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Jul 10, 2024 06:00am

Make a Splash

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There was nothing like the end of school and the start of summer. We’d ride the bus to our grandma’s, do a quick change and head outside.

“Cannonball!!”

It was the first splash of summer and it’s where we would be every day, as long as the sun was shining. Plain potato chips, bean dip and strawberry kool-aid, we had it made.

You know, there’s something interesting about watching a splash. When you jump in, the force on the water creates waves, rippling throughout the pool. The waves are greatest closest to you, and then continue out until they reach the edge. And of course, some people make bigger waves than others, but no matter your size, we all make a splash.

Acts 1:6-8

6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”
7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The disciples only knew what they knew. Power was in the hands of the Romans, and those hands were squeezing the life out of the Jews. They were tired of being oppressed and wanted desperately to be freed. They believed the freedom the Messiah promised was directed towards the Roman rule.

Even after seeing all that Jesus did and hearing Him speak of His kingdom, the disciples still thought the focus was here on earth. Again, it’s all they knew. Jesus told them they would receive power that would establish His Kingdom, but it wasn’t quite what they expected.

A spiritual kingdom. Not earthly. And these men would have the power to share the message so that others could join them in this kingdom. Power to be courageous, to speak boldly with confidence and assurance of the truth of who Jesus is.

And it would start in Jerusalem. Right where they were. And then, the message would go to all of Judea, and then Samaria, and then, to the ends of the earth.

These disciples were about to make the biggest splash that had ever occurred. The waves of their message, the gospel, would spread out, first reaching those closest to them. The force of this message would be so great that it would send a ripple effect from one town, one region, one country, to another and finally, to the ends of the earth.

To you.

Don’t think you have an impact for the Lord? Have you ever tried doing a cannonball without making a splash?

Your life, your words, your influence have the power to be used to build a kingdom. You have to choose whose kingdom you will build. Will it be your own, or the Lord’s?

It starts with you. And then when you’re ready to jump, the first wave, the place where there is the most force and impact, is to those in your closest circle. Your family. Are you discipling your family to follow Jesus?

As the wave spreads, that next circle includes your closest friends and those you see on a regular basis, maybe co-workers. Are you discipling them?

And to the ends of the earth. How can you share the good news of Jesus that far? Your willingness to obey Jesus’ command is all it takes. Maybe it’s a mission trip to Zambia or Jordan. Or maybe it’s coming alongside Lifeword to help get the gospel message in more languages and share it with the world. Or maybe it’s through the disciples you’ve made who are now making more disciples.

God gave you the family you have for a reason. He placed you in that career, on that team, in that classroom, for a purpose. Your life is greatly influential. You have the incredible opportunity to disciple them to follow the Creator, the Lord, the King.

Will you?

It’s time to make a splash.

Cannonball!