Strength and WeaknessStrength and Weakness

IntroductionIntroduction

God’s people are repeatedly admonished in God’s people are repeatedly admonished in Scripture to “Be strong!” Scripture to “Be strong!” – Moses (Deuteronomy 11:8-9)Moses (Deuteronomy 11:8-9)– Joshua (Joshua 10:22-25)Joshua (Joshua 10:22-25)– David (Psalm 31:23-24)David (Psalm 31:23-24)– Azariah (2 Chronicles 15:7-8)Azariah (2 Chronicles 15:7-8)– Paul (1 Corinthians 16:13)Paul (1 Corinthians 16:13)

Nevertheless, we must also honestly confront Nevertheless, we must also honestly confront our frailty and weakness (Matthew 26:36-46; our frailty and weakness (Matthew 26:36-46; Romans 7:14-25).Romans 7:14-25).

Let Us Be Strong Let Us Be Strong

Spiritual strength comes through faith Spiritual strength comes through faith (Deuteronomy 31:1-8).(Deuteronomy 31:1-8).

Spiritual strength comes through Spiritual strength comes through obedience (Joshua 1:6-9).obedience (Joshua 1:6-9).

Spiritual strength comes through putting Spiritual strength comes through putting on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17).on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17).

Let Us BewareLet Us Beware

While striving to be While striving to be strong, let us also strong, let us also beware, lets our beware, lets our strength becomes our strength becomes our weakness.weakness.

Consider the example Consider the example of the Great of the Great Albatross. Albatross.

Let Us BewareLet Us Beware

While striving to be strong, let us also beware, While striving to be strong, let us also beware, lest our strength becomes our weakness.lest our strength becomes our weakness.– We should grow in knowledge (2 Timothy 2:15; 2 We should grow in knowledge (2 Timothy 2:15; 2

Peter 3:17-18) while recognizing the danger of pride Peter 3:17-18) while recognizing the danger of pride (Romans 14:3; 1 Corinthians 8:1-3).(Romans 14:3; 1 Corinthians 8:1-3).

– We should stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13; We should stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13; Philippians 4:1) but avoid over-confidence in self (1 Philippians 4:1) but avoid over-confidence in self (1 Corinthians 10:11-12; Romans 11:17-22).Corinthians 10:11-12; Romans 11:17-22).

– We should strive for the faith of the gospel We should strive for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27; Jude 3) without being contentious (Philippians 1:27; Jude 3) without being contentious (Proverbs 26:20-21; 2 Corinthians 12:20).(Proverbs 26:20-21; 2 Corinthians 12:20).

Let us Compensate Let us Compensate

In Christ, our weakness can become our In Christ, our weakness can become our strength (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; 13:3-4)strength (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; 13:3-4)– As we avoid tempting circumstances As we avoid tempting circumstances

(Matthew 18:7-11; Mark 9:42-48)(Matthew 18:7-11; Mark 9:42-48)– As we wait on God (Psalm 27:13-14; Isaiah As we wait on God (Psalm 27:13-14; Isaiah

40:27-31) 40:27-31) – As we examine self (1 Corinthians 11:27-32)As we examine self (1 Corinthians 11:27-32)

ConclusionConclusion

Spiritual empowerment comes from God (2 Spiritual empowerment comes from God (2 Corinthians 3:4-6; Philippians 4:13). Corinthians 3:4-6; Philippians 4:13). Let us, therefore, Let us, therefore, walk in a manner worthy of the walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing him in all respects, bearing fruit in Lord, pleasing him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May we be strengthened with knowledge of God. May we be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light (saints in Light (Colossians 1:9-12Colossians 1:9-12). ).