House of Wisdom - Wisdom's Influence

House of Wisdom - Wisdom's Influence

Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
- Proverbs 24:3-4

Sermon in a sentence
Begin to believe that the Kingdom of God can come in such a way that your heart, your home, and your household can become a haven on earth.

Haven
A harbor or an anchorage; a port.
A place of refuge or rest; a sanctuary.

The Gaderene - Mark 5:19-20
However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

Influence
A power affecting a person, thing, or course of events, especially one that operates without any direct or apparent effort

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” - Acts 26:28

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
II Corinthians 5:9-11

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. - I Peter 3:15

Heart Hope
The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. - Romans 14:17

Start With The Heart - Three Transformational Factors

1. Holy Spirit
2. Daily Life
3. Discipleship

The family is the foundation for Godly seed,
the demonstration of Divine agreement,
and is sealed by blood covenant!

Positively Influencing Our World for Christ & His Kingdom

• Two relational area’s of influence
  • Prayer & Evangelism
• One of the most important principles of loving others to Christ -- the “oikos” principle.
• The word <oikos> in the Greek New Testament refers to a person's extended household, their network of relationships or sphere of influence

Defining Your Household

• Identify Your "Oikos” <NT Greek>
  • a person's extended household
  • your network of relationships
• Defining & recognizing your relational network - your sphere of influence
  • Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt & Light
  • Matthew 28:18-20 – Missions Mandate

Your Sphere of Influence

The Church Growth Institute survey asking over 14,000 people
What or who was responsible for your coming to Christ and the Church?

The percentage of responses have been:
A special need 1-2%
Walk in 2-3%
Pastor 5-6%
Visitation 1-2%
Sunday School 4-5%
Evangelistic Crusade 0.5%
Church Program 2-3%
A friend or a relative 75-90%

New Testament Examples

• Acts 16:11-15 - Who became Christians along with Lydia?
• Acts 16:22-34 - Who followed the Philippian jailer in receiving Christ?
• Acts 10:1-2;22-24 - Who heard the good news of Christ with Cornelius?
• Matthew 9:10; Mark 2:15 - Who did Matthew invite to his home to meet Jesus?
• Luke 8:38-39 - Delivered demoniac’s response
• John 1:40-53 – Andrew and Simon Peter
• Acts 18:7-8 – Paul at Corinth

What people want ...

• Transcendence (contact with God)
• Significance (personal value and purpose)
• Community (connection and a sense of belonging)