Living a 220 life

Impacting your world for Christ 2

The eighth and ninth chapters of Nehemiah offer us another look at how we can impact our world for Christ. As laborers for the kingdom of God we desire others to come into a relationship with Jesus Christ. The first and sometimes toughest step for many people is repentance from sin. Repentance is tough because it means a person admits they are wrong and openly expresses a desire to completely change their way of life. Let me walk you through Nehemiah and give you another example of the power of the Lord for impacting your world.

8:3 “Then he read from it (book of the Law) in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.” Ezra didn’t offer a spectacular service, he simply read the Bible to the people. He understood the power of the Word from the Lord and didn’t feel the need to add to it.

8:9b & 8:12 “For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.” “And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.“

9:2b-9:3 “and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God.“

My friends, Ezra did nothing more than read the Bible to the people. It was the power of the Lord that transformed the entire city and moved all the people to true repentence. Let me ask you what role God’s Word plays in your ministry and life? Is it simply a supporting text or is it the power that drives all you do? Are you relying on God’s Word to transform your own life and that of those you’re working with?

Let me challenge you with the end of Nehemiah 9:3, “read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God“. When was the last time you spent half your day seeking the Lord? I challenge you to spend half a day on a regular basis seeking the Lord; not as a ministry event but as a personal interaction with Jesus. Do it when no one else knows you’re doing it and seek the Lord for nothing more than to find Him. Brothers and sisters in the Lord, this is how we can impact our world for Christ: By humby stepping out of the way and allowing His power to reign in our lives! AMEN!

Impacting your world for Christ

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)

Many a young and fervant missionary has set out to impact the world for Christ. If every missionary or young believer impacted the world for Christ as they desired, the world would be completely won for Jesus. The question then becomes, ‘Why are so many fervant believers less fruitful than they wish to be for Christ?’ I know I’ve fallen into this category at times. I’m sure many of you reading this have also been frustrated by the fruits of your labor not matching your desire and zeal. Peter offers us an explanation for this.

In Acts chapter 2 Peter addresses the Jews and tells them the story of Jesus. Peter lays out the ‘nuts and bolts’ of what Jesus did to secure salvation for all who believe. Peter doesn’t sugur coat things, he simple lays out the raw doctrine of salvation through belief in Jesus Christ. Peter addresses the Jews in a way they understand and offers them the Gospel. The result is that they were cut to the heart and wanted to know what to do next.

From Peter’s example we can see the true power to impact our world for Christ. The power rests in the sacrifice Jesus made over 2000 years ago. We all too often feel that we need to ’spice’ things up with flashy messages or entertaining light show services, but the fact of the matter is that Jesus already laid the foundation for impacting our world. We don’t need to recreate the wheel; we need to use the wheel Jesus already developed. My fellow laborers, rest on Jesus and the work He’s already done. Don’t try to impact the world through your strength. Remember, it’s not about you, it’s all about Him! AMEN!