Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Subscribe: RSS
Hello Redemption Church! Thank you for worshiping with us in Plano TX. Let’s receive the Word of God tog
Each week I have given you an example of a game changer. We have looked at people from recent history to see examples of game-changing strategies.
This weeks’ game changer not only wanted to change his government, but he also wanted to change the world. He created a grassroots campaign that started a protest of over 2000 people to bring that change to his government. The government shot back… literally… The government killed 16 of Hitler’s followers and imprisoned him for treason., he kept the faith in prison. He even wrote a book in prison that gained a lot of attention and called many more to his cause.
Ten years after Hitler was a prisoner in his own country, he became an elected official in his national government. More shockingly The leaders of his national government appointed him as the head of his government… a president of sorts.
Once he had attained the power he so desired, he went on to change the lives of countless millions. He is an example that power is a game changer.
Power is a game changer
Power is a game changer. If you have power, you can change things. If you work hard enough, you can gain authority. If you can influence enough people you can become a powerful person… and powerful people can change anything…
Our example, you have no doubt heard of…
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler is an example of a power-hungry person. Adolf would have done anything to get power. And once he was given some power he would do underhanded things to get more. Once elected, buildings were mysteriously burnt down allowing him to seize more power… political leaders were mysteriously killed allowing him to seize more power.
The powerful get power by crushing the weak. This is the example of Adolf Hitler. We see this example throughout history. We see this example in our daily lives. You go to school with people like this. You work with people like this. Some people treat their relationships like this. I have even known pastors like this.
Power Crushes
Hitler had the power, and he used that power to crush.
- 6 million Jews
- 7 million Soviets
- 1.8 million polish
Hitler had the power, and it wasn’t enough. He sought to have power over the entire world.
You see Hitler was crazy enough to believe that if he had enough power he could fix the world. He craved more power because he thought if he had all the power he could create a utopia – a perfect world. He would use his power to crush the world into his image… and of course, his image was the correct image, because he had the power.
What do you say when the powerful, maniacal dictator asks you if you like his idea? Most people would say, “what a great idea sir.”
This is not going to be popular or comfortable — but here it is. We are more like Hitler than we care to admit, and here is why.
If I only had power
Hitler said to himself that “if I only had power, then I could change the world.”
Much of our desires are power based. We may not say “if I only had power…” we may say…
- If I only had money. Then we use money as our power.
- If I only were more attractive. Then we use our beauty as leverage for power.
- If I only had that skill. Then we use that as power over those that lack the skill.
Please be aware, I am not saying that you want power because you want to commit genocide. But I am saying that within you, there is a thirst for power… and it is largely self-serving.
Power is a game changer
Am I saying that we don’t need power? That power is bad? That we need to become powerless?
No. I have two points that I’m trying to communicate here.
#1 Everyone has some amount of power. No one is powerless. At the very least, you have the power of choice… the power to make decisions… the power to believe what you believe.
#2 Scripture is clear that as a child of God, you have power. That when you become filled with the Spirit of God you will receive power. You have power to cast out demons in Jesus name. This power is not a bad thing.
Here is what I am saying…
The presence of power is not a bad thing. A lack of self-control is a bad thing.
Hitler, among every other maniacal dictator, is an example of someone who has power out of control.
Every addiction is a power out of control… every addict enjoys the powerful feeling, they can’t control their use.
All greed is a thirst for power that is out of control.
Murder is the result of a powerful emotion going uncontrolled. So is adultery…
Power out of control is a scary thing.
Self Control is a game changer
Let’s dive into some scripture.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV2011) For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
Notice the Holy Spirit gives you power, but not just power… also, love & self control.
Proverbs 16:32 (NIV2011) Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
God values patience more than a big strong warrior. God values self-control over the power to take a city.
Proverbs 25:28 (NIV2011) Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
A person without self-control is defenseless.
Titus 1:7-8 (NIV2011) Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
These scriptures on Godly leaders never mention power, talent, or charisma… it centers on self-control.
Here is God’s design for gaining power…
1 Peter 5:6-8 (NIV2011) Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
God will lift those up in his time, who humble themselves before him.
IF GOD IS LIFTING YOU UP, WHO CAN BRING YOU DOWN?
People like Hitler try to exalt themselves only to fall spectacularly. When God exalts you no one can bring you down.
When God exalts you, you will still have problems. Life is not care free, but because He is the one who exalted you, you should CAST ALL YOUR ANXIETY ON HIM…
“You should not read your own press clippings” is something former Dallas Cowboys coach, Bill Parcels used to say. He would tell his players to not pay attention to what others were saying about them…. The media has a way of telling you one of 2 things… You are either the best… or the worst… and neither is actually true. Instead, focus on the game plan… focus on being in the best mental & physical shape… focus on the next challenge.
There is an enemy that is like a lion… he is looking for someone to devour. Do not lose your attention, for the enemy often finds those who lost their focus.
There are two things you need in regards to power.
You need a power that is under authority.
There was a centurion, a Roman soldier, who approached Jesus and asked Him to heal his servant.
Matthew 8:6-8 (NIV2011) “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
Matthew 8:9 (NIV2011) For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
Matthew 8:10 (NIV2011) When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
See how the centurion views himself. “I am a man under authority.” He was a powerful soldier, yet understood that he was under a greater authority.
He then realizes that Jesus has all the authority to heal. Jesus only needs to command healing and it will occur because that power is under His authority.
We need to stand in a power that is under God’s authority.
Hitler possessed a power that rebelled against all authority. The understanding of a centurion who stood in the power of authority amazed Jesus.
This is why the Scripture is so important. You will see power in your life as you have never seen before if you stand in the authority that God’s word has.
- The power of a believer laying hands on people in prayer under scriptures’ authority…
- The power of a child of God sharing the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ under scriptures’ authority.
- The power of a Christian standing in God’s presence and worshiping under the authority of scripture.
Stand in power under the greater authority.
You need a power that is under control
We have shown you scripture about self-control, but Jesus uses a particular word for this subject. The word is Meekness.
Matthew 5:5 (NIV2011) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Meekness, and the process of being meek, is an often misunderstood word. When asked what meek means, many people say weak. But meekness means “power under control.”
My friend, Pastor David Fuller, has the best description of meekness. Here it is…
Imagine a jackhammer. It is powerful and crushes everything it touches. It breaks through hard cement quickly. This is the world’s understanding of power… just crush everything under sheer force.
Now imagine if you were able to take the power of that jackhammer and control it enough to gently crack a walnut without destroying it. Imagine if you could take that power yet control it enough to cut a fingernail.
That is meekness. Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is power under control.
Power crushes. But meekness is the ability to exact power without crushing everything it touches.
Meekness is a game changer
We need a power that does not crush.
Instead, Jesus shows us a power that serves. Jesus was willing to be crushed for us. Jesus never crushed us.
We need a power that stands UNDER authority.
Jesus has all power. HIS WORDS. Yet the man Christ Jesus always stood under the fathers’ authority.
We need a power that is under control.
Jesus never showed us a power out of control.
Adolf Hitler v Jesus
Are you praying for a power to serve?
Are you operating like you have no authority over you?
Are you out of control?
God is looking for someone he can trust…