Authority defined- the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience 2.the power to influence others, We all have now or will have authority over someone in our life time. How we treat others is a direct reflection of our Christian walk and a testimony good or bad. 4 keys to proper leadership and use of authority Phil:2,3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. 4 Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Proper Leadership and use of authority requires that we be selfless- A good leader or authority is far more concerned with the welfare and success of those that he or she is over than with their on welfare and success. Luke 12:48b From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. Proper Leadership and use of authority recognizes the weight of God given authority- we must recognize the trust that God has place in us when He places us in positions of leadership or authority, and the capacity we truly have to see task to completion. Psalms 78:70-72 70 He also chose David His servant And took him from the sheepfolds; 71[a]From [b]tending the ewes with nursing young He brought him To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. 72 So David shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart; And guided them with his skillful hands. Proper Leadership and authority understands that we are learning things in the season that we are in to prepare us for the season we are moving towards-properly handled authority and leadership leads to greater positions of authority and more leadership opportunities. Matthew 25:23 you have been faithful over few things I will make you ruler over many. John 13:13You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is who I am. 14So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet as well. 15For I gave you [this as] an example, so that you should do [in turn] as I did to you. 16 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. Proper Leadership and use of authority chooses to serve instead of being served- we are called to be serving sons and daughters, we serve and honor God when we serve those whom God has placed us over. Matthew 20:26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your [willing and humble] slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [paying the price to set them free from the penalty of sin].”