Using Influence Like Jesus: Power That Serves, Equips, and Releases

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In this episode of the Take Off Podcast, Thomas Clark begins Season 10: Power, Outrage, Culture, and the Robust Gospel.

Episode 1 asks an important question for every disciple-maker: What is power, who has it, and what do we do with it?

Power is not automatically evil. Power is influence. The real issue is what we do with the influence we have when Jesus is not Lord over it. Parents, pastors, teachers, leaders, employers, friends, and anyone with relationships, knowledge, access, or spiritual maturity carries some measure of power.

Looking at Luke 4:31–37, Thomas shows how Jesus used authority differently. Jesus did not use power to dominate, control, embarrass, or keep people dependent. He used authority to set people free.

This episode will help disciple-makers recognize the influence they already have and ask how that influence can be surrendered to Jesus for the good of others and the mission of God.

Key Line:
Power becomes dangerous when it creates dependency, but power becomes missional when it equips and releases others.

I Will Statement:
This week, I will identify one area where I have influence and ask Jesus how to use that influence to serve, equip, and release others.

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Take Off is a disciple-making podcast designed to equip everyday followers of Jesus to live missionally where they live, work, learn, and play. Supporters help sustain this work and receive short bonus reflections each week that go deeper into the themes of the episode—offering additional insight, pastoral encouragement, and formation-focused teaching. Supporting is not about buying content, but partnering in the slow, faithful work of making disciples who make disciples.

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