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[albertojbello]

GROWING IN INFLUENCE

Acts 9:22-25 (NIV)

22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. 23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

We all want to be influential to some degree and we would all love a greater platform.  Below are three things that will help you build your influence and deal with everything that comes with it.

1.  Influence comes through elevating Jesus, not self

In this text we see that it says that “Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.”  Paul grew powerful because He placed things in the right order in his life.  His sole aim in life was to elevate Jesus and make His story known throughout the ends of the earth.  Paul wasn’t looking to build a mega youth group, mega church, get a book deal, and be on Good Day LA.  Those are all great things, but they weren’t the epicenter of his pursuit.  All of those things should become bi-products to the main thing and that’s making it about Jesus.

It’s so easy in this current culture to make ministry about ourselves and somehow become convinced that we’re making it all about Jesus.  I know because I’ve been there.  I know what it’s like to have my priorities out of order and think that I was all about elevating Jesus when instead, I was all about elevating me.  We often try to build our little towers of Babel and at some point God just knocks it down.  He had to take me through a humbling season in order for me to understand this.  When we make it about Jesus, Jesus makes it about us.  In due season…did you hear that?  In due season, He elevates your platform, increases your influence, and opens amazing doors of opportunity.  Before He does all of that, He wants to ensure that He grows your character, that you’ll know how to handle those platforms, that you'll know how to handle yourself, and how to handle your pride.   The motives of the heart are everything because in the end-that’s what God is going to look at.

2.  Haters will arise as God gives you influence

In verse 23 it says “After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him.”  Wow, all of a sudden the haters stepped on the scene.  Why?  Because Paul was growing in influence and people were flocking to him and listening to him.  You see, the Jews couldn’t claim his success nor could they place their name on it so they became haters.  

As God grows your platform and influence, you better believe that the haters are going to come out of the wood work.  If they can’t put their claim on you, then they’ll probably hate on you.  What’s crazy, is that some of those haters might be people that you were once close to.  Some people in your friendship circle or network won’t know how to handle your success. Especially, if they feel that you’re rising above where they’re at or if you’re challenging the system.  This can lead to jealousy and things alike.  

RT:  If they can’t put their claim on you, then they’ll probably hate on you.

The question is, how will you respond to those who hate?  My answer would be, in love.  To always be as wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove.  You can’t give into haters because they end up pulling you down.  Be prepared to be criticized for your accomplishments, don’t let it get to you, and keep on doing what you’re doing.

3.  Know who your friends are, and keep them close

In verse 25 it says, “But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.”  We see here that as the haters were conspiring to kill him, he had a following of people who protected him and had his well being in mind.  This group of people were the ones that saved him.  These are the kind of people that Paul needed to keep close because they were willing to lay down their lives for him.  If they would have gotten caught, they could have been killed too.  

You have to know who your real friends are and you have to keep them close to you.  There’s nothing better that friends who you can trust to this capacity.  Friends who will be there for you in your weakest of moments, in your most vulnerable times, and during difficult seasons are the kinds of friends that help you along the journey.  Keep your “Ride or Die Click” close to you because as your influence grows, you’ll need to guard who you let in.  Some people might want to be around you for all the wrong reasons.