The Difference Maker

The Easiest Way To Make A Difference

Acts 20:24 NKJV

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:24 (NLT) 24  But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Confession Of Faith: I am not moved by what I see or by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe. I believe the WORD of God The victory is mine! - I have it Now!I can see it through the eyes of my faith

Becoming A Difference Maker

It can be scary - even when you really want to.

There is something about talking to others about Jesus that makes you nervous, scared - even afraid!

It could be things like

What will they think!

Maybe they will think I'm a hypocrite

Man the devil uses this internal whispers and lies to keep us from making a difference in this world

But when you stop and think about it making a difference isn’t that hard at all

You know what – God has positioned you to influence people in your life for The Kingdom of God

So we are going to talk about practical – everyday life situations that you can use to become a Difference Maker in someone’s life for Jesus!

God Can Use You!

He wants to partner with you in changing people’s lives both now and for eternity

All you need is a heart for people who don’t know Jesus to offer them the INVITATION!

The Easiest Way to Make a Difference

Acts 20:24 (NLT) 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

I was invited to a wedding this year – matter of fact several weddings

I was invited to a couple of birthday events

I have been invited to the movies

I have been invited to dinner, lunch, breakfast

I have been invited to graduations and special events in peoples lives

Guess what:

WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY THAT SWAPS INVITATIONS!

Receiving and invite – means that someone thought enough of you to say:

I want to spend time with you, and I value your presence! Whether yo go to the event or not, it feels good that someoe took the time to invite you

An Eternity Life Changing Invitation:

John 1:36-48 (NLT) 36 As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” 37 When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them. They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). 42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”). 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown. 45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. 47 As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.” 48 “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”

Here you have one Brother Andrew inviting his other brother Peter to meet Jesus!

Now the interesting thing is that Andrew had no idea about the impact that this invitation was going to have on the life of brother Simon Peter

We have been negligent in our responsibility to extend the invitation that can impact the course of someone’s life now and for his or hers eternity!

We hesitate and come up with excuses for asking this simple question

Would You Like To Go To Church With Me This Sunday?

It’s not complicated

It doesn’t require you to be a bible scholar

You don’t have to engage in theological conversations about grace and redemption, the life of Jesus or the history of the Old Testament

All you have to do is ask

In the scripture we see Andrew was eager to offer the invitation and Peter was eager to accept! But when Peter came face to face with Jesus his entire world was changed!

Nathaniel on the other hand was more skeptical:

When Phillip approached him about Jesus – Nathaniel pushed back!

Phillp didn’t take Nathaniels, cynicism personally.

He Just said

Come See For Yourself:

“Your Invitation Can Make The Eternal Difference in the Lives of the people God has put around you”

Four Keys to A Powerful Invitation:

Don’t underestimate the power of your invitation:

1. Believe That Jesus Can Change Lives

2. Recognize That God Wants To Use You

3. Identify the people God wants you to invite

4. Care enough to extend the invitation

1. Believe That Jesus Can Change Lives:

How has Jesus changed your life?

How has he forgiven you?

Think about the peace of knowing that you are going to heaven brings to you

How has Jesus Transformed you?

2 Timothy 1:9 (NLT) 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:9 NKJV

who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT) 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

2. Recognize That God Wants To Use You

When God chose you he knew your potential, he knew you had great potential

God wants to tap into it

He wants to use you to help fulfill the Great Commission

Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Does not matter where you are in your life

God has placed you exactly where you are for a specific reason

It is no coincidence that you unsaved cousin has more respect for what you say and who you are than he or she does for others

If people around you don’t hear about Jesus from you – The may never hear about him in a way that resonates with them

God Has Set The Stage For You To Be The Difference Maker

3. Identify the people God wants you to invite to church

a. Family

b. Friends

c. Coworkers/Classmates

d. Neighbors

Colossians 4:5 (NLT) 5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

Colossians 4:5 NKJV

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

4. Care Enough to Extend The Invitation

You must believe that Jesus can change lives

You must believe that Jesus wants to use you

You must believe that he has put people in your path specifically for you to influence

You must care enough

Ask “Would You Like To Come To Church with Me”

Statistics say : The Number One reason people attend church for the first time is because someone they respect invited them

Half of those you ask will come the very first time you ask them

Try inviting them to breakfast before or lunch afterwards

Making A Difference

God used Andrew and Phillips willingness to extend an invitation as a means to change the course of history

My goal over the next few sermons is to give you some tools to become a Difference Maker

To use everyday life to have eternal impact

9 little words: “Would You Like To Come To Church With Me?

By asking that question you become one of the greatest difference makers the world has ever known

Are You Willing?