BE STRONG IN THE LORD

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   There are multiple characteristics that a Christian has been called to possess.

1.    Each one of the qualities is extremely valuable.

2.    Each quality is designed to make us like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

B.   One of the qualities a Christian must possess is strength.

1.    1 Corinthians 16:13

 

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

 

2.    Ephesians 6:10

 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

 

3.    2 Timothy 2:1

 

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

 

C.   We have entitled this lesson, “Be Strong in the Lord.”  We want to examine various places where each of us must manifest strength in our Christian walk.

 

I.             BE STRONG IN YOUR KNOWLEDGE

 

A.   Knowledge is an essential for the child of God (Prov. 24:5).

 

A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

 

B.   Hosea tells us that without knowledge we will be destroyed

1.    Hosea 4:6

 

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…

 

C.   Instruction is essential to the acquisition of knowledge (Prov. 12:1).

 

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge…

 

1.    Instruction is the way our knowledge is increased.

2.    The faithful Christian should long to be instructed in any manner possible that will cause his knowledge of God’s Word to increase.

 

D.   The key is to move from being a babe to being full grown in Christ (Heb. 5:12-14).

 

II.           BE STRONG IN YOUR FAITH

 

A.   Faith involves absolute confidence placed in the character, power, and Word of God.

1.    We can have little faith (Matt. 6:30).

2.    We can have great faith (Matt. 8:10).

 

B.   Abraham is the father of the faithful (Rom. 4:16).

The Bible tells us that he was “strong in faith” (Rom. 4:20).

And, we are told to “walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham” (Rom. 4:12).

 

C.   Strong faith is manifested by one’s presence.

Strong faith is manifested by steadfastness.

Strong faith is manifested by dependability.

Strong faith is manifested by absolute obedience.

 

D.   Hebrews 11:6

 

But without faith it is impossible to please him…

 

III.         BE STRONG IN YOUR COMMITMENT

 

A.   The term “commitment” is defined as “to bind or obligate oneself to a person or a cause.

 

B.   When individuals become Christians, they obligate themselves to a person, Jesus Christ, and to His cause, the Christian religion.

 

C.   Two powerful texts that reveal that our commitment to the Lord must be very strong.

1.    Mark 12:30

 

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:  this is the first commandment.

 

2.    Luke 14:26-27

 

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

 

D.   Commitment is not a mental evaluation of one’s life.  Commitment is an outward expression of Christ’s servant to his Master, Jesus Christ.

 

IV.         BE STRONG IN YOUR CHARACTER

 

A.   Character involves the aggregate of the traits and qualities that we are supposed to possess as a child of God.

 

B.   When God asks us to be strong, He wants us to be strong wholly and completely:  holiness, bravery, trustworthiness, gratitude, kindness, willingness to forgive, humility.

 

C.   Our character is like a wall built around us.

1.    It fortifies.  It protects us.  It reveals who we are (Ex., skylines and cities, walls and cities).

2.    Each quality we are to possess is a stone in that wall.

3.    If a stone is not in place, or, if a stone is weak, the entire structure can be harmed and possibly destroyed.

 

D.   We quoted Ephesians 6:10 in our introduction.  “…be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

1.    “Put on the whole armour of God” (v. 11)

2.    “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God” (v. 13).

 

E.   2 Peter 1:5

 

And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith…

 

V.           BE STRONG IN YOUR RESISTANCE

 

A.   Satan is a powerful individual who fights against God’s people.

1.    He is a serpent (Gen. 3:1; Rev.12:9; 20:2).

2.    He is a lion (1 Pet. 5:8)

3.    He is a dragon (Rev. 12:3).

4.    He is an enemy (1 Pet. 5:8).

 

B.   However, he is subtle (2 Cor. 11:3) and deceitful (John 8:44).

1.    He makes sin seem to be pleasurable.

2.    He makes consequences seem benign.

3.    He makes good appear to be evil.

4.    He makes destruction seem to be healthy.

 

C.   The Bible exhorts us to resist him.

1.    James 4:7

 

…Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

 

2.    1 Peter 5:9

 

Whom resist steadfast in the faith…

 

a.    Never give in, not once.

b.    Never act upset when you have to obey God.

c.    Never believe his lies.

d.    Never hang around him and his allies.

 

D.   Proverbs 4:14-15

 

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.  Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

 

VI.         BE STRONG IN YOUR STRUGGLES

 

A.   Struggles are part of the human condition following man’s fall.

1.    Genesis 3

a.    To the woman (Gen. 3:16)

 

I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and conception…

 

b.    To the man (Gen. 3:17-19)

 

…cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life…In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground…

 

 

 

2.    Job 14:1

 

Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

 

3.    John 16:33

 

…In the world ye shall have tribulation…

 

4.    2 Corinthians 5:4

 

For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened…

 

B.   Four ways to be strong in our struggles.

1.    Endurance (2 Tim. 2:4; 4:5; Jam. 5:11)

 

Behold, we count them happy which endure…

 

2.    Prayer (Phil. 4:6)

 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 

3.    Grace (2 Cor. 12:9)

 

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:  for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

4.    Hope (1 Pet. 1:13)

 

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   In Deuteronomy 31, Moses is nearing the day of his death.

1.    In verses 1-6, he addresses the children of Israel.  In verse 6, he exhorts them with these words:  “Be strong and of a good courage.”

2.    In verses 7-8, he addresses the new leader of Israel, Joshua.  His opening words to him were:  “Be strong and of a good courage” (v. 7).

 

B.   In Joshua 1, Joshua has now taken the reigns as the leader of God’s people.  The Lord exhorts him in this chapter.  Twice the Lord tells Joshua:  “Be strong and of a good courage” (vs. 6, 9).

 

C.   In that same chapter, Joshua calls Israel together, and commands them, saying:  “…only be strong and of a good courage” (Josh. 1:18).

 

D.   “The weak fail, but the strong will remain and never go under!” (Anne Frank)