OceanSide church of Christ

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 SPIRITUAL STRENGTH

 

Why We Need to Be Strong in the Lord

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    We have presented two lessons on the subject of spiritual strength.

1.        In the first lesson, we noted some broad lessons about strength.

2.       In the second lesson, we learned about how we can be strong in the Lord, that is, through the precious Word of God.

 

B.      We want to continue our study in this series of lessons. 

1.        The title for the next two lessons is:  “Why We Need to Be Strong in the Lord.”

2.       In the first lesson, we will see that we need strength “to do” some things.

3.       In the second lesson, we will examine the subject of needing strength “to stand against” some things.

 

C.     Let’s consider several things for which we need the strength the Lord to do.

 

I.             WE NEED THE STRENGTH TO SERVE

 

A.    The Bible teaches us that we are to serve God and we are to serve others.

1.        God (Heb. 12:28-29)

 

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:  for our God is a consuming fire.

 

2.       Others (Gal. 5:13)

 

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

 

B.      Being a servant is not an easy task.

1.        It involves giving up one’s will to do the will of another.

2.       It involves jobs that others often do not want to take.

3.       It involves doing the same things over and over and over.

4.       It involves long hours at times, rising up early and going to bed late.

5.       It involves little, if any, thanks.

6.       It involves a labor that may not yield any fruit to the one who serves.

7.       It involves work that is often criticized by the one receiving the benefits.

 

C.     When all of these things are combined, we can grow weary in our service. 

1.        It is then that we need the strength of the Lord. 

2.       Remember, that strength is found in God’s Word. 

3.       There are numerous verses that can be found to encourage the one who serves.

a.       God will not forget (Heb. 6:10).

 

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

 

b.      There will come a time of reaping (Gal. 6:9).

 

And let us not be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

c.       We are manifesting Jesus Christ in our lives (John 13:14-17).

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither is he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

 

II.           WE NEED STRENGTH TO BE FAITHFUL

 

A.    Faithfulness involves that constant expression of faith in all areas of our lives.  According to Paul, this is required in all Christians (1 Cor. 4:2).

 

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

 

B.      The strength needed to be faithful is oftentimes a mental strength.

1.        Faithfulness is monotonous (doing the same things) and relentless (doing them over and over for a long period of time).

2.       Faithfulness does not always yield fruit.

3.       Faithfulness may involve an abundance of sacrifice.

4.       Faithfulness is not appreciated by the world.

5.       Faithfulness means that we sometimes have to suffer wrongs.

6.       Faithfulness is discounted by other brethren who are not faithful.

7.       Faithfulness might have to stand alone while others waver and falter.

 

C.     What is there in God’s Word that will provide strength to those who need more strength to be faithful?

1.        Blessings (Prov. 28:20)

 

A faithful man shall abound with blessings…

 

2.       The Lord will bless the faithful upon His return (Luke 12:42-43)

 

And the Lord said, who then is that faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

 

3.       The joy of the Lord (Matt. 25:21, 23)

 

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:  thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:  enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

 

4.       Victory with Christ (Rev. 17:14)

 

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them:  for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings:  and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

 

III.         WE NEED STRENGTH TO ENDURE

 

A.    Endure:  to hold out, to sustain, the undergo, to bear, to suffer (all without yielding)

 

B.      The Scriptures exhort us to endure.

1.        2 Timothy 2:3

 

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

 

2.       2 Timothy 4:5

 

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

C.     Endurance is not easy.  It can easily zap our strength.

1.        The kinds of things we must endure.

a.       False accusations

b.      Persecutions

c.       Losses

d.      Constant labor

e.       Fighting battles alone

2.       The length of time these things have to be endured.

 

D.    Again, God’s Word can provide us with strength as we seek to navigate the dark valleys of life.

1.        Look at the things which are not seen (2 Cor. 4:16-5:1)

 

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:  for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

 

2.       A crown of life (James 1:12)

 

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:  for when he is tried, he shall receive a crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    We have mentioned three things for which we need the strength of the Lord.

1.        To serve

2.       To be faithful

3.       To endure

 

B.      My friends, this strength does not just magically or miraculously appear in our lives. 

 

C.     The strength comes from a diligent study of the Word of God. 

1.        Remember, the Word of God is extremely powerful (Heb. 4:12).

2.       Once we have a knowledge of God’s Word, we, then, apply faith to all that God reveals to us.

a.       The actions of faith:

1)       We must believe the facts:  “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment…”

2)      We must embrace the promises:  …we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

3)      We must obey the commands:  “And let us not be weary in well doing…”

b.      Faith believes everything God says. 

Faith expects God to perform on its behalf.

c.       Faith is that which remains when all is removed except our trust in God.

 

D.    The father of a son who was possessed with a dumb spirit (Mark 9:23-24)

 

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.