rick warren, purpose driven life: section 35

GOD’S POWER IN YOUR WEAKNESS

Section 35Pages 272-278

Tuesday 16 November 2010

2 Cor 13:4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.

2 Cor 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.


GOD LOVE TO USE WEAK PEOPLE


Everybody has weaknesses - physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual - added to circumstances which weaken you too.

What do you do with them?

Denial means God cannot use them.

God often acts in ways that are opposite to the ones we expect - Isa 55:9

1 Cor 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.


God allowed weaknesses in your life - so he can demonstrate his power in them.

Matt 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit...”

God loves using ordinary, imperfect, flawed people - the Bible is full of them.

They are not sin - they are limitations for us, but not for God. God puts his power in the ordinary - 2 Cor 12:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.


ADMIT YOUR WEAKNESS

Don’t pretend - be honest about yourself, don’t make excuses - identify them.

Two secrets - know who God is, and know who you are.


BE CONTENT WITH YOUR WEAKNESS

2 Cor 12:9-10 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.That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

“Delight in weakness” - expressing contentment with the way God has made you - he knows best


Weaknesses:Cause us to depend on God - 2 Cor 12:10 TM I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.Prevent arrogance - 2 Cor 12:7 TM ...so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations.


Gideon - had 30,000 which became 300 - to fight 135,000 Midianites - only God’s power can do this. Your weakness can encourage other believers - strengths tend to breed independence, when we are weak we need others.“Christians, like snowflakes, are frail, but when they stick together they can stop traffic” Vance Havner


Increase our capacity for sympathy and ministry - compassion and consideration of others often come out of weakness - other people find healing in your wounds.“All God’s giants are weak people” Hudson Taylor


Heb 11:32-34 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.


HONESTLY SHARE YOUR WEAKNESS

Ministry begins with vulnerability - take off the mask and be real.Paul admitted:Failures Rom 7:19Feelings 2 Cor 6:11Frustrations 2 Cor 1:8

Fears 1 Cor 2:3


Beware though - vulnerability is risky and can lead to rejection or other problems - the good news is that God gives grace to the humble - and humble people tend to be more attractive to others.Impressing people can be done from a distance, influencing them takes closeness (not perfection, but honesty)


GLORY IN YOUR WEAKNESS

There is no need for self confidence - you are a trophy of God’s grace.2 Cor 12:5Heb 4:1Rom 8:26


In Jacob, God turned his strength into a weakness - God touched Jacob’s thigh and hip (strongest muscle in the body) and made it weak - never again could Jacob run, he leaned on a staff in weakness for the rest of his life - he then had to lean on God.

Great men of God walk with a limp


POINT TO PONDER

God works best when I admit my weakness


VERSE TO REMEMBER

2 Cor 12:9But 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.


QUESTION TO CONSIDER

Am I limiting God’s power in my life by trying to hide my weakness? What do I need to be honest about in order to help others?


rick warren, purpose driven life: section 35

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