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The Direction of Power

Acts 1 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.. Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS. Promise of Power. 2/25/2010. 2. Now unto him that is a

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The Direction of Power

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    1. Personal Power and the Christian Leader The Direction of Power

    2. Acts 1 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS Promise of Power 2/25/2010 2

    3. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (KJV) Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS Ephesians 3:20 2/25/2010 3

    4. , Christ knew that He must strengthen His humanity by prayer. In order to be a blessing to men, He must commune with God, pleading for energy, perseverance, and steadfastness. Thus He showed His disciples where His strength lay. Without this daily communion with God, no human being can gain power for service. CT 324 Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS The Source of Christs Power 2/25/2010 4

    5. Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS 2/25/2010 5

    6. I have been shown that human beings desire too much power. They desire to control, and the Lord God, the mighty worker is left out of their work. The workmen feel qualified to hold the highest place. Let no man attempt to manage that work which should be left in the hands of the great I AM, and who is in His own way planning how the work shall be done. Know that God is the Instructor of His servants, and He will work through whom He will. --Manuscript 143, 1899. {ChL 26.5} Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS Human Desire is for Power 2/25/2010 6

    7. Among the Lord's servants there is to be no commanding. No yokes are to be placed on the necks of God's blood-bought heritage. ChL 32:3 Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS No Commanding 2/25/2010 7

    8. "Whereunto," asked Christ, "shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?" Mark 4:30. He could not employ the kingdoms of the world as a similitude. In society He found nothing with which to compare it. Earthly kingdoms rule by the ascendancy of physical power; (continued next slide) No Coercion 2/25/2010 Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS 8

    9. but from Christ's kingdom every carnal weapon, every instrument of coercion, is banished. This kingdom is to uplift and ennoble humanity. God's church is the court of holy life, filled with varied gifts and endowed with the Holy Spirit. The members are to find their happiness in the happiness of those whom they help and bless. {AA 12.2} No Coercion (continued) 2/25/2010 Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS 9

    10. The man-ruling power that has been coming into our ranks has no sanction in the word. Satan has stolen in to lead men to depend on men, and to make flesh their arm. I am instructed to say, Break every yoke that human invention has framed, and heed the voice of Christ,..." {ChL 28.2} Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS Man-ruling Power 2/25/2010 10

    11. The high-handed power that has been developed, as though positions had made men gods, makes me afraid, and ought to cause fear. It is a curse wherever, and by whomsoever it is exercised. This lording it over God's heritage will create such a disgust of man's jurisdiction that a state of insubordination will result. ChL 31:2 Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS High-handed Power 2/25/2010 11

    12. No man has been made a master, to rule the mind and conscience of a fellow-being. Let us be very careful how we deal with God's blood-bought heritage. To no man has been appointed the work of being a ruler over his fellow men. Every man is to bear his own burden. He may speak words of encouragement, faith, and hope to his fellow-workers; he may help them to bear their special burdens .--Manuscript 29, 1907, pp. 9, 10 (Individual Responsibility & Christian Unity, Jan. 1907). {ChL 27.3} Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS No Power to Rule 2/25/2010 12

    13. Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS 2/25/2010 13

    14. No man standing in his own strength is ever to be mind and judgment for another man whom the Lord is using in His work. No one is to lay down man-made rules and regulations to govern arbitrarily his fellow laborers who have a living experience in the truth.--Testimonies to Ministers, p. 491. {ChL 33.1} Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS No Man-made Rules 2/25/2010 14

    15. Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS 2/25/2010 15

    16. No man is ever to set himself up as a ruler, as a Lord over his fellowmen, to act out his natural impulses. No one man's voice and influence should ever be allowed to become a controlling power.... {ChL 33.2} Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS Leadership is not Lordship 2/25/2010 16

    17. In counseling for the advancement of the work, no one man is to be a controlling power, a voice for the whole. Proposed methods and plans are to be carefully considered, so that all the brethren may weigh their relative merits and decide which should be followed.--Testimonies, Vol. 7, p. 259 Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS No One Man to Control 2/25/2010 17

    18. Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS 2/25/2010 18

    19. But the position does not make the man. It is the integrity of character, the spirit of Christ, that makes him thankful, unselfish, without partiality and without hypocrisy--it is this that is of value with God. {ChL 15.3} Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS Position Does Not Make the Man 2/25/2010 19

    20. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; (KJV) Ephesians 3:14-16 Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS Strengthened with Power" 2/25/2010 20

    21. Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS 2/25/2010 21

    22. Leading men should place responsibilities upon others, and allow them to plan and devise and execute, so that they may obtain an experience. Give them a word of counsel when necessary, but do not take away the work because you think the brethren are making mistakes. May God pity the cause when one man's mind and one man's plan is followed without question. God would not be honored should such a state of things exist. All our workers must have room to exercise their own judgment and discretion. God has given men talents which He means that they should use. He has given them minds, and He means that they should become thinkers, and do their own thinking and planning, rather than depend upon others to think for them. Testimonies to Ministers, p. 302 Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS Empower Others 2/25/2010 22

    23. Men who follow the leading of another, and are willing that another should think for them, are unfit to be entrusted with responsibility. Our leading men are remiss in this matter. God has not given to special ones all the brain power there is in the world. Men in responsible positions should credit others with some sense, with some ability of judgment and foresight and look upon them as capable of doing the work committed to their hands. {ChL 37.2} Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS No Special Brain Power 2/25/2010 23

    24. All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore,. Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS Matthew 28:18-19 2/25/2010 24

    25. Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS 2/25/2010 25

    26. The path of men who are placed as leaders is not an easy one. But they are to see in every difficulty a call to prayer. Never are they to fail of consulting the great Source of all wisdom. Prophets and Kings, pp. 30, 31 Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS Seek Wisdom 2/25/2010 26

    27. Many who are entrusted with some humble line of work to do for the Master soon become dissatisfied, and think that they should be teachers and leaders. They want to leave their humble ministering, which is just as important in its place as the larger responsibilities. Those who are set to do visiting, soon come to think that anyone can do that work, that anyone can speak words of sympathy and encouragement, and lead men in a humble, quiet way to a correct understanding of the Scriptures. But it is a work that demands much grace, much patience, and an ever-increasing stock of wisdom. --Manuscript Releases, vol. 11, pp. 278, 279 Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS Wisdom even in Humble Service 2/25/2010 27

    28. Enoch continued to grow more heavenly while communing with God. His face was radiant with a holy light which would remain upon his countenance while instructing those who would hear his words of wisdom. SR 59.2 Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS Patriarch Enoch a Source of Wisdom 2/25/2010 28

    29. 29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. 30 Thus Solomons wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 For he was wiser than all men 34 And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon. The New King James Version. 1996, c1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 1 Kings 4:29-34 (NKJV) Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS Solomon Sought Wisdom 2/25/2010 29

    30. In our several callings there is to be mutual dependence on one another for assistance. A spirit of authority is not to be exercised, even by the president of a Conference; for position does not change a man into a creature that cannot err. Every laborer entrusted with the management of a conference is to work as Christ worked, wearing His yoke and learning of Him, His meekness and lowliness. {ChL 27.5} Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS The Spirit of Authority 2/25/2010 30

    31. God has not set any kingly power in the Seventh-day Adventist Church to control the whole body, or to control any branch of the work. He has not provided that the burden of leadership shall rest upon a few men. Responsibilities are distributed among a large number of competent men. --Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 236. {ChL 49.3} Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS No Kingly Authority in Seventh-day Adventist Church 2/25/2010 31

    32. I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be. Thomas Jefferson (17431826), U.S. president. Letter, 12 June 1815. Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS 2/25/2010 32

    33. Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding Proverbs 8:32? The New King James Version. 1996, c1982 (Pr 3:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Stanley E. Patterson, PhD SDATS 2/25/2010 33

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