The Call to Influence!

All of us at some level have heard of or been talking about ‘Spheres of Cultural Influence’ or the‘7 Mountains of Cultural Influence’. If you haven’t heard of these recent terms then I encourage you to do some research. Here’s a video teaching link from Lance Wallnau that should help considerably. http://youtu.be/qQbGnJd9poc  

Even early on when I launched Marketplace Solutions almost 6 years ago we talked about spheres of influence and the marketplace being made up of a combination of business, government and education. So, why am I talking about these now? Primarily because they continue to be a significant part of our Christian landscape and dialogue; and secondly and more to the point – I believe most of us are not sure where to start engaging when it comes to our own sphere of influence.

Here’s the bottom line – we are Salt, Light and Leven according to Jesus Christ and His description of our role or influence. Each of these elements describes a specific form of influence, enhancement, penetration or propensity to bring about change. In short, we are change agents or at least called to be.

Take a moment right now and do a quick self assessment. Based on personal relationships, personal passion and a strong bent or desire in a particular area – write down the Who, What and Where of your own area of influence and interest.
That assessment should provide relationships you currently have and/or want to develop; a significant pull toward a specific area that you love and want to serve; and finally a sense that you want to make a difference or have a vision for that area.
Got em? Good.

Now look at your occupational field and see it as a sphere of influence. What can you identify in that sphere as a constraint or something that has been corrupting its infrastructure? What do you still carry into that area as a personal constraint that is keeping you from being seen as a change agent? What is your personal constraint that is keeping God from releasing a SOLUTION through you to help minister to the felt need in that area?
These are important questions for this time. Ask them of yourself and begin to ask them of those who have a similar heart beat around transformation.

What companies and people are at the top of that sphere? Are you praying for them? How are you praying for them? God’s heart is a heart of redemption and transformation. The Kingdom authority He has given you is one that will allow you to be discipled and to disciple.

Unfortunately there are two primary points of engagement that have created a negative reaction to the transformation movement – the one that says “let’s take over, and dispose of what is currently there”; and the one that says – “let’s stay out of the way and pray Jesus returns as quickly as possible.” I believe the Gospel of the Kingdom describes a sweet spot that we need to move towards quickly.

Why is this not a take over?

The biggest reason this is not a takeover is because God’s heart is that none should perish.
There are Christians who wake up every morning with absolutely no intention toward shaping the world for God’s purposes.
The world was created to know God and be known by Him and our assignment is to make Him known to our world. We can’t do that by disposing of those who aren’t the same as you and I. We can do it by serving them and bring solutions to areas of significant felt need. God so loved the world that He gave up Himself to rescue, redeem and restore it. In order to make Jesus renown or known we have to RE-present Him to a culture that needs and inherently wants Him. He’s described as the desire of the nations. That means that if the right connection is made with a lost world based on these inherent desires they will go after God. And God’s word says that those who Seek Him will be found by Him. They will hunger and thirst for God. And God says that those individuals will be satisfied or filled. You and I must walk with a great sense of expectation and hope that is accompanied by humility, supreme sacrifice, genuine love; and are willing to lay down our lives as part of our leadership mantle.

Why is this not an exit stage left message?

The biggest reason this is not and ‘early exit’ message is because we have been commissioned to disciple. Which begs the question – Disciple what? We are called to disciple nations. Nations are made up of spheres of cultural influence and Yes, like it or not, those who lead those areas are forming and been forming the culture. We are to be members of the family of God with a Kingly brother named Jesus who is calling us into inheritance and influence. Much like the parable of the Minas – each of us has been given gifts, talents, skills and abilities and been asked to steward them while the Master is away. The master is returning, but his greatest concern is what have we done with what He gave us. The master did not abandon us but actually gave us more than enough in the form of Holy Spirit to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we can ask or imagine.
Look, I write this today to dispel the noise around so many of us and help us to refocus toward the heart of God and fulfilling His purposes here on earth.

Here are a few key focus areas to develop:

• Cultivate a renewed mind privately and corporately like never before. That may mean unplugging for a world that is sending you mixed messages about who God is and who you are in relation to Him.
• There are two fathers who are trying to get your attention – the father of lies and your Heavenly Father. The father of lies tells you what you can’t do and who you aren’t. He heaps condemnation on you based on your performance. Therefore,…
• Focus on what your Heavenly Father thinks about you. The Father of Truth is not only here to set you free, but to speak into your being, your essence which reflects His image.
• Yes, You have been created in the Image of God (that image has Father, Son and Spirit contained in it) and it’s time to bear witness to that.
• By making agreement with that means you also agree with the original assignment He mandated you to BE. Yes, be fruitful, multiply, be filling, be one who submits and subdues.
• Focus on Fruit Bearing as a primary assignment.
• That fruit consists of love, joy, peace, patients, gentleness, kindness, self control, long suffering, and grace.
• Focus on the Jesus Character in You – Humility, Meekness, Wisdom, Power and Obedience.
• Focus on the Father factor – Authority, Creativity, Glory, Holiness, Sufficiency.
• Focus on advancing the Kingdom rather than building the church.

Now more than ever we are contending for greater things. Not for us or to us, but to Thy name be glory. Fight the good fight of faith!