Strength in Weakness: God's Sustaining Grace
Summary
In today's discourse, we delve into the profound truth that the Lord sustains us in our weakness. Reflecting on Psalm 41, we are reminded of the blessedness that comes from considering the poor in spirit—those who recognize their utter dependence on God. This blessedness is twofold: it is the passive righteousness we receive from God through Christ's atoning sacrifice, and it is the active righteousness we demonstrate in loving service to others.
Christ, in His earthly ministry, bore our illnesses and carried our sorrows. He exemplified the ultimate service by taking upon Himself the weight of our sins and the brokenness of this world. The artist Matthias Grünewald's depiction of Christ bearing the plague on the cross serves as a stark reminder that Christ truly took on every aspect of human suffering.
We also see in Scripture that Christ was sustained by God the Father during His suffering, even as He was agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane. This sustaining power of God is not limited to Christ alone but extends to each one of us in our times of illness, whether physical, mental, or spiritual.
The life of Phil Stapleton, a member of our congregation, serves as a testament to the sustaining grace of God. Diagnosed with cancer at a young age, Phil's journey of faith was marked by a steadfast reliance on God's strength. His personal creed, anchored in 1 Chronicles 16:11, became a source of enduring faith even as he faced the trials of his illness. Phil's example teaches us that suffering can produce a character of hope and dependence on God, leading us to a confident expectation of resurrection and eternal life with Christ.
As we consider our own struggles and the inevitable question of why God allows suffering, we are encouraged to trust in His will, even when it is beyond our understanding. The Apostle Paul's words remind us that we can rejoice in our sufferings because they produce endurance, character, and hope. This hope is not a fleeting wish but a certainty grounded in the resurrection of Christ and the promise of our own resurrection to come.
In conclusion, let us keep our hearts focused on Christ, our King, who sustains us in our sickness and carries us through our weaknesses. In Him, we find the strength to endure, the grace to grow in character, and the hope of eternal life.
Key Takeaways:
- The Lord's sustaining power in our weakness is a testament to His unfailing love and grace. As we encounter trials and tribulations, we are not abandoned; rather, we are held and supported by the very hands of God. This divine sustenance is not a mere theological concept but a lived reality for every believer. [49:33]
- Passive righteousness, received through Christ's sacrifice, is the bedrock of our faith. It is not earned but given, and it is the source from which we draw the strength to serve others. This righteousness is a gift that transforms us from the inside out, enabling us to reflect God's love in our actions. [49:33]
- Active righteousness, demonstrated through our love and service to those who are poor in spirit, is the practical expression of our faith. It is through this service that we become the hands and feet of Christ in the world, caring for those in need and embodying the love that we have first received. [49:33]
- Suffering has a purpose in the Christian life; it is not meaningless. Through suffering, we gain endurance, character, and hope. These virtues are not naturally acquired but are developed through the trials we face, and they shape us into the likeness of Christ. [49:33]
- The hope of resurrection is the anchor for our souls. It is not a vague or uncertain future but a guaranteed promise from God. This hope sustains us through our darkest hours, reminding us that our current afflictions are temporary and that eternal glory awaits us. [49:33]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 41:1-3: "Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health."
2. 1 Chronicles 16:11: "Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually."
3. Romans 5:3-5: "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 41, what are the blessings promised to those who consider the poor in spirit?
2. How does the sermon describe the two types of righteousness mentioned in Psalm 41? [01:06]
3. What specific example from the sermon illustrates the sustaining power of God in times of illness? [07:38]
4. How does Romans 5:3-5 explain the purpose of suffering in the Christian life?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "consider the poor in spirit," and how does this relate to our dependence on God? [00:30]
2. How does the concept of passive righteousness, as described in the sermon, impact our understanding of salvation and service to others? [01:06]
3. In what ways did Phil Stapleton's life and faith journey exemplify the principles discussed in Romans 5:3-5? [07:38]
4. How does the hope of resurrection provide comfort and strength during times of suffering, according to the sermon? [14:43]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt weak or ill. How did you experience God's sustaining power during that period? [06:31]
2. How can you actively demonstrate righteousness through service to those who are poor in spirit in your community? [01:43]
3. Phil Stapleton's personal creed was anchored in 1 Chronicles 16:11. What specific steps can you take to seek the Lord's presence continually in your daily life? [11:49]
4. The sermon mentions that suffering produces endurance, character, and hope. Can you identify a recent trial in your life and discuss how it has shaped your character and hope in Christ? [08:13]
5. How can the hope of resurrection change your perspective on current struggles and afflictions? What practical ways can you remind yourself of this hope daily? [14:43]
6. The sermon encourages us to trust in God's will, even when it is beyond our understanding. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's plan for your life, especially during difficult times? [06:31]
7. Phil's example of praying "Thank you, I love you, forgive me, I need you" daily is powerful. How can you incorporate this prayer into your own spiritual practice, and what impact do you think it will have on your relationship with God? [12:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Sustenance in Weakness
God's unfailing love upholds us in our frailty. In moments of weakness, it is not uncommon to feel isolated and unsupported. However, the reality for believers is quite the opposite. The divine sustenance of the Lord is a profound truth that permeates the life of every Christian. It is in the depths of our trials and tribulations that God's hands are most evident, cradling us with a strength that surpasses our understanding. This sustaining power is not merely a theological concept to be pondered; it is a tangible experience that believers can attest to, a lived reality that offers comfort and assurance in the face of life's challenges. The knowledge that one is never abandoned, even in the darkest of times, can transform despair into peace and weakness into a testament of faith [07:40].
"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 stumble and fall, 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." - Isaiah 40:29-31
Reflection: When have you felt God's sustaining power in a time of personal weakness, and how did it change your perspective on His presence in your life?
Day 2: The Gift of Passive Righteousness
Righteousness received, not earned. Passive righteousness is the cornerstone of Christian faith, a gift bestowed upon believers through the sacrifice of Christ. This righteousness is not something that can be achieved through human effort; it is graciously given and serves as the foundation from which strength to serve others is drawn. It is transformative, working from the inside out, and enables believers to reflect God's love in their actions. Understanding that one's righteousness is a gift from God can lead to a profound sense of gratitude and a desire to live a life that honors this unmerited favor. It is this righteousness that empowers believers to extend grace and love to others, just as they have received from God [07:40].
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:21
Reflection: How does understanding your righteousness as a gift from God influence the way you interact with and serve others?
Day 3: Active Righteousness Through Service
Love in action reflects faith. Active righteousness is the practical outworking of faith, demonstrated through loving service to those who are poor in spirit. It is the hands and feet of Christ made visible in the world, caring for those in need and embodying the love that believers have first received. This service is not merely an obligation but a response to the grace that has been experienced. It is through these acts of kindness and compassion that the faith of a believer is made tangible, offering a glimpse of God's kingdom here on earth. By serving others, believers live out the command to love their neighbors and become a testament to the transformative power of God's love in their lives [07:40].
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." - James 1:22
Reflection: What is one practical way you can demonstrate active righteousness through service in your community this week?
Day 4: Suffering Shapes Our Christian Character
Endurance, character, and hope born from trials. Suffering within the Christian life is not without purpose; it is a crucible that shapes endurance, character, and hope. These virtues are not innate but are forged in the fires of adversity. As believers navigate through the trials they face, they are molded into the likeness of Christ. This process, while often painful, leads to a deepened faith and a steadfast hope in the promises of God. The understanding that suffering has a role in spiritual growth can provide a sense of meaning during difficult times and encourage believers to persevere with the knowledge that their trials are producing something of eternal value [07:40].
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." - Romans 5:3-4
Reflection: Can you identify a time when suffering produced endurance, character, or hope in your life, and how did it deepen your relationship with God?
Day 5: Anchored in the Hope of Resurrection
Eternal glory beyond present afflictions. The hope of resurrection is a steadfast anchor for the soul, offering believers a certainty that transcends the trials of this life. This hope is not based on wishful thinking but on the solid promise of God, affirmed by the resurrection of Christ. It is this assurance that sustains believers through their darkest hours, reminding them that their current afflictions are but temporary when compared to the eternal glory that awaits. The resurrection hope is a source of strength and comfort, providing a perspective that can transform how believers view their struggles and encouraging them to live with an eternal mindset [07:40].
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep." - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Reflection: How does the hope of resurrection influence the way you endure present difficulties, and how can it shape your daily living?
Quotes
- "Suffering produces endurance, the ability to tolerate things over the long haul, and endurance produces a distinct character, a unique dependence upon God, leading to hope." [08:48] (Download | )
- "Phil's journey brought him to a unique journey of faith... he sought the Lord continually... Phil endured to the end with a faith that gave him strength, a faith that gave him a unique type of endurance." [11:49] (Download | )
- "Phil, even in the midst of all of his suffering, could get a little bit pumped on a Lions game... he ate and he conversed and he prayed and he read. Phil was dependent on God." [14:01] (Download | )
- "Phil went through a test not unlike Job, a test that didn't deter him from faith... it strengthened his faith, it increased his resolve and increased his commitment to God." [14:43] (Download | )
- "The resurrection of Christ is what Job said, 'I know that my redeemer lives'... at the end, I will be raised with a new body, united in body and soul in the presence of God." [15:22] (Download | )
- "We talked about that David, when he wrote Psalm 41, was speaking specifically about Christ but also addressing us... we passively get blessed from God, not due to anything we have done but what He did for us on the cross." [01:06] (Download | )
- "Because of what Christ did for us through his death on the cross and his resurrection, we are to horizontally serve others in love and share and care for those that are poor in spirit." [01:43] (Download | )
- "Christ bore our illnesses and he suffered as we suffered... he took our suffering with him and our illnesses with him on his body to the Cross." [04:04] (Download | )
- "Christ was really sustained by God as he suffered... he actually sweated blood because of the agony of taking on the whole burden of all those that had sinned before him and all those that are going to sin after him." [05:18] (Download | )
- "God raised Christ from the dead and glorified him. That is how God fulfilled this Psalm, saying He sustained Him in His sickness, He sustained Him by raising Him from the dead and brought Him to full health." [05:58] (Download | )
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