Impact

Impact: Sermon Notes Pastor Mike Snodgrass

May 25, 2025

Review from the previous week:

• We have stated that 2025 is to be the year of IMPACT at Cross Pointe Church.
• We looked at two visual illustrations that help us to see the object of impact as well as the effects of impact: Newton’s Cradle and a ripple effect.
  • Definitions
    • Thought: Definition of Impact: the action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another.
    • Newton’s Cradle: It involves a series of balls suspended in a row, and when one ball is raised and released, it strikes the stationary balls, transferring its energy to the last ball in the row, which then swings up.
    • A second definition of impact is this: to have a strong effect on someone or something.
    • Ripple Effect: The ripples are a physical manifestation of energy transfer, where the initial disturbance (e.g., throwing a pebble) causes water molecules to move up and down, creating a wave that travels outwards.
• The question is, how do we become people of Impact?
  • The moment of encounter and saying, “Yes, Lord”
    • Exodus 3:1-2 – Moses
    • Judges 6:11-12 – Gideon
  • Background and context
    • Exodus 2:11-12
    • Judges 6:1-6
• The main and focused point from last week was: In order to be a person of impact, we must say YES to the experience with God.
  • Both Moses and Gideon were given an opportunity to be a person of impact in spite of their circumstances, location, and influence.
  • Moses and Gideon said, “Yes, Lord,” to the invitation to “come” and join with God.
    • Exodus 3:4 NIV
      And Moses said, “Here I am”…
      
    • Judges 6:13 NIV
      Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied…
    • God’s desire is for you and I to be a person of IMPACT! To create something in you that you cannot do on or in your own strength. But that necessitates a “Yes, Lord” on our part!
    • Are we willing, as a disciple and follower of Jesus to accept and to say, “Yes, Lord” in particular situations and circumstances?

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The saying “many hands make light work” suggests that when multiple people help with a task, it becomes easier and quicker. This is because the burden of the work is distributed, and the task can be accomplished more efficiently with the combined effort of several individuals.

• God has created us as human beings in such a way that we are better together.

Genesis 2:18
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

The dilemma that we find ourselves in, oftentimes, is whether or not we are going to receive help.

• Why do we refuse help?
  • Pride
  • Convenience
    • Kids helping
  • May not do it the same way
  • Don’t want to be bothered or burdened

TO BE A PERSON OF IMPACT, YOU MUST ACCEPT GOD’S !

• God’s Help can come in two ways:
  • 1. God’s Family
    2. God’s Spirit

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GOD’S FAMILY:

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Hebrews 10:25-25
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Moses – Exodus 17:8-13 ESV
Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.

Nehemiah – Nehemia 2:17-18 ESV
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.

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In order to accomplish the task before us, in order to be a person of Impact, WE MUST be people who BOTH give help and receive help from the family of God!

There’s a second way in order to be a person of Impact and that is directly from God!

GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT:

John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

• Why is this so important?
• Jesus talked about this a few versus earlier…

John 14:12-14 NIV
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Just like Jesus came to serve, teach and help us, He is describing the Holy Spirit and the role it will play in our lives as we accomplish the work he has set before us!

In order to be a person of Impact, we must receive the help that Jesus is describing! The help of the Holy Spirit!

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The Work of the Holy Spirit in our lives:

1. Empowering for Evangelism and Preaching

• Empowers people to preach the gospel
  (Acts 1:8; Acts 4:31; 1 Corinthians 2:1–5; 1 Thessalonians 1:4–5)

2. Deepening Knowledge of Christ and His Love

• Gives believers a deep understanding of Christ and His love
  (Ephesians 3:19)

3. Illumination of Scripture

• Illuminates the truth of God’s Word
  (1 Corinthians 2:6–13; Ephesians 1:16–20)

4. Empowerment for Sanctification

• Enables believers to put to death the deeds of the flesh
  (Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:16)

5. Spiritual Formation (Fruit of the Spirit)

• Produces Christlike character (the fruit of the Spirit)
  (Galatians 5:22–23)

6. Distribution of Spiritual Gifts

• Imparts spiritual gifts for ministry
  (1 Corinthians 12:11)

7. Guidance in Ministry and Life

• Provides guidance in ministry and decision-making
  (Acts 13:1–3; Acts 16:6–10)

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In order for this help to be received, it is the believer’s responsibility to seek out and to be filled and renewed!

2 Timothy 1:6 ESV
For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,

It is the responsibility of the believer to stir up the gift of the Holy Spirit

A great illustration in the Old Testament of this responsibility and the symbolism of our walk with the Lord and therefore the Holy Spirit, takes place in Leviticus chapter 24.

Leviticus 24:1-4 NIV
The Lord said to Moses, “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually. Outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps before the Lord from evening till morning, continually. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. The lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the Lord must be tended continually.

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Just like the Israelites in the wilderness, we are responsible for “supplying the oil for the lamp”, God charges us with maintaining our oil, which is then lit by His fire to !

• What is the evidence for that light? What will it look like?

The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The IMPACT of maintaining the oil and fire of God in my life will be increased as a result of my tending to the gift of it.

John 7:37-39 ESV
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

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The Biblical Symbol of Living Water
John 7:37-39 Rivers of living Water = The Holy Spirit

The life-giving, renewing, and empowering nature of God’s Spirit INDWELLING IN US!

The Pool of Siloam – A Place of Being Sent

• Name Meaning: Siloam in Aramaic means “sent.”
• Located in Jerusalem, connected to the Gihon Spring.
• Symbolizes being sent with purpose, tied to God’s divine mission.

The Gihon Spring – Living Water from the Presence of God

• Source of water for the Pool of Siloam.
• Originated directly beneath the Holy of Holies (Temple Mount).
• Genesis 2: One of the rivers flowing from Eden.

The Feast of Tabernacles

• Annual event: On the eighth day, the most important day of the Feast of Tabernacles, worshipers would:
  • Descend to the Pool of Siloam.
  • Draw water in ceremonial vessels.
  • Ascend the long staircase back to the Temple Mount.
  • Pause periodically to pour out water, rejoicing and praising God.

A Picture of the Christian Life

• Starting Point: We begin at the “sent” place—called by God, often from a place of need or humility.
• Equipping: We are filled with the presence and Spirit of God—living water flows into us.
• Obedience and Mission:

The climb back represents our walk of faith and obedience. As we go, we pour out what we’ve received—bringing God’s life to every situation. Impact: Living water flows through us, transforming environments and reflecting God’s glory.

In this way, the rivers of living water flow not only into us, but through us, bringing life wherever they go. BRINGING IMPACT!!!