Lance outlines characteristics of a ‘difference maker’ in chapel message

Be a “difference maker,” preached Rick Lance, executive director-treasurer of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, during his Oct. 25 chapel message at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College.

In his introduction of Lance, Interim President David S. Dockery said “it is a joy to have Rick Lance here,” noting he was formerly pastor of the “historic” First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa and “has been a dear friend for nearly 40 years,” and was his parents’ pastor. Lance has served as executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions since 1998. 

In his introduction of the message, Lance said he was once in charge of creating the theme for a work meeting. He decided on making the theme “difference makers” and began thinking about people in the Bible that made a difference. The main verse for the message was Acts 4:13 and Lance explained that “the book of Acts gives us a story of the growth of the early church.” 

Lance explained in Acts the disciples “were infused by the power of Christ’s presence, God’s power in their lives, and they were challenged to be difference makers.” He added that the “explosion of the church began” at the end of Acts 2 and “with the empowering of God’s Holy Spirit they seized the moment.” He described Acts 3 as a “powerful moment,” too, when Peter said to the paralyzed man begging for alms, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk.” 

Lance said there are three characteristics of difference makers. 

First, he said, boldness by Peter and John in Acts 4, was recognized by the religious officials who had arrested the two disciples and put them in prison. “This is a holy boldness. It’s a boldness that can only come from God. The kind of boldness that will transform one’s life as an instrument for the power of the Holy Spirit in transforming the lives of others,” Lance said, adding later “… in the name of truth, speak the truth in love and stand where you are supposed to stand on God’s Word, His revealed truth, and never waver.”

Lance told the story of Martha Meyers, a medical missionary with the International Mission Board who was killed by a gunman at Jibla Baptist Hospital in Yemen in December 2002. Lance explained Meyers is an example of “holy boldness.” Meyers is commemorated on the Martyr’s Walk outside Mathena Hall on the Southwestern campus and Lance called her an example of a difference-maker for Christ. 

Secondly, the religious leaders perceived Peter and John’s weakness, Lance said. The disciples were uneducated, and God used their weaknesses, he added. Lance told the story about how when he was a young boy, there was a constant rotation of Sunday School teachers in his class. No one seemed to be able to stay very long and put up with the behavior of the boys, until one memorable teacher. “He recited Scripture and curriculum by memory, he connected with us and applied it to us. He was a difference maker,” said Lance, adding that he did not learn until years later the Sunday School teacher was partially illiterate and worked with his wife on Saturday nights to memorize the focal Scripture and lesson for the next morning’s lesson. 

He encouraged the assembly to “turn their weaknesses over to God and let Him use it. Don’t let the weakness define you. Don’t run from it. Embrace it, turn it over to Him in a way in only which He can do, let Him use it for His glory.”  

Thirdly, Peter and John’s uniqueness was realized, Lance said. “The disciples had physically been with Jesus. People know when you have been with Jesus. He is the ultimate, consummate, perfect difference maker,” he said. 

“If He could use those two uneducated, untrained men who only knew how to fish, then He can use you, as long as you and I exemplify, that we have been with Jesus,” Lance concluded.

Lance earned a Bachelor of Arts in religion and speech from Samford University, a Master of Divinity in biblical studies and pastoral ministries and a Doctor of Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has also been awarded the Doctorate of Divinity from Judson College and a Doctor of Humane Letters from Samford University. He has served as pastor of four churches in Alabama and Louisiana.

Lance’s entire sermon can be viewed here.

Chapel is held every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10 a.m. (CT) in MacGorman Chapel on the campus of Southwestern Seminary and TBC. Chapel may be viewed live at swbts.live.