The Only Path To Spiritual Influence
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42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
12 years old left for three days -
vs 46
Jesus demonstrated to us spiritual Influence
an authority that has an influence on others
Supernatural influence that a 12 yr old young man would be influencing doctors
God uses our talents and gifts - but talents and gifts do not qualify us automatically to have spiritual Influence in the Kingdom of God
What if the whole church would be walking in the spirit, operating in the His power, using our gifts aligned with God’s influence.
Three areas how God gives influential authority.
We all have gifts and talents but that is not enough to use in God’s work.
There is an anointing that is needed.
Godly Character
Obedience To The Spirit
God wants to anoint God’s will, not our will
This takes submission
Humility Of Heart
God will pour his power into your life
The work in the life of the children in church should be prayed over and spirit led
the opposite is not praying
walking in the flesh
winging it
We need spiritual influence and impact in our home
Mom’s working with children
Dad’s working with children
When we sing specials
When we help in a class
A supernatural influence is what we are praying and asking for
Influencers
I. Godly Character
The applying of basic Biblical principles in the Christian life such as prayer and the meditating of Scripture.
Are we still struggling in the basic principles
We need more than our gifts and talents
Do you beg God for His power to be the parent you need to be?
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
We can’t live a powerful life of influence and strength when we still are barley getting into the Word and Prayer.
Do you ask God to help you to deepen your walk with Him
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
God is not asking some difficult thing - be people of the Word and prayer
17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
God brings people to us to influence, to love, to teach
They pass us by without being helped
I brought them to church, no one to help them
Child - from birth
How can they be so bad at that young - been in torment
Why can’t I make a difference?
in my child
in my church
in my city
at my work
Lack of spiritual influence is connected to a lack of prayer
I agree that some will not be interested but how many are because
We have to operate in the authority that God has called us to
How do you pray
Do you bind the enemy
Do you pray backsliders home
Do you pray love into your marriage
Do you pray to the damage of the kingdom of darkness
Do you pray healing into the hurt
11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
One of my goals, as a Christian, I want to have part in bringing damage to the kingdom of darkness.
Wouldn’t it be great great if our church was known for bringing hurt to satan’s kingdom
Bring damage agains the kingdom of darkness so that demons know not to mess around with you
Get spiritual authority on your life before you start trying to deal in spiritual matters.
There is not one person that cannot be helped by someone that has God’s power working mightily in their life
Just words are not the answer
Theatrics is not the answer
This is not an act
2. Obedience To The Holy Spirit Of God
“God does not bestow His power of spiritual influence to the disobedient.”
If you are not repenting of your disobedience
Spiritual power is available to the obedience
Whatever you want God, yes!
Anything contrary to the Spirit is, no!
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Disobedience weakens you
Obedience strengthens you
When you obey you pierce darkness with light
Obedience is powerful warfare against the enemy
Men of God who are obedient - not just because they want to be good
We don’t have time to disobey, it causes spiritual loss
My obedience revenges disobedience
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
you are a servant to sin when you disobey
3. Humility Of Heart
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
The scribes just had positional authority, it was a title
Parents
Husband
Pastor
Positional only speaks to the mind, Spiritual appeals to the inner man
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Rest in the work
Learn of Him
Absent of anger
Lowly of heart
There is no meanness
Tirades
God’s spirit will be welcome in the meek
The dove - so scared
God is looking for those who are not attracted to all the carnal movement of the world.
3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: But the simple pass on, and are punished.
12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and are punished.
Flesh and blood tactics will not work
The anointing of the spirit that comes through humility
You’re speaking but no one hears when you walk in the flesh
Jesus, all power, put on an apron to serve
Servant leaders
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
Turn to:
20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
The anointing of God’s influence comes from God.
Title is not an annointing
When you have spiritual influence, others will know
6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, Nor from the west, nor from the south.
7 But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.
Joseph never sought position
But he was elevated
God used events in his life to elevate him
God will anoint you with influence as you walk in obedience in the Spirit
Don’t seek position without having your relationship with God in order and
Jesus walked in prayer - Spiritual influence and authority
Humility - authority
I desire leadership
no one can make you a man of prayer
No one can make you operate in humility
If there is no humility, obedience,
that type of person can become a
bigger
We are not all that strong, powerful, great
But He is