In my first book, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach … (Acts 1:1)

As we begin this final week of our Influence series, we’ll move from influences to being influencers.  So far, we’ve looked at being shaped and formed (“influenced”) by paying close attention to who God really is, by learning how to come under the influence of the wisdom of God rather than the wisdom of the world, and by allowing the way we read and understand Scripture to be influenced by reading it within a wide community.

Now, the pivot: God calls and equips us to lead influencer lives.

Our ancient brother Luke gave us two books, his Gospel and the Book of Acts.  He begins Acts like this: “In my first book (the Gospel), I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach …” (1:1).  

Jesus is going to continue to do and to teach – but now, he will do so in and through his body, the church.  All those who have “come under the influence of Jesus” are now to be influencers throughout the whole wide world.

Like those first disciples, when it comes to being influencers, we face (at least) two basic challenges: disqualifying ourselves and disobeying Jesus.

We disqualify ourselves when we think and say that we aren’t good enough, trained enough, educated enough, credentialed enough, experienced enough, mature enough, or “spiritual” enough to influence anyone towards Jesus.

We disobey Jesus when we, in all our various ways, refuse to speak up for our King, when we avoid communicating God’s truth and demonstrating his love to our neighbors.  Yes, our speaking and acting must be wise and winsome, culturally aware and appropriate, not angry, arrogant or defensive, and other such good things.  But we do need to show up in love and speak up in truth!

But there’s good news!  The last thing Jesus said to his people then, and the first thing he says to us today, is: THE HOLY SPIRIT.  He hasn’t left us on our own, hasn’t left us to ourselves.  He hasn’t merely given us a “manual” or a “checklist.”  He has given us himself, in the Person of his Holy Spirit.

We live today in Acts, Chapter 8476, or something like that.  Jesus is continuing to “do and teach,” but he is doing so through Spirit-anointed us.  Through Spirit-empowered you.  

It is the Spirit who qualifies us, and the Spirit who teaches us how to obey.  And most of the Spirit’s influencer-training happens “on the job”: we learn as we go where Jesus sends us, and as we do what his Spirit directs us.

Can you name and pray about one or two ways you disqualify yourself as an influencer-for-Jesus?

Can you name and pray about one or two ways you tend to disobey Jesus’ call to be his influencer?

Can you name and pray about one or two ways you’d like to see our church grow as an influencer-for-Jesus in Chatham County?