We are continuing to learn about your metron, or sphere of influence. Last week we discussed the truth that everyone has a sphere of influence. Some may be smaller than others, but no less important. 

Today we are going to continue in this discussion, and take a look at how your metron works. 

How Your Metron Works

Let’s talk about some practical examples in the Bible, and about how this principle works out.

David, the Giant Killer

Most people know that David slayed the giant Goliath, as recorded in 1 Samuel 17. But did you know that Goliath had 4 brothers, or at the very least, that there were 4 other giants in Goliath’s hometown?

“There was war again between the Philistines and Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines. And David grew weary. And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed with a new sword, thought to kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.” After this there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giants. And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, the Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David’s brother, struck him down. These four were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.”  2 Samuel 21:15-22 (ESV)

So we see this spiritual principle at play. Under David’s leadership and kingship, since he was a giant slayer, the mighty men around him also became giant slayers, even his own nephew. 

This is in stark contrast to the men under Saul’s leadership, who were steeped in fear when Goliath first stood up and taunted them as well as God. The fear that gripped Saul’s heart was imparted to his army beneath him, but the courage and conviction that David had in his heart was imparted to the mighty men around him.

Jesus, the Son of God

What would happen if a group of people purposely set themselves under the metron of God Himself? Well, this actually happened when Jesus chose the 12 Apostles. These men learned from the Son of God Himself, and Jesus imparted to them His own spiritual abilities. Here are a few verses where we see this in action:

“And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. … And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.” Luke 9:1-2, 6 (ESV)

In the very next chapter, Jesus expanded the group of 12 and sent out 60 more! He gave them a similar measure of authority from His own metron. In this way we see Jesus’ own sphere of influence or metron growing over time.

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. … The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”” Luke 10:1, 17-20 (ESV)

Because Jesus had power over sickness, disease, and demonic powers, He was able to impart this power to His disciples, not just the 12 Apostles but other people in their metrons. Likely the other 60 people were related to or friends of the 12 Apostles.

I love how the TV series The Chosen demonstrates this. We see women who followed Jesus and other men, like James and John’s dad, Zebedee, joining the Jesus Movement!

Now what if you were imparted with the metron of the Resurrected Christ!? Here are a couple verses that all of you should be very familiar with:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (ESV)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12 (ESV)

As we submit to the authority of the Resurrected Christ, His ability and authority is measured out to us. Depending on our faithfulness, we may get an expanded area of influence, or metron.

The Apostles and the Seven

And we actually see this happening in the book of Acts. The Apostles appointed 7 men “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.”

“Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.” Acts 6:3-8 (ESV)

Paul and the School of Tyrannus

Later on in the book of Acts, we see through the Apostle Paul’s ministry, the impartation of what Paul carried in the spiritual realm, in his own metron, to other men. Twelve men were impacted dramatically, and they started a school, and after two years, the entire area was evangelized!

“And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all. And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.” Acts 19:6-10 (ESV)

Other Miscellaneous Testimonies

We have a friend who once told us that it was easier for him to prophesy when he was under the authority or metron of the prophetic ministry school. That’s because the spiritual gifting of the ministry leaders were being imparted to the students.

And you remember King Saul. When he was anointed as king of Israel by Samuel, he left and encountered a group of prophets, and he started prophesying! And it happened a second time after Saul had been king and when he was looking for David in order to kill him. He encountered a group of prophets learning under Samuel and started prophesying again!

This is True in the Natural Too

So this idea of a person’s metron works itself out in the physical or natural world too. And we’ve all seen this happening. I’ll give you an example: does anyone remember the occupation of Jesus’ earthly dad Joseph? Yes, he was a carpenter.

Jesus grew up under the leadership, authority, the metron, of Joseph, and the things that Joseph taught Jesus were the things that Jesus worked at as an occupation. People knew Jesus as the carpenter but also the son of a carpenter (Matt. 13:55, Mark 6:3). And this was not a genetic or bloodline talent, because Jesus wasn’t genetically descended from Joseph, only Mary. But Jesus learned from His earthly dad and the skills and work ethic of Joseph were imparted to Jesus.

I believe this is also why God designed the family in the way that He did. Our children are supposed to grow up under the influence of our metron, and the Godly and natural skills that the Lord gave us are to be imparted and taught to our children.

Isn’t this encouraging?! Next week we will conclude this study by looking at how we can apply this knowledge in our own lives. 

Part 1