How To Find Strength In The Lord

How to Find Strength in the Lord

1 Timothy 1:12-2:4

Introduction

What does it mean to be a strong Christian? We might answer that in terms of activities - how much do we DO for the Lord. We might answer that in terms of faith - how much do we BELIEVE in the Lord. We might answer that in terms of comparisons - I’m stronger or weaker than other Christians I know. We might wonder why we feel so weak as a Christian and why does being a strong Christian seem so far away from us? The truth is that our strength is in the Lord - not in ourselves. D. L. Moody said, “When a man has no strength, if he leans on God, he becomes powerful.”

2 Corinthians 12:10 “…For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

That seems backwards, but it is the reality for all of us. Our true strength is to be found in Jesus Christ. That’s a lesson that a young minister named Timothy needed to learn.

When Paul wrote his letters to Timothy, they were among his last letters, not too long before his death at the hands of Emperor Nero. Paul had lived such a bold life - but he also dealt with his own struggles. He learned to lean on the Lord in the weakest of times, which made him a strong influencer for Jesus. Timothy was, apparently, a bit timid and perhaps facing some people who were overpowering him in their ways. Paul wrote to him to bolster his faith and encourage him to stand strong for the Lord.

1 Timothy 1:12 “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength…”

How to Find Strength for the Christian Walk

1. We Find Strength in the Lord’s MERCY and GRACE (1:13-14)

1 Timothy 1:13-14 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Paul acknowledge his painful past. We can sometimes be overwhelmed with our past - decisions, regrets, troubles, mistakes. Paul said, “Even though …” blasphemer, persecutor, violent. Mercy is God’s love ‘in spite of’ what you’ve been. We would expect God’s anger and punishment, unexpectedly Mercy is given. ‘Mercy there was great and grace was free, Pardon there was multiplied to me, there my burdened soul found liberty At Calvary!”

For once, someone believes in you - not your past, not your problems and troubles, not what you’ve done - but sees beyond all of that to see and love you. Paul says the Lord’s grace was poured out on him abundantly. Mercy is God withholding what we deserve, Grace is giving us what we do not deserve. Grace is ‘abundant’ … beyond measure … always more than enough. The super-abundant / hyper-abundant grace of God flooded Paul’s hearts as it does ours. John Stott: “Grace flooded with faith a heart previously filled with unbelief, and flooded with love a heart previously polluted with hatred.”

2. We Find Strength in SALVATION (1:15-16)

1 Timothy 1:15-16 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

Christ came to save - this was His mission. Christ came to save sinners - He came for those who needed saving - the Great Physician came for the sin-sick. Christ came to save me. Paul said he was the Chief of sinners, the worst of sinners. (16a) Stott: Paul was so vividly aware of his own sins that he could not conceive that anybody could be worse. It is the language of every sinner whose conscience has been awakened and disturbed by the Holy Spirit." If Christ could save him - he can save you (16b). To be saved is to receive eternal life (16c). Our greatest assurance in this world of earthquakes, pandemics, brutality and terrorism, we need to know that this is not all there is to life.

1 John 5:11 "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." Eternity is not just the payoff in the end, it is the assurance for the now.

3. We Find Strength in PRAISE (1:17)

1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Realizing the great blessing of mercy, grace, faith, love, salvation and eternity, Paul is moved into praise! We neglect the power of praise - when we praise… We are reminded of why God alone is worthy We affirm why we devoted ourselves to him. God is blessed by our words of praise. Psalm 103:1 “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!” NKJV King Jehoshaphat faced bitter enemies of God. He prayed and asked God to help, then led the people of Judah in prayer. “At the very moment they began to sing and give praise”…the victory was theirs! (2 Chronicles 20:22) How many times have we passed over prayers of praise and