Power One of Greatest Desires That Have Consumed Humans 1 John 2:15-17

How Many Enjoy The Thought of Having Control Over Others? Must come to terms with the Control we have over other people

Power, Control and Influence

Power & Control Source of all power– GOD 2 Chronicles 20:6 “in Your hand..power & might” Psalm 62:11 “power belongs to God” Jeremiah 32:17 “nothing too hard for You.” Romans 13:1 “no authority except from God”

God Gives This Power to Jesus Matthew 28:18 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven & on earth.” Ephesians 1:19-21 “far above all principality & power & might & dominion…” Colossians 2:10 “head of all principality & power.”

Father & Son Grant this Power to Others Government Authorities – John 19:11 “no power unless given you from above” Romans 13:1-5 “authorities that exist appointed by God” The Apostles – Matthew 18:18 “bind & loose” 2 Corinthians 13:10 “authority Lord has given me”

Father & Son Grant this Power to Others Satan & Darkness – Acts 26:18 “the power of Satan” Ephesians 6:12 “powers, rulers of darkness” Husbands, Parents – Ephesians 5:22-24 “husband head of the wife” Ephesians 6:1 “obey your parents”

We Have Been Granted Power / Authority Over Our Own Lives “Free Moral Agency” Romans 6:12-22 “present yourselves to God… were slaves of sin, obeyed from the heart…” Freedom Emphasized in Scripture – 1 Peter 2:15,16 “as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.”

Immature & Mature Ways of Handling Power or Control Matters Power Hungry & Obsessed Often Fall Into Immature Category – Matthew 20:25,26 Entirely Self-seeking Means of Satisfying Carnal, Worldly Desires Same Spirit in Man (or Woman) who is oppressive & abusive as spouse or parent Distortion of proper & appropriate use of Authority on all levels

Power & Control To Be Handled Maturely Matthew 20:26-28 “be great, be servant” With Power & Control Comes Responsibility & Obligation! Romans 13:1-7 Ephesians 5:22-33 Ephesians 6:1-4 Matthew 5:13-16; 20:25-28

The Power of Influence Cannot be Expressed by Force May get Outward Compliance, but not Inward We Cannot Force Anyone Else to Accept, Believe, or Change Anything! God seeks to Persuade, not Coerce. Matthew 11:28-30; 2 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Timothy 2:4

The Power of Influence Cannot be Expressed by Force May get Outward Compliance, but not Inward We Cannot Force Anyone Else to Accept, Believe, or Change Anything! God seeks to Persuade, not Coerce. Matthew 11:28-30; 2 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Timothy 2:4

Each One Makes The Decision Regarding What They Will Do How can we persuade or induce others to change to be the people God would have them to be?

Influence Through Our Example! What do children do? As their parents SAY or DO? Leadership Paul exercised? His Example- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 How Elders Shepherd Flock? Example – 1 Peter 5:3

Influence Through Our Example! Jesus’ power over people? His Example – Matthew 20:25-28 Our influence can be Good or Bad Positive - Matthew 5:13-16 Negative – Romans 2:17-24 God can be Praised or Blasphemed by our Example!

You cannot change others, but you can change yourself! We have power over our decisions, our reactions to others, and our conduct Romans 14:10-12 Neither people nor circumstances nor objects “make” you “do” or “say” anything! Galatians 5:17-24 Philippians 2:1-4