POWER WITHIN

(Part III)

The Power to Love

Ephesians 3:20

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Def. Power - (dynamis). n. fem. power, demonstration of power; display of divine, supernatural ability. The core idea of this term is the ability to do something.

I.                   WE ARE NOT POWERLESS

A.     We have been Empowered

2 Peter 1:3                                                      

³ as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.

B.     We must know the Power available to us

Ephesians 1:17-19

17 [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him,  18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), 19 And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength AMP

C.      We are complete in the headquarters of Power

Colossians 2:9-10

⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

D.     We are to be Strong in Power

Ephesians 6:10-11

¹⁰ Finally, my brethen, be strong [ (endynamo)- ability] in the Lord and in the power of His might.

E.      It’s one of the ways we prove our ministry

2 Corinthians 6:3-7

³ We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. ⁴ But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God…by the power of God…”

II.                 THE PATH

A.     Recognize the Power

The problem is we don’t recognize what we already have

                        Exodus 14:10-16

¹⁰ And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord…¹³ And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” ¹⁵ And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. ¹⁶ But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. ¹⁷ And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen.

                        2 Kings 13:14-19

¹⁴ Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, “O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!” ¹⁵ And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and some arrows.” So he took himself a bow and some arrows. ¹⁶ Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. ¹⁷ And he said, “Open the east window”; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot”; and he shot. And he said, “The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them.” ¹⁸ Then he said, “Take the arrows”; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground”; so he struck three times, and stopped. ¹⁹ And the man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times.”

                        Ephesians 3:5-12

⁶ that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, ⁷ of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. ⁸ To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; ¹⁰ to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, ¹¹ according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

B.     Release the Power

III.              POWER TO LOVE

AGAPE

Agape is present through the divine nature received when a person is born again. Agape is beyond all understanding, as it is the very character of God.

Agape love comes from God alone. The only way we can have it is for it to be planted in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. A foundational definition of Agape is the unconditionally giving of oneself. Although giving of oneself is the basic definition, Agape goes deeper than this. 

Agape does not depend on attraction, desire, or value. Agape doesn’t even require any reciprocal love. Agape is constant - it does not fluctuate according to emotional highs or lows.

Phileo only loves when loved. Agape can love while being hated.

Agape is a love which does not wait to be acted upon because it is active. Agape acts first and draws the object to action. Agape is the love by which God loves us, but it is also the love He wishes to impart to us that we might love Him and others “Agape Style”. John 17:26 says it best...

   “And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

A.     We already have Agape

Romans 5:3-5

³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Galatians 5:22

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

B.     Love is Power

2 Timothy 1:7

⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

C.    Love is a Debt

Romans 13:8-10

⁸ Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

D.    Love is Evidence

John 13:34-35

^34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

E.     Love is a Pinnacle

1 Peter 1:22

²² Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

IV.             HOW TO ACTIVATE AGAPE

Your mind must line up with our reality:

A.    Work no ill

Romans 13:10

¹⁰ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.   

(kakos) evil, bad, harm, reproach, sin, injury

B.     Walk in Love

Romans 12:9-10

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.

C.    Examine Yourself

James 2:8

⁸ If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.

D.    Be a Contrarian

(A person who opposes or rejects popular opinion)

Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. ²⁹ To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. ³¹ And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. ³² “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. ³⁶ Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

1. Love our enemies (ecthros – hated, hostile opposition)

2. Do good to those who hate us – good (kalos - 1 beautifully, finely, excellently, well.  Rightly, so that there shall be no room for blame, well, truly.  Excellently, nobly, commendably.  Honorably, in honor

3. Bless those who curse us (curse – kataraomai – to doom or  imprecate evil upon)

4. Pray for those who despitefully use and mistreat you

5. Not retaliate

6. Give freely

7. Treat others as you would want to be treated

Matthew 22:35-40

³⁵ Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, ³⁶ Master, which is the great commandment in the law? ³⁷ Jesus said unto him, ”Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like, unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

POWER WITHIN

Part II

Ephesian 3:20

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Def. Power -  (dynamis). n. fem. power, demonstration of power; display of divine, supernatural ability. The core idea of this term is the ability to do something.

Def. Power – (exousia) Authority or the right to use power

Luke 10:19

¹⁹ Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

I.                    WE ARE NOT POWERLESS

A.     God wants us to know the Power available to us

Ephesian 1:17-19

¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.

B.     God wants our Faith to be in the Power of God

1 Corinthians 2:4, 5

⁴ And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in a demonstration of the Spirit and of power ⁵ that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 4:19-20

¹⁹ But I will come to you shortly if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.

C.      The Kingdom of God is Power

1 Corinthians 4:20

²⁰ For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

1 Thessalonians 1:5

⁵ For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

2 Timothy 3:5

⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

2 Corinthians 13:4

⁴ For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

II.                  WE MUST LEARN TO USE WHAT WE HAVE

I want to introduce three important words to you:

A.     Position

This is what we have been given in Christ. Since we been given

It, we have access to it.

Ephesians 1:20-21

²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Ephesians 2:4-6

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus^.

Our position is in heavenly places in Christ far above all principality and power. But it’s not enough to have the position; we must activate it by faith.

B.     Activation

Acts 16:16-18

¹⁶ Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. ¹⁷ This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” ¹⁸ And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.

Paul had authority the first day she started this declaration, but he tolerated it because He did not activate his position or authority sooner. Our position and authority must be activated.

C.      Manifestation

Acts 3:1-10

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. ² And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; ³ who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. ⁴ And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” ⁵ So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶ Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” ⁷ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. ⁸ So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. ⁹ And all the people saw him walking and praising God. ¹⁰ Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Acts 4:5-13

⁵ And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, ⁶ as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: ⁹ If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, ¹⁰ let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. ¹¹ This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ ¹² Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” ¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

Manifestation is what we are looking for. We don’t want to be satisfied with the position. We want to activate our position so we can see manifestation. As I talk about what power we have, remember that we must activate it by faith and words for it to manifest.

III.               POWER TO ENDURE

2 Timothy 1:8

⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.

A.      Power to Endure God-Induced Difficulties

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. ⁸ Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

B.      Power to Overcome Persecution

Acts 5:22-42

²² But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, ²³ saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”…²⁵ So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” ²⁶ Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. ²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, ²⁸ saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” ²⁹ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. ³¹ Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³² And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” ³³ When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. ³⁴ Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. ³⁵ And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men….³⁹ but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” ⁴⁰ And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹ So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. ⁴² And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

C.      Power to Stay in Joy Regardless

2 Corinthians 7:4-6

⁴ Great is my boldness of speech toward you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. ⁵ For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. ⁶ Nevertheless, God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.

POWER WITHIN

Ephesians 3:20

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Def. Power - (dynamis). n. fem. power, demonstration of power; display of divine, supernatural ability. The core idea of this term is the ability to do something.

I.                   WE ARE NOT POWERLESS

A.    God wants us to know the power available to us

Ephesians 1:17-19

¹⁷ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

B.    God wants our faith to be in the power of God

1 Corinthians 2:5

⁴ And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in a demonstration of the Spirit and of power  ⁵ that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 4:19

¹⁹ But I will come to you shortly if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.

C.     The Kingdom of God is power

1 Corinthians 4:20

²⁰ For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

1 Thessalonians 1:5

⁵ For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

2 Timothy 3:5

⁵ Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

2 Corinthians 13:4

⁴ For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

II.               WE MUST LEARN TO USE WHAT WE HAVE

I want to introduce three important words to you:

A.    Position

This is what we have been given in Christ. Since we been given position, we have access to it.

Ephesians 1:20-21

²⁰ Which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Ephesians 2:4-6

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Our position is in heavenly places in Christ, far above all principality and power. But it’s not enough to have the position - we must activate it by faith.

B.    Activation

Acts 16:16-18

¹⁶ Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. ¹⁷ This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” ¹⁸ And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.

Paul had authority the first day encountered the spirit, but he tolerated it because He did not activate his position or authority sooner. Our position and authority must be activated.

C.     Manifestation

Acts 3:1-10

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. ² And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; ³ who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. ⁴ And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” ⁵ So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶ Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” ⁷ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. ⁸ So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. ⁹ And all the people saw him walking and praising God. ¹⁰ Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Acts 4:5-13

⁵ And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, ⁶ as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: ⁹ If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, ¹⁰ let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. ¹¹ This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ ¹² Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” ¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

Manifestation is what we are desiring. We don’t want to be satisfied with the position. We want to activate our position so we see manifestation. As I talk about power, we have to remember that we must activate it by faith and with words for power to manifest.

III.             OUR POWER

A.    Power over Satan

Luke 10:18, 19

¹⁸And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. ¹⁹ Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

ἐξουσία (exousia). n. fem. authority. This noun refers to the power or ability to do something, but can also describe the right to exercise authority or rule.

This is the authority to use power…

1. Power to Resist

James 4:7

⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

2. Power to Stand Against Spiritual Opposition

Ephesians 6:10-18

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

3. Power to Cast Out

Mark 16:17

^17 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.”

4. Power to Bind and Rebuke

Matthew 16:19

^19 “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Answer Key: Powerless; Kingdom, We Have, Power; Cast out

Levels of Leadership I

 There are levels of leadership. Each level of leadership is unique. There are lessons to be learned at each level in order to move up to the next level.

I. POSITION LEADER

People follow because they HAVE to. This is leadership based on RIGHTS.

A.    This is entry-level leadership. If you stay here and never rise above this level of leadership, then four things are going to happen:

1.  People are going to develop territorial rights.

2.  They will develop a necessity for protocols.

3.  A heavy emphasis on tradition will develop.

4.  An overemphasis on organizational charts will occur.

      B. Title indicates AUTHORITY to lead.

        C. There are distinct differences between a BOSS and a leader.

1.  A boss drives workers, a leader coaches them.

2.  A boss depends on authority, a leader on goodwill.

3.  A boss inspires fear, a leader inspires enthusiasm.

4.  A boss says “I,” a leader says “We”.

        D. Characteristics of a “POSITIONAL leader”

1.     Security is based on title, not talent.

2.     This level is often gained by appointment, and all other levels are gained by ability.

3.     People will not follow a positional leader beyond his stated authority.

4.     They do only what is required when it’s required and no more for a positional leader.

5.     Morale is always low under a positional leader.

       E.  Biblical Example of a Positional Leader

1 Kings 12:1-17

And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king…Then Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, ⁴ “Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.” ⁵ So he said to them, “Depart for three days, then come back to me.” And the people departed. ⁶ Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, “How do you advise me to answer these people?” ⁷ And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” ⁸ But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him… ¹² So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had directed, saying, “Come back to me the third day.” ¹³ Then the king answered the people roughly, and rejected the advice which the elders had given him; ¹⁴ and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!” ¹⁵ So the king did not listen to the people…¹⁶ Now when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying: “What share have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Now, see to your own house, O David!” So Israel departed to their tents. ¹⁷ But Rehoboam reigned over the children of Israel who dwelt in the cities of Judah.

 

        F.  Lessons that must be learned in order to move to the next level of

 leadership:

1.     Know your job thoroughly. You must know and understand not just your job description, but how it fits into the workable world

2.     Be aware of the history and the essence of the organization that you are a part

3.     Understand how the organization works

4.  Be a team player

5.   Accept responsibility

6.   Do more than is expected of you

7.   Offer suggestions

8.   Learn to become more people focused

II.        PERMISSION LEADER

People follow because they WANT to. This is leadership based on RELATIONSHIPS.

Leadership is getting people to work for you when they don’t feel obligated.

Leadership starts in the heart, not in the head.

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

A.    This is the SECOND level of leadership.

1.  This leader leads by relationships (the way people feel about you).

2.  The leader gives time energy and focus to the followers’ needs and desires.

3.  People development becomes more important than pecking order.

        B. Caution! You cannot skip a level on this five-fold ladder of leadership.

        C. Biblical Example of Permission Leadership

1 Kings 10:1-8

Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. 3 So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. 6 Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 7 However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. 8 Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the Lord your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.

           D. Lessons that must be learned at this stage in order to move to the next level of

           Leadership:

1. Love People

2. Make others more successful than you

3. See through other people’s eyes

4. Be concerned with people more than procedures

5. Do “win-win“or don’t do it at all

6. Include others on your journey

7. Deal with difficult people wisely

III.                 PRODUCTION LEADER

People follow because they appreciate what you do for the organization. This is leadership based on RESULTS.

A.    This is the THIRD level of leadership.

B.    Good things begin to happen at this level.

C.     Biblical Example of a Production Leader

     1 Samuel 17:45-53

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcases of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”48 So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it.And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. 52 Now the men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted, and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell along the road to Shaaraim, even as far as Gath and Ekron. 53 Then the children of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their tents.

 

D.    Lessons that must be learned/added at this level to move to the next level of   leadership:

1. Initiate and except responsibility for growth

2. Develop and follow the statement of purpose

3. Develop accountability for results beginning with yourself

4. Know and do high return things

5. Communicate vision and strategy

6. Be a change agent and know timing

7. Make difficult decisions that make a statement