Release the unseen! God gives each kingdom leader the creative power to see and release the unseen potential in his/her own life and the lives of others. Paul wrote, “We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Faith is the evidence of the unseen (Hebrews 11:1). In this study, you will learn how to see the unseen potential and release it.
Introducing the Creative Power of Leadership
God created the universe with the word of faith. Everything that is seen was created without using any visible thing. “By faith, we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:3). He “gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist” (Romans 4:17). He has given this same creative power to believers. “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching” (Romans 10:8). Faith is released with words. Kingdom leadership is a creative force that releases the unseen in the lives of others. Operate the way God operates by bringing the unseen into the realm of time and space.
Kingdom leaders have received some special endowments that they are willing to impart into the lives of other believers. The word impart means to give or grant something. It relates to the giving of spiritual gifts, blessings, healing, etc. Godly instruction imparts wisdom (Proverbs 29:15). The impartation of spiritual gifts strengthens faith (Romans 1:11). The message of the gospel is imparted (1 Thessalonians 2:8).
Before Peter was filled with the Spirit and creative power, his form of leadership was natural. He wanted the other disciples to follow him back to fishing. Then he suggested the drawing of lots to select a replacement for Judas because he could not proclaim God’s choice otherwise (Acts 1:16-26). When he was filled with the Spirit and creative power, he became the kingdom leader whom God used to preach to the multitude on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-36). About three thousand souls were saved that day. “They even carried their sick out into the streets and put them on cots and sleeping pads, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on one of them [with healing power]” (Acts 5:15 AMP). His whole attitude changed when he received God’s power. He became bold and ready to step into kingdom leadership.
Paul’s goal of ministry involved releasing the potential of every believer by the gospel he preached. He proclaimed Christ, “admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ” (Colossians 1:28). Paul knew he could not achieve this goal in his own strength but by the power of God energized within him. “For this purpose, also I labor, striving according to his power, which mightily works within me” (Colossians 1:29). God’s power energized within kingdom leaders releases the spirit man of those to whom they minister.
How to Release the Unseen Potential in Others
Natural leaders relate leadership to things which are seen. They measure church growth with numbers such as membership, programs, and finances. By considering only the things seen with natural eyes, they ignore the Holy Spirit. However, the kingdom of God is not visible and not of this world. It can be seen only through spiritual eyes by the revelation of the Spirit.
Kingdom leaders cannot rely on outward appearances. For everyone in Christ becomes a new person, the spirit man. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Kingdom leaders look inside and see that anyone joined to Christ is a new creation. Know no person after the flesh, but see the spirit man within.
The overall purpose of kingdom leadership is to release the spirit man within each believer. The art of leadership releases the potential of the spirit man by leading each person to the Spirit, love, and faith. The baptism of the Holy Spirit opens up the communication line between a person and the heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit reveals the truth to the spirit man and the revealed truth fuels faith within. The Holy Spirit fills the spirit man with love which releases the spirit man. Below are three important ways to release the spirit man within each believer.
1. Lead Others to God’s Spirit
Without the Spirit of God, no one can walk in the invisible kingdom. The kingdom is revealed by the Spirit. “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). The Spirit will teach believers about King Jesus and his kingdom and show them things to come.
The Spirit of God gives a voice to the spirit man. “If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays” (1 Corinthians 14:14). Without a voice, the spirit man cannot be released. Those who hear and obey the Spirit will be comforted, find peace in tribulation and begin to grow and get strong. Help others build a strong relationship with the Spirit so they can reach their potential.
2. Lead Others into Faith
Faith is the ability of the spirit man to do the Father’s will. Faith comes by hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17). The voice of the Holy Spirit is the spoken word of God for the present moment because the Spirit only speaks what he hears. What the Spirit speaks will not contradict God’s written word. Evidence of the unseen realm becomes the basis for faith. “It is the evidence of things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1 NLT). When you believe the invisible realm of God dominates the temporal realm in which you live, your faith can change anything in the temporal realm. Love energizes faith. “What makes a difference is faith energized by love” (Galatians 5:6 VOICE).
Faith in God’s word separates out the spirit man. The revealed word of God divides the spirit man from the soul, making known the thoughts and motives of the spirit man (Hebrews 4:12). If you believe in your heart or spirit man, your words can move mountains (Mark 11:23). The spirit man believes the impossible and moves in the eternal.
3. Lead Others into Love
Love like Jesus loves you. He demonstrated the greatest love of all as a sacrificial love and commanded all his disciples to “love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 15:12-13). No one can love as Jesus loves them in their own abilities, but they receive a supernatural endowment of love through the Holy Spirit. “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5).
Living in the kingdom involves loving all people unconditionally. There is a releasement in love that releases the real person, the spirit man. The spirit man has to be released in order for a believer’s potential to come forth. The love of God changes a person. Once believers tap into God’s love, Christ manifests himself through them.
Personal Story on Creativity
Several years ago, Sherry and I created a healing place where God’s power was demonstrated. It was a mission where we fed the homeless in a drug-infested area in our city. Drug addicts, alcoholics, and prostitutes came regularly to the mission. We ministered God’s word and love to the people and fed them hot meals. We looked beyond a person’s outward appearance to see his/her heart. Many people were saved and filled with the Spirit at the mission. God’s healing and miracles were poured out on the people. Some received a new heart, a new liver, or a new back.
At the mission, we experienced the love of God flooding through our heart by the Holy Spirit. Many people turned their heart to the Lord and received from him. The mission was a place where God perfected love and healing in us. From that time forward, we carried healing wherever we were sent, including jails, prisons, and drug rehabilitation centers.
Conclusions
Kingdom leadership is a creative force that releases the unseen potential in the lives of others. Rather than simply gathering people together, kingdom leaders see potential in others and release them into destiny. The teaching and influence of kingdom leaders increase the love, faith, and spiritual life of believers. See the unseen and release it by believing and speaking the word of faith. Bring the unseen into the realm of time and space through the power within.
Study Questions
#1 What hinders your creativity?
#2 What can you do to enhance your creativity?
#3 How can you look at others through spiritual eyes?
#4 How can you improve your love walk?
#5 How can you become more creative in leading others?