Influence Culture Church: Recent Episodes
Pastor BJ Johnson
We are a church in downtown Fort Lauderdale who exists to influence our world daily with the love of Jesus.
Since opening our doors in Feb of 2014, we have seen God do incredible things. We have seen people of all backgrounds, life stories and church experiences find hope in a fresh and new way.
If you are in the area, we encourage you to join us on a Sunday!
Unlike happiness, joy is gladness that is completely independent of the good or bad things that happen in the course of the day. In fact, joy denotes a supernatural gladness given by God’s Spirit that actually seems to show up best during hard times. This is a product of fixing your focus on God’s purposes for the events in your life rather than on the circumstances.
Question: Am I experiencing a joy of life on a regular basis, or is my happiness dependent on things going smoothly in my day?
PRAYER: Jesus I thank you for JOY! No matter what I'm experiencing or walking through, my JOY is not based on how I feel, but rooted in your goodness. This week, I take my eyes off of my circumstances and turn my attention to you.
Love. This word for love doesn’t refer to warm feelings but to a deliberate attitude of good will and devotion to others. Love gives freely without looking at whether the other person deserves it, and it gives without expecting anything back.
Question: Am I motivated to do for others as Christ has done for me, or am I giving in order to receive something in return?
PRAYER: God fill me with YOUR love. Help me put my love into action this week. That I will love without strings attached. That I would know your love for me and in turn, show that love others. That I will influence my world, daily with you love.
Philippians 1:12-14 ESV I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance (furtherance) the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Paul writes: What has happened to me has really served to ADVANCE.
Advance—Furtherance—Pioneer •to be the first to open or prepare •to take part in the beginnings of; initiate: •to lead the way for (a group); guide.
God sends him to the influencers of the city.
One soldier at a time, Paul shares the message of Jesus.
One family at a time (like the jailer's family) changed and restored.
Isaiah 54:1-3 "Sing, barren woman, who has never had a baby. Fill the air with song, you who've never experienced childbirth! You're ending up with far more children than all those childbearing women." God says so! "Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big! Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep. You're going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family. You're going to take over whole nations; you're going to resettle abandoned cities.
Acts 3:1-8 NLT 1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.