THE GREATEST INFLUENCE OF ALL 

Pastor Tayo Adeyemi

Senior Pastor of New Wine Church

                                                                Sunday 26 December 2010

Foundation Scripture: Romans 10: 13-15

Last week, in the “Be There” factor we understood that the power in the work of salvation that Jesus did in leaving his own world was in coming to dwell in our world, making clear that He would be there for us. On this basis, we concluded that that if we want to increase our influence with non-Christians, we must first increase our “Be there” factor with them and challenged ourselves to follow a simple but effective strategy for influencing unbelievers. Today, I am concluding this series, The Greatest Influence of All with an examination of just that - The Greatest Influence of All.

The Greatest Influence of All

If you look at Hebrews 11: 1-4, you will encounter the truth that down through the ages, God has employed various means to reveal Himself to mankind:  In Genesis He fellowshipped with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day, He also revealed Himself through visions and dreams. To the children of Israel in the wilderness, He was a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire in the night. He spoke through prophets, using each one in His own unique way to communicate His counsel. But, as the bible says in these last days God has chosen one method above all by which to communicate with man: Jesus Christ. And so, if we want to hear God speak today and if we want to know what God looks like, we’ve got to look at and listen to Jesus. You will recall that He Himself said in John 14: 9, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.”

Even though the circumstances of His birth were unassuming, His coming into the world has impacted human history in an indelible and unforgettable way. Born to a peasant girl and a carpenter as earthly father, He was born in a lowly manger, with only animals in attendance. The first people to receive the news of His birth were not kings, but humble shepherds. Yet this man Jesus has changed the course of human history and human destiny forever. Without a shadow of a doubt, His influence on the world is the greatest influence of all.

This Man Jesus

He came from the bosom of the Father to the bosom of a woman. He put on humanity so that we might put on divinity. He became Son of man that we might become sons of God.  The Child of a peasant girl, He was born contrary of the laws of nature, was reared in obscurity and crossed the boundary of the land of His childhood only once. He had no formal education; and His relatives were inconspicuous and un-influential. In infancy he startled a king; in boyhood He puzzled the wise men; in manhood He ruled the course of nature. He walked upon the waves and hushed the sea to sleep. He healed the multitudes without medicine, and made no charge for His services.

He never wrote a book, but more books have been written about Him than about anyone else in history. All the libraries of the world could not hold the books that have been written about Him. The closest thing that we have to His Biography, that part of the bible called the New Testament, has been translated in whole or part into more than 2000 languages. He had no formal education, but thousands of universities, colleges, seminaries and schools have been founded in His name. Thousands of hospitals, orphanages and other institutions have been established in His honour. He never founded a college, yet all the schools together cannot boast of as many students as He has.

He never painted a picture of composed poetry or music, yet no-one’s life and teaching has been the subject of a greater output of songs, plays, poetry, paintings, films and other art forms as His. He never wrote a song, yet He has furnished the theme of more songs than all the song-writers combined.

He never practised psychiatry, and yet He has healed more broken hearts than doctors have healed broken bodies. He never raised an army, but millions of people have laid down their lives in His cause. At least 330,000 of His followers are martyred for their faith each year.  He never marshalled an army, drafted a soldier, nor fired a gun, yet no leader ever raised more volunteers, who have under His orders caused the fiercest armies to surrender without so much as firing a shot.

Irresistible Influence

Except for one brief period during His childhood, His travels were limited to an area about the size of Wales, yet today His influence is literally world-wide. He never spoke to more than a few thousand people at any one time, but today Christianity has more than 1.62 billion followers – over 30% of the world’s population and is the largest faith group the world has ever known.

He lay aside His purple robe of royalty for a peasant’s gown. He was rich, yet for our sake He became poor. He was born in a borrowed stable; He slept in a borrowed manger; He crossed the lake in a borrowed boat; he rode on a borrowed donkey; He was buried in a borrowed tomb. Yet He has made more people rich than all the wealthy people of the world combined.

2000 years have come and gone ad today He is the centrepiece of human civilisation and the pioneer of human progress. Today the risen Lord Jesus Christ is the central figure of the human race. On our calendars His birth divides history into two eras. One day of every week is set aside in His honour and our two most important holidays celebrate his birth and His resurrection. On church steeples around the world, His cross has been the symbol of victory over sin and death.

In His lifetime he was relatively unknown outside of his own small country but if you Google the name Jesus today you will get 180 million results in 0.08 seconds. He is the Star of Astronomy, the Rock of Geology, the Lion and the Lamb of Zoology, the Harmoniser of all discords, and the Healer of all diseases. Great men have come and gone, yet He lives on. Herod could not kill Him, Satan could not seduce Him, Death could not destroy Him and the grave could not hold Him.

THAT’S MY KING!

Allow me, for a moment,  to borrow some of the words of Dr Shadrach Meshach Lockridge to express myself:

“No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings. He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. He’s the greatest phenomenon that ever crossed the horizon of this world. He’s God’s son. He’s a sinner’s Saviour. He’s the centrepiece of civilisation. He stands in the solitude of Himself. He’s august. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented.

He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme subject in higher criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He’s the cardinal necessity for spiritual religion. He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Saviour.

He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathises and He saves. He strengthens and sustains. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors. He delivers captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek.

Well my King is the King. He’s the key to knowledge; He’s the wellspring to wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous and His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you but He’s indescribable. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible. He’s irresistible.

You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hand. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. The Pharisees couldn’t’ stand Him but they found that they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King!

Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor said “I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man”..I search in vain, history to find similar to Jesus Christ.” The French historian and scholar, Ernest Renan said “All history is incomprehensible without Christ. Whatever may be the surprises of the future, Jesus will never be surpassed.”   HG Wells, when asked which person left the most permanent impression on history replied “I am a historian. I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very centre of history. ..Christ is the most unique person of history. No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless teacher of Nazareth”.

“This is the Jesus that you serve! This is the Jesus that I serve”

All of this should have two impacts on you: Firstly, it should give you confidence – you are on the winning team. The conclusion of the story has been written and in the final analysis, you win!  When you realise that this Jesus who had the greatest influence of all lives inside you, it should make you walk like you’re 10 feet tall!  And guess what? His influence is not diminishing in the earth. It is increasing because of you and me. We are now agents of His influence on earth and we carry that influence wherever we go, as confirmed by 2 Corinthians 2: 14-15. Whether you realise it or not, you are making a difference – and you should never doubt your capacity to be a force for influence wherever God has planted you. This should give you confidence.

Also, an understanding of the truth that the greatest Influence of all is within you should increase your sense of responsibility. Luke 12: 48 confirms this. Because you carry so much within you, you owe the world so much and you owe God so much.  Paul described himself in Romans 1: 14 as a debtor and in 1 Corinthians 9: 16 declared “woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!”

This sense of responsibility should make you determine that “This influence will not diminish on my watch – as long as it lies with me this influence will grow stronger and stronger, until the whole earth is covered with God’s glory as the waters cover the sea.” Refuse to be so consumed with the mundanity of life that you cannot lift your head and understand God’s divine purpose.

And so, as we conclude this year of irresistible influence I charge you now in the Name of the Risen Christ! I challenge you to echo the sentiments of Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Declaration, extracts of which are below:

“I‘ve made my choice, the verdict is in and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now! I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate His presence, cultivate His character, participate in His family, demonstrate His love and communicate His word.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me”, character over comfort, service over status and people over possessions, position and pleasures. I know what matters most and I’ll give it all I’ve got. I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today. ...I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal. When times get tough and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off back down back out or back slide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit-led, purpose-driven, and mission-focussed so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

To my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I say “However, whenever, wherever, and whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord, whatever it takes!”

Go in this your might! Go and change the world – your world! And so I charge you...Go and unleash upon the world, the greatest influence of all!