READINGS – Part 5
When Michael Korda wrote Power! How to Get It, How to Use It, his book quickly became a bestseller. Writing in a provocative, no-nonsense style, the author argued that life is a game of power: getting it, controlling it, and using it to obtain security, fame, sex, and money. After quoting Lord Acton’s famous statement that “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” Korda argued that it is worse to not push for power. We live in a world that is run by power, he wrote, and we need to grab it, hang on to it, enjoy it, and use it to get what we want.
Everybody knows about power struggles between husbands and wives, parents and children, rival street gangs, political foes, and opposing factions in universities, corporations, professional organizations, religious denominations, or churches. Most of these struggles involve self-centered actions, hard-feelings, anger, and the manipulation of other people. The players in the power games feel anxiety and insecurity, even when they win the largest share of the power.
It is not easy to be a difference maker in a world, a community, or a family where people are struggling for power. Sometimes, we have to work with individuals (often incompetent and unreasonable individuals) who are jealous of their power and threatened when they learn about our difference maker plans and passions. At times we must work within the power conscious system of local government. We may have to get approval for our buildings and plans from committees, church boards, or people in positions of power. Sometimes it seems difficult to maintain integrity when we have to live and work in a power-crazed culture.
According to futurist Alvin Toffler, we are entering a period of history when “the entire structure of power that held the world together is now disintegrating.” There is a major power shift taking place, says Toffler. “It stretches from the highest levels of government to the daily interactions we have with our neighbors, family members, and colleagues at work. As this century ends, it seems that everybody will experience sometimes radical changes in who holds power, how it is used, and how it is controlled.”
Despite these changes, however, we are not helpless pawns in the hands of others who hold power or struggle to get it. For centuries, committed and determined difference makers have been able to make significant changes, despite the power of others who get in the way. When God is leading us to make a difference, we can move forward with confidence, especially when we remember two important truths: power can be destructive, but ultimate power belongs to God.
_________________________________
You Can Make a Difference, Gary R. Collins, Zondervan,,pages 236-37.
———————————————
Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?
Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?
David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.
We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
