How Strong Are You?

Shared Sermons by Dr. Odell Belger - SermonCentral.Com

Introduction:

There are times when we know somethings are important.

For example:

- YOU KNOW WHEN the telephone rings at three in the morning, more than likely someone has an emergency.

- YOU KNOW WHEN the sheriff’s department calls, it is important because more than likely your wife was caught speeding again!

- YOU KNOW WHEN the boss calls, more than likely it is not a social call.

Also, we need to recognize that it is important when God’s Word

tells us to “BE STRONG IN THE LORD.”

Look at Ephesians 6:10. We read, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

PAUL KNEW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT!

We could not talk to a better person in learning how to be a STRONG CHRISTIAN than the apostle Paul.

• The best person to talk to about plumbing problems is a plumber.

• The best person to talk to about electrical problems is an electrician.

• The best person to talk to about spiritual problems is someone who is spiritual.

We would be wise to listen to what Paul has to say for he knew a great deal about being STRONG IN THE LORD.

WHY DOES GOD SEND THIS MESSAGE TO THE SAINTS?

Because, it takes strength and courage to be a victorious Christian. That is why God gives us this clear command - “...BE STRONG IN THE LORD...”

Never has this spiritual war been as great as it is today.

• We thought it was bad enough years ago when the devil began to produce all the rebellious music that many listen to each day.

• We thought it was bad enough when you could not hardly turn your television on because of all the filth that was being promoted from Hollywood, from the scum of the earth.

• But today the devil has a new weapon, it is called the Internet. All across this country we hear about people getting on the Internet and chatting with all kinds of people, and after they are on there for a period of time they leave their children and mate to meet a total stranger they do not know a thing about.

• On the internet men and women, in the privacy of their homes, have become hooked on pornography.

These are dangerous times in which we live, and we had better understand that as Christians we must be STONG IN THE LORD.

You are absolutely deceiving yourself if you think that you are a match for Satan if you are NOT STRONG IN THE LORD!

Illus: Do you remember the story of Charles Atlas the Italian body builder of the 50’s.?

Many claim it was he who made “body building” what it is today without the steroids.

It is public knowledge that he began lifting weights because one day he was on a beach, in his bathing suit, and some boys made fun of him. They called him all kinds of names.

He decided to do something about that and he became the Hercules of his day. No one picked on him again!

CAN WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT OUR SPIRITUAL CONDITION?

Yes! But before you can become a spiritual “Hercules” you will have to BECOME DISCONTENTED WITH BEING WEAK.

If you are content living a defeated life there is no hope for you ever becoming a STRONG CHRISTIAN…NONE WHATSOEVER!!!

Illus: Do not be like the author Jack Handey. He said…

• “There used to be this bully who would demand my lunch money every day. Since I was smaller, I would give it to him. Then I decided to fight back.

• I wanted to take karate lessons, but the instructor wanted $5.00 a lesson, that was a lot of money at the time.

• I found that it was cheaper to pay the bully, so I gave up karate.”

Too many Christians believe it is easier to pay the bully than learn how to be STRONG CHRISTIAN.

But God wants each of us to be STRONG IN THE LORD!!!

But regardless of how old you might be it is not always easy to become a strong Christian.

In Ephesians 6:1-10 Paul give the Ephesian Christians a list of things they should do as a Christians.

He starts off with the children. Look at:

• Ephesians 6:1-3, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”

• Ephesians 6:4, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

• Ephesians 6:5-7, “Servants (EMPLOYEES), be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eye service, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”