Power, Control, and Influence I. Introduction A. We humans like having power and control 1. We might not always think about it, or may try to deny it 2. Yet how would we feel if we had someone telling us everything we should do? A boss? A spouse? A government? 3. The reason that so many like "freedom" is that it provides personal power/control over one's existence B. One of the great desires and passions that have consumed human beings 1. The "lusts of the flesh" include, among others, greed, sex, and power! (cf. 1 John 2:15-17) 2. How many relish the thought of having control over other people? C. We also must come to terms with the control we do have over other people-- our influence D. Let us consider what God has to say regarding power, control, and influence II. Power and Control A. The Bible is clear about the source of all power: God 1. 2 Chronicles 20:6, Psalm 62:11, 68:34, Jeremiah 32:17 2. Romans 13:1, Revelation 4:11 B. God the Father gives this power/authority to Jesus His Son 1. Matthew 28:18 2. Ephesians 1:20-21, Colossians 2:10, Hebrews 1:3 3. Revelation 2:26-27 C. In turn, God the Father and God the Son grant or bestow this power/authority upon others 1. Governmental figures: John 19:11, Romans 13:1-5 2. The Apostles, including Paul: Matthew 18:18, Luke 9:1, 2 Corinthians 13:10 3. Satan and darkness even able to have power over that which will do their will (cf. Acts 26:18, Ephesians 6:12) 4. Husbands, parents (Ephesians 5:22-24, 6:1) D. In that we have been granted life and yet the opportunity to choose obedience or disobedience, we have been granted power/authority over our own lives-- "free moral agency" (Romans 6:12-22) E. Our "freedom" is emphasized in Scripture 1. The idea of "freedom" carries with it the idea of power and control, at least in the area in which one is "free" 2. 1 Peter 2:16-- live as free people F. Thus to each there is a level of power and control in life-- but how shall it be exercised? G. There are immature and mature ways of handling power/control matters H. The power-hungry and obsessed often fall into the immature category (cf. Matthew 20:25-26a) 1. Many are blinded by ambition for power 2. Power, viewed immaturely, entirely self-seeking 3. If and when they receive power in some way or another, it becomes a means of satisfying carnal, worldly desires 4. Different levels and scales, but the same root challenge! 5. Tyrants and despots gain power over their countries, use that power to oppress, enrich themselves, satisfy their desires and appetite, have no or little concern for the welfare of their people 6. The same spirit at work in a man (or woman) who is oppressive and abusive in a marriage relationship or as a parent-- seeking the gratification of desires, seeking after an immature view of power 7. This can even be seen in teenagers and children when granted a measure of independence-- often used as a vehicle (sometimes literally) for arrogance, presumption, and especially disobedience 8. All such immature views of power represent distortion of the proper and appropriate use of authority, on a national, familial, or individual level! I. Power and control intended to be handled maturely (Matthew 20:26b-28) 1. Those who truly recognize that all power and authority are given by God and who understand the true nature of God will understand that power and control are quite different from the way that the immature see it 2. With power and control there comes responsibility and obligation! 3. Earthly rulers have an obligation to praise good conduct and punish evil conduct (Romans 13:1-7)-- that is why authority has been granted to them 4. In the marriage relationship, spouses have obligation to seek best interest of their spouse; husband must love wife as Christ the church, sacrificing himself for her (cf. Ephesians 5:22-33) 5. Parents have responsibility for raising children in the right way (Ephesians 6:1-4) 6. This is all best summed up by Peter in 1 Peter 2:16-- we live as free people, not to cover up sin, but choosing to live as God's servants! J. Thus we are to handle our own power and control as Jesus did His-- to seek to serve others and not to be served, to do God's will and to be a blessing for others (Matthew 5:13-16, 20:25-28)! III. The Power of Influence A. We understand that God has given authority to certain figures for various reasons B. But how, in a functional way, is power over others expressed? C. As has been demonstrated over millennia, it cannot be viably expressed by force 1. One can perhaps compel outward compliance with the sword or threats of force, but such does not lead to inward compliance 2. The "outer man" can do one thing while the "inner man" remains rebellious and hostile! 3. Not just true in terms of national governments-- also true in marriage relationships, between parent and child, and also within the church! D. We must come to terms with the fact that we cannot "force" anyone else to accept, believe, or change anything! 1. This should be evident from God's dealings with us 2. Has God attempted to force, compel, or coerce us to accept Him, believe on Him, and change our lives? 3. Such is why God does not provide the displays demanded by so many unbelievers-- God seeks to persuade, not coerce (cf. Matthew 11:28-30, 2 Corinthians 5:11, 1 Timothy 2:4) 4. Try as you might-- and many do mightily try-- you cannot coerce or compel anyone else to change or really to do anything! 5. In the end, as it is with each of us, so with everyone else: each makes the decision regarding what they will do, and if there will be change, the person must be persuaded or induced into making the change themselves! E. So how can we persuade or induce others to change to be the people God would have them to be? F. Or can we even do so? Is it hopeless? G. It is not hopeless, for we do have one great form of power and control that we wield-- our influence through our example! 1. This is the "open secret" about matters of power 2. The Bible makes it clear that it is the power of example that leads to persuasion 3. What do children do-- as their parents say or as their parents do? Children often follow the example of their parents-- the source of their parents' real influence! 4. What kind of leadership did Paul exercise over congregations? His example (cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9)! 5. How does Peter say that elders are able to shepherd a flock? Not by domineering over the flock, but by their examples (cf. 1 Peter 5:3)! 6. Ultimately, how did Jesus exercise such power over people? Through His example, doing the very things He was teaching (cf. Matthew 20:25-28, etc.)! 7. Consider 1 Peter 2:12, 15, 3:15-16: our example will define us even before the Gentiles! H. Our influence can be good or bad! 1. We often focus on the positive side of our influence-- if we model the life of the disciple as we should, then others will be more likely to listen to what we have to say (cf. Matthew 5:13-16) 2. Yet the opposite is also true-- if we are not living as we should, we give justification for people to reject God and/or the church and reinforce the belief that religious people are just hypocrites (cf. Romans 2:17-24)! 3. God can be praised or blasphemed because of our example! I. So, ultimately, what can be done? 1. Not a few books have been written about marriage relationships, work relationships, and so on and so forth 2. Many tell you about different programs, different ways of doing things 3. Yet most come down to one essential truth: you cannot change others, but you can change yourself! 4. In the end, we have power over ourselves-- our decisions, our reactions to others, our conduct 5. Romans 14:10-12 6. We find it easy to blame others for our problems and difficulties when the problem is really with ourselves! 7. On the whole, humans are not instinctual creatures-- most decisions are consciously made 8. Therefore, neither people nor circumstances nor objects "make" you "do" or "say" anything! 9. You, in your own power, do or say what you do or say-- either according to the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:17-24)! 10. Therefore, our work must be centered on what we do control: our own lives 11. We must make sure that we are living lives of self-control, showing love, compassion, mercy, and kindness to all people-- brethren, spouse, children, parents, associates, etc. (cf. Galatians 5:22-24) 12. When we live lives devoted to the benefit of others, not seeking our own will but the will of God and the betterment of our neighbors (Philippians 2:1-4), people in our lives will take notice! 13. If they will be persuaded, it will be based upon receptivity to the message of Christ as they see it revealed in the Word and reflected in believers (Romans 1:16-17, 10:17; Matthew 5:13-16, Romans 8:29) 14. Yet if we do not reflect Christ to all these people, we provide discouragement and disincentive to live according to His will! IV. Conclusion A. Desire for power and control exists and will continue to exist B. We must understand that all power comes from God and is to be used as He desires 1. We must use whatever authority we have to seek God's will and the betterment of one another 2. We must handle power with maturity, understanding the responsibility given C. Our real source of power is in our example and its influence 1. For ill: being as the world leads to others being like the world or justifying why they are like the world 2. For good: reflecting Christ makes it easier to persuade others to recognize Christ as Lord and to seek His will! D. Let us use the power we have been given to God's glory, working on ourselves to reflect Christ to all men! E. Invitation/songbook