For When I Am Weak, I Am Strong
For When I Am Weak, I Am Strong
For When I Am Weak, I Am Strong
INTRO:
there is no mountain you can’t climb, no river you can’t cross, no giant you can’t slay and no challenge
you can’t overcome.
Even wondered why many of us says our weakness could be our strenghth and
•we can weakness becomes strength
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God,
did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation,
taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in
appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death,
even the death of the cross.
Then He served others as a Physician Who resisted those that considered
themselves spiritually elite - without need of a Savior – and focused His
ministry on sick people (Matthew 9:12).
When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a
physician, but those who are sick.
You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a
tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on
your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and
take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
Even humanity’s first encounter with the Holy Spirit is to convince us of our
faults and shortcomings so we can become Children of God (John 16:8).
And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of
righteousness, and of judgment.
And then, to illustrate its full truth, Jesus died on a cross, giving us a living
example of how to embrace our weakness and allow strength and power
can come from the most humiliating circumstances (Philippians 2:9-11)!
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which
is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of
those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and
that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father.
What was this thorn in the flesh? Frankly, I don’t care. It’s
not important to me. Who was this messenger from Satan
that buffeted him? Again, I don’t care. It’s not important
to me, either.
A messenger.
A reminder.
A weakness.
It certainly did for Paul! Knowing that his weakness had a purpose and God’s grace was his
sufficiency, Paul embraced his weakness so that only God could be glorified.
So Paul explodes with enthusiasm saying, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
How can this happen? How can we turn our weaknesses into God’s strengths? How can we
glorify God and His grace by embracing our weakness? Consider these three ways:
1. The strength of God rests upon us when we are HUMBLE enough to admit
our weaknesses.
-This should not be hard for us. Be honest. Listen to your conscience. You know that
there are many things that you say, think and do over a day’s time that are not as pure and holy
as they could be
2. The strength of God rests upon us when we are GRATEFUL enough to focus on the
Father’s grace.
-Loving God because of what He has done for us is the only adequate motivation for
serving Him - not guilt; not religion; not fear; not duty
3. The strength of God rests upon us when we are DETERMINED enough to rejoice in
spite of our weakness.
-No matter what, we can turn our weaknesses into strengths when we are determined to
rejoice in all situations. Paul said he would boast about his weakness and rejoice in infirmities,
reproaches, needs, persecutions and distresses.