Embracing Weakness: The Power of God's Grace
Summary
In today's message, I shared a profound principle of discipleship that has been pivotal in my 50 years of Christian life and ministry. This principle is rooted in the understanding that Christianity, in its essence, is impossible without God. We explored the passage from Mark 10:25-27, where Jesus states that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. This statement highlights the impossibility of achieving salvation through human effort alone. However, with God, all things are possible.
The narrative of Peter and John Mark, both of whom experienced significant failures, serves as a reminder that God uses flawed individuals to carry His message. This is the scandal of the gospel: God entrusts His message to imperfect people. We are called to embrace our weaknesses, for it is through them that God's strength is made perfect.
I recounted a personal story from my time in Barcelona, where I witnessed people attempting to please God through their own efforts, crawling on their knees to a shrine. This illustrates the futility of trying to achieve righteousness through human strength. Christianity is not about striving in our own power but about surrendering to God's grace.
We examined six things we cannot do without Christ: see the kingdom, be good, keep the commandments, know His love, please God, and be saved. These are impossible tasks for us, but with God, they become possible. The call to discipleship involves denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. This path is counter-cultural and requires us to relinquish our self-reliance and trust in God's power.
Ultimately, the work God requires of us is to believe in the One He sent, Jesus Christ. By surrendering our lives to Him, we find that what is impossible for us becomes possible through His strength. This is the essence of the "impossible possibility" that Karl Barth spoke of—a life lived in the power of the resurrection and the Holy Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
- The Scandal of the Gospel: God entrusts His message to flawed individuals, highlighting the counter-cultural nature of His kingdom. Our weaknesses are not hindrances but opportunities for God's strength to be revealed. Embrace your imperfections, for it is through them that God works mightily. [50:06]
- The Futility of Human Effort: Attempting to achieve righteousness through our own strength is futile. Christianity is not about striving but about surrendering to God's grace. Recognize that without God, we can do nothing, and in that recognition, find freedom. [54:04]
- The Impossible Made Possible: With God, the impossible becomes possible. We cannot see the kingdom, be good, keep the commandments, know His love, please God, or be saved without Christ. Trust in God's power to accomplish what we cannot. [01:02:08]
- The Call to Discipleship: Following Jesus requires self-denial, taking up our cross, and submission. This path is counter-cultural and demands relinquishing self-reliance. In losing our lives for Christ, we find true life. [01:14:07]
- Belief in Christ: The work God requires is to believe in Jesus. By surrendering our lives to Him, we discover that what is impossible for us is possible through His strength. This is the essence of living a life empowered by the resurrection and the Holy Spirit. [01:23:18]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [45:08] - Introduction and Personal Reflections
- [46:14] - The Jubilee Year
- [47:46] - The Theme: But God
- [49:18] - The Scandal of the Gospel
- [50:06] - Flawed Messengers
- [51:01] - Prayer and Acknowledgment
- [51:52] - A Story from Barcelona
- [54:04] - The Futility of Human Effort
- [55:23] - Strength in Weakness
- [57:19] - The Grace of God
- [58:27] - The Rich Young Ruler
- [01:00:58] - The Eye of the Needle
- [01:02:08] - The Impossible Made Possible
- [01:14:07] - The Call to Discipleship
- [01:23:18] - Belief in Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Mark 10:25-27
- John 3:3
- Philippians 4:13
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Observation Questions:
1. In Mark 10:25-27, what metaphor does Jesus use to illustrate the difficulty of entering the kingdom of God, and what is the disciples' reaction to this statement? [47:46]
2. According to the sermon, what are the six things that are impossible for us to do without Christ? [01:02:08]
3. How does the story of Peter and John Mark illustrate the concept of God using flawed individuals for His purposes? [49:18]
4. What personal story did the pastor share about witnessing human efforts to please God, and what lesson did it convey? [51:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of a camel going through the eye of a needle challenge common perceptions of wealth and salvation? What does this imply about human efforts to achieve righteousness? [47:46]
2. The sermon mentions the "scandal of the gospel" as God entrusting His message to flawed individuals. How does this concept challenge or affirm your understanding of God's grace? [50:06]
3. Reflecting on the pastor's story from Barcelona, how does this illustrate the futility of human effort in achieving righteousness? What does this say about the nature of grace? [54:04]
4. The sermon discusses the "impossible possibility" of living a life empowered by the resurrection and the Holy Spirit. How does this concept influence one's understanding of discipleship and faith? [01:23:18]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own strength to achieve something spiritual. How did that experience compare to when you relied on God's strength? [54:04]
2. The sermon emphasizes embracing weaknesses as opportunities for God's strength to be revealed. What is one area of weakness in your life where you can invite God to work through you? [50:06]
3. How can you practice self-denial in your daily life as part of your discipleship journey? What specific steps can you take this week to deny yourself and follow Christ more closely? [01:14:07]
4. Consider the six things mentioned in the sermon that are impossible without Christ. Which of these do you struggle with the most, and how can you seek God's help in that area? [01:02:08]
5. The pastor shared a story about people trying to please God through their own efforts. Are there any areas in your life where you are striving rather than surrendering to God's grace? How can you shift your focus to rely more on God's power? [51:52]
6. How does the concept of the "impossible possibility" encourage you to live a life empowered by the Holy Spirit? What changes can you make in your daily routine to be more open to the Spirit's guidance? [01:23:18]
7. Reflect on the call to believe in Jesus as the work God requires of us. How can you deepen your faith and trust in Christ this week, especially in areas where you feel inadequate? [01:23:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Imperfection for God's Glory
In the Christian journey, the "scandal of the gospel" is that God chooses to work through flawed individuals. This truth is both humbling and empowering. It reminds us that our weaknesses are not obstacles to God's work but rather opportunities for His strength to be revealed. The stories of Peter and John Mark illustrate how God uses imperfect people to carry His message. By embracing our imperfections, we allow God to work mightily through us, demonstrating His power and grace. This counter-cultural approach challenges us to see our weaknesses as a platform for God's glory. [50:06]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "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. 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."
Reflection: Identify a personal weakness you often try to hide. How can you invite God to use this weakness for His glory today?
Day 2: The Freedom in Surrender
Human effort alone cannot achieve righteousness or please God. The futility of striving in our own strength is evident in the story of people attempting to earn God's favor through acts of penance. Christianity calls us to surrender to God's grace, recognizing that without Him, we can do nothing. This surrender is not a sign of defeat but a pathway to true freedom. By acknowledging our limitations and relying on God's grace, we find liberation from the burden of self-reliance and discover the joy of living in His strength. [54:04]
Isaiah 30:15 (ESV): "For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling."
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you are striving in your own strength. What would it look like to surrender this area to God's grace today?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Power
The message of the gospel is that with God, the impossible becomes possible. Without Christ, we cannot see the kingdom, be good, keep the commandments, know His love, please God, or be saved. This truth calls us to trust in God's power to accomplish what we cannot. By relying on Him, we experience the miraculous transformation that only He can bring. This trust is not passive but an active engagement with God's promises, believing that He will do what He has said. [01:02:08]
Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV): "Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life that seems impossible. How can you actively trust God to work in this situation today?
Day 4: The Cost of Discipleship
Following Jesus requires self-denial, taking up our cross, and submission. This path is counter-cultural and demands relinquishing self-reliance. In losing our lives for Christ, we find true life. The call to discipleship is a call to a radical reorientation of our priorities and values. It challenges us to let go of our own agendas and embrace the life that Jesus offers. This journey is not easy, but it is the path to true fulfillment and purpose. [01:14:07]
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are holding onto control? What step can you take today to surrender this area to Jesus?
Day 5: Living in Resurrection Power
The work God requires of us is to believe in Jesus. By surrendering our lives to Him, we discover that what is impossible for us is possible through His strength. This is the essence of living a life empowered by the resurrection and the Holy Spirit. It is a life marked by faith, hope, and love, grounded in the reality of Christ's victory over sin and death. As we believe in Him, we are invited to participate in His resurrection life, experiencing the transformative power of His Spirit in our daily lives. [01:23:18]
Ephesians 1:19-20 (ESV): "And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you need resurrection power. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring new life to this area today?
Quotes
"This is the scandal of the gospel. There is no word without the word of the human herald. I am one of those flawed messengers. And this morning I've come to bring you the word of the Lord." [00:50:06] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"They were trying to please God in their own strength. They were of the opinion that Christianity was hard, but not impossible. They were attempting to do what they could not do." [00:54:04] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"But if you give up this morning and admit that life is impossible without God, then with God, it becomes impossible. It becomes possible." [00:55:23] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We cannot see the kingdom except through Christ. He says, what must I do? You can't do anything." [01:02:08] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We cannot be good except through Christ. He says here, no one is good, verse 18, except God alone." [01:03:48] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We cannot see the kingdom. We cannot be good. We cannot keep the commandments. We cannot know his love. We can't please God. And we can't. We can't be saved. Except through Christ." [01:11:39] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"If denying yourself, the pathway to self-expression is self-denial, the pathway to gain life is to lose it, and the path to freedom is submission." [01:14:07] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Give up your small ambitions, give up your genius, give up your strength. Give up your life and say, I can't do this. When I've tried it, I've failed and it's hurt me. But today, I believe in the one that you sent." [01:23:18] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We cannot do this without him. But with him. All things are possible. Amen." [01:25:36] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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