Pressure Points: Power

Introduction Leaders and their emotions Paul’s CV (1:8 ff 6:4 ff & 11:30 ff) Weakness is the channel for glorifying God, modelling the meaning of the gospel, and blessing others The experience of power is on offer in the context of weakness

1. The illuminating power of the message (vs 1-6) The gospel Paul preaches is as powerful as the energy which shaped creation The truth about Jesus brings into being a new world and a new person Paul on the Damascus The glory of God present in Jesus

The point of enemy attack is the mind The truth about Jesus provides answers and challenges The light that shines in the human heart is a moment of new creation Jesus is the image of God, the glory of God, He is Lord !

2. The revealing weakness of the messenger (vs 7-15) A) The power of God God’s power keeps the ordinary , easily broken believer going As we experience weakness so we experience strength B) The Life of Jesus The messenger models the message Paul is in good company- Psalm 116

3. The transforming experience of the medium ( vs 16-18) Our weakness, the awareness of our mortality The paradox : weakness teaches us to trust what we can’t see The paradox : weakness teaches us to live for the future not the present Faith in Christ brings the experience of the future into the present

Applications Positive/ creative, negative / destructive use of power Power to help others not promote ourselves The cure for the love of power is the power of love Vulnerability the mark of spiritual power