{"id":32007,"date":"2022-09-10T15:52:35","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:52:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/3-ways-pastors-can-influence-and-change-the-world\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:52:35","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:52:35","slug":"3-ways-pastors-can-influence-and-change-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/3-ways-pastors-can-influence-and-change-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Ways Pastors Can Influence and Change the World"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Ryan Rice<\/em><\/p>\n

As pastors, we can be tempted to think our significance and influence within our community is based on the size of our church. But this isn\u2019t the case.<\/p>\n

While I\u2019m thankful for the larger churches in our community, size doesn\u2019t necessarily equal impact. The church I pastor isn\u2019t large, nor do we have a massive budget, but God has still called us to stand in truth and love in a culture in need of the gospel message.<\/p>\n

When the Apostle Paul wrote to instruct and encourage Timothy, he told him, \u201cBut you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness\u201d (1 Timothy 6:11).<\/p>\n

Notice that Timothy\u2019s significance wasn\u2019t rooted in the size of the church he was shepherding, but in being faithful right where the Lord had called him. Timothy was able to influence the church and the people God placed him around with his life and ministry.<\/p>\n

As a young man, Timothy needed to be encouraged to press on, but also, to remember who God had called him to be. Sometimes, we need to be encouraged in these things as well.<\/p>\n

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So pastors and leaders, take advantage of the following three areas of influence God has entrusted to you.<\/p>\n

1. Personal Life<\/strong><\/h3>\n

2 Corinthians 13:5 says, \u201cTest yourselves to see if you are in the faith.\u201d We must examine ourselves. The biggest platform we have is our walk with the Lord.<\/p>\n

People take notice of how you live your life. Not that we have to put on a show or pretend. However, if you\u2019re married, how do you speak to your wife in public and private?<\/p>\n

When you need to correct those whom you lead, do you engage them with grace? If you have kids, can others see the grace of Christ in your parenting?<\/p>\n

One of the reasons I respect my former pastor so much is he lived and breathed integrity. He wasn\u2019t perfect, but he pursued Christ and tried his best to live out the gospel.<\/p>\n

This gave him great influence in the lives of those around him. People who were in great positions of influence would come to him for counsel and advice.<\/p>\n

Pastor, don\u2019t think that your walk with Jesus and your love for family and others are small matters. It\u2019s the main thing. Love well, lead well, and serve well for the glory of God.<\/p>\n

2. Social Media<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Not everyone is a fan of social media. However, it\u2019s where our culture gets much of its news, entertainment, and even life advice.<\/p>\n

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See also  Video: Navigating Change in the Church<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The proper use of a social media platform can be an extension of your life and ministry. Many people who scroll through social media don\u2019t attend church, hold a postmodern worldview, and may even be outspoken against the gospel. Social media can be a great tool to influence and even give an apologetic for the Christian worldview.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a right and wrong way, however, to engage on social media. Scripture gives us some great advice on this in James 1:19, which is paraphrased as: \u201cBe slow to speak (post), Be quick to listen, (respond) and let all your engagement, be seasoned with salt.\u201d<\/p>\n

I know one pastor who used social media to engage a person who was in a cult. That person began conversing with the pastor online, later attended his church, and then expressed faith and trust in Christ.<\/p>\n

That may not happen often, but if we have a platform, we should use it for the glory of God.<\/p>\n

3. Preaching and Teaching<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You may not be well-known outside of your church when it comes to preaching and teaching, but God has called and set you apart for His glory all the same.<\/p>\n

As you stand to proclaim the Word of God, you\u2019re standing under the authority of Scripture. As preachers, we don\u2019t stand to give our opinions, but to rightly divide the Word of God for the people of God.<\/p>\n

Charles Spurgeon said, \u201cNo Christ in your sermon, sir? Then go home and never preach again until you have something worth preaching.\u201d We have something and Someone worth preaching!<\/p>\n

Jesus Christ is still transforming lives. If people leave our church services, Bible studies, or small groups not seeing us, but Christ, we\u2019ve done our job.<\/p>\n

Our greatest influence is pointing people to the One who can change their entire life.<\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain\u201d (1 Corinthians 15:58).<\/em><\/p>\n

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Ryan Rice, Sr.<\/h2>\n

@ryanricesr<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Ryan is husband to Sean\u00e9, father of Ryan, Jr., Brayden, Reagen, and Bailey, and has been in ministry since 2007. He\u2019s currently the lead pastor of Connect Church of Algiers in New Orleans, Louisiana, which they planted in 2014.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n