I'm influential
These are the notes from Pastor Steve’s message from the fourth week of the “I’m In” series on January 26th, 2020. You can also watch the message here and fill in the notes below as part of your personal growth in Christ this week.
My identity in Christ:
I’m ________________.
Influential; the capacity to have an effect on the character, development or the behavior of someone.
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG)
Every single ________________ makes a difference.
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 9The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. John 14:7-19
The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him. 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” John 4:25-30, 39-42
Key Ideas:
You are never ________________ the love of God.
You don’t have to have it ________________.
This is about ________________, not a platform.
We ________________ others but Jesus ________________ others.
Who are the people in front of me?
Those are the people Jesus calls me to influence.
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
Today’s Take Away:
Who in my life doesn’t know Jesus? ___________________________________________________.
How can I live like Jesus MORE in front of them? ___________________________________________________.
Questions to grow your faith in Christ this week:
Read Matthew 5:13-16. Jesus says we are to be salt and light where we live. What do you think that means? Does your life influence and bring others closer to Christ? How?
Pastor Steve said this; “Every single ONE makes a difference.” In other words, we have no idea how God might use one word, one prayer, one generous expression in the life of another person to point them toward the grace of Jesus. How have you seen that happen in your life?
Read John 4:7-40. What stands out to you the most in that passage? Which of these four points in this passage connects with you the most and why? You are never beyond the love of God. You don’t have to have it all together. This is about people, not a platform. We influence others but Jesus changes others.
Read 1 Corinthians 3:6-9. This passage says that we are called to influence others for Christ and Jesus is the one that actually changes people. Why is it that we often feel it is our job to change people?
Write down the names of 1-2 people you feel God drawing you to be more of an influence too? How will you influence them? How will you point them to Jesus?