Finding Strength in Weakness Through Faith and Prayer
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, X-Church. Today, we are excited about the upcoming X-O Week 2024, which promises to be our best yet. With over 55 projects to choose from, there's something for everyone. I encourage everyone to sign up and get involved.
As we continue our "Word to the Wise" series, today we delve into James Chapter 5. I shared a bit about my spiritual journey and some personal anecdotes to set the stage. The core of today's message revolves around the theme of strength and weakness. Often, we come to church feeling weak, broken, and overwhelmed by life's challenges. I shared several stories from our congregation that illustrate the struggles many of us face, from health issues to personal losses.
I used a humorous powerlifting competition to illustrate how we often pretend to be stronger than we are. In reality, many of us are struggling and feel powerless. I confessed that I am not the strongest person here and shared my own moments of weakness and helplessness.
James 5 offers us guidance on how to find true strength. First, we must press pause on our possessions and not rely on material wealth for our sense of power. James warns us that wealth can corrode and fail us in our times of need. Second, we must practice patience. In our instant gratification culture, waiting can be incredibly challenging, but it is essential for spiritual growth. Lastly, we must persistently pray. Prayer is our direct line to God, and it is through persistent prayer that we find the strength to endure and overcome our challenges.
I shared my personal story of adopting my son, Samuel, from Ethiopia. It was a journey filled with financial obstacles and long periods of waiting, but through persistent prayer and faith, God provided in miraculous ways. This experience taught me that true power comes from lifting our eyes to God, the source of all strength.
In conclusion, if you are feeling weak, helpless, or hopeless, remember that the greatest powerlifting move you can make is to lift your eyes to God. He sees you, hears you, and loves you. Let's spend a moment in prayer, lifting our hearts, minds, and spirits to Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. True Strength Comes from God: We often pretend to be stronger than we are, but true strength comes from acknowledging our weaknesses and turning to God. When we lift our eyes to Him, we find the power to endure and overcome life's challenges. [47:00]
2. Material Wealth is Unreliable: James warns us that relying on material wealth for our sense of power is futile. Wealth can corrode and fail us in our times of need. True power comes from our relationship with God, not from our possessions. [52:19]
3. The Importance of Patience: In our instant gratification culture, waiting can be incredibly challenging. However, spiritual growth often requires patience. Rushing ahead of God's plan can lead to mistakes and missed opportunities. [59:52]
4. Persistent Prayer is Key: Prayer is our direct line to God, and it is through persistent prayer that we find the strength to endure and overcome our challenges. Even when answers are delayed, we must continue to pray and trust in God's timing. [01:06:19]
5. God Provides in Miraculous Ways: My personal story of adopting my son, Samuel, illustrates how God provides in miraculous ways when we trust Him. Despite financial obstacles and long periods of waiting, persistent prayer and faith led to a miraculous outcome. [01:12:21]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[33:50] - Introduction to X-O Week
[35:02] - Recap of "Word to the Wise" Series
[36:10] - Personal Spiritual Journey
[37:47] - Powerlifting Competition Illustration
[42:12] - Real-Life Struggles in the Congregation
[47:00] - Confession of Weakness
[50:48] - Press Pause on Possessions
[57:33] - Practicing Patience
[01:04:47] - Persistently Praying
[01:12:21] - Adoption Story
[01:17:20] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. James 5:1-3 (NIV): "Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days."
2. James 5:7-8 (NIV): "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near."
3. James 5:13-16 (NIV): "Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
### Observation Questions
1. What does James warn about the reliability of wealth in James 5:1-3?
2. How does James describe the process of waiting in James 5:7-8?
3. According to James 5:13-16, what actions should believers take when they are in trouble, happy, or sick?
4. In the sermon, what personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the power of persistent prayer? ([01:12:21])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize the futility of relying on material wealth for strength and security? ([52:19])
2. How can the analogy of a farmer waiting for crops help us understand the importance of patience in our spiritual lives? ([57:33])
3. What does the pastor's story about adopting his son from Ethiopia teach us about the role of persistent prayer in overcoming challenges? ([01:12:21])
4. How does the concept of confessing sins to one another and praying for each other, as mentioned in James 5:16, contribute to the healing process within a community?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on material wealth or possessions for a sense of security. How did that work out for you, and what can you learn from James 5:1-3 about true strength? ([52:19])
2. In what areas of your life do you struggle with impatience? How can you apply the lesson of the farmer from James 5:7-8 to cultivate more patience? ([57:33])
3. Think about a current challenge you are facing. How can you incorporate more persistent prayer into your daily routine to seek God's strength and guidance? ([01:06:19])
4. Have you ever experienced a miraculous provision or answer to prayer like the pastor did with his adoption story? Share your experience and how it strengthened your faith. ([01:12:21])
5. How can you support someone in your small group or community who is feeling weak, helpless, or hopeless? What practical steps can you take to lift their spirits and point them to God? ([01:18:43])
6. Identify one area in your life where you need to press pause on relying on possessions or wealth. What specific action can you take this week to shift your focus to God instead? ([52:19])
7. How can you create a habit of confessing your struggles and sins to a trusted friend or mentor for mutual prayer and support, as encouraged in James 5:16? What steps will you take to start this practice?
Devotional
Day 1: True Strength Comes from God
Description: True strength is not about pretending to be stronger than we are. It comes from acknowledging our weaknesses and turning to God. Many of us struggle with feelings of powerlessness and helplessness, often masking our vulnerabilities behind a facade of strength. However, it is in our moments of weakness that we can truly experience God's power. By lifting our eyes to Him, we find the strength to endure and overcome life's challenges. This is a reminder that our true source of power is not within ourselves but in our relationship with God. [47:00]
Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV): "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you pretending to be stronger than you are? How can you lift your eyes to God and rely on His strength today?
Day 2: Material Wealth is Unreliable
Description: James warns us that relying on material wealth for our sense of power is futile. Wealth can corrode and fail us in our times of need. True power comes from our relationship with God, not from our possessions. In a world that often equates success with material wealth, it is easy to fall into the trap of believing that our possessions define our worth. However, material wealth is temporary and unreliable. It can give a false sense of security that ultimately leaves us empty. Instead, we are called to find our strength and security in God, who never fails us. [52:19]
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV): "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are relying on material wealth for security? How can you shift your focus to find true security in your relationship with God?
Day 3: The Importance of Patience
Description: In our instant gratification culture, waiting can be incredibly challenging. However, spiritual growth often requires patience. Rushing ahead of God's plan can lead to mistakes and missed opportunities. Patience is a virtue that is often overlooked in our fast-paced world. We want quick solutions and immediate results, but God's timing is perfect. Learning to wait on the Lord and trust His timing is essential for our spiritual development. It is through patience that we learn to rely on God's wisdom and guidance, rather than our own understanding. [59:52]
Psalm 27:14 (ESV): "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to be patient? How can you practice waiting on God's timing and trusting His plan today?
Day 4: Persistent Prayer is Key
Description: Prayer is our direct line to God, and it is through persistent prayer that we find the strength to endure and overcome our challenges. Even when answers are delayed, we must continue to pray and trust in God's timing. Persistent prayer is not about repeating the same words over and over, but about maintaining a constant and open line of communication with God. It is through this ongoing dialogue that we build a deeper relationship with Him and find the strength to face life's difficulties. Persistent prayer requires faith and trust that God hears us and will answer in His perfect timing. [01:06:19]
Luke 18:1-8 (ESV): "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, "Give me justice against my adversary." For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, "Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming."' And the Lord said, 'Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?'"
Reflection: Is there a specific prayer you have been waiting for God to answer? How can you continue to pray persistently and trust in His timing?
Day 5: God Provides in Miraculous Ways
Description: The story of adopting Samuel from Ethiopia illustrates how God provides in miraculous ways when we trust Him. Despite financial obstacles and long periods of waiting, persistent prayer and faith led to a miraculous outcome. This experience teaches us that true power comes from lifting our eyes to God, the source of all strength. When we face challenges and uncertainties, it is easy to become discouraged. However, God's provision often comes in unexpected and miraculous ways. By trusting in Him and remaining faithful in prayer, we can witness His incredible power and love in our lives. [01:12:21]
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: Think of a time when you experienced God's miraculous provision. How can you trust Him more fully in your current challenges and uncertainties?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I'm not sure how you come to X Church every week. Maybe some of you do come that way. Like you're the meanest, baddest dude on planet Earth. But I got a hunch that not everybody comes. To X Church that way. Sometimes we come to X Church just dragging. Tired. Shoulders slumped. Struggling. Some come to X Church feeling weak. Some come feeling broken. Some come dealing with issues in their personal life, or their family, or their finances, or their health. And... They're really struggling." [42:12] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You see, we didn't have the power to do it. We're weak. We couldn't figure it out. We had to pause our possessions that we didn't have. We had to practice patience. We had to pray persistently and still nothing until, in the will of God, he showed up at the perfect time, in the perfect place. And now, as my wife has often said, our family is complete." [01:16:50] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "How does it happen? It says in Psalm 121, I lift my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. You see, we filled out the application May the 31st, 2008. And from May 31st to May 31st of 2009, one year, God found, you know, the family that didn't have $25 to adopt, God found $25,008.32. He worked it all out for our good and His glory." [01:17:20] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "There's no power in my prayer. There's power in praying to the most powerful one in the universe. That's where the power comes from. So if we're feeling weak, if we're feeling helpless, if we're feeling hopeless, if there doesn't seem to be any way out and we feel broken, the power is in reaching to God the Father. And when we lift our eyes to him, and that's the greatest power lifting move we can make." [01:18:00] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you're in trouble, pray. Okay, I've been in trouble, and I've prayed, and guess what? I didn't get instant results. I've been sick, and I've prayed, and guess what? I wasn't instantly healed. I have been, others have been, and I thank the Lord every time that it happens. But not always. Sometimes my friend is in need, and I pray for them, and they pray for themselves. And they don't get the answer right away. What do we do? We've got to persistently pray for these needs." [01:06:19] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Pursuing proper power requires pressing pause on possessions. Second of all, practicing patience. Look what James says in James 5, verses 7 and 8. Be patient then, brothers. Listen, sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains? You too, be patient and stand firm because the Lord's coming is near." [57:33] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You see, about two years ago, I walked into those doors having a top three worst weekend I've ever had in my life. And I've had a lot of weekends at 58 years old. It was my top three. I was mad. I was frustrated. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to do. Or how to handle it. It was a situation I never had before. And I couldn't figure it out. And man, I was weak." [47:00] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If we put our trust in our money and we put our trust in the things that we possess, they won't help us when you get a diagnosis of a suicide disease. They won't help us when your second mom dies at 81 years old. It won't help us when your sister is going to go on hospice care tomorrow because her body can't keep up. The money is not going to help you. Possessions won't save us. It won't give us the power to fix the mental health challenges that we face or issues in our family." [52:19] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "My hunch is, you know what it's like to have something that you want, or you feel God calling you to do, a direction he wants you to go, and you've been praying about it. You've been waiting on it. And you feel like, where are you, God? I'm not seeing any movement at all. I'm trying to be patient. But right now, nothing. Pursuing proper power requires pressing pause on our possessions, and they're not going to be able to help us. Practicing patience, and thirdly, persistently praying." [01:03:16] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I don't know if God has ever asked you to do something that you didn't feel qualified or have the power to do. But God did that for my wife and I. My wife's name is Stacy. I'm Steve. We're all S's. This is Steve, Stacy, Sarah, Susanna, Sidney, and Samuel. We had a cat named Spice. Got rid of the cat. So Steve and Stacy get a very clear call from God. Steve and Stacy, you need to adopt. And the message was, you need to adopt from a foreign country that's very poor." [55:17] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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