Five important keys to influencing our world as Christians

In this YouTube video teaching Pastor Conrad shares how as Christians we are meant to be salt and light in our world and that as believers we have the potential to make a great impact in our world for eternity. Jesus Himself said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) Pastor Conrad then shares the following five keys to seeing our lives as Christians making a great impact in our world, so that we can truly be salt and light as believers: 1) Building our life on a foundation of faith After sharing firstly how our right standing with God is purely based on our faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross at Calvary, Pastor Conrad then begins to share on the importance of having faith in relation to fully embracing all the God has planned for our lives and future The bible makes it clear that as Christians we can do great things for God’s glory when our lives are fully surrendered to Jesus Christ It is so important that we never lose our pioneering spirit That we never grow weary while doing good That we never lose that sense of expectation that God is able to do great and mighty things through our lives IF our lives are FULLY surrendered to Jesus Christ Jesus Himself said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works that these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I WILL DO IT.” (John 14:12-14) Pastor Conrad then shares the following keys that can help us to build our future on a foundation of faith i) We need to learn to trust God at all times and in all circumstances (Psalm 40:4) ii) We need to be always prepared to take steps (and even leaps) of faith as the Lord leads (Hebrews 11:1) iii) We need to be continually guided by the Holy Spirit in all that we do and allow Him to direct our steps in life. (John 16:13) This is such a great key to remaining in the will of God for our lives. Where God guides, He provides iv) It is important that we always build our future based on God’s promises in His word (2 Corinthians 1:20) v) It is so important that we develop faith filled thinking by consistently mediating on the word of God (Romans 12:2) (Joshua 1:8) vi) We must not allow our past mistakes to INFLUENCE OUR FUTURE decisions (Philippians 3:12-14), and vii) We must also be careful not to focus on negative things that will undermine our faith (Philippians 4:8) 2) Having a great love for ALL people The Apostle Paul wrote, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5) It is our sincere love for people that will open up doors to share our faith with them This is why the Apostle Paul wrote, “Let love be without hypocrisy.” (Romans 12:9a) We are most like Christ when we genuinely love others. Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the plight of humanity. Our greatest witness to the unsaved world is our genuine love for other believers Jesus made this clear when He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) Dying to self and our own agenda and living for others enables God’s love to flow through our lives to touch others 3) Having unity in our relationships with other Christians Unity is the key to seeing the body of Christ, (the church) making an impact in the world The early church grew rapidly. A key feature of the early church was that there was great unity amongst all believers Pastor Conrad then shares the following three things that we can do ourselves to help promote unity in our homes and church fellowships and workplaces: i) That we continually esteem others better than ourselves ii) That we always have the mindset of not “my” will, but “Thy” will be done in our lives. As we have this mindset God will do great things through our lives as we work together as a team, and iii) That we spend quality time with the Lord so that we get His heart and His love for those people that we relate to in life 4) We need to continually depend on the Holy Spirit in all that we do in life It is so important that we are continually filled with the Holy Spirit and that we depend upon His enabling power in all that we do in life and ministry in the coming days (Ephesians 5:18) AND 5) The importance of having godly character The whole Christian walk is about becoming more like Christ HAVING CHARACTER IN OUR LIVES IS A GREAT KEY TO BOTH SHINING FOR JESUS AND TO FINISHING OUR CHRISTIAN WALK WELL Pastor Conrad then concludes with one great key to influencing our world as Christians. Always living our lives with eternity in mind