When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong

1
When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong

• Glorifying God through our weakness

2
Introduction

• Like the odds makers, many would not give an
  ounce of a chance between two fighters where
• One has an undefeated (100-0) professional record
  while the other has never fought professionally.
• The champion is a manly 7ft, 350 lbs. while his
  opponent is 4ft, 50 lbs.
• Yet, what if you were told there were odds with a
  greater discrepancy found in the Bible?
• Well, there is a great reason for that!

3
Introduction

• In this lesson we shall see
• The contrast between the worlds view and Gods
  word in how He is glorified.
• The reality of God and His divine power being
  magnified through the weaknesses of His servants.
• And, how we are actually strengthened spiritually
  through our weaknesses.

4
Contrasting The World with the Word

• In the natural world the law of survival is
  fixed
• Life in general The stronger, faster, and more
  cunning survive.
• In business and athletics The stronger, faster,
  smarter, most efficient, wins.
• It is understandable then, that we strive to live
  with this mindset
• Only the strong survive It is a dog eat dog
  world May the best man win.
• This is practically seen in every facet of our
  lives as well as the animal kingdom.

5
Contrasting The World with the Word

• While this law of nature is the way of the world,
  it is not the way of the Spirit or eternity.
• While we live in the world, we are not of the
  world. Jn. 1716
• The world is turned upside down, however, when
  faced with the paradoxical teachings found in the
  Bible.
• To the world, weaknesses are unbecoming.even
  among professing Christians.
• To God, however His power/strength is perfected
  and glorified in/through our weakness. cp.
  Jdg. 72

6
Examples of Gods Power Through Mans Weaknesses

• God fights for Israel
• Gods promise to the Israelites, descendents of
  Abraham. Gen. 2813 Ex. 68
• Those God used to make His promise faithful.
• A nation of shepherds who have not known war
  (Ex. 18-11) from the days of Abraham till Israel
  became a nation. Gen. 137-8 4633-34 Num.
  1433
• A people, when faced with war were in stature
  small compared to their enemies. Num. 1333
• Yet, so that both the children of God and those
  against Him would realize, God would use the
  weakness of this nation to magnify His name. cp.
  Ex. 1411-14

7
Examples of Gods Power Through Mans Weaknesses

• God delivers to those weak and in need of Him.
• Gideon, along with 300 men, against over 135,000
  Midianites. Jdg. 67-10, 14-16 79-14 810
• David as a young shepherd. 1 Sam. 1721-36, 37 1
  Sam. 1745-49

8
Examples of Gods Power Through Mans Weaknesses

• God uses the seemingly worthless to deliver the
  invaluable souls of the lost. cp. Mk. 836
• He does it using a foolish message. 1 Cor. 121
• He uses the unlikely to preach His message
  fishermen, tax-collector, the humbled. Acts 27
  (Lk. 510, 27)
• He blesses the humble and meek recipients to come
  into and flourish in His kingdom. cp. Rom.
  617-18 Matt. 52-12

9
Mans Faith is Strengthened through His Own
Weaknesses

• Moses was a humbled man who thought little of
  himself. Ex. 410
• God taught Moses not to focus on himself, but on
  Him. Ex. 411-12
• Moses inabilities made it easier for others to
  see the greatness of God.
• Moses humility combined with his faith in Gods
  strength allowed him to be used in great ways.

10
Mans Faith is Strengthened through His Own
Weaknesses

• Our faith increases in God when we see His grace
  working through our weaknesses.
• It is not natural for man to want infirmities,
  pains, reproaches, persecutions, or distress.
• Yet, for Christs sake the divine strength of God
  and His grace is perfected through our
  weaknesses. cp. 2 Cor. 127-10
• God allows Satan to put a thorn in our flesh so
  that we learn to better trust in His strength.
• Thus, when we live by faith we accept these
  weaknesses that God may be glorified. cp. 1 Sam.
  21-10

11
Conclusion

• Our fleshly mind works often works with a mindset
  trained by our experiences in the world only the
  strong survive.
• Yet, what we need to learn by faith is that God
  is glorified through our weaknesses and through
  our weaknesses our faith is further increased in
  Him.