What is a Godly Influence?

Jeremiah 5:1-Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that execute judgement, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.

Proverbs 27:2-Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth: a stranger, and not thine own lips.

Influence is based upon our character. It takes time to build character that can lead to building trust in someone’s life and throughout the communities we live in and minister to.

For instance, the average tenure of a preacher in any pulpit is 3.5 years. In fact many seasoned pastors refer to the third year as the hardest year because the proverbial honeymoon is over.

So what type of influence can a preacher have in just 3.5 years in the community? He cant build a reputation. His family can’t really build lasting friendships. What is even worse, the church is always in a phase of starting over. In 3.5 years, there is virtually zero influence for the cause of Christ.

There is nothing wrong with marketing the church to get folks in the door. However we have to honestly admit to ourselves that whatever we use to win them with, is what we are going to have to continually use to keep them with. If we win them with the gospel, the gospel will keep them. I we win them with things that glorify the flesh, that’s what we’ll keep them with.

Obviously the desire is to win folks to Christ, baptize them, disciple them and train them to win others and disciple folks. It’s quite possibly the single greatest marketing program ever. But what is going to keep them in our local churches and stop the downward spiral of over 4000 churches closing it’s doors every year? Our influence upon the community.

Our goal should be to influence people for the cause of Christ, not to become influential personally, but that Christ becomes influential in the community. Influencing people means that we take each and every opportunity to make a positive impact on someone’s life. Smile, have joy, buy groceries, don’t’ criticize or complain, praise others and have honest compassion when you meet someone.

Notice in Jeremiah 5:1 run ye to and fro- Can I ask you an honest question? How far should someone go in your community or county before somebody mentions your church or one of the ministries of it. Do they find out that your church is the friendliest and most outgoing? Do they learn that you’re a spirit filled church where lives are transformed and folks encounter the risen Christ? Our influence in a community is earned through consistency. If we do the right things long enough, and consistently enough, our influence will grow.

A pastors position, or anyone who is in full time ministry for that matter is a a call to service not a mandate of power from on High.. The goal then is to influence others for the cause of Christ rather than get an ego boost. Don’t mention how many you bus in on Sunday morning when the drive in crowd doesn’t show up for Wednesday prayer meeting. That only shows us how little of influence Christ has upon the church and those attending.

Through the streets of Jerusalem-What good do our elaborate conferences do if our goal is church growth in the community? Yes it helps other churches recognize we are here and in the community. But it gives us as believers the extra added boost of revivalistic and evangelistic outlook that we so desperately need.

Revival influences the local church to inspect what it’s been neglecting concerning soul-winning, Sunday School, and having a proper outlook and ministry throughout the community.

If we aren’t reaching the community effectively, influencing them for Christ, how do we expect God to honor our efforts to reach overseas?

Is there a sense of urgency? When is the last time we anticipated the Savior showing up and manifesting His presence in our churches? Our nation is crippled by sin, and liberalism has taken over a vast majority of churches which once stood upon the fundamentals of the faith. Instead of focusing upon those things which have no eternal significance, we need to put our focus back onto the people God entrusted us with, and that even means those in our community who don’t even attend our services.

Why would God allow us to grow our churches if we don’t feel responsible for the sin of the nation and our communities? We are the voice of God in the community and it’s our job to not only preach, but to intercede upon the behalf of those who are unreached. I honestly believe that our busyness has gotten in the way of our effectiveness. If we were to become servants again in the truest sense of the Word of God, we’d see revival. As preachers we need to get back to prayer and study.

It’s been said that Johnathan Edwards who preached during the great awakening prayed and studied Gods word for over 18 hours a day.

George Whitfield who preached to 1 out of every 5 Americans in the 1700’s and was more popular than George Washington would read his Bible on his knees while praying over each line.

God used these two men greatly because the greatly desired to be used of God in ways men hadn’t seen since the New Testament church. Many of us will say we have a burden for an area. Yet there is a major difference between a burden and a call. A burden will change as our experiences and age changes. A call is from God and is a definite leading to a group of people or direction that only He can provide you with the ability to succeed at.

And seek in the broad places thereof-

Here, God is saying for the man to go where the people are and search, ask look and find for those who have actually made an impact in the community for the cause of Christ. Just because a person may speak well doesn’t mean they have spoken well for God. Our influence isn’t to be based upon those we admire, but our influence ought to be Christ. If it’s your honest desire to reach your community for Christ, then why haven’t you?

Beloved Revival is Possible.

The hardest part of revival, yet the most glorifying to God is that often our reputation as a church, pastor and church member is put on display for others to see. Some good, some bad, some mediocre. Some of it is deserving, some of it is not. But is we desire to live for God, we need to start today. Yes it’s hard to do in this sin sick World, but if we allow Christ to influence us so we can influence others for the cause of Christ, it can and will be done.

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For more information of to book a meeting, conference, or revivals contact me at 812-844-5802.

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