Prayer Focus - Leadership

The Empowered Christian Leader

Introduction: Biblical Empowerment

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Sound mind = self-discipline/ self-control

Luke 10:19 AV

19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

power = authority

2 Corinthians 3:6 AV

6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Made Able = Made sufficient, competent,

2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Philippians 4:13 NKJV

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

2 Peter 1:3 NKJV

3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

II. Three Predominant Emotions of “Victims”

Frustration

Anger

Bitterness

III. Being Empowered Requires Self-Discipline

Being willing to do what needs to be done whenever it needs to be done whether we like it or not.

Being willing to not do what ought not to be done.

IV. (Being Empowered) Requires Having Some Goals.

V. (Being Empowered) Requires Committing to Excellence, Not Perfection

Matthew 5:48 NKJV

48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Perfect: (Teleioi) Completing a process and reaching maturity in holiness and righteousness.

Continuous Improvement, (Excellence)

VI. (Being Empowered) Requires Feeding Your Mind with What God Wants.

Philippians 4:8 NKJV

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

What you take in makes a significant difference in your life.

VII. (Being Empowered) Involves Flooding Your Mind with Scripture

Involves repeating Scripture with enthusiasm and conviction.

“I can do all things through Christ...” (Phil 4:13)

Pray the Word of God back to God.

(Ps 139:23-24)

Repeat the Scripture, emphasizing different words.

Personalize passages that aren't already personalized.

If I wait upon the Lord, I will mount up with wings like an eagle, I will run and not be weary, I will walk and not faint.

Draw Application from the Word. Picture what those actions will look like and then do them.

Look for Character qualities, specific behaviors, and attributes in the Word, and picture yourself as having them.

VIII. Be and Associate with People Who Believe God is in Control and Sovereign.

Proverbs 22:24–25 NKJV

24 Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, 25 Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.

We become like those we associate with.

IX. Act the Part of the Christian You are Becoming

Pattern yourself after other successful Christians.

Spend time in the gospels and see what it is like to be like Christ.

Actions yield feelings, which lead to new actions. If you do the right things, you will end up feeling good about what you have done.

X. Comparison of Empowered and Unempowered Christians.

Empowered Christians:

Decisive

Clear purpose

Clear beliefs and values

Write their goals down

Make success a habit

Optimistic

Unempowered Christians:

Indecisive

Unclear purpose

Unclear beliefs and values

Don’t write goals down

Don’t make success a habit

Pessimistic

What kind of church would our church be if everyone in it were just like me?