social media, entertainment, and even technology can shape the way we think, speak, and live. Wisdom calls us to pay attention to those influences. If someone or something is pulling us away from Jesus, damaging our faith, or leading us into poor choices, we need to take that seriously. This does not mean cutting people off or isolating ourselves from the world. It means recognising the power of influence and being wise about what we allow to shape us. Pastor Nathan reminds us that we are called to be light in the darkness, but if we are being influenced in the wrong direction instead of influencing others for Christ, we may need to step back, grow stronger, and surround ourselves with wise and godly people. James 3 gives a picture of the kind of people we should look to as good influences. They understand God’s ways. They live honourably. They do good works. They walk with humility. Their character is consistent in public and private. The second key question is: How do you influence others? Everyone influences someone. The question is not whether we influence others, but how we influence them. Pastor Nathan gives simple examples of godly influence: Refusing to join in gossip. Helping someone in need. Standing up for someone being bullied. Encouraging a young person. Choosing mercy instead of revenge. Being slow to anger. Forgiving quickly. Showing our children what it looks like to love Jesus. Listening well. Living with gratitude and joy. Loving our spouse sacrificially. Staying committed to the mission of the church. The greatest influence in our lives should be Jesus. When we walk closely with Him, His influence changes us. As He changes us, His life begins to flow through us and influence the people around us. Spiritual disciplines help create space for Jesus to shape us. Prayer, Scripture, worship, silence, service, and Christian community do not earn God’s love. They give God room to work deeply in us. Pastor Nathan closes by asking whether Jesus has our full attention and our full heart. The wisest one we can walk with is the Lord. Key Scriptures: Proverbs 13:20-21 Proverbs 1:7 Proverbs 1:10 1 Corinthians 15:33 James 3:13 Key Thought: A wise person pays attention to what influences them and chooses to influence others for Jesus. #hillschurch #beencouraged #nathanbell #evertonhills #brisbanechurch #brisbane #wesleyanmethodistchurch #hillschurchsermon