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When I am weak He is strong

When I am weak He is strong
2 Cor. 12:1-10 (NLT)
This boasting is all so foolish, but let me go on. Let me tell about the visions and revelations I received from the Lord. [2] I was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. [3] Whether my body was there or just my spirit, I don't know; only God knows. [4] But I do know that I was caught up into paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be told. [5] That experience is something worth boasting about, but I am not going to do it. I am going to boast only about my weaknesses. [6] I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it. I don't want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message, [7] even though I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud. [8] Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. [9] Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. [10] Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
If you have been in this church any length of time, you know that I give you a lot of God’s word. I believe that it is the word that will change your life and make a difference in your world.
1. My power works best in your weakness-
a. 2 Chron. 16:7-9 (NLT) At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa and told him, "Because you have put your trust in the king of Aram instead of in the Lord your God, you missed your chance to destroy the army of the king of Aram. [8] Don't you remember what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and horsemen? At that time you relied on the Lord, and he handed them all over to you. [9] The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on, you will be at war."
b. God is looking for people He can work through, people that are sold out to Him and His cause to reach this world with His Good News!
i. 1 Cor. 1:26-27 (NLT) Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you. [27] Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful.
c. Too many of us rely on our jobs and we work hard to make ends meet. We are like the man that took a trip on a ship and only ate crackers. He did not know that all the food came with the price of the ticket.
i. God does not intend for us to seek to be weak, passive, or ineffective
d. In 2 cor. 12:9 the Lord said “my power works best in your weakness, “ and that word is Dunamis”
i. dunamis,-doo'-nam-is; from Greek 1410 (dunamai); force (literal or figurative); specially miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself) :- ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, might (wonderful) work
e. I think about the story of Job how when he was at his weakest, God spoke to him and restored all things to him, when he acknowledged his own weakness but saw God’s almightiness.
2. The power of Christ working through me.(there is no other way to overcome)
a. Galatians 2:19-20 (NLT)
b. For when I tried to keep the law, I realized I could never earn God's approval. So I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ. [20] I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
c. When I learn that it is God who is building His church and not I I can trust Him that He knows what is best. I can say I can do all things through Christ.
i. Philip. 4:13 (NLT) For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
d. If we would only let Christ work in us and have His way then we would have a more satisfying life. We are more concerned about our power working in us. We have gifts that God has given us and we use them to keep us afloat. That is why we are called to trust Him and not ourselves.
i. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
e. I think about the story of Habakkuk how the people’s strength was in their God. Hebk.1:11 and Hebk. 3:17-18

3. All for Christ’s good.
a. 1 Peter 4:11 (NLT)
b. Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen.
c. We only have life and purpose in Christ and through Christ and in Him only.
i. Acts 17:27-28 (NLT) "His purpose in all of this was that the nations should seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. [28] For in him we live and move and exist. As one of your own poets says, 'We are his offspring.'
d. Because Christ has given us an example we need to follow in it. Suffering is a part of the Christian life.
i. 1 Peter 2:21 (NLT) This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps.
e. I think about the story of Stephen how he spoke with the Sanhedrin. He was not afraid and he knew what he was doing for the Lord. That is why at his death he saw the Lord standing at the right hand of God ready to receive him.

Only Jesus can give you the power to be a letter (His letter) and it only happens in you weakness
2 Cor. 3:1-4 (NLT) Are we beginning again to tell you how good we are? Some people need to bring letters of recommendation with them or ask you to write letters of recommendation for them. [2] But the only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves! Your lives are a letter written in our hearts, and everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. [3] Clearly, you are a letter from Christ prepared by us. It is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on stone, but on human hearts. [4] We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ.

Posted by pastoral on 2009-06-15 08:52:13 | Rating: