The Net: Your Platform
The Net
Your Platform
Sunday, March 8th, 2026
Pastor Chris Byrd
It is the mission of Impact Church to inspire, equip, and empower you for the impact that your life is intended to have. Pastor Chris reminds us that we are a marvelous work of God. Evangelism can be hard because you might be afraid of what other people will think, say, or do. The pastor says that if people think we're strange for spreading the gospel, we're doing a great job because the world is strange. We are supposed to be here but not be a part of this world.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
God loved us so much that He gave up His only son as a great sacrifice so that we could be forgiven when we sin. The least we can do is show our gratitude for this tremendous sacrifice by sharing the testimony of Jesus Christ with the world. Pastor Chris continues this series on being fishers of men and challenges us to practice gratitude and to reflect on ourselves. What is the condition of your net? Does your life align with your declaration of faith?
A platform can mean a few different things. A platform is a raised surface adjoining another. A way to get from one place to another. It’s a declaration of principles on which a person or group stands. The Bible is our truth at Impact Church. A platform is a way or chance to share ideas or information. A podcast, a podium, or a stage is all a way to get a message across. It is a plan or framework for building on. It can be a vehicle that is used for a certain purpose to move a certain type of material or equipment.
Genesis 2:15-17
Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
God makes each one of us, and then He gives us an assignment. He has done this since the beginning of time with Adam and Eve. They wanted to be great, but they fell short because they didn't take responsibility. Eve wanted more, as if God had not given her everything she already needed. There were consequences for her sin, but when they were kicked out of the garden of Eden, God still clothed them. Regardless of man’s sin, God showed mercy and years later gave us His only son.
John 19:30
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Jesus restored the relationship we have with God, enabling us to walk with Him every day. Jesus also knew we needed a helper.
John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
God has always known we would need help. In the Garden of Eden, when Adam was created, God gave him Eve as a helper. When Adam and Eve made a mistake, He helped them by giving them clothes. Jesus helped us to have a relationship with God the Father. When Jesus tasked us with sharing His testimony He gave us the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us when we come to Jesus, we are no longer who we used to be; we have been reborn, and we have a new assignment.
Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Genesis 1:28
Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Scripture states that we will receive power first and then we will be witnesses. It also states that God blessed them first and then he asked them to do something. If we act without help from God, its powerless and unsuccessful. Your platform must be built on God. God never calls you to action without giving you the tools you need. One example in the Bible would be Joseph, the dreamer. God blessed him with the gift of prophecy through dreams and the ability to interpret God’s messages sent through dreams. These blessings were given for a divine assignment. Joseph didn’t do anything to deserve the terrible things that happened to him after receiving these gifts. However, his faith in God did not change because of his circumstances. God did not abandon Joseph amid his struggles, nor did He change his blessing or remove his anointing. God moved his platform. Joseph did what he was supposed to in the position that God had put him in until God was ready to move his platform once more. In the end Joseph was rewarded and blessed abundantly for his faithfulness to God and for fulfilling his assignment.
Genesis 39:3
And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand.
God doesn’t stop obstacles we encounter, but he does use them all for a greater purpose. We sometimes think that the platform God has given us is too low for us, as if we should be on a different one. Other times we think that the platform is too high. When we feel unqualified, God qualifies the chosen. If Joseph had decided to wait to use the gifts God gave him when he got out of prison, he might have never been freed. The reason he was freed was because he was obedient to use the gifts God gave him while going through the hindrances.
Hebrews 13:1-5
Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also. Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Be content with what you have. We are all part of the body of Christ, which is like a fishing net that holds us together. God tells us to check on our nets. The Bible is a book of instructions that show us how to live a life that reflects righteousness. If you don’t carry out any of the instructions, you mirror a worldly life. Joseph didn’t act like the world, and because of this, God elevated him. We are to love one another and not be jealous of the blessing or calling God has given the next person. God also reminds us to cast our nets to those outside of the church. You never know who you will encounter. Keep your focus on what God has for you because He will put people in your path. You must be present and aware enough to recognize that they need your help. Our most important mission is to spread the gospel. Where are you fishing? Are you doing so from the platform God has given you? Are you telling others what God is doing in your life? God has equipped you for the platform He needs you to be on right now. If you are faithful to operate from that platform, He is faithful to elevate you.
Be grateful. That is how we draw near to God.
Be present. We can miss so much because our head is stuck in the past.
Be willing. If God has called you to do something, He has already prepared you.
Your Platform
Sunday, March 8th, 2026
Pastor Chris Byrd
It is the mission of Impact Church to inspire, equip, and empower you for the impact that your life is intended to have. Pastor Chris reminds us that we are a marvelous work of God. Evangelism can be hard because you might be afraid of what other people will think, say, or do. The pastor says that if people think we're strange for spreading the gospel, we're doing a great job because the world is strange. We are supposed to be here but not be a part of this world.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
God loved us so much that He gave up His only son as a great sacrifice so that we could be forgiven when we sin. The least we can do is show our gratitude for this tremendous sacrifice by sharing the testimony of Jesus Christ with the world. Pastor Chris continues this series on being fishers of men and challenges us to practice gratitude and to reflect on ourselves. What is the condition of your net? Does your life align with your declaration of faith?
A platform can mean a few different things. A platform is a raised surface adjoining another. A way to get from one place to another. It’s a declaration of principles on which a person or group stands. The Bible is our truth at Impact Church. A platform is a way or chance to share ideas or information. A podcast, a podium, or a stage is all a way to get a message across. It is a plan or framework for building on. It can be a vehicle that is used for a certain purpose to move a certain type of material or equipment.
Genesis 2:15-17
Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
God makes each one of us, and then He gives us an assignment. He has done this since the beginning of time with Adam and Eve. They wanted to be great, but they fell short because they didn't take responsibility. Eve wanted more, as if God had not given her everything she already needed. There were consequences for her sin, but when they were kicked out of the garden of Eden, God still clothed them. Regardless of man’s sin, God showed mercy and years later gave us His only son.
John 19:30
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Jesus restored the relationship we have with God, enabling us to walk with Him every day. Jesus also knew we needed a helper.
John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
God has always known we would need help. In the Garden of Eden, when Adam was created, God gave him Eve as a helper. When Adam and Eve made a mistake, He helped them by giving them clothes. Jesus helped us to have a relationship with God the Father. When Jesus tasked us with sharing His testimony He gave us the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us when we come to Jesus, we are no longer who we used to be; we have been reborn, and we have a new assignment.
Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Genesis 1:28
Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Scripture states that we will receive power first and then we will be witnesses. It also states that God blessed them first and then he asked them to do something. If we act without help from God, its powerless and unsuccessful. Your platform must be built on God. God never calls you to action without giving you the tools you need. One example in the Bible would be Joseph, the dreamer. God blessed him with the gift of prophecy through dreams and the ability to interpret God’s messages sent through dreams. These blessings were given for a divine assignment. Joseph didn’t do anything to deserve the terrible things that happened to him after receiving these gifts. However, his faith in God did not change because of his circumstances. God did not abandon Joseph amid his struggles, nor did He change his blessing or remove his anointing. God moved his platform. Joseph did what he was supposed to in the position that God had put him in until God was ready to move his platform once more. In the end Joseph was rewarded and blessed abundantly for his faithfulness to God and for fulfilling his assignment.
Genesis 39:3
And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand.
God doesn’t stop obstacles we encounter, but he does use them all for a greater purpose. We sometimes think that the platform God has given us is too low for us, as if we should be on a different one. Other times we think that the platform is too high. When we feel unqualified, God qualifies the chosen. If Joseph had decided to wait to use the gifts God gave him when he got out of prison, he might have never been freed. The reason he was freed was because he was obedient to use the gifts God gave him while going through the hindrances.
Hebrews 13:1-5
Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also. Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Be content with what you have. We are all part of the body of Christ, which is like a fishing net that holds us together. God tells us to check on our nets. The Bible is a book of instructions that show us how to live a life that reflects righteousness. If you don’t carry out any of the instructions, you mirror a worldly life. Joseph didn’t act like the world, and because of this, God elevated him. We are to love one another and not be jealous of the blessing or calling God has given the next person. God also reminds us to cast our nets to those outside of the church. You never know who you will encounter. Keep your focus on what God has for you because He will put people in your path. You must be present and aware enough to recognize that they need your help. Our most important mission is to spread the gospel. Where are you fishing? Are you doing so from the platform God has given you? Are you telling others what God is doing in your life? God has equipped you for the platform He needs you to be on right now. If you are faithful to operate from that platform, He is faithful to elevate you.
Be grateful. That is how we draw near to God.
Be present. We can miss so much because our head is stuck in the past.
Be willing. If God has called you to do something, He has already prepared you.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
2025
July
November
Categories
no categories
No Comments