I’M INFLUENTIAL

“You are the salt of the earth … 14You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16 NIV

The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” 10Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” John 4:9-10 NLT

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again …” John 4:13-14 NLT

“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. 17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—18for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” 19“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet.” John 4:16-19 NLT

The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29“Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30So the people came streaming from the village to see him. John 4:28-30 NLT

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” 40When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, 41long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. John 4:39-41 NLT

I’M IN—1

I’M INVITED

Jesus invites the people others reject. 

A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. Luke 7:37 NIV   

As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. Luke 7:38 NIV 

When the Pharisee who had invited him [Jesus] saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Luke 7:39 NIV

Then he [Jesus] turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” 48Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:44-48 NIV

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

TALK IT OVER

Everyone has a story. Describe your faith journey. How was it that you were invited? How did you come to know Christ?

When you came to faith in Christ, what did you experience or feel? Pick one word to describe what you experienced after you found faith in Christ.

Talk about one person you’re praying for to come to Christ. Pray for those you know and love who don’t know Christ.

Want to find out more about your God-given purpose? Check out the I’m In Bible Plan at: www.go2.lc/in

All scripture is from the New International Version unless otherwise noted. 

(John 10:3-5) “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 

Weapons of Mass Distraction 

____________.

(Luke 10:39-40 AMP) And she had a sister named Mary, whoseated herself at the Lord's feet and was listening to His teaching.But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted withmuch serving.

(Psalm 46:10) “Be still and know that I am God.” 

________________________.

(Luke 14:18-20) “But they all alike began to make excuses. The firstsaid, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Pleaseexcuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, andI’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Still anothersaid, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’”

(Hebrews 12:1-2 GW) Since we are surrounded by so many examples {of faith}, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up. We must focus on Jesus… 

________________________.

(Matthew 13:19 MSG) When anyone hears news of the kingdom anddoesn't take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil Onecomes along and plucks it right out of that person's heart.

(2 Corinthians 7:1 MSG) Let's make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let's make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God. 

God Speaks 

(1 Samuel 3:3-11) The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” And the LORD said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 

1.As we ____________________.

(Psalm 119:105) Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

(Psalm 119:147) I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. 

2.As we ____________________________.

(Genesis 3:8 NKJV) They heard the sound of the LORD Godwalking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and hiswife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongthe trees of the garden.

3.As we ____________________________.

(Psalm 92:11-13) My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes. The righteous willflourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts ofour God.

If you want the _______________, you’ve 

got to get in the ____________________.