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Power to Force, Power to Free

Explore the different types of power including positional, economic, influential, physical, informational, psychological/emotional, spiritual, and sexual power. Learn about the misuse of power, the universal problem of abuse, the proper place of power, and the principles of accountability.

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Power to Force, Power to Free

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  1. Power to Force, Power to Free August 23, 2008

  2. Two Edges of Power

  3. Types of Power • Positional

  4. Positional Power • Pastor • Lawyer • Teacher • Coach • Caregiver • Doctor • Therapist • Boss/VIP/Political • Husbands/Wives • Parents • Church Leaders

  5. Types of Power • Positional • Economic

  6. Economic Power • Use or misuse of • Money • Trust in managing funds • Power through control of funds • Giving or withholding money

  7. Types of Power • Positional • Economic • Influence

  8. Influential Power • Examples • Author of a book • Group membership • Force of personality

  9. Types of Power • Positional • Economic • Influence • Physical

  10. Physical Power • Ability to force compliance through • Size • Strength • Or other physical means

  11. Types of Power • Positional • Economic • Influence • Physical • Information

  12. Informational Power • Control of people and events through • Giving information • Withholding information • Giving selective information

  13. Types of Power • Positional • Economic • Influence • Physical • Information • Psychological / Emotional

  14. Psychological Power • Use of emotions • To dominate shame • To manipulate • To control

  15. Types of Power • Positional • Economic • Influence • Physical • Information • Psychological / Emotional • Spiritual

  16. Spiritual Power • Use of spiritual influence or position to • Command • Demand • Demean • Force

  17. Types of Power • Positional • Economic • Influence • Physical • Information • Psychological / Emotional • Spiritual • Sexual

  18. Sexual Power • Sales and marketing • Control over another • Sexual abuse • Incest • Molestation • Harassment

  19. Do I Have Power? • Everyone has power in some sphere • Parents over children • Siblings over one another • Peers over one another

  20. Abuse of Power • Force • Manipulation • Coercion • Threats • Deceptions • Someone always gets hurt • A worldwide problem

  21. Abuse a Universal Problem • Satan • Garden of Eden • Adam and Eve • World has continued to abuse and hurt • Every system in the world

  22. Every Human System In the Lukan version of the [temptation] story, Satan shows Christ “all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time” and tells him that “all this domain and its glory” “has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish” (Luke 4.5-6). Jesus, amazingly, does not dispute Satan’s claim. The subversive implication, Jacques Ellul suggests, is that the devil is speaking the truth. All human systems of power and control, without exception, are seen as falling under the domain of the enemy.  Ron Osborn, The Christ of the Fifth Way: Recovering the Politics of Jesus

  23. Misuse of Power • Subtle • Passive-Aggressive, “Poor me…” • Introducing doubt • Forceful • “After all I’ve done for you!” • Dishonest, abusive, manipulative

  24. Perverted Desire … I want to make sure that God gets the glory. But there is a temptation I must guard against. The desire to magnify God’s character can easily and quickly become perverted, so that I seek the glory that belong to Him alone… ─ Dr. Patrick Morley, Ph.D.

  25. Proper Place of Power • God through Jesus • Did not employ power to benefit Himself • Took the position of a servant • Respected boundaries • Never forced anyone • Choice and freedom are God’s powers • The essence of God’s love • God’s power is the power to give away the power of choice and freedom

  26. Examples of Abuse • David and Bathsheba

  27. David • Restraint in use of power • With Nabal and Abigail • With Saul

  28. David • Not so with Bathsheba • Ignored restraint and boundaries • Unintended Consequences • Dishonored and misrepresented God • Cheapened the office of king • Murdered his friend Uriah (one of the “Mighty”) • Degraded himself • Dishonored Bathsheba • Lost respect of his sons • Placed the nation on a downward course

  29. A Better Vision • Recognize we could easily abuse power • Let the Holy Spirit guide us • Don’t become victims or abusers • Be accountable

  30. Principles • Accountability

  31. Accountability “Whoever causes one of these little ones [new believers, those weak in faith] who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” ─ Mark 9:42

  32. Accountability The desire for egocentric greatness fuels both the world’s stunning accomplishments and its great sins. The craving to stand out, to be superior, to have people look at and admire us is part of the great rebellion of humanity against God. ─ Dr. George R. Knight, Exploring Mark

  33. Accountability Those who offended such “little” ones because of their arrogance or other attitudes and actions did not partake of the humble servant spirit of God’s kingdom… Jesus’ warning to the disciples is clear. They needed to employ their God-given blessings to build up the little ones rather than to injure them through arrogance or intolerance. ─ Dr. George R. Knight, Exploring Mark

  34. Principles • Accountability • Mutuality

  35. Principles • Accountability • Mutuality • Respect

  36. Principles for Abuse Prevention • Accountability • Mutuality • Respect • Collaboration

  37. Lessons from Ephesians Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 NLT

  38. Lessons from Ephesians With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. Ephesians 4:17-19 NLT

  39. Lessons from Ephesians But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:20-24 NLT

  40. Lessons from Ephesians And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27 NLT

  41. Lessons from Ephesians Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT

  42. Lessons from Ephesians We are to… “10Carefully determine what pleases the Lord… 15So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” Ephesians 5:10, 15-16 NLT

  43. Lessons from Ephesians And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 NLT

  44. Jesus’ Power Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. “What is your request?” he asked. She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left…” 

  45. Jesus’ Power When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 

  46. Jesus’ Power But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:20-21, 24, 25-28 NLT

  47. The Power of Love

  48. The Power of Love

  49. The Power of Love

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