“Greater Impact”
Mark 6:7-13, 30-44
Sermon Series: “Greater”
Introduction: God has blessed True Life over the first ten years and impacted the world through us. However, we know that He wants us to have a greater impact because He has promised to do greater works through us (John 14:12). This is something that only the Lord can bring about though. Ministry is humanly impossible. The needs of the world seem overwhelming. We face many personal challenges. It is easy to shrink away from what God is calling us to do because it will require sacrifice on our part. However, the church is here to impact the world. Multitudes need to hear the gospel. Jesus has given us everything we need to fulfill the mission that He has given us.
Main Idea: Through the multiplying power of Jesus, we can impact the multitudes of people who need Jesus.
It is the multiplying power of Jesus that will bring this about. However, He has chosen to work through us, just as He did His original disciples. What are some action steps we can take in order to experience His power working through us?
1. Have Christ’s compassionate attitude toward people (v. 30- 34). Jesus is a friend of sinners who compassionately meets people where they are. He sees them in need of a Savior instead of just labeling them into some particular category. He wants us to view people in the same way, and He wants us “to meet people where they are and help them become fully devoted followers of Christ” (the True Life mission statement). How do we view people?
2. Accept it as our responsibility to minister to people (v. 35-37). This means that we have to stop saying “I can’t” and start saying “I will” because “Jesus can.” The disciples saw the needs of this crowd as overwhelming and impossible for them to meet. They wanted to send the people away and let them fend for themselves. However, Jesus firmly said, “You give them something to eat.” He was saying (to them and us), “It is your responsibility to minister to the multitudes” (my paraphrase).
3. Obediently give Jesus what we have so He can multiply it (v. 38-44). Jesus does not ask us for what He does not first give us. He gives us everything that we need to do everything that He has called us to (1 Corinthians 1:4-7). We have to obediently give it back. The little boy gave the five loaves and two fishes to Jesus, and Jesus multiplied it and worked a miracle. What is in your hand to give to Jesus? There are three particular areas that we need to obey Jesus if we are going to have a greater impact on the world:
A. Witness B. Service C. Giving
Conclusion: What kind of impact do you want this church to have? What kind of impact do you want to have? Do you care about people? Will you accept it as your responsibility to minister to people? Will you give Jesus what is in your hand so He can multiply it?
