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Relying on God’s Strength
The Bible consistently teaches reliance on God’s strength not our own, which makes sense because why rely on the natural when you can have the “super” natural?
So today we will look at some of the ways the bible teaches that we can access God’s strength.
There are different kinds of strength – physical, mental, strength of character, strength of purpose etc. In Jesus, we see the epitome of strength. He walked through a crowd that was out to kill him, He outwitted the intellectuals of His day, He was beaten to the point where he was disfigured beyond recognition and yet could still say to those responsible Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34)
The Bible teaches that God’s strength is available to us and we will look at some of the ways this is possible.
1. BE STRONG
· We are instructed in Ephesians 6:10 quite simply to Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
· Not – do your best and I’ll jump in if it gets rough!!
· BE STRONG – God wouldn’t be commanding us to be strong if it wasn’t possible – so we can be confident of God’s power. I am be strong in the Lord – THINK IT, SAY IT, BE IT
· 1 Corinthians 6:17 says that we are one in spirit with the Lord
· We need God’s strength every day. Life throws some tough situations at us, where supernatural strength is needed, so I am going to grab as much as I can!
· Say “I am strong in the Lord and in His mighty power”
· Just like David arriving at the battle where Goliath was mouthing off against he Israelites, we can face our own battles with confidence. As we pray and continue to walk by faith, there are times when the battle becomes the Lord’s and the victory is ours.
2. STRENGTH FROM REVELATION
· Jesus’ dialogue with Peter in Matt 16:13-19 (READ) Who do men say I am …Who do you say I am…You are the Christ the son of the living God…ON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH
· V17, 18 As God reveals truth to us, we gain strength. Peter wasn’t the rock – it was the revelation on which Jesus could build.
· Like the man who builds his house on the rock, we are those who live our lives in the light of God’s revealed word on how to live
· A revelation like forgiveness, or the power of our thoughts and words becomes a rock in our lives from which we draw strength
3. PHYSICAL STRENGTH
· This is important because did you notice we live in a body?
· Isaiah 40:29-31 (READ)
· NKJV “wait on the Lord”. Meaning wait for, look for, expect, hope
· Renew, literally means exchange = trade my weariness for his strength.
· Soar like the eagles to new heights in God. They fly high on the updraft of the wind currents – a beautiful illustration of how God’s Spirit in us can take us to a higher level.
· Don’t you find there are times when you just need to stop and get away from it all? Be still
· Just like fields need to lie fallow for a season – not growing any crops – just regenerating the natural nutrients. Same with us to prevent burn out.
· Not an excuse to chill out for a year, but rather recognition that our physical bodies have limitations and we need to respect them. You cannot work 12-14 hours a day for 6 days a week for 10 years without losing something: your health, your family, your identity. God rested on the 7th day and set an example for us to follow.
4. INTELLECTUAL STRENGTH
· I had a math’s teacher at school who threw chalk at me and said I was lousy at math’s. I was 10 years old and I believed him. I later discovered that I am actually pretty quick with numbers and good at maths. But because I believed the lie, that area of my intellect was stunted for years.
· Satan can feed you all sorts of lies. Don’t believe them. Rather, believe what God has to say, and those Godly people that God in His great love for us has placed around us.
· YOU ARE SMART!
· 1 Corinthians 1:23-26 We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called (that’s you and me)…Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
· 1 Corinthians 2:16 …we have the mind of Christ
· Think it, say it, walk in it
5. STRENGTH THROUGH FELLOWSHIP
· Ecclesiastes 4:9,12 Two are better than one…though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves and a cord of three strands is not quickly broken
· Unity and teamwork is the way of God. This morning happens because people work together. The is great power and strength in unity because in that place of unity there is anointing and God commands a blessing (Psalms 133)
6. 6. THE STRENGTH OF JOY
· Nehemiah 8:10 …the joy of the Lord is your strength
· There is something totally unique, wonderful and powerful when you can experience joy in the face of trouble. It unnerves the devil which is always a good thing!
· Have you experienced just how good it is to laugh – what a release
· Ps 16:11 ……. you will fill me with joy in your presence
· That’s where we find the joy – having a heart toward God
· Nothing can take away your joy in the Lord and therefore we can experience God’s strength no matter how bad the circumstances.
7. STRENGTH FOR THE MOMENT
· 1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides…
· As we step out to speak to someone or serve in some way, God’s strength kicks in
· So step out and experience His power working through you.
To Recap
1. BE STRONG – in God’s mighty power by faith
2. STRENGTH FROM REVELATION – building you life on the rock
3. PHYSICAL STRENGTH – wait on the Lord
4. INTELLECTUAL STRENGTH – we have the mind of Christ
5. STRENGTH THROUGH FELLOWSHIP – two are better than one - unity
6. THE STRENGTH OF JOY – is our strength
7. STRENGTH FOR THE MOMENT – as we step out |
Paul Addison, 06/04/2008 |
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