I think a lot of people admire power, whether it is physical power or it is intellectual power, whether it's political power or it's money power, with us mental power. A lot of people admire power. They wish it, they crave it, they envy it, they pursue it, and they try to get it even if it kills them.

Unfortunately, because of the pervasive influence of culture, particularly in the area of our

knowledge and understanding of power, because of the pervasiveness of culture in that

area upon Christians. Christians too have come to value power in the same way the world

does. Christians have come to view power in the same way the world does. Christians have come to view power in the same way the world does. Christians have

come to venerate power the same way the world does. Christians have come to validate power

and the use of power the same way the world does. But there is a tragic consequence to that,

to the Church of Jesus Christ, to the believers in Jesus Christ. There's a tragic consequence of us

taking on the influence of our culture. You know what it is? From the world's perspective, from the world's

perspective, they now look upon the church just merely as a power-hungry political institution.

The world has come to look upon the church just as another lobbying group. The world has come to look upon the believers, the Church of Jesus Christ, just as another

pressure group.

That's how they perceive the church.

Because we have fallen into the trap.

But you know what?

I believe there's even far greater tragic consequences.

Believers listen to me. There's a far greater,

greater tragic consequence than even that.

Than the world's perception, false perception.

Do you know what it is? That Christians

have lost

the real power. They really have.

...