Beyond Our Strength

Text: II Corinthians 1:3-11

 

I.         After Gideon crushed the Midian and captured two of its kings: Zebah and Zalmunna - Judges 8:12

            A.        After admitting that they were involved in the killing of the men of Tabor, Gideon reveals that they had killed his brothers, and then orders their execution - Judges 8:18-19

            B.        But his son, Jether, refused to strike the men down - Judges 8:20

            C.        The kings taunt Gibeon to do it himself, claiming “As a man, so is his strength” - Judges 8:21

                        1.         They saw strength as a reflection of the quality and character of a man

                        2.         Not that their taunt did them any good

            D.        Isn’t that how people judge men? - Proverbs 20:29

            E.        And women? - Proverbs 31:17

II.        Struggles shape us

            A.        Athletes spend countless hours working hard to make their bodies respond to greater feats

                        1.         Someone who wants to win a race but refuses to sweat isn’t going to achieve his desire - I Corinthians 9:24

            B.        An old proverb says, “A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.”

                        1.         God told that the life of a Christian is not smooth sailing

                        2.         We will have difficulties - John 16:33

                        3.         Those who desire to live godly will suffer - II Timothy 3:12

III.       There were periods in Paul’s life when events became incredibly rough - II Corinthians 11:23-29

            A.        It isn’t that Paul was a super hero.

            B.        There were times he despaired of going further

            C.        Yet, there was a lesson to be learned - II Corinthians 1:9

            D.        God shows His power best when we are weak - II Corinthians 12:9

IV.      Strength can be a disadvantage

            A.        We want to be proud of what we can accomplish, but too often in our strength we forget that what little we have is from God

            B.        Strength alone does not win - Psalms 33:16-17

            C.        Nebuchadnezzar learned this lesson the hard way - Daniel 4:30

                        1.         God removed his intellect for seven years - Daniel 4:31-32

                        2.         He was then allowed to return and he acknowledged the truth - Daniel 4:36-37

            D.        Paul learned to embrace his weakness

                        1.         Paul learned to accept that he wasn’t sufficient - II Corinthians 12:10

                        2.         You could even say, he was proud of it - II Corinthians 11:30

            E.        Strength doesn’t last. Eventually, we grow old - Psalms 71:9

                        1.         We must learn to depend on God - Psalms 73:26

            F.        J. I. Packer said, “God uses chronic pain and weakness, along with other afflictions, as His chisel for sculpting our lives. Felt weakness deepens our dependence on Christ for strength each day. The weaker we feel, the harder we lean. And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow spiritually, even while our bodies waste away. To live with your ‘thorn’ uncomplainingly – that is, sweet, patient, and free in heart to love and help others, even though every day you feel weak – is true sanctification.”

                        1.         This is what Paul meant when he said he could do all things through Christ who strengthens him - Philippians 4:11-13

            G.        Have you talked with those struggling with sin?

                        1.         “I’m not strong enough to resist.”

                        2.         Alone, you are probably right. But when we lean on God, we are more than conquerors - Proverbs 3:5-7

                        3.         Instead of following our feelings and desires, we put them aside to trust that God’s guidance is correct - Romans 8:12-14

                        4.         And God will help - I Corinthians 10:13

V.        Why does God allow hardships? Because we need them to grow

            A.        Consider the heroes of faith

                        1.         Abraham had to face offering up his son - Hebrews 11:17

                        2.         Moses had to endure ill-treatment - Hebrews 11:24-25

                        3.         And so many others - Hebrews 11:32-38

                                    a.         “From weakness were made strong”

                        4.         They did it because they knew there was something better waiting

            B.        Joy in trials due to the outcome - James 1:2-4

            C.        Rejoice in the proof of your faith - I Peter 1:6-9

            D.        After returning from captivity, the Law are read to the people - Nehemiah 8:9

                        1.         Like many, they mourned about all their past mistakes.

                        2.         How many, caught up in sin, spend days, weeks, or even years caught up in the past and the mistakes they had made? They hope that in sorrow God might take pity on them.

                                    a.         Don’t get me wrong. We ought to regret our sins. We should be sorry that they were committed.

                                    b.         But knowing that God forgives, should we remain wallowing in the past?

                                    c.         “The joy of the Lord is your strength” - Nehemiah 8:10

                        3.         Forget the past and embrace the future - Philippians 3:13-14

            E.        Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him - Hebrews 12:1-3

            F.        The struggles here are nothing compared to what we gain - II Corinthians 4:17