Strength in Weakness: Embracing God's Grace Together
Summary
In today's gathering, I felt a profound sense of encouragement from the Lord, reminding us that we are doing better than we think. Often, we feel the pressure to have everything together, but the Apostle Paul teaches us that in our weakness, we find strength through God's grace. This is a comforting reminder for anyone feeling worn down or tired, whether you're a parent, student, or business owner. God sees you and is proud of your efforts.
We explored the concept of opposition in our Christian journey. Paul’s words, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" highlight that opposition is a natural part of following Christ. It’s not an easy path, but it is purposeful and worthwhile. Opposition can come in many forms, such as financial struggles, naysayers, or even our own mindset. Yet, we are reminded that we have the mind of Christ, which empowers us beyond a mere growth mindset.
God's support is unwavering, even when we face challenges. He is like a father cheering us on, ensuring that everything He does is for our benefit, including discipline. Even when God opposes us due to pride, it is for our good, to humble us and bring us back to His grace. This is a testament to His active involvement in our lives.
We also touched on the reality of persecution faced by Christians worldwide, urging us to gain perspective and be driven to prayer. Despite the trials, we are more than conquerors through Christ. His victory is complete, and His kingdom is ever-growing. We are called to participate in this kingdom, to step into our roles as His hands and feet, and to expand His kingdom on earth.
Finally, we are reminded of the importance of community. God is not just for me; He is for us. We are the body of Christ, and we must support one another, taking an interest in each other's lives and working together to fulfill God's mission. In Christ, nothing can separate us from His love, and the only way we can lose is if we give up. So, let us take steps today towards what God has called us to do, knowing that He will empower us to accomplish it.
Key Takeaways:
- Strength in Weakness: Embrace your weaknesses as opportunities for God's grace to manifest. In our vulnerability, we find strength, as God meets us where we are and empowers us to overcome challenges. [01:07:00]
- Facing Opposition: Opposition is a natural part of the Christian journey. It signifies that we are on the right path, following Christ. When we encounter resistance, it is an opportunity to rely on God's strength and continue moving forward. [01:10:48]
- God's Active Involvement: God's discipline is a sign of His love and active involvement in our lives. Even when He opposes us due to pride, it is for our benefit, to humble us and bring us back to His grace. [01:19:58]
- Community and Support: We are not alone in this journey. God is for us, collectively as the body of Christ. We must support one another, taking an interest in each other's lives and working together to fulfill God's mission. [01:41:31]
- Empowered to Act: God calls us to step into our roles and expand His kingdom on earth. He equips us for the tasks He sets before us, and we must take steps towards fulfilling our calling, knowing that He will empower us to accomplish it. [01:46:42]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:02:00] - Encouragement in Weakness
- [00:05:00] - The Nature of Opposition
- [00:10:00] - God's Unwavering Support
- [00:15:00] - Embracing God's Discipline
- [00:20:00] - Perspective on Persecution
- [00:25:00] - More Than Conquerors
- [00:30:00] - The Ever-Growing Kingdom
- [00:35:00] - Community and Unity
- [00:40:00] - Taking Steps in Faith
- [00:45:00] - Empowered by God's Grace
- [00:50:00] - Closing Reflections
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:31-39
- Galatians 6:9
- Hebrews 12:5-6
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 8:31-39, what assurances do we have about God's support and love for us? How does this passage describe the nature of God's love? [01:17:39]
2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned the concept of opposition in the Christian journey. What are some examples of opposition that were discussed? [01:10:48]
3. How does the sermon describe God's discipline, and what is its purpose according to Hebrews 12:5-6? [01:19:58]
4. What role does community play in the Christian journey as highlighted in the sermon? How is this related to the concept of being the body of Christ? [01:41:31]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the assurance that "God is for us" in Romans 8:31-39 impact a believer's response to opposition and challenges? [01:10:48]
2. The sermon discusses the idea of being "more than conquerors" through Christ. What does this mean in practical terms for a believer facing trials? [01:28:10]
3. How can understanding God's discipline as an act of love change a believer's perspective on personal struggles and setbacks? [01:19:58]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that community and support within the church can help believers fulfill God's mission? [01:41:31]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt weak or worn down. How can embracing your weaknesses as opportunities for God's grace change your perspective on those experiences? [01:07:00]
2. Identify a current opposition or challenge in your life. How can you rely on God's strength to face it, and what practical steps can you take to move forward? [01:10:48]
3. Consider an area in your life where you might be experiencing God's discipline. How can you view this as an opportunity for growth and humility? [01:19:58]
4. How can you actively participate in your church community to support others and fulfill God's mission? What specific actions can you take this week to engage with others in your church? [01:41:31]
5. Think about a dream or calling that God has placed on your heart. What steps can you take today to begin pursuing it, trusting that God will empower you to accomplish it? [01:46:42]
6. Reflect on the concept of being "more than conquerors" in Christ. How can this truth influence your approach to challenges and setbacks in your life? [01:28:10]
7. How can you cultivate a mindset that aligns with the mind of Christ, especially when facing doubts or negative thoughts? What practical steps can you take to renew your mind daily? [01:10:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Weakness as a Gateway to Grace
In moments of weakness, there is an opportunity for God's grace to shine through. When individuals feel worn down by life's demands, whether as parents, students, or business owners, they can find solace in the knowledge that God sees their efforts and is proud of them. The Apostle Paul teaches that in our weakness, we find strength through God's grace. This perspective encourages believers to embrace their vulnerabilities, knowing that God meets them where they are and empowers them to overcome challenges. [01:07:00]
"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: Identify a specific area of weakness in your life. How can you invite God's grace to work through this weakness today?
Day 2: Opposition as a Sign of Purposeful Path
Opposition is a natural part of the Christian journey, signifying that one is on the right path in following Christ. Challenges such as financial struggles, naysayers, or even personal doubts can serve as opportunities to rely on God's strength. The words of Paul, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" remind believers that opposition is not only expected but also purposeful and worthwhile. It is through these trials that individuals can grow in faith and continue moving forward with confidence. [01:10:48]
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you view this opposition as an opportunity to deepen your reliance on God?
Day 3: God's Loving Discipline
God's discipline is a testament to His love and active involvement in the lives of believers. Even when He opposes individuals due to pride, it is for their benefit, to humble them and bring them back to His grace. This understanding of God's discipline as a form of love encourages believers to accept correction and growth as part of their spiritual journey. It is a reminder that God's support is unwavering, and everything He does is for the benefit of His children. [01:19:58]
"For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." (Hebrews 12:6, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's discipline. How did it lead you to a deeper understanding of His love and grace?
Day 4: The Power of Community in Christ
The Christian journey is not meant to be walked alone. Believers are part of the body of Christ, called to support one another and take an interest in each other's lives. This sense of community is vital for fulfilling God's mission on earth. God is not just for individuals; He is for the collective body of believers. In Christ, nothing can separate them from His love, and together, they can accomplish great things for His kingdom. [01:41:31]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to today to offer support or encouragement in their walk with Christ?
Day 5: Stepping into Your God-Given Role
God calls believers to step into their roles and expand His kingdom on earth. He equips them for the tasks He sets before them, empowering them to fulfill their calling. This call to action encourages individuals to take steps towards what God has called them to do, knowing that He will provide the strength and resources needed to accomplish it. It is a reminder that believers are more than conquerors through Christ, and His victory is complete. [01:46:42]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What specific step can you take today to move closer to fulfilling the role God has called you to in His kingdom?
Quotes
"um as we were in worship um a few people came up to pray for me um before i started and uh i just got the sense that the lord wanted to say that you're doing better than you think you are um sometimes we feel like we have to have it all together but the amazing thing is the apostle paul says that in his weakness he is strong because the lord's grace meets us in our weakness so if you're feeling weak this morning you're in a good place you know it's good to feel strong it's it's you know and i don't think we're always supposed to feel weak but the lord can actually do amazing works in us when we are feeling weak um so if that's you this morning i just want to encourage you that he sees you whether you're a parent or student or i don't know run a small business or whatever it is i just feel like he just wants to say you're doing a good job um he's a good father he's so good" [01:00:24] (69 seconds)
"what then shall we say to these things if god is for us who can be against us he who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us us all how will he not also with him graciously give us all things who shall bring any charge against god's elect it is god who justifies who is to condemn christ jesus is the one who died more than that who was raised who is at the right hand of god who indeed is interceding for us who shall separate us from the love of christ shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword as it is written for your sake we are being killed all the day long we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered knowing all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us for i'm sure that neither death nor life nor angels nor rulers nor things present nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of god in christ jesus our lord" [01:03:43] (70 seconds)
"so as i was writing this sermon let me tell you and i often say like i'm talking to myself but this whole thing is like oh what do i want to talk about i'm like well i'm just gonna go through my process here because this is where i'm at i'm like writing to myself because like just not just me but so many people in our congregation been facing such opposition and the thing is when paul says if god is for us who can be against us that implies that god is for us because we face opposition opposition right we face opposition if if we're walking this journey called christianity if we're following jesus we're going to face opposition that's just the way it is it's not it's not the easy road" [01:05:05] (47 seconds)
"and i was like, my son, the other day, i was just kind of, like, teaching him some gun safety, and i was showing him, you know, i had a little, like, a 9mm cartridge, and i was showing him, and i was teaching him how it works. and i'm like, well, right here, a little primer, that's what gets struck, and it causes a spark, and then it lights the powder and shoots the bullet out. and he's like, so can i just hit it right here? i'm like, no, you can't. because it would just be erratic, right? not only would it be erratic, it would hurt somebody, but it just, you don't know where it's gonna go. so when we have boundaries and limits in our lives, it's like putting it in a chamber. it's got limits all the way around, right? but there's one opening, and that's when it could become accurate." [01:09:34] (42 seconds)
"if you're following the lord and accusation is coming your way you are heading in the right direction if you're if you're trying to bring something beautiful to the world if you're trying if you're trying to bring god's kingdom to the world and you're facing opposition you are in the right place you're going the right direction now if you're just making dumb decisions and then like stuff's happening in your life well that's your fault and that's where repentance comes in it's amazing you'll be like god i'm doing these stupid things messed up my life and he's like you know what my blood paid for that my blood washes over that so that's awesome but if you're facing opposition you're like doing all the right things you know like you're you're following him you're listening to his voice and it seems like it's heading you down a really tumultuous path you're headed down the right path so remember his path isn't easy but it's purposeful and it's worthwhile" [01:14:08] (72 seconds)
"everything he does for you is for your benefit. everything. everything he works for your benefit, good or bad. god almighty, the creator of the universe, is for you. he is on your side. and if you just step out and ask him for help, he will empower you with his grace. you know, what's crazy is i'm talking about opposition, you know, facing opposition. and there actually is one time where we face opposition from god himself, and that's when we're in pride. and you know what the crazy thing is too? even when god opposes us, even when god opposes us, he is still for us. how does that work? it's crazy. because he knows that when we're in pride, when we decide that my way is best, that is destructive, and that he will oppose us to bring us out of pride and humble us so we can receive grace, so we can receive mercy. so even when it's god who opposes us, he is still for us, he is still for us." [01:19:18] (73 seconds)
"people are literally being martyred for their faith right now as we're here sitting in church and i think that i'm speaking to myself as well like we sit so comfortably in our churches and i know that sometimes there's policies that come out that are anti -christian and stuff like that but man we're not persecuted like these people are literally being shot and like thrown in the back of trucks and beaten and i don't say this to make us feel bad i just like we need to get we need to get some perspective" [01:28:55] (42 seconds)
"the reason that we are more than conquerors in christ is because his victory i think we think have this idea that you know he's gonna come back and just barely like things are just gonna get so awful that he's gonna come back and just kinda swoop us up but he was utterly victorious and his gospel is it's the proclamation of the good news of the kingdom that has come to earth that's what it is the gospel is not good news that i'm gonna you know you're gonna hide over here and i'm gonna take you away someday they weren't you know what's crazy the apostles weren't even preaching like you know you go to heaven when you die whereas i just talked about to die is gain yeah of course but that wasn't the message the message was the kingdom is here now that's what was being preached that was what john the baptist was preaching before jesus even came on the scene repent for the kingdom of heaven is near it's here you could touch it because it wasn't there and some of you remember we're talking about the second temple that they rebuilt the second temple but the spirit of god never returned like the first temple so they were still in exile they were in exile all the way up to john all up to jesus but john the baptist was the last of the old covenant prophets and he says repent for the kingdom of heaven has arrived and it has not left" [01:32:42] (116 seconds)
"he didn't, that's islam actually, he took his toys and went home and we got to try and figure out how to fix this to make god come back, that's not it at all, he established a kingdom on the earth that has never stopped growing, and it will not stop growing, from here on to eternity it will not stop growing, says to the his government there will be no end, to the growing, to the increase of his government there will be no end, and this god where his government, the increase there will be no end, he is the god that is for you, the one that has established the kingdom on the earth, the kingdom that brings reconciliation, restoration, healing, he is the god that is for all of you, and for me, come on, let's go, i'm running out of time, so do you believe me yet, that god's for you, no? okay, good." [01:35:53] (71 seconds)
"if god is for me, and he's established this kingdom that i get to participate in, that i don't just get to know about, but i get to step into it, and i get to partner with god. isn't that crazy? it's wild. that's our job. to expand this kingdom, that's our job. we don't just sit back and he just goes and does it, we're the chosen vessel, the church, the body of christ. why is it called the body of christ? because we're his hands and feet. like i started with something, some of you have been sitting on something for years, and you know it. god's placed something in your head, maybe you've kind of pushed it off, that's a crazy dream, that's impossible, that's not going to pay the bills, whatever. some of you have been sitting on that for years." [01:36:47] (61 seconds)
"we are the body of christ, the army of god, and there is too much at stake for us not to take that seriously and to take that lightly and to see churches all around the world that are facing true persecution. the least we could do is give him everything because their very lives are demanded from them. again, not trying to make you feel bad, but, like, our biggest issue right now, not our biggest, but, like, we're going to decide, where am i going to go to lunch today after church? you know what i mean? god is for us. philippians 2 .4. let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." [01:43:08] (53 seconds)
"hebrews 10 .24 -25. and let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching, the day of christ's return. we need to be invested together in the mission that god has given us. yes, our individual... callings and all that, but how do they fit together to actually bring the kingdom here on earth, on earth as it is in heaven?" [01:45:00] (40 seconds)
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