David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

Bold and Wise

Good responds to authority. Evil requires an exercise of power to limit its misdeeds. Jesus speaks of both power and authority in these words to Peter. We need to be bold and wise in our use of both.

Strong lines, angles and verticals are revealed in the framing of the new worship center at St. John.
Strong lines, angles and verticals are revealed in the framing of the new worship center at St. John.

Matthew 16:18-19 (ESV)

[Jesus says,] “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

If we are to be effective followers of Christ we need to understand and use both power and authority. Both come from God. Both flow from God’s kingship over all things. But true and irresistible power flows from God through those authorized to use it.

There is a delightfully insightful illustration of that in the book of Acts. Sceva’s seven sons hear of Paul’s (legitimate and authorized) use of power and attempt to use Jesus’ name without authority (or faith):

Acts 19:13-16 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

Some Jews used to travel from place to place and force evil spirits out of people. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to force evil spirits out of those who were possessed. These Jews would say, “I order you to come out in the name of Jesus, whom Paul talks about.” 14Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.

15But the evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I’m acquainted with Paul, but who are you?” 16Then the man possessed by the evil spirit attacked them. He beat them up so badly that they ran out of that house naked and wounded.

It seems to me that we make one of two mistakes in relation to the authority and power we have under God’s reign. We either take for granted or neglect God’s power, treating it lightly – as though it’s no big deal. Or we underestimate our legitimate authority to have access to the power of God and cower in the face of evil, refusing to wield the power that is legitimately ours as sons and daughters of God.

We have the power of God in our confession of Jesus as Lord. We have the authority to use that power to beat down the gates of hell and open the kingdom of heaven to all who believe. Let’s use both – boldly and wisely!

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