STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS
Pastor Bill Young
bill@trc.ife
For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10b)
Discovering the source of power for our lives (3 perspectives):
I. The
Mark 9:14-16 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder. 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.
A. There is no power in religious
1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise person? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
John 5:39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,
2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
B. There is no power in the
Mark 9:17-19 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not. 19 “O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
Ephesians 6:10 Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
II. The
A. We must clearly understand our
Mark 9:20-22a So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” 22 “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him.
B. We must humbly seek Jesus for
Mark 9:22b-24 22b “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 ” ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes. 24”Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Three lessons from this story:
The father sought Jesus
of his weakness. Even with his
he knew he needed God. Jesus healed the boy, in
of his doubts & weakness!
2 Corinthians 12:9 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.
III. The
Mark 9:25-26 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.”
Mark 9:27-29 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
A. Jesus is available and
2 Chronicles 32:8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.
B. Jesus is concerned and
1Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
C. Jesus can heal you
2 Corinthians 13:4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you.
2 Corinthians 12:10b For when I am weak, THEN I am strong.
“I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need!”
- Charles Spurgeon