I will be sharing some thoughts on Family Territorial Influence.
A quick digression,
In 1517, Martin Luther King Jr wrote 'Ninety Five Theses' and nailed it on the door of castle church in Wittenberg. He was greatly troubled by the immorality in families, sin, corruption and all forms of vices plaguing the Nation, and the World at large.
The theses was his painstaking effort to awake Christians all over the world on the need for Cultural Reformation and Revival.
If you are still reading this, it is because you want to catch the fire to become a force of influence for positive transformation in earth.
My assignment tonight is to push you out of your comfort zone, and remind you that you are not localized to Nigeria, England or wherever you are situated.
You have a global mandate to DISCIPLE ALL NATIONS.
Irrespective of your marital status or educational background. The call for territorial influence is for us all. If you can get it right, it will be easier for your family to run with it.
As a matter of fact, one of the evidences of the 'end times' is Instability of Families.
Instability of families..
Fathers shall turn against their Children and Children Likewise. But I make bold to say that, it wouldn't happen in our generation.
First Things First...
Why Education?
Why Marriage?
Why Family?
Why Work?
Why...... ?
Everything is geared towards one single thing, the Dominion Mandate!
... and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Genesis 1:28 (Emphasis mine)
I am aware that we have some 'very spiritual folks' around us today. They are easily satisfied with living small, dreaming small, and focused on just making it to heaven.
That sure sounds humble and sanctimonious , but it is selfish and 'wicked' ,
it is a direct disregard for the "Teach all Nations' mandate".
If you are unconcerned about cultural reformation and the expansion of your territorial influence,then you need to know some statistics:
*In most Countries now (including Nigeria), Islam education has been integrated into the religious education. So your child learns that Jesus and Mohammed are colleagues
* Children are allowed to change their gender, but are discouraged from reading the Bible publicly.
* At age 8, many cultures expose the child to pornography and keep the Bible away from them...
I can go on and on ☹
No matter who you are or what you do, if you don't understand cross-cultural communication, your global mandate will be localized.
The New Testament version of Genesis 1:28 (Dominion Mandate) is ... "Disciple all Nations". In other words, Spread the Kingdom Culture (Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost)
I will quickly point out 4 important things for territorial influence.
• The meaning of Territorial Influence
• Customizing your Sphere of Influence
• Expanding your Sphere of Influence
• Practical Suggestions
1. The meaning and power of Territorial Influence.
Let me start with basic definition of your Territory and Influence.
What is your territory?
Where is your Influence?
What is your Territorial Influence?
* Your territory is the geographical area under the control of your authority
*Your Influence is your ability to persuade or control the way people think, talk or act.
Hence, your Territorial Influence is your level of persuasion over the way people think, talk or act within your Sphere of influence.
The way people think, talk and act is the culture of the people. Can culture change? Yes, I will talk about that later. But note; Behind every cultural reformation is a man of strong influence.
Although the world has numerous cultures, they can all be grouped into 2. The Kingdom Culture and the World Culture (kosmos). The difference between them is not just *good or *evil (that is the Adam syndrome) but life and death.
As a matter of fact, when Jesus said DISCIPLE ALL NATIONS, the word 'Nation' there is 'ethmos' in Greek, which also means CULTURE. In other words, Jesus said Influence all Cultures.
Everyman created by God has an 'influencability' syndrome. You can either influence your territory or be influenced by others.
But remember, you can't maintain a balance in this particular equation. Each kingdom is striving for influence.
The Power of Influence
You might be born again and heaven bound.
But if you refuse to attack first by expanding your territorial influence, you will soon find yourself defending yourself from the decadence of the prevailing cosmos
Where or How do you start?
Identify Your Target Audience, and your Sphere
Your Sphere of Influence covers one or more of the 7 Mountains of the Society:
Education
Entertainment
Media
Government
Economy
Religion
Family
Find your Sphere, Create a Niche, Customizing your Atmosphere
2. Customizing your Sphere of influence.
Customizing your Sphere/Faith means developing it to your taste and specification. Families that have strong Kingdom Spheres have strong kingdom values: faith, righteousness, truth, excellence, integrity, love and lots more.
Your Sphere of influence is a ring that encircles the people impacted by you either directly or indirectly. What are you rubbing off on them (or what are they rubbing off on you?).
Influence will lead you to Fame and Popularity. But that is not the purpose of influence.
The purpose of influence is IMPACT. Remember, to whom much is given, much is required.
In the 21st century, influence comes in different forms. It could be social media, leadership, skill, charisma, elegance, wisdom, etcetera.
Whichever way your influence shows up, don't take it for granted. Influence is a means to an end; the sole purpose of influence is IMPACT. I repeat, to whom much is given, much is required.
Every Sphere of Influence that is rooted in the Kingdom of God seeks for the expansion of God's kingdom through:
*Promoting Righteousness
*Encouraging Peace
*Inspiring Joy
...for the kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost.
In customizing your sphere of influence, note these four things:
A. Be Bold enough to be Different.
Your selling point is your difference. Until you can identify your difference, and act on it, your territory will be out of your control.
The righteous are as bold as Lions... The devil runs around like a lion
Boldness makes You formidable to oppositions.
B. Establish God's Word as the final Authority.
They once asked a Christian what he believes about Abortion... His response was that "it depends on how abortion is defined.
I saw this picture on facebook, some of us could have seen it.
The kosmos has its own law, which comes in different forms.
Some people call it
Humanism
Liberalism
Atheism
C. Be Intentional, work with clarity.
When I see some posts on social media about churches (from Christians) , I know that such people are just seeking popularity, they have never prayer for the churches in question.
God is not just interested in your getting good job, giving birth, having a good family, and making heaven. God is more interested in "Let your Kingdom Come, thy will be done on Earth", starting with your sphere of influence.
Every Kingdom has laws, let your sphere be unapologetically
3. Expanding your Sphere of Influence
Education does not change your Purpose, but it can amplify your influence. Every influence is an opportunity for make impact.
Marriage also will never tamper with your Purpose, but it can increase your impact exponentially. The Bible says, one shall chase a thousand, and two shall chase ten thousand.
That means, as a Single, you have a grace to naturally influence a thousand. Don't settle for less. Marriage increases the default settings to ten thousand.
To expand your sphere of influence...
A. Prayer: The higher you go, the cooler it becomes. Good Results can give you the 'chillax' effect. But don't fall for it, stay on fire. Prayer gives you access and favour in the heart of People.
Also stay attentive.
B. Faith: every form of territorial advancement, requires faith because it will seem impossible.
C. Excellence: Mike Murdock said you will never be promoted until you become over qualified for your present assignment.
D. Growth: Never compromise your growth for anything. Prioritise your Spiritual Growth, Personal Growth, Intellectual Growth, Relational Growth, Leadership Growth etcetera.
E. Inspire: You can never influence people you are not inspiring.
4. Practical Conversion
*Intentionally customize the atmosphere around you.
How do you want people to think, talk and behave? Lead by example. If you cannot influence and inspire your wife and children to believe in you? You need Wisdom.
Intentionally create your desired atmosphere. In the days of Jesus, he influenced the tax collectors, religious leaders.
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