Influence

We delved into the concept of influence and its profound impact on our lives. We began by examining the story from Numbers 13, where Moses sent spies to scout the Promised Land. Despite the land flowing with milk and honey, the spies were intimidated by the giants residing there, leading to fear and doubt among the Israelites. This narrative underscores the importance of being mindful of who or what influences us. As believers, we are responsible for discerning and stewarding the influences in our lives, ensuring they align with God's word and promises. We also explored the story of Samson in Judges 15, where he used the jawbone of a donkey to defeat a thousand Philistines. This story illustrates that the anointing was not in the jawbone itself but in God's power working through it. Similarly, we must be cautious not to cling to past methods or traditions that God has moved on from. Instead, we should seek what God is using today to accomplish His purposes. The sermon emphasized the need for faith that defies reality. Faith acknowledges the presence of giants and mountains but refuses to submit to them, trusting instead in God's power to overcome. We looked at David's encounter with Goliath, where David's faith in God, rather than Saul's armor, led to his victory. This story serves as a reminder that our confidence should be rooted in God alone. Finally, we discussed the importance of attitude, using the analogy of a lion's belief system. A lion's confidence and attitude stem from its belief in its own strength, despite facing larger and more powerful animals. Similarly, our spiritual attitude should be fueled by our belief in God's power and promises, enabling us to face and overcome any adversary.