Heart Matters: Influence

Deuteronomy 34:4-12; Luke 5:27-39; Romans 1:8-17

Rev. Chris Harbin, Rocks Baptist Church—Pamplin, VA

20 June 2004

Today we celebrate fatherhood, just as we celebrate the transitions and accomplishment of graduation. At such milestones in life, it is appropriate to evaluate the quality and channels of our influence on those around us. As parents, we look to the influence we have with our children. How do we use the influence we have been given? Are we worthy stewards?

Moses’ lived a life of tremendous influence. From returning to lead the Hebrews from captivity in Egypt, he became a man of influence. His life was no longer lived for himself, but for the good of others. Moses became a model, an example, a reference point for others. He led the band of slaves to trust in Yahweh for a deliverance that seemed ridiculously impossible to achieve. He called upon them to follow his lead in accepting God’s love and care for them. The were to trust Yahweh’s power over the gods of Egypt. They were also to trust that Yahweh cared about them—an enslaved, no-account people. It was a long and hard struggle for them to finally accept that Yahweh would redeem them from captivity and fashion them into a nation.

Moses’ led the Hebrews into the wilderness through the Sea of Reeds. They left Egypt with its horses, chariots, and soldiers behind them. The made their way into the wilderness region under the guidance and influence of Moses. Moses was learning to trust and follow Yahweh. Even while his own faith and dependence was growing, he led others to follow his example of trusting Yahweh to lead and provide. At the end of his life, there was much to celebrate, as the people had come out of Egypt and established a new identity. There was much more ahead of them, however.

Moses had led them as far as he could, but God wanted them to cross over into the land beyond the Jordan River. Moses was not the one to take them there. He would not be able to take them into the land, but his legacy of influence prepared the way. While Moses did not set foot across the Jordan, it was his faithfulness and influence that prepared Joshua to lead the people into the new challenge of faith. Moses’ life was about more than the actions that we can describe—the successes we can record. He influenced others to follow Yahweh with the same zeal and fervor, taking up the challenge of faith where he had to leave off. Beyond the list of accomplishments we would normally record, lies the influence he left on the lives of an entire generation who would follow Yahweh under the leadership of Joshua.

Moses’ influence was more than the sum of his actions and accomplishments. His influence included the changes in the lives of others around him. His influence was not limited to those in his own lifetime, but all the lives he touched as stories of God’s dealings with him were told and retold to other generations.

When Jesus called Matthew to become a disciple, his immediate response was to call those within his circle of influence. He was overjoyed at the opportunity to follow Jesus, so he called all his friends and acquaintances to celebrate the new direction he had found for his life. They held a big party, inviting all those he knew and with whom he normally associated. The party was public knowledge, for it caught the ire of the Pharisees and scribes.

Matthew had influence with a select group of people—the people he already knew. That was the most appropriate group for his interaction, sharing the newly discovered joy of discipleship to Jesus. Matthew influenced those in his circle not so much by preaching, but by introducing them to Jesus and publicly taking his stand to become a disciple. His discipleship role was part of his life, and he shared it as he would share any other news with his friends.

Matthew recognized naturally that the change in his life and direction required celebration. He had good news, and news is to share. He also recognized that he had influence. The best avenues of influence were among the people already in his circle. He celebrated with them, sharing with them the joy he had found in Jesus’ call to follow. He had found new direction and purpose, so these he shared naturally with others in his sphere of influence. His life began to count for more than his own desires and needs, as he influenced others with the new purpose he had found.

Jesus talked about wine and wineskins. He compared the elasticity of leather wineskins to the religious structures of the day. The forms of spirituality were focused on expectations for the coming of Messiah. For them, fasting mainly centered on making ready for the coming of Messiah. While that was worthy prior to Messiah’s coming, it would not do when it was time for celebrating that Messiah had come. Jesus mentioned how fermenting juice expands within wineskins. The fresh juice would rupture skins that had already been used to make wine.

Jesus left them a warning with his words about wine and skins. They were so focused on the old, established ways that they would not appreciate the new wine that he offered. Rather than joining in the Matthean celebration (wine was a symbol of joy and celebration), they were too concerned with keeping to their established patterns. They were too entrenched to see the value of fresh wine (unfermented juice) in preference for the juice that had already fermented. Jesus called them to recognize that as fermented wine is prized over fresh, so they were prizing the old with no appreciation for the dynamic quality of the new, nor for the path of influence that the new should follow.

Paul wrote encouragement to the Roman Christians, speaking to the manner in which they were influencing others with their faith. Their acceptance of the gospel of faith in Jesus was becoming known as they shared the gospel with those in their circles of influence. The result Paul points to is that their faith was being proclaimed throughout the Roman Empire. Paul adds to their example, sharing his own desire to influence others with the gospel of faith and grace. Perhaps this was a way for Paul to prepare them for the fact that while he would come to Rome, he would not remain there. Paul lived under the charge to influence people who were yet outside the walls of the gospel. He understood it to be his task to spread the gospel even further, expanding his sphere of influence by going on to new places.

Moses, Paul, and Matthew were intentional in using their influence to call others to trust and dependence upon God. They shared their faith with those around them and sought as possible to extend their spheres of influence to take the message of faith to others. Are we intentional about influencing others? Do we allow God’s grace to flow through us? That is the definition of influence—“to flow in and through.” We are to be channels for God’s grace—a call to trust God. How are we doing? How will we do? What lasting contribution will we make with our lives?

—©2004 Christopher B. Harbin

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