Influencer: Women Building the Kingdom of God – Part 3
Women Building the Kingdom of God
Primary Scripture: 1 Kings 1:11–31 (NKJV)
2026 Church Vision: “All Things New”
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
II Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
2026 Declaration
“I’m becoming who God wants me to be.”
Our 2026 Challenge
Believe
Trust God, trust the process, hear God clearly, and respond in worship.
Belong
Honor God, honor yourself, and honor others by creating an environment where healing can take place.
Become
Represent God everywhere. Be the light in every room and live as an ambassador for Christ.
Series Introduction
Throughout this series we have been studying the life of Bathsheba, a woman whose influence helped shape the future of Israel.
Many people remember Bathsheba because of David’s failure, but Scripture also reveals her wisdom, courage, and faithfulness. God used her influence to help establish Solomon on the throne and preserve His covenant with David.
In today’s lesson we see Bathsheba move from being influenced by God to becoming an instrument God uses to influence others.
The lesson for every believer is clear:
God doesn’t simply save us—He prepares us to help build His Kingdom.
Sermon Introduction
King David is nearing the end of his life.
While David is weak and bedridden, his son Adonijah declares himself king without David’s approval.
He gathers influential leaders, hosts a royal celebration, and attempts to seize the throne.
However, God had already determined that Solomon would become king.
Nathan the prophet recognizes the danger and immediately goes to Bathsheba.
He encourages her to act before it is too late.
Through this story we learn three important principles for becoming Kingdom influencers.
Key Scripture
“So Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, ‘Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it? Come, please, let me now give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. Go immediately to King David and say to him, “Did you not, my lord, O king, swear to your maidservant, saying, ‘Assuredly your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? Why then has Adonijah become king?” Then, while you are still talking there with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words.'”
1 Kings 1:11–14 (NKJV)
Sermon Point 1
Allow God to Influence You
Scripture
1 Kings 1:11–14 (NKJV)
Nathan, God’s prophet, came to Bathsheba with wisdom, instruction, and a plan.
Before Bathsheba could influence anyone else, she first had to allow herself to be influenced by God.
Kingdom influence always begins with surrender.
God still speaks today.
The question is not whether God is speaking.
The question is whether we are listening.
How God Speaks
God continues to influence His people through:
- His Word — Scripture reveals God’s truth and His will.
- Prayer — God guides us as we seek Him with humble hearts.
- Worship — Songs and praise often remind us of God’s promises.
- Life Circumstances — God works through opportunities and challenges to direct our steps.
- Other Believers — Like Nathan, God often sends wise counselors, mentors, and spiritual friends to encourage or correct us.
Sometimes we miss God’s voice because we only listen for what we want Him to say.
Instead of asking, “God, will You bless my plans?” we should ask, “Lord, how can I join You in Your work?”
God is always inviting His people to participate in building His Kingdom.
Reflection Questions
- Am I listening for God’s voice or only for answers that agree with my desires?
- Through which avenue does God most often speak into my life?
- Is there an area where God has been prompting me to obey?
Weekly Challenge
Spend intentional time each day this week reading Scripture and praying specifically:
“Lord, influence my heart before You use my influence.”
Write down one thing God teaches you and obey it.
Sermon Point 2
Allow God to Use Your Influence
Scripture
“So Bathsheba went into the chamber to the king… Then she said to him, ‘My lord, you swore by the LORD your God to your maidservant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.”‘
1 Kings 1:15–21 (NKJV)
Bathsheba obeyed Nathan.
She courageously entered the king’s chamber.
She respectfully reminded David of God’s promise.
She spoke truth, even though it was uncomfortable.
Sometimes building God’s Kingdom requires difficult conversations.
God often places us in relationships where our voice carries influence.
Bathsheba had relational influence with David that no one else possessed.
Likewise, every believer has influence with someone.
There are people who will hear the Gospel from you that may never hear it from anyone else.
God calls us to use our influence faithfully—not selfishly.
Characteristics of Kingdom Influence
A Kingdom influencer:
- Speaks truth with love.
- Acts with courage.
- Honors others while remaining faithful to God.
- Uses influence to advance God’s purposes rather than personal agendas.
- Trusts God with the outcome.
Bathsheba’s courage awakened David from his spiritual and political complacency.
Her obedience preserved God’s plan for Israel.
Reflection Questions
- Who has God placed in my life that I can influence for Christ?
- Do I avoid difficult conversations because I fear people’s reactions?
- How can I use my influence to encourage someone toward God’s will this week?
Weekly Challenge
Prayerfully identify one person who needs encouragement, truth, or hope.
Reach out this week.
Share God’s Word.
Offer prayer.
Speak truth with grace.
Allow God to use your influence.
Sermon Point 3
Allow God to Bless You
Scripture
“Then King David answered and said, ‘Call Bathsheba to me.’… ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me… so I certainly will do this day.’ Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and paid homage to the king.”
1 Kings 1:28–31 (NKJV)
After Bathsheba obeyed God, David fulfilled his promise.
Solomon would become king.
Bathsheba’s life was spared.
She became the Queen Mother.
Her faithfulness positioned her to receive God’s blessing.
Sometimes believers struggle to receive blessings because they feel unworthy.
Yet Scripture reminds us that God’s blessings are gifts of His grace.
When we faithfully obey Him, we should humbly receive what He provides.
God’s blessings are not merely for our enjoyment.
They equip us to continue serving His Kingdom.
Bathsheba’s blessing also became Solomon’s opportunity.
Faithful obedience often blesses generations beyond ourselves.
Reflection Questions
- Am I willing to receive God’s blessings with humility?
- Have I ever minimized or rejected God’s blessings because I felt undeserving?
- How can I use the blessings God has given me to bless someone else?
Weekly Challenge
Thank God each day this week for one specific blessing He has placed in your life.
Then intentionally use one of those blessings to serve someone else.
Living the Message
Bathsheba teaches us three important principles about Kingdom influence:
1. Allow God to Influence You
Stay sensitive to God’s voice.
Seek His will above your own.
2. Allow God to Use Your Influence
Speak courageously.
Serve faithfully.
Use your influence to point people toward Christ.
3. Allow God to Bless You
Receive God’s blessings with humility.
Use them to advance His Kingdom.
Remember that faithful obedience often impacts generations to come.
Conclusion
Bathsheba’s influence helped preserve God’s covenant with David and established Solomon as king.
Her story reminds us that ordinary believers can accomplish extraordinary things when they surrender their influence to God.
God is still looking for people who will:
- Listen to His voice.
- Speak His truth.
- Trust His promises.
- Build His Kingdom.
The question for each of us is:
How can God use my influence today to build His Kingdom?
Personal Reflection
Spend time this week praying over these questions:
- Am I allowing God to shape my heart before I attempt to influence others?
- Where has God uniquely positioned me to make a Kingdom impact?
- How can I courageously speak truth while showing grace?
- Am I faithfully using the influence God has entrusted to me?
Memory Verse
“Come, please, let me now give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.”
1 Kings 1:12 (NKJV)
This Week’s Kingdom Challenge
As part of Lily Baptist Church’s 2026 vision, “All Things New,” commit yourself to becoming a Kingdom builder.
- Believe: Listen carefully for God’s voice and obey His leading.
- Belong: Encourage and strengthen someone in the family of faith.
- Become: Use your influence to point others toward Jesus Christ.
Remember: God often changes the course of history through ordinary people who are willing to be influenced by Him before they seek to influence others.