Sermon from November 11, 2007
Two weeks ago, Pastor Bo spoke on "sexuality," the Bible's views, and how we build bridges of understanding in our culture. This week, I'll be discussing "power" – our culture's view and how followers of Christ can understand and use power to build bridges. Next week, Bo will present more bridge-building ideas in the area of wealth.

In my preparation for this message, I was reminded that you can find an internet website touting just about anything. I discovered a tongue-in-cheek site that asserted the "power of Chuck Norris." Churck Norris is an action-movie star, TV star, martial artist, and with Christie Brinkley, a spokesman for Total-Gym. The website displayed what they described as "Chuck-facts" that spoke of his power. Here are a few:

-Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
-Chuck Norris counted to infinity ... twice.
-When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn't lifting himself up, he's pushing the Earth down.
-Chuck Norris doesn't wear a watch, he decides what time it is.
-Chuck Norris can divide by zero.
-Chuck Norris invented black. In fact, he invented the entire spectrum of visible light. Except pink. Tom Cruise invented pink.

Chuck Norris is obviously powerful! He always makes the wise decision, is never afraid, is in control, beats the bad guys, wins in the end. Chuck is powerful because he always wins in the end.

Obviously, this example of power is silly and cartoonish. And the "real Chuck Norris" seems like a nice enough guy. I actually met him in the early 1980s at a luxury resort hotel in Florida. Chuck was vacationing there and I was working there. He was very gracious to fans who asked for his autograph and a photo with him.

But if in an unguarded moment you asked me if I'd like to have more power, if I'd like to be like Chuck Norris for a day, I'm afraid that I might jump at the chance! I might just like to experience some of that power.

What is this thing called power? Allow me to provide this definition: power is the ability to influence or control events or people. Power is the ability to make things happen the way you want them to happen. Power tells us who is in control.

As appealing as power appears, each one of us has experienced the effect of destructive power, of being over-powered by personal forces beyond our control. Being terrorized by a bully at school; intimidated by a boss, teacher, or coach; abused verbally or physically or mentally by an acquaintance or family member – we've experienced destructive power in various forms and situations of our lives.

We need to consider power and our desire for it. If power can be so destructive, why do we desire it so much? Can we distinguish between good and destructive power?

One writer stated, Nothing touches us more profoundly for good or for ill than power.... The sin of power is the yearning to be more than we are created to be. We want to be gods. (Richard Foster)

Each of us wants to be the "star" of this movie we call "life." We want to achieve the destiny that we decide. And life would be so much easier if people would go along with our agenda. We'd like to be at the center, in control, and dog-gone-it, appreciated.

Psychologists call this condition "grandiosity." It is an exaggerated sense of one's importance or power or knowledge or identity. Grandiosity and narcissism are the expectation that you have more rights, are more entitled, should have more access or opportunities than other people.

The story of humanity is the story of our collective stuggle with grandiosity. It's traceable to the serpent's comment in the Garden of Eden: when you eat of the fruit you will be like God (Genesis 3:4). You will be the center of the universe. You will know what God knows. You will be the one calling the shots. And deep in each of us, we want to be the greatest, the important one, the one in control and at the center.

Sometimes it's full blown and obvious in our celebrity-embracing culture. We see it in people like Muhammed "I am the Greatest" Ali, Terrell Owens, and Donald Trump. But other times its appearance is more subtle. Grandiosity lurks near to you if, when looking at a group photo, look for yourself first; if while driving on our traffic-clogged roads think the driver in front of you is an idiot and the driver behind you (on your bumper) is a maniac.

Luke's gospel account presents a picture of this dynamic. An argument arose among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest (Luke 9:46). The first followers of Jesus struggled with grandiosity and power – about who was the greatest.

Once again we're confronted with the human condition: each person seeks to find his spot where he can stand and defend himself and wield power. Of course we put a spin on it: "I'm only doing it to (a) further the cause; or (b) to help her/him." But the truth is that we do it out of our need to control, to use power.

But the way of Christ informs us that people are not to be used or controlled; they are to be loved. It is a truth that we would do well to remember that in our relationships we can have either love or control, but we can't have both.

What makes the temptation of power so seemingly irresistible? Maybe it is that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people. Jesus asks, 'Do you love me?' We ask, 'Can we sit at your right hand and your left hand in your Kingdom?' (Matthew 20:21). (Henri Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus)

In our fallenness, "greatness" looks to us like privilege, position, power and control. But then Jesus enters the picture and tells us in reality we are really living upside-down. And He demonstrated what it looks like to live right-side-up; and He invited us into living that way of life.

In this world, we live with a set of assumptions. We have assumptions about who is important, successful, secure; and we even have assumptions about who and what is blessed.

But Jesus enters and tells us that many of our assumptions are wrong. He describes life in the kingdom as being very different, as being "inverted": the exalted will be humbled and the humble will be exalted; that God's power is perfected in our weakness; whoever wants to be great must be a servant; those who lose their life for Christ will gain life; it is more blessed to give than receive; and so on. The way that things look in this world and the way they look in the kingdom of God are two very different things.

So is Jesus saying that power is simply too dangerous and that we should avoid it? No. He is saying that He has a cure for "grandiosity;" there is a cure for the quest for destructive power and that cure is service.

When the ten heard about this [James and John wanted positions of power], they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:41-45)

Jesus is in essence saying, "Life is to be lived this way ... every day should be viewed as an opportunity to grow in humility by serving others. Every day offers the opportunity to see God's power released through us in the simple act of serving those around us."

Then some things begin to happen inside of us. When we develop this kind of submitted willingness to be used by God to serve others we will move beyond seeing "service" as a list of things we have to do. We will understand service as a way of living in Christ, of having Christ formed in us; as a way of stepping into the very stream of God's power.

How are we to serve or where? It is at this point that we need to rely on several helpful sources of guidance. Scripture provides some very clear general direction as to the things we need to do for those around us (both in the church and to those God has placed in our spheres or contact). And the Spirit of God prompts and nudges those who possess this submitted willingness to simple situations and ordinary opportunities to express love through service.

It is helpful in this area to look for opportunities to serve in hiddenness –without recognition or accolades. Related to hiddennes is serving those who can offer nothing back; from whom we cannot benefit. It is this image that Jesus provided when in teaching this he placed a small child in front of the disciples and told them to "welcome one as such as this."

But we probably aren't going to receive power to set people straight or power to show others how "right" we are. Power is insidious when it is coupled with pride .... Pride makes us think we are right, and power gives us the ability to cram our vision of rightness down everyone else's throat. The marriage between pride and power carries us to the brink of the demonic. (Richard Foster)

It is worth noting that in his example of serving Jesus teaches us that serving is in the very nature of God. Serving is what love does and therefore it's what a loving God does. When Jesus came "as a servant" he was revealing who God is.

It is true that in the economy of the Kingdom, that small acts of kindness can change the world (because they can change lives). And it is just as true (and exciting) that acts of hidden service, born out of submitted willingness, will transform you and me. They will transform us from grandiosity to true greatness.

"An argument arose amongst them as to who was the greatest...

"Those who don't know the Father or the Father's ways try to control people and seek power over them. NOT SO WITH YOU – my people. For whoever wants to become great must be a servant."