Join us this Tuesday, March 3rd for a fellowship night with the group. We’ll meet @ 6:30 @ Panchitos Mexican Grill (Corner of Basse & Jones Maltsberger, right across from Quarry Golf Club).
They’re offering 25% off large groups, so join us for a night out to get to know the members of Leverage. If you’re new to the group- still come and enjoy Christian fellowship after work!
Panchitos Mexican Grill:: 7310 Jones Maltsberger::290-8066
email with questions: leverage@communitybible.com
Join Us! Tuesday Feb 24th @ 6:30
@ the Quarry Golf Club for a mixer hosted by NSIDE magazine to honor Dr. David Marks.
Donations will be accepted to go to Family Services Assosciation
Additional parking will be available at the Methodist Church, with a shuttle service.
to join the Leverage Mailing list of weekly reminders, email us: leverage@communitybible.com
Empowerment of Others
2 Samuel 10:1-6 & Mark 6:6-13
We are talking about empowerment of others. I would much rather talk on don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal. Those are easy for me to say don’t do, empowerment is something that I struggle with. Today’s world does not promote empowerment.
Finish this phrase: If I want something done right….
How many of you have said that before?
Here is what empowerment does:
1) It grows others
2) It grows yourself
3) It grows your (work, org., ministry, family, faith)
We are going to look at empowerment in the OT and NT long before Maxwell or Drucker ever wrote about it.
Jesus was a master at empowering others. He didn’t have time to set up savioroftheworld.com, get conf. table, water cooler, ping-pong tables in break room, key cards, and flat screen. Empowerment of others is how He changed the world in 3 years, and made it last 2000 years later.
Mark 6:6-13 – Jesus sends out the disciples to do ministry.
Here is what He gave them:
1) Leadership – do you show or tell?
2) Authority – do you micro-manage?
3) Instruction – do you define a win?
4) Support – do you look out for people?
Who do you empower?
1) Your employees
2) Your co-workers
3) God – Ouch!
Do you give up control of everything in your life and give it over to God? If we really believe that He is the Alpha and Omega and the all powerful being, then why in the world would we try to control our lives? Especially in these times we try and control it all, when it is in these times that we need to let go the most.
February 11, 2009 Source
Ecclesiates 1:9-14
That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one might say, “See this, it is new”? Already it has existed for ages Which were before us. There is no remembrance of earlier things; And also of the later things which will occur, There will be for them no remembrance I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.
Solomon wrote the book of ecclesiates toward the end of his life. The fresh words of proverbs seem to lose some of their shine as he recounts the days of leadership and kingdom building. It’s easy to see in his writing, Solomon is worn out. There is a bitterness contained in his words to his children. It would appear the balance of wisdom, following God, and building a worldly kingdom with 700 wives has taken its toll and left the wise King with some difficult truth as his days come to an end. Dylan would say, “you who philosophize disgrace” at Solomon’s words, “there is nothing new under the sun.”
Despite the burnout evident in his writing there is a depth of understanding to the human condition we can connect with and learn from. If in fact there is nothing new under the sun then…
There are things I don’t need to pray about
The scriptures have outlined a great deal of how our lives should be lived. I don’t need to pray to God about whether I should murder someone, the answer is no. The answer is always no. We don’t need to ask God if we should live with integrity or many other questions. He says in Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Following God isn’t a moving target it’s a steady walk of behavior bringing honor to God.
Others have experienced what I am experiencing
When we are trying to follow God we are connecting with 1000’s of years of History of people following the same God. The stories of Abraham, Noah, Moses, Elijah, Micah, and others are our stories. Whether you are in the depth of despair or the heights of joy there is nothing new under the sun and you can find fellowship with the saints of today and those of old.
The principles that have guided previous generations still guide ours
The main thing is the main thing and the main thing hasn’t changed. We aren’t writing new books of the bible or uncovering crazy translations which refute the current scriptures. Even though the bible can seem a little overwhelming at times it can be read and applied to our lives.
In His Grip,
Scott
