9 Jan 2013 by Adeline Lum-
On 5th January 2013 (Saturday), I attended DUMC for their first service of the year at 5.00 pm. The church was brimming with people filling in seats at the ground floor of the auditorium and the upper gallery.
Senior Pastor Dr Daniel Ho kicked off the first service with a sermon entitled, ‘Year of Influence’, whereby the theme verse was Matthew 6:10 NIV.
10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
“Everyone of us is given a clean slate this coming New Year. (Imagine) the potential, the possibilities! It is amazing!” said Daniel. “Hence, it is very crucial that we write it well so that we would end this year with thanksgiving and rejoicing.”
And this year, we would like to bring in more of God’s Kingdom to pass in Malaysia than ever before.
Here are the goals for the church to influence this year:
1. Bring God’s Kingdom into the lives of individuals, families, communities, cities and nations
The church will take specific steps in influencing others at every level. Everyone would become a change agent for good in their circle of influence.
2. Bring God’s Kingdom of truth, justice and righteousness to various domains of the society
Champions are to be raised for each domain in the society, who will in turn mentor others.
3. To see the community, city and nation touched, transformed and blessed
The church would penetrate into the community through community reaches and church planting.
What is required from all of us to play this part and make a difference?
1. Faith
It is a gift from God. We grow our faith through hearing the word of God, hanging around people of faith and trusting God.
2. Vision
In short, start by knowing the BIG picture ahead. To think BIG, start SMALL, build DEEP, last LONG and fly HIGH.
3. Character
Make every effort to be a person of integrity – to be just, fair and righteous. If we do not have a great character, no one would listen to us.
4. Courage
Rise up to the challenges and the consequences. Do not be afraid to work for what is right.
Influencing the 8 domains of society
1. Education
2. Business
3. Politics
4. The media
5. Creative arts and entertainment
6. Sports
7. Family
8. Science and Technology
“We want to see God using us to touch hearts, change lives and bring glory to Him,” said Daniel.
Influencing the eight domains in the society meant impacting a huge part of society. It does not mean a take-over of various industries and even of the government. It means that our presence will slowly result in transformation of the people and the environment, as explained in Matthew 13:33 NIV.
Matthew 13:33 NIV
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Because of a little yeast, the flour is turned into a fantastic loaf of bread. And it is us who would become the ‘yeast’ or change-agent inside out in our sphere of home, work and society. To be a change-agent is to be different. And what makes us different is the renewing of our mind in Christ.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
What must undergird our thinking to influence?
1. A whole-life discipleship vision (Col. 1:10)
We tend to dichotomize our discipleship into the spiritual and the secular. No, Jesus is meant to be the Lord of all areas of our lives.
Col. 1:10
10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God
2. A front-line focus (Mt. 5:16)
Our front-line is where we normally spend the most amount of our time in each day and week. This is usually our workplace or place of study or, in the case of home-makers, their homes.
Ask yourself:
How do you see God working at the frontline?
How can God use you at the frontline?
And how can the church equip you to be more effective at the frontline?
Mt. 5:16
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
A video was shown about John, an environmental health officer, who was conducting his usual health inspection in restaurants. But upon giving warning to one particular owner whose bakery did not meet health standards, he noticed that the owner looked terribly upset, which tugged at his heart. The next day, he decided to return to that same restaurant to find out why the owner was so distraught. John was able to offer both practical help and counsel to him, which opened doors for John to share the gospel and even invite him to church!
Although that day appeared to be an ordinary workday for John, it is definitely extraordinary for the restaurant’s owner who just crossed from death to life and from hopelessness to salvation in Christ!
3. Be a change agent
Be the Salt and Light in this world
Matthew 5:13-15 (The Message Bible)
Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine!
4. Share stories to inspire, challenge and pray.
Never underestimate how God can use you.
How to increase in influence?
1. Ask the Lord to open our eyes to see how God can use us.
Daniel shared a story about a lady who peered through her window everyday at a group of boys playing football in the field.
As she watched them every day, God spoke to her, “You can do something for these boys.”
Because she knew when the game would end, she decided to make some cakes and drinks and serve the boys. Week after week, the boys would look forward to this kind and delicious treat. Over a six-month period, a strong friendship was built and the lady ended up in discipling some of these boys. You can imagine the influence and impact this will have over time.
“You never know, look around who you can impact,” said Daniel.
2. Adopt a servanthood posture (Mark 10:45)
Mark 10:45
45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
3. Be personal with people
Make time for people.
“It’s sad that we can get so caught up at work that we might have missed our family, loved ones and friends without realizing it. And before you know it, you are in a casket and a letter still came from your boss saying that there’s work waiting in the office for you to complete,” said Daniel.
Work is never-ending. And God loves people. Hence, investment of time and effort for people is always worthwhile.
4. To undertake church planting in order to multiply our influence across the nation.
Daniel challenged church members to relocate to other cities in order to start cell groups and church plant.
“Start a cell group. Be a cell leader. And if the members outgrow the house, find a bigger house. If the members grow and spill from that house, have it still in another bigger house,” said Daniel. “There’s no reason why we cannot build a church to a thousand strong!”
DUMC only started with 22 young working professionals with three children. And today when Daniel looked back, he and the founders were very humbled by what God did.
Amen! God can do wonders if we answer His call to influence in whatever capacity or position we hold and wherever we are.
Matthew 6:10
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
May we shine for God in His calling for us to follow Him and do His will.
Dear Viewers in Christ, if you find this article edifying to you, please share with your friends or loved ones by using the social media plugs (Share, Email to this article). The Lord will surely bless you as you bless others. May the Lord’s peace and love be with you. Amen.
For more information, please visit http://dumc.my/
References for pictures:
http://www.photomalaysia.com/gallery/data/512/medium/117.JPG
http://liz-green.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/life-changes.jpg
http://www.bodrum-hotels.com/images/kneading-bread-dough-by-hand.jpg
http://www.faithramseur.org/media/images/Church%20Website/Evangelizing%20-%20(Picnik%20reduced).jpg
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https://www2.fbi.gov/publications/leb/2009/october2009/images/window.jpg
http://www.addiction-treatment.com/wp-content/uploads/workaholic.jpg
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