Truth: I Just Have to Be Strong
October 22, 2023

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Disˈtôrtid
adjective
• Pulled or twisted out of shape; contorted.
• Giving a misleading or false account or impression; misrepresented.”his report gives a distorted view of the meeting”

Big Idea: The longer we look at distorted truth as truth, the more likely we will believe it as a truth.

1. There’s an invisible world that impacts our visible world every single day.

2. The Bible says there is a distorter of truth. He distorts the truth just enough to get us in trouble, but not enough to scare us away.
John 8:38

3. Jesus believed that the devil’s ultimate agenda was the destruction of human life, and that the means by which he destroyed human life was through distorting the truth.

4. How much destruction can he cause by distorting truth?
Genesis 3:1

Ephesians 6:10-11 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Schemes: Carries the idea of craftiness, cunning, and deception. The term was often used of a wild animal that cunningly stalked and then unexpectedly pounced on its prey. Satan’s evil schemes are built around stealth and deception.

John 8:32 - Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

DISTORTED TRUTH: I JUST HAVE TO BE STRONG
Emotionally - Provisionally - Spiritually - Professionally

5. OUR STRENGTH IS LIMITED

Genesis 3:5 - “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6. GOD’S STRENGTH IS UNLIMITED

• That’s why God wants us NOT to depend on our own limited abilities, but to do life empowered by His unlimited spiritual power.

Isaiah 40:30-31 - Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; ³¹ but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

7. THE TRUTH THAT WILL SET YOU FREE: TO RECEIVE GOD’S UNLIMITED STRENGH, WE MUST BE WEAK

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

DELIGHT: Think well of, to delight, to embrace

• What weakness do you need to embrace?

2 Corinthians 12:9 - …My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Grace (Charis) Unmerited favor, divine influence upon a heart.

Sufficient (Arkeo) Eliminating a barrier, sufficient, exactly enough.

Power (Dunamis) Explosive, miraculous power.

Perfect (Teleitai) Completely fulfilled.

Weakness (Astheneia) Disease, infirmity, brokenness.

God’s divine influence is exactly enough to meet your every need. For his explosive miraculous power is made completely perfect in you when you are broken before Him.

Ephesians 6:10 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.