God's Will for Your Influence

Father’s Day:

The impact of a father in the life of a child.

Data shows that when a father is absent in a child’s life, that child is at a statistically greater risk of many things.

Poverty.

Drug and Alcohol abuse.

Of course these are statistics, and this is not always the case.

And of course not all fathers are great.

One thing that cannot be denied.

Father’s have great influence in the life of their children.

By their presence our absence.

By their love or neglect.

This influence is something that should be taken seriously.

Fatherhood is a role easily gained and easily neglected.

As we celebrate fathers today, I want us to take a moment and consider the importance of influence as a whole.

What roles and positions do you have influence over others?

How does God want you to use that influence?

“With great power comes great responsibility” - Uncle Ben

This shows the great impact and influence that a father has in the life of a child.

Study on David and how he used his influence. Specifically:

How Your Influence Can Destroy Others

David & Bathsheba

2 Samuel 11.

Pay attention to what is driving you.

David was driven by his lustful attraction to Bathsheba, and fear of the repercussions.

Self-focus | Selfishness

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

David had the authority as king to do what he did, but it was an evil thing to do.

The more power that you have, the more influence you have. The more influence you have, the more harm that you can do.

Your actions have consequences.

The pregnancy and death of Uriah.

Even when that is not your intention.

Even when you don’t want them to.

Your actions can destroy others.

Lead to Uriah’s Death.

How Your Influence Can Restore Others

David & Mephibosheth

2 Samuel 9:1–13 CSB

David asked, “Is there anyone remaining from the family of Saul I can show kindness to for Jonathan’s sake?” There was a servant of Saul’s family named Ziba. They summoned him to David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” “I am your servant,” he replied. So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family that I can show the kindness of God to?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still Jonathan’s son who was injured in both feet.” The king asked him, “Where is he?” Ziba answered the king, “You’ll find him in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.” So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar. Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, fell facedown, and paid homage. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “I am your servant,” he replied. “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “since I intend to show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will always eat meals at my table.” Mephibosheth paid homage and said, “What is your servant that you take an interest in a dead dog like me?” Then the king summoned Saul’s attendant Ziba and said to him, “I have given to your master’s grandson all that belonged to Saul and his family. You, your sons, and your servants are to work the ground for him, and you are to bring in the crops so your master’s grandson will have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, is always to eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all my lord the king commands.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table just like one of the king’s sons. Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. All those living in Ziba’s house were Mephibosheth’s servants. However, Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem because he always ate at the king’s table. His feet had been injured.

Pay attention to what is driving you.

David was driven by his love for Jonathan and the love of God.

Other Focused | Selflessness or grace focus.

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. AND Sometimes you should do what others would suggest that you don’t do.

David could have destroyed Mephibosheth (there would be those who would have suggested that), but showed mercy instead this benefited Mephibosheth and his entire family moving forward.

The more power that you have, the more ability that you have to make a positive impact.

Your Actions have consequences

Rather than living in shame and fear, Mephibosheth now has a seat at the king’s table.

When you walk in a way that restores others rather than destroys them, the consequences of your actions will be a blessing to their life, rather than a curse.

LACK of ACTION can have consequences.

A Seat at the Kings Table. - GOSPEL

Ephesians 2:1–10 CSB

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

WHERE ARE YOU TODAY?

Have you responded to your invitation to the king’s table?

What influence do you have and how are you using it?

Are you harming others with your influence?

Are you restoring others with your influence?