Be Strong - Be

10.05.2008.Sermon.Be Strong

By William Akehurst, HSWC

BE STRONG. In today’s economic and climatologically erratic conditions and worldwide unrest, we must be firm in our hope, and strong in the LORD. Paul encouraged Timothy to Be Strong. This is to encourage every believer to build their faith in the GRACE of the LORD, and put their trust in Him.

Scriptures Referenced

2 Timothy 2:1

Psalms 33:18, 39:7, 130:7, 131:3, 146:5

Acts 17:28

Psalm 31:24

Joshua 1:7

Haggai 2:4

1 Cor 16:13

2 Cor 12:9-10

Ephesians 6:10

Philippians 4:13

2 Peter 3:18

Rising Fuel Costs, Hurricanes, Economic Disaster, Stock Market and Banking Systems Collapse,

Elections, New Leadership. What next?

With all these things seeming to be in disarray, many are wondering...What NEXT?

Some may even be wondering if life is worth living. Some may have seemingly lost all hope…

Where is your hope?

Psalm 33:18

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

Psalm 39:7

"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.

Psalm 130:7

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

Psalm 131:3

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.

Psalm 146:5

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

We have our hope in the LORD GOD our creator, redeemer and king.

2 Timothy 2:1

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

Look at this phrase-Be Strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus

What does it mean to be strong?

Strong, Strength, Muscular, Able to lift and carry great loads, able to stand against opposition.

1. Physical: Muscular Strength - I will not be moved. I will physically endure.

2. Emotional: Mental Strength - to not collapse under duress. To be able to handle stress. POWs mental stress to endure. Name, Rank, Serial No. I will not be moved. My mind will remain fixed. I will mentally endure.

Thinking of John McCain, for so many years as a POW. He needed mental and emotional strength to endure

3. Spiritual Strength: I will not be moved. I will be filled with the spirit and stand firm in the spirit of the LORD. I will spiritually endure. Knowing from where my strength comes. The Grace in Christ Jesus

What is that Grace?

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Grace? Gift, Received, Accepted, Changed, Enriched for eternity

Webster says this about Grace

GRACE means unearned favors received from God.

GRACE is the unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification

Interesting. Webster who wrote the definitions of our language points grace as something that comes from GOD.

When we hear of grace, we also hear of mercy.

It is by God’s mercy upon us, that we have grace. But what is mercy?

I think of the servant who prostrates himself before the king pleading for mercy that the king would spare his life.

Mercy is given by those over us. Mercy is given upon someone below yourself.

MERCY? Unmerited favor. Favor that was not deserved or worked for.

Not getting what is deserved (punishment)

Compassion that spares from punishment

HIS Mercy and Grace

HE shows HIS mercy, HIS compassion to us by sparing us what we deserve (punishment) and by favor (love) provides for us what we deserve not (salvation and life)

HIS Mercy was HIS love for us. HE so much loved us that HE showed HIS love for us, by sending Jesus to live, die and rise up again. In Christ’s death, He took upon himself the sin of the world, from everlasting to everlasting. That all who believe in him might have life for ever. To live with him eternally.

His Grace is everything we need. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I think of Joni. A quadrapalegic. Still giving glory to the LORD. In her weakness, HE is EVERYTHING to her. And what can she do. Use her mouth to give praise for the Strength HE gives her. Her Mouth. What she uses to breathe, gives praise in word, song, and art. She uses

her mouth to paint! She lives and breathes Christ. Acts 17:28

We’ve seen the commercials on the TV. Allen Ailken - Action Business Systems. Copiers. His slogan is “We Live and Breathe this stuff”

And Paul says it to Timothy in the passage.

Be Strong in the Grace of our LORD JESUS

In order to be strong. We must eat...

Eat, Consume, Live, Breathe

This bible, GOD’s holy word. We must LIVE AND BREATHE. Every breath we take is given by the LORD. We take it in, and must give it back. We need to live and breathe the WORD of GOD