“He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 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.” – Acts 1:7-8.
Every believer desires to live a life that makes a difference for Christ. But impact does not happen by accident—it is the result of intentionally combining three key components: HP (High Potency example), CP (Close Proximity relationships), and CC (Clear Communication of the gospel). When all three come together, the result is MI = Maximum Impact.
High Potency (HP) – Authentic Example of Faith: Our witness begins with who we are. Jesus called us the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14 – 16), and light shines brightest when it is genuine and unclouded. Living with integrity, humility, and consistency makes our faith believable. People are not drawn to perfection, but to authenticity—believers who live in dependence on Christ and reflect His character daily.
Close Proximity (CP) – Building Real Relationships: Salt preserves only when it comes into contact with what is decaying. In the same way, Christians must be intentional about entering the lives of those who do not yet know Christ. That requires time, effort, and sometimes discomfort. Jesus modeled this by eating with tax collectors and sinners. Actual impact grows out of friendship, not distance.
Clear Communication (CC) – Explaining the Gospel: A life of example and relationship lays the foundation, but words bring clarity. Romans 10:14 reminds us that people cannot believe in the One they have not heard about: “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” Our responsibility is to point directly to Christ—not to ourselves. When we clearly articulate the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection, people can understand the source of the hope they’ve already glimpsed in us.
The Result: MI – Maximum Impact: When HP + CP + CC are combined, the outcome is powerful. All these components are necessary for effective evangelism. For instance, being a highly “potent” Christian (HP) is not enough if you are isolated (not in CP). Likewise, you must be explicit with your message (CC) so that others understand the source of your faith. The gospel is not only seen but also heard and felt. The synergy between the three creates a contagious witness that God uses to draw people to Himself. A single component in isolation has value, but together they form a multiplying effect that transforms lives.
2 Timothy 1: 8-9 says, “So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.”
Discussion Questions:
- How do we live in a way that reflects Christ’s character and compels others?
- How can you create opportunities for spiritual conversations with those who are not part of the church? What steps can you take to initiate or steer conversations toward the Gospel?