BECOMING CONFIDENT DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST – ASH BELL
Scriptures:
Matthew 28:18-20
Matthew 22:37-40
Acts 1:8
Points (Three Great Commissions):
1. Love
2. Learn
3. Linger
In this powerful message, we’re challenged to see our businesses and spheres of influence as platforms for God’s kingdom. Just as Jesus used Peter’s fishing boat as a pulpit, we’re called to use what’s been entrusted to us to advance God’s purposes. As we step out in faith, like Peter casting his nets into the deep, we can expect God’s abundance. This message urges us to expand our vision beyond the local, embracing a trans-local and even trans-global perspective in our everday endeavors.
Unleashing Kingdom Influence
In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, there’s a profound call for believers to step into their God-given roles as agents of change. This call isn’t just for those behind pulpits or leading ministries; it’s for every person who claims faith in God.
Imagine your desk, your office, or your company name as a modern-day fishing boat – the very platform from which Jesus chose to preach. Just as He used Peter’s humble vessel to reach the masses, God wants to use your sphere of influence to bring His kingdom to earth. The invitation is to shift our perspective from seeing our work as merely a means of income to viewing it as a divine opportunity for impact.
The scripture tells us, “Roll your works upon the Lord. Commit and trust them. Pray to him and he will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to his will” (Proverbs 16:3, Amplified). This powerful promise invites us to align our plans with God’s greater purpose. As we do so, we open ourselves to possibilities far beyond our limited vision.
God can use ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary things when we’re willing to step out in faith. It’s not about having all the resources or answers; it’s about offering our “five loaves and two fish” and watching God multiply our efforts beyond our wildest dreams.
But how do we position ourselves for impact? It starts with obedience. Jesus said, “The person who knows my commands and keeps them, that’s who loves me” (John 14:21). Our love for God is demonstrated through our willingness to follow His instructions, not as burdensome rules, but as guideposts leading us to fulfillment and purpose.
To truly hear and follow God’s commands, we must move beyond being mere fans of Jesus to becoming His devoted disciples. This requires more than a casual connection; it demands a commitment to lingering in His presence, studying His word, and aligning our heart with His.
The story of Embi, a well-trained puppy, beautifully illustrates the power of recognizing and obeying the master’s voice. Just as Embi learned to restrain her natural impulses and respond to her owner’s commands, we too must train ourselves to hear and obey God’s voice amidst the noise of the world.
This obedience and attentiveness to God’s voice become particularly crucial in times of adversity. When faced with challenges, whether personal or societal, we get to commune with God in prayer. The Bible recounts how Daniel’s persistent prayers moved heaven, even when answers seemed delayed. Similarly, our prayers have the power to shift atmospheres and bring about divine intervention in our communities and nations.
As we cultivate this lifestyle of obedience and prayer, we position ourselves to receive the empowerment promised in Acts 1:8: “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This empowerment isn’t just for global missionaries; it’s for every believer to impact their immediate surroundings (Jerusalem), their broader community (Judea), challenging territories (Samaria), and even globally (the ends of the earth).
The inspiring life of Frances Crosby serves as a testament to the impact one life fully surrendered to God can have. Despite being blind from infancy, Crosby wrote over 8,000 hymns that continue to touch lives today. She memorized vast portions of Scripture from a young age and set a goal of winning a million souls to Christ – a goal she achieved through her music and ministry.
Crosby’s perspective on her blindness is particularly striking. She viewed it not as a hindrance but as a blessing that allowed her to focus more intently on God without visual distractions. Her life challenges us to see our limitations not as obstacles but as unique opportunities for God to work through us in powerful ways.
As we reflect on these stories and teachings, we’re called to a fresh surrender. To step into the fullness of what God has for us, whether in business, ministry, or other spheres of influence. We’re invited to pray, “God, make my prayers agreeable to your will,” and to actively seek ways to bring heaven to earth in our daily lives.
We can choose remove the hooks of distraction that hold us back and pursue a life of relevance before God. As Jesus taught, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). When we prioritize God’s kingdom, everything else falls into place.
Whether you’re a business leader, an employee, a student, or a mother, you have a unique role to play in God’s grand narrative. Your “fishing boat” – whatever platform God has given you – is meant to be a launch pad for kingdom influence. As you step out in faith, it’s God who multiplies your efforts. He can turn your local impact into global significance.
So, as we go into our week, we commit to being more than fans of Jesus, but to be His devoted disciples. To linger in His presence, train our ears to hear His voice, and courageously obey His commands. As we do, we’ll find ourselves part of a greater story – where ordinary lives become extraordinary testimonies of God’s power and love.
Discussion Questions
- How can we shift our mindset from seeing ourselves as ‘fans’ of Jesus to becoming true disciples who actively learn from and emulate Him?
- In what ways might God be calling you to use your business or influence as a ‘platform’ for advancing His kingdom, both locally and globally?
- How can we cultivate a deeper ability to recognize and respond to the ‘master’s voice’ amidst the distractions and competing voices in our lives?
- What lessons can we draw from Frances Crosby’s life about perseverance, using our gifts for God’s glory, and finding purpose in adversity?
- How might our approach to prayer and spiritual warfare change if we truly believed in the power of God, as described in the story of Daniel?
- What does it mean to you personally to ‘roll your works upon the Lord’ and have your thoughts become ‘agreeable to His will’?
- How can we balance the concept of grace with the call to obedience in our Christian walk, especially in light of Jesus’ words about loving Him through keeping His commandments?
- In what ways can we cultivate a ‘translocal’ and ‘transglobal’ perspective in our faith and ministry, even if we’re primarily called to serve in our local context?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude for the call to be Your disciples. Help us to love as You have loved us, to learn from Your Word with humility, and to linger in Your presence daily. Empower us, Lord, to see our lives and work as platforms for Your Kingdom, that we may be agents of Your influence both locally and globally. Grant us the boldness to step out in faith, trusting that You will multiply our efforts. May we hear Your voice clearly amidst the noise, and walk in obedience, filled with Your Spirit, to make a lasting impact for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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