Blessed to be invited in to attend the last session of the 412 Student Conference tonight. Here are some (unedited) notes worth sharing. Take time to read them!
Speaker: Jeff Wallace
UPWARD DEVELOPMENT
Head Knowledge
Knowledge alone is just the acquisition or gathering of information. How do you apply it to your life. How you apply what you learn in church and applying it to your life and giving it to others is what gives your knowledge power.
INWARD DEVELOPMENT
Heart Knowledge … own your faith
-Character (Matthew 5:1-12). Develop and demonstrate Christian character in public and private life
-Discernment (Matthew 7:1-27). We have a choice to jump on the wide path or get on the narrow path.
You have people in your sphere of influence who don’t know Jesus. The million dollar question is what are you going to do with what you know.
OUTWARD DEVELOPMENT
Making Jesus Known – Relationships
*** I have been saved to be sent! ***
Jesus understood he wasn’t here to be served but to serve.
The worst thing you can do is get something good in your life and not share it with others.
Luke 2:52 – Jesus increased in favor … with people.
Matthew 22:37 – Love your neighbor.
God has called you to be a leader and to go out and make Jesus known.
•Relationships (Matthew 5:43-45)•
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Think about someone you cannot stand, have a strained relationship with, or just don’t like. That’s the person you’re called to love.
You don’t just go after your friends and people you like. You make Jesus known to EVERYONE!!
Think that’s hard?? Try being crucified on the cross … and only saying, “Father forgive them, for they know now what they do.”
We need to love the castaways, the giveaways, and the throwaways.
You’ve been called to forgive and let things go.
Jesus leaves no room for guessing. He didn’t say to love just a few people. He said to love the enemies and pray for them.
Godly relationships matter. You have to have friends who hold you accountable for living your life privately and publicly for Jesus. But you also need to make Jesus known to others.
What if your mission every single week was to fill your seat in Connect Group with someone who needs to know Jesus?
Don’t get weird with it. There are effective ways to invite people to church.
Godly Relationships
1. Encourage other Christ fillers
2. Love the unlovable (be a witness)
3. Practice God’s love and grace at home with your family.
•Influence (Matthew 5:13-16)•
You are the salt of the earth.
—Represents purity. Our witness should be pure. We can’t allow negative spirits to penetrate our spirits. If you’re going to be the leader God has called you to be, you have to love a pure, righteous, and holy life.
You are the light of the world.
—-Your light should shine … pointing people towards Jesus. You have to be unapologetic about it. You have to be intentional.
Don’t compromise your salt:
Be bold about shining your light.
Point your light intentionally towards Jesus.
Philippians 1:27
Citizens of Heaven know you’ve been redeemed, are part of Gods family, and live worthy of the gospel. Why would you not want to share that with others?
We need to wake up in the morning and say, “God … help me be discerning of who I can talk to today about you.”
3 Types of Development
*** (UP) Head > (IN) Heart > (OUT) Hustle ***