Sermons about Influence

The Church is Not the Destination

Date: April 29, 2012 | Speaker:

For far too long Christians have believed that if we could just get the people “out there” to come to our church, then we have accomplished the mission of the church. The more people who show up on Sunday, the more we think we’re winning. Nothing could be further from the truth! In this powerful message, Reggie McNeal shows us that we’re using the wrong scorecard, and reminds us that the church is not the destination, but rather the “connector” to get people where God really wants them to go.

How to Conclude Your Life Well

Date: April 1, 2012 | Speaker:

Solomon had everything a person could ever want, yet despite all his wealth and learning, he chose to live for the pleasures of this world and failed to consider the end of his life until it was too late. 1 Kings 11 says, “Solomon’s heart was not fully devoted to the Lord.” Although he knew the Word of the Lord very well, he failed to put it into practice in his own life, and so his life ended in heartache and regret. What about you? Are you living life with the end in view, making choices now that will keep your heart focused upon God so that you can conclude your life well?

You Are a Letter That Others Are Reading

Date: October 23, 2011 | Speaker:

Too often we think that sharing the Gospel means nervously giving a cold, rehearsed presentation to people who don’t know Christ. However, the message we are called to share is not a script that we memorize… the message is our lives! The Bible calls us to be “living letters” that others can read. As we live consistently for Christ each day, those around us will see how the Gospel has transformed us, and then our words will have credibility as we speak about our Savior. Today’s message gives some practical advice for doing just that.

What Kind of Baggage Are You Passing Down?

Date: May 22, 2011 | Speaker:

The power that parents have to shape and influence their children for a lifetime is astounding. While our parents pass down many good things to us, they also pass down a certain amount of baggage, which, if not dealt with, will be carried through our entire life and passed on to our children. Are there any hurts or destructive patterns you are still carrying through life? Jesus invites you to lay that baggage down at the cross and find the strength to be the agent of change for your family.

Spirit in Control: A Picture of Power, Part 1

Date: April 10, 2011 | Speaker:

Jesus did not leave us here to live the Christian life in our own strength. He sent the same Holy Spirit who raised Him from the dead to live inside of us and empower us! But the Bible warns us not to be filled with other things that will take control of our lives. We must be filled with the Spirit in order for our thoughts and actions to be controlled by the Spirit. We are controlled by whatever we are filled with.

Self in the Dirt: A Picture of Repentance, Part 2

Date: March 6, 2011 | Speaker:

The Bible says that our lives must bear fruit that gives evidence of our repentance, but in order for fruit to grow, God must prune away any areas that are not of Him. This process is often painful, but in the end, it is the only thing that brings true life and true joy! What areas of your life are you holding back and not allowing God to trim away? Surrender yourself to His skillful hands and allow Him to shape you into the image of His Son.

The Power of Friendship

Date: October 24, 2010 | Speaker:

Even though people have more ways to connect and communicate than at any other time in history, studies show that people feel less connected by real relationships than ever before. Loneliness has been called the new American epidemic. How many true friends do you have who will stick with you and point you to God in the tough times? Are you being that kind of friend to anyone else? Today’s message shows us the importance of friendship in helping us live a faithful and effective Christian life.

Refusing to Conform

Date: October 10, 2010 | Speaker:

There was a time in our nation’s history when Christians were respected by the general public, but now Christians are are portrayed either as extremists or as complete idiots by the media, with no real “respect” at all. Is it perhaps because we have lost our Godly influence by conforming to the world’s standards instead of truly standing out and making a difference? God’s Word calls us to transform our culture rather than being conformed by it. Are you a conformer or a transformer?

Will Our Lives Count for Eternity?

Date: June 20, 2010 | Speaker:

Hours before His death, Jesus challenged His disciples to make sure their lives bore fruit… fruit that would LAST. When our lives come to an end, will what we’ve done be gone like fireworks exploding and then fading away, or will our lives bear fruit that will last for eternity?

Pointing Others to the Light

Date: March 28, 2010 | Speaker:

God could have chosen any number of miraculous ways to announce the coming of the Light into the world, but instead, He chose a man named John the Baptist to spread the news. To this day, God continues to use ordinary people like us to spread His light into dark places. Are our lives touching others with the light of Christ?

Share Our Grace Story

Date: February 14, 2010 | Speaker:

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus says we are salt and light and calls us to be living, breathing expressions of His gospel wherever we are and to whomever we’re with. Through everyday, ordinary folks like us, God puts the gospel on the road. Rather than waiting for others to come to us, we’re told to go to them and to share our grace story of how God has worked in our lives.

Steward Our Lives

Date: February 7, 2010 | Speaker:

God never intended for us to keep 100% of what He gives us, but rather to invest some of it back into His mission on this earth. As you think about your time, talents, treasures, truth, and relationships, which area of your life are you managing well? Which area is God pinpointing that needs to be managed better? Is there anything you are holding onto that God wants you to release for His use?