Embracing Weakness: Finding Strength in God's Grace

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound theme of weakness, particularly through the lens of the Apostle Paul's life and teachings. As we reflect on the season of Lent, we are reminded that the path to glory is through the cross, a symbol of weakness and suffering. Our culture often idolizes strength and success, yet both Jesus and Paul esteemed weakness as a means to reveal God's power and grace. Paul, in his letters, particularly in 2 Corinthians, speaks candidly about his own weaknesses, not to draw attention to himself, but to highlight the sufficiency of God's grace. He teaches us that in our frailty, God's strength is made perfect.

We began by considering the popular '90s phrase, "What Would Jesus Do?" and how it often led us to impose our own desires onto Jesus' actions. Instead, we should ask, "What Did Jesus Do?" and "What Did Paul Do?" to truly understand how to live faithfully. Paul invites us to look at our own stories through the lens of the cross, encouraging us to embrace our weaknesses as opportunities for God's power to be displayed.

Acknowledging our weaknesses is the first step toward transformation. Like the iconic phrase "Houston, we have a problem," admitting our struggles allows us to seek help and find solutions. Paul found triumph in his weaknesses, understanding them not as a life sentence but as a gift that kept him close to God. His thorn in the flesh was a reminder of his dependence on God's grace, which is sufficient for all our needs.

As we journey through Lent, let us lean into the cross and recognize our weaknesses as the very things God uses for His glory. We are encouraged to identify our weaknesses, bring them to God, and allow His strength to work through us. In doing so, we find true strength and the ability to live triumphantly through our weaknesses.

Key Takeaways:

1. Reframing Weakness: Embracing weakness is countercultural, yet it is the path to experiencing God's power. Paul teaches us that weakness is not something to hide but to embrace, as it allows God's grace to shine through us. By viewing our struggles through the lens of the cross, we can witness the transformative power of Christ in our lives. [06:29]

2. Acknowledging Our Problems: Like the Apollo 13 mission, admitting our problems is the first step toward finding solutions. We must be willing to say, "I have a problem," and seek help from God and others. This honesty opens the door for healing and growth, allowing us to move forward with God's guidance. [17:49]

3. Living Triumphantly Through Weakness: Paul's thorn in the flesh was a reminder of his dependence on God's grace. He found that his struggles were not a life sentence but an opportunity for God's power to be displayed. By embracing our weaknesses, we allow God's strength to work through us, leading to a triumphant life. [21:04]

4. God's Strength in Our Weakness: God's strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. When we acknowledge our limitations and rely on Him, we experience His power in ways we never imagined. This paradox of strength in weakness is a testament to God's ability to work through our frailty for His glory. [22:27]

5. The Gift of Weakness: Our weaknesses are not burdens but gifts that draw us closer to God. They remind us of our need for His grace and power. By leaning into our weaknesses, we find true strength and the ability to live a life that reflects God's glory and love to the world. [24:01]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Celebrating International Women's Day
- [00:53] - What Would Jesus Do?
- [02:16] - What Did Jesus Do?
- [03:08] - Introducing "What Did Paul Do?"
- [04:29] - Learning from Paul's Example
- [06:29] - Reframing Weakness
- [09:14] - The Pressure to Appear Strong
- [10:39] - Paul's Perspective on Weakness
- [15:17] - Acknowledging Our Problems
- [20:29] - Living Triumphantly Through Weakness
- [24:01] - The Gift of Weakness
- [27:12] - God's Strength in Our Weakness
- [30:21] - Leaning into the Cross
- [31:41] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
2. 1 Corinthians 11:1
3. Isaiah 40:29-31

---

Observation Questions:

1. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, what does Paul describe as his "thorn in the flesh," and how does he respond to it? [21:04]

2. How does Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ," relate to the theme of weakness discussed in the sermon? [03:26]

3. According to Isaiah 40:29-31, what does God promise to those who are weary and weak? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about God’s strength in our weakness? [26:37]

4. What cultural pressures regarding strength and weakness are highlighted in the sermon, and how do they contrast with the biblical perspective? [10:24]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Paul’s acceptance of his weaknesses in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 serve as a model for Christians today in dealing with their own struggles? [21:04]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that acknowledging our weaknesses can lead to transformation and growth? [17:49]

3. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "God's strength is made perfect in weakness" in practical terms for a believer's life? [22:27]

4. What does the sermon imply about the role of community and vulnerability in addressing personal weaknesses and seeking God's strength? [18:13]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a personal weakness you have been reluctant to acknowledge. How might embracing this weakness allow God’s strength to be displayed in your life? [21:04]

2. The sermon encourages us to ask, "What Did Jesus Do?" and "What Did Paul Do?" How can these questions guide your daily decisions and actions in a more Christ-centered way? [02:16]

3. Consider a time when you felt pressured to appear strong. How can you create a safe space in your community or family to share vulnerabilities and seek support? [10:24]

4. The sermon mentions the importance of admitting problems, like the phrase "Houston, we have a problem." What is one problem you need to acknowledge and seek help for this week? [17:49]

5. How can you practically lean into the cross during this Lenten season to recognize and use your weaknesses for God’s glory? [30:21]

6. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel inadequate. How can you shift your focus from your limitations to God’s promises of strength and support? [14:36]

7. The sermon suggests writing down your problems and exploring solutions. What is one problem you can write down today, and what are some potential solutions you can consider? [19:21]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Weakness as a Path to God's Power
In a world that often glorifies strength and success, the Apostle Paul offers a countercultural perspective by embracing weakness as a means to experience God's power. Paul candidly shares his own weaknesses, not to draw attention to himself, but to highlight the sufficiency of God's grace. By viewing our struggles through the lens of the cross, we can witness the transformative power of Christ in our lives. This reframing of weakness allows us to see it not as a flaw, but as an opportunity for God's grace to shine through us. [06:29]

"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." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of weakness in your life that you have been hiding? How can you begin to see it as an opportunity for God's power to be displayed?


Day 2: The Courage to Acknowledge Our Problems
Acknowledging our problems is the first step toward finding solutions. Like the iconic phrase "Houston, we have a problem," admitting our struggles allows us to seek help and find healing. Paul teaches us that honesty about our weaknesses opens the door for growth and transformation. By being willing to say, "I have a problem," we invite God's guidance and the support of others into our lives, allowing us to move forward with renewed strength. [17:49]

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a struggle you have been reluctant to admit. How can you take a step today to acknowledge it and seek support from God and others?


Day 3: Triumph in Weakness
Paul's thorn in the flesh was a constant reminder of his dependence on God's grace. Rather than viewing his struggles as a life sentence, he saw them as opportunities for God's power to be displayed. By embracing our weaknesses, we allow God's strength to work through us, leading to a triumphant life. This perspective shift enables us to live victoriously, not in spite of our weaknesses, but because of them. [21:04]

"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one struggle you face that you can begin to see as an opportunity for God's power to be displayed? How can you embrace it today?


Day 4: God's Strength Perfected in Our Weakness
God's strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. When we acknowledge our limitations and rely on Him, we experience His power in ways we never imagined. This paradox of strength in weakness is a testament to God's ability to work through our frailty for His glory. By leaning into our weaknesses, we find true strength and the ability to live a life that reflects God's glory and love to the world. [22:27]

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely more on God's strength? How can you begin to trust Him more fully in that area today?


Day 5: The Gift of Weakness
Our weaknesses are not burdens but gifts that draw us closer to God. They remind us of our need for His grace and power. By leaning into our weaknesses, we find true strength and the ability to live a life that reflects God's glory and love to the world. This understanding transforms our perspective, allowing us to see our weaknesses as a means to deepen our relationship with God and experience His transformative power. [24:01]

"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" (James 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you begin to see your weaknesses as gifts that draw you closer to God? What steps can you take today to embrace them and rely on His grace?

Quotes

"Paul was not thereby telling us about himself rather about Jesus Christ so Paul would say don't imitate me but follow me in so far as I follow Christ or perhaps he'd just say follow Christ and only me if I am following Christ but we can't leave it there we all learn from other people and from following the examples." [00:03:43]

"Paul looked at his own suffering through the lens of the Cross rather than some wooden imitation therefore climing would say to us so Paul's stories of hardship are not a template for us simply to copy rather they are an invitation for us to do some similar reflection on ourselves to look at our own stories through the lens of the cross." [00:05:42]

"Our culture celebrates and idolizes strength power success and in fact despises weakness it's true in both the culture and sadly increasingly in the church and the irony is palpable because it is the very polar opposite of what both Jesus and Paul esteemed in their lives the season of Lent reminds us that the cruel ugly painful cross is the only path for any and all Christians to Glory." [00:07:01]

"Paul was not dragging out his dirty laundry for shock's sake he saw weakness differently than others for him weakness was an opportunity to explore the power of the cross and Resurrection in the midst of weakness it was not look at me I am honest I'm vulnerable I'm totally screwed up rather he was saying to the church I am not perfect I suffer at times but in my imperfection and sufferings I have learned the power of God's grace." [00:10:45]

"God not only knows shows up in our weakness God reveals the way he works through weakness so climbing makes this very aute observation wor the price of admission God has more need for our weakness than our strength and he adds Paul brought his weakness from the backstage to the front stage because he wanted everyone else to see the place where God was at work." [00:11:51]

"Paul found something precious that very few ever find today the grace to live triumphantly through his weaknesses weakness was not something to shine or hide but to embrace for the glory of God now I'm not suggesting that Paul chose to live an immoral life and then excus his weakness by saying well you know my sin is my weakness I can't help it so I've just accepted it not at all what I'm saying though is that he found that his struggles were not a life sentence but a gift an opportunity." [00:20:13]

"God's strength is made perfect in weakness because he Delights in taking situations where our human strength comes to an end that he may demonstrate his power God's deny of Paul's request for healing turned out to be a blessing in Paul's life Paul bannett in his commentary explains this way about The Throne he says it kept Paul from imagining himself as a spiritual Superman and revealed to him that the reality of his human mortality and weakness despite his extraordinary Revelations." [00:22:55]

"Paul expresses this Paradox of his condition that in his fraility God becomes his strength our strength is found in Christ only when we are willing to exchange our weakness for his now the words made perfect in 2 Corinthians chap 12 and: 9 mean fully all entirely accomplished all made complete Christ's power is made complete or is able to fully accomplish its purpose when we are willing to depend on him for his strength." [00:24:56]

"Over and over the Bible gives us examples of God's strength when his people are weak take for example Moses Israel's greatest leader who was deeply aware of his human shortcomings in Exodus 4: 10 when the Lord sent him to Pharaoh he says I am not adequate God please send someone else God does not reply yeah actually I kind of missed that I didn't realize how messed up you are I'll go find someone else no God says to him go anywhere because I will be with you." [00:25:56]

"You and I must never shrink away from God because of our weakness but rather it is an opportunity to run to him letting him equip and accomplish his purposes through us because he has promised Isaiah 40: 29-31 he gives strength to those who are weary and he increases the power of those who are weak Isaiah adds here even the youth grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." [00:26:59]

"When we are in a position of need that is the time to empty of ourselves the more aware we are of our weakness the more God can reveal his power through Us 2 Corinthians chapter 4: 7 we now have this we have this light shining in our hearts but we ourselves are like fragile clay he writes fragile clay jars that contain this great treasure this makes it clear that our great power is from God and it's not from ourselves." [00:27:58]

"Help us see our weakness not as burdens that we have to suffer through but as gifts as Windows through which we can see you clearly and find real lasting and perfect strength we pray for a deep awareness of your strength stability and power as we lean and rely on you every single day we ask all this in the name of Jesus God's exalted son who is our perfect strength amen." [00:32:41]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?