In the Strength of His Might
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Introduction:
Dear Church,
Today I want to speak to you about a subject that is as relevant today as it was in the time of the Ephesians: staying strong in the Lord. Our world is filled with challenges, trials, and temptations. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and lose sight of our faith. But let us remember the words of Paul in Ephesians 6:10, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." This scripture will be our anchor today as we delve into why it's essential for us, as Christians, to stay strong, and how we can do so by relying on God's strength.
Our central theme is the importance of relying on God's strength. We will explore this through three objectives: understanding God's strength, embracing God's strength, and demonstrating God's strength.
1: Understanding God's Strength
1: Understanding God's Strength
The first step to relying on God's strength is understanding what it means. The Bible gives us several examples. In Isaiah 40:29, it says, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
29 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
And in Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me."
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
Practically, this means acknowledging that our strength alone is insufficient. We must recognize our weaknesses and limitations and turn to God, who provides strength beyond our understanding.
Study questions for Objective 1: To encourage religious morality
What does the Bible say about God's strength in relation to our weaknesses?
a) Our weaknesses are a punishment from God
b) God only helps those who have no weaknesses
c) God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak (Correct Answer)
Reasoning: Isaiah 40:29 clearly states that God provides strength to the weak, emphasizing His compassionate nature and the importance of relying on Him in times of weakness.
How does recognizing our limitations contribute to religious morality?
a) It makes us feel inferior and unworthy
b) It allows us to acknowledge our need for God's strength and guidance (Correct Answer)
c) It has no effect on our religious morality
Reasoning: Recognizing our limitations helps us understand our need for God's strength, fostering humility and dependence on God, which are key elements of religious morality.
Notes on Understanding God's Strength and it's association with the vicarious atonement of Jesus.
Understanding God's strength illuminates our comprehension of Christ's vicarious atonement. Christ, in his infinite strength, chose to bear our sins and suffer on our behalf, demonstrating a power beyond human comprehension. This is best reflected in 2 Corinthians 5:21 which says, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Furthermore, Hebrews 9:28 assures us that “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many.” Both scriptures echo the profound truth that the strength of God is not merely physical but is also spiritual. It’s in His ability to bear the weight of our sins and offer a path to righteousness. By comprehending God's strength, we gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the sacrifice made by Christ.
2: Embracing God's Strength
2: Embracing God's Strength
Once we understand God's strength, we must embrace it. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
To embrace God's strength, we must surrender our pride and self-sufficiency. Man does not admit his greatest weakness, which is sin. We don’t pray because we don’t see a need unless we are in trouble. Christians must pray for His strength in times of weakness and trusting that He will provide. It is walking in the understanding that our sins need His GRACE, along with our compliance to His Will.
Study questions for Objective 2: To encourage one to stay strong in his faith and embrace God’s Plan of Salvation...
According to 2 Corinthians 12:9, how does God's power manifest in us?
a) Through wealth and prosperity
b) Through our weaknesses (Correct Answer)
c) Through our achievements
Reasoning: This scripture emphasizes that God's power is made perfect in our weakness, encouraging us to rely on His strength when our faith is tested.
What practical steps can we take to embrace God's strength?
a) Rely solely on our abilities and understanding
b) Pray for His strength in times of weakness and trust that He will provide (Correct Answer)
c) Avoid facing challenges or difficulties
Reasoning: Embracing God's strength requires active faith, shown through prayer and trust in God's provision during challenging times.
Notes on Embracing God's Strength through the Vicarious Atonement of Jesus.
Embracing God's strength is intrinsically linked to accepting the vicarious atonement of Jesus Christ. When we understand and accept the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf, it opens the door to fully embrace God's strength. Ephesians 1:7 says, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace." This scripture shows us that the strength of God is evident in the redemption and forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ. When we embrace this, we are not just acknowledging God's physical strength, but also his spiritual strength - the strength to forgive, to redeem, and to offer unending grace. By embracing this, we accept our weakness and the need for God's strength in our lives. It is a testament to our faith and the acceptance of Christ's sacrifice for our sins.
3: Demonstrating God's Strength
3: Demonstrating God's Strength
Finally, we must demonstrate God's strength. As believers, we are called to be a light to the world, reflecting God's power through our lives. Philippians 4:13 reminds us, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
To put this into practice, we must rely on God's strength in our actions, decisions, and interactions with others. We display God's strength by showing love, grace, patience, and forgiveness, just as He does with us.
Study questions for Objective 3: To inspire hope in individuals who may have lost direction in their faith
What does Philippians 4:13 teach us about facing life's difficulties?
a) We should avoid difficult situations
b) We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Correct Answer)
c) We are destined to fail in difficult situations
Reasoning: This verse inspires hope by reminding us that with Christ's strength, we can overcome any challenge or difficulty.
How can we demonstrate God's strength in our daily lives?
a) By showing love, grace, patience, and forgiveness (Correct Answer)
b) By keeping our faith private and not sharing it with others
c) By focusing solely on personal success and prosperity
Reasoning: Demonstrating God's strength involves reflecting His character through our actions, such as showing love and forgiveness, which can inspire hope in those who may have lost their way.
Demonstrating God's Strength through the Vicarious Atonement of Jesus.
Demonstrating God's strength is profoundly manifested in living out the vicarious atonement of Jesus Christ. As we comprehend the depth of Christ's sacrifice, we gain the strength to die to self and live for Christ. Paul exemplifies this in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." This scripture communicates that demonstrating God's strength is about embodying the love and selflessness of Christ's sacrifice. As we draw strength from God, we become living testimonies of His love and grace that echo the message of the cross. This act of demonstrating God's strength is a reflection of our acceptance of Christ's atonement for our sins and our steadfast commitment to living a Christ-centered life.
Illustration:
Consider this modern-day illustration: Imagine a small tree struggling to grow amidst a forest of towering giants. The small tree cannot compete for sunlight or nutrients. But when a lumberjack clears a path, the small tree suddenly has access to the sun's rays and room to grow. We are like that small tree, and God is our lumberjack, clearing the way for us to grow strong in His might.
Conclusion:
So, brothers and sisters, let us not rely on our strength but on God's. Let us understand His strength, embrace it, and demonstrate it in our lives. For it is in the strength of His might that we can truly stay strong in faith.
Amen.