Introduction

Good morning, family of God. As we gather here today, under the shelter of our shared faith and the warmth of our shared love for our Savior, we are here to embark on a journey of understanding, a journey of discovery, and a journey of faith. We are here to learn to lean on Jesus, to depend on God, and to find our strength in Him.

Let us begin with a moment of prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today with hearts open and minds ready to receive Your Word. We ask for Your guidance as we seek to understand Your will for us. Help us to lean on You, to depend on You, and to find our strength in You. We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our scripture reading today comes from Ephesians 6:10, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." This verse, nestled in the heart of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder of where our true strength lies. It is not in our own abilities, our own resources, or our own understanding, but in the Lord and His mighty power.

Imagine, if you will, a tree. This tree is not just any tree, but a mighty oak. It stands tall and strong, its branches reaching out to the sky, its roots digging deep into the earth. This tree does not stand on its own, but leans on the earth for support, draws nutrients from the soil for sustenance, and depends on the sun for growth. We are like this tree. We are not meant to stand on our own, but to lean on God for support, to draw from His Word for sustenance, and to depend on His Son for growth.

Recognizing our own weaknesses is the first step in learning to lean on Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul writes, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

We often try to rely on our own abilities and resources, only to find ourselves exhausted and overwhelmed. However, when we acknowledge our limitations and surrender our weaknesses to Him, we open ourselves up to experience the fullness of God's power working within us.

So, as we journey together today, let us remember the mighty oak tree. Let us remember to lean on God for support, to draw from His Word for sustenance, and to depend on His Son for growth. Let us learn to lean on Jesus, to depend on God, and to find our strength in Him. For it is in Him that we find our true strength, our true purpose, and our true hope.

Learning to Lean on Jesus

In our faith journey, we often find ourselves standing at the crossroads of self-reliance and God-dependence. It's a struggle, a tug-of-war between our human nature that urges us to be self-sufficient and the divine call to lean on Jesus. But the truth is, we are not designed to do life on our own. We are created to depend on God.

Let's start with the first point: Recognizing our limitations. We are finite beings with finite resources. We get tired, we get overwhelmed, we get discouraged. But here's the good news: God doesn't. He is infinite in power, infinite in wisdom, infinite in love. When we acknowledge our limitations, we create space for God's unlimited power to work in and through us.

The original Greek word for 'strength' in Ephesians 6:10 is 'dunamis', which means power, might, or force. It's the same root word where we get our English word 'dynamite'. So, when Paul says, "Be strong in the Lord," he's not just talking about a little bit of strength. He's talking about explosive, dynamite-like power. That's the kind of power that's available to us when we lean on Jesus.

The great theologian Charles Spurgeon once said, "I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages." This quote beautifully encapsulates the idea of depending on God. Even in the midst of life's storms, we can find solace in the fact that our struggles are pushing us closer to Jesus, our Rock.

Moving on to the next point: Embracing our need for God. It's not a sign of weakness to admit that we need God. In fact, it's a sign of wisdom. It's an acknowledgment that we are not the masters of our own destiny, but we are in the hands of a loving God who knows what's best for us. When we embrace our need for God, we position ourselves to receive His grace, His guidance, and His peace.

Lastly, let's talk about Trusting in God's strength. Trust is not a passive thing. It's active. It's a choice we make every day, every moment. It's choosing to believe that God is who He says He is, and He will do what He says He will do. When we trust in God's strength, we are not just relying on our own understanding or our own abilities, but we are leaning on the One who holds the universe in His hands.

In conclusion, learning to lean on Jesus is not a one-and-done thing. It's a daily, moment-by-moment decision. It's recognizing our limitations, embracing our need for God, and trusting in His strength. It's choosing to depend on God, not just in the big things, but in the small things too. It's understanding that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. And it's knowing that when we are weak, then we are strong. Because His strength is our strength. His victory is our victory. His power is our power. And His love is our love.

Learning to Lean on Jesus

In the journey of life, we often find ourselves in situations that are beyond our control. We face trials, tribulations, and temptations that can leave us feeling weak and helpless. But there's good news. The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." This is not a suggestion, but a command. We are to find our strength, not in ourselves, but in the Lord.

So, how do we learn to lean on Jesus?

Firstly, we must acknowledge our need for Him. We live in a world that values self-sufficiency and independence. But the truth is, we are not self-sufficient. We are not independent. We need Jesus. We need His strength, His wisdom, His guidance. We need to admit our need for Him and invite Him into every area of our lives.

Secondly, we must trust in His strength. Trust is not a feeling, it's a choice. It's a decision to believe that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. When we choose to trust in God, we are choosing to lean on His strength and not our own.

Thirdly, we must surrender our lives to Him. Surrender is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. It's a sign that we recognize our limitations and choose to rely on God's limitless power.

In the book of Philippians, Paul writes, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). This is not a statement of self-confidence, but a declaration of dependence on God. Paul knew that his strength came from God and not from himself. He knew that he could face any situation, not because of his own abilities, but because of God's power working in him.

This brings us to our fourth point. We must live in constant communion with God. This means spending time in His Word, in prayer, and in worship. It means seeking His will in all things and striving to live in obedience to His commands.

Finally, we must persevere in faith. The Christian life is not a sprint, it's a marathon. It's not about how fast we run, but how well we finish. And the key to finishing well is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Learning to lean on Jesus is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey. It's a journey of faith, trust, surrender, communion, and perseverance. It's a journey that requires us to depend on God every step of the way. And as we learn to lean on Him, we will discover that His strength is more than enough for every challenge we face.

Learning To Lean On Jesus

When we think about the concept of leaning, we often picture a person who is weary, tired, or in need of support. This is a perfect metaphor for our spiritual journey. We are not meant to walk this path alone, but rather, we are called to lean on Jesus, to depend on God. This is a recurring theme in the Bible, and it's beautifully encapsulated in Ephesians 6:10, where we are encouraged to "be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."

Now, let's take a moment to unpack what it means to lean on Jesus, to truly depend on God.

Firstly, leaning on Jesus means acknowledging our own limitations. It's about recognizing that we are not self-sufficient. We are not all-knowing, all-powerful beings. We are human, and as such, we have limitations. We get tired, we get confused, we get overwhelmed. And that's okay. It's okay to admit that we can't do it all on our own. In fact, it's more than okay - it's necessary. Because it's in those moments of vulnerability, when we admit our need for help, that we open ourselves up to the possibility of divine intervention.

This idea is supported by a study conducted by Dr. Andrew Newberg, a neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania, who found that prayer and meditation can have a significant impact on our brain activity. When we pray or meditate, we are essentially acknowledging our need for help, for guidance, for strength. And this act of humility, of leaning on a power greater than ourselves, can actually change the way our brain functions, leading to increased feelings of peace, clarity, and resilience.

Secondly, leaning on Jesus means trusting in His strength, not our own. It's about letting go of our need to control, to fix, to manage, and instead, surrendering to His will. This is not a passive act, but rather, an active choice to trust in His plan, even when we can't see the whole picture.

A.W. Tozer, a renowned pastor and author, once said, "Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God." This quote beautifully encapsulates what it means to trust in God's strength. It's about fixing our gaze on Him, focusing on His power, His love, His goodness, even in the midst of our struggles. It's about choosing to see God, to lean on Him, even when the world around us is shaking.

Lastly, leaning on Jesus means embracing His love. It's about opening our hearts to His grace, His mercy, His compassion. It's about letting His love fill us, heal us, transform us.

Research conducted by Dr. Harold Koenig, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University, found that individuals who have a strong faith in God often experience greater levels of well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction. This is not because they are immune to hardships, but rather, because they have a source of love, of comfort, of strength that transcends their circumstances.

When we lean on Jesus, when we depend on God, we are not just relying on a distant, impersonal force. We are leaning on a loving Father, a compassionate Savior, a faithful Friend. And this love, this divine love, has the power to sustain us, to carry us, to lift us up, even in our darkest moments.

So, let us learn to lean on Jesus. Let us learn to depend on God. Let us acknowledge our limitations, trust in His strength, and embrace His love. For in doing so, we will find a source of strength, of peace, of joy that surpasses all understanding.

Conclusion

My dear brothers and sisters, as we come to the end of our time together today, let's take a moment to reflect on the key message we've been discussing. We've been talking about learning to lean on Jesus, drawing from the wisdom of Ephesians 6:10. It's a simple yet profound truth that our strength, our courage, and our resilience do not come from ourselves or from the world around us. No, our true strength is found in Jesus Christ alone.

We've all experienced moments of weakness, moments when we've felt overwhelmed by the challenges and trials of life. But let's remember, it's in these moments of weakness that we can truly experience the strength of God. When we acknowledge our weaknesses and surrender them to God, we open ourselves up to His divine strength. We allow Him to work in us and through us, transforming our weaknesses into strengths.

So, as we go about our lives in the coming week, let's make a conscious effort to depend on God more. Let's strive to be more like Jesus, who, despite His divine nature, leaned on the Father in every aspect of His life. Let's trust in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful and just. Let's lean on Jesus, our rock and our fortress, our source of strength and protection.

As we step into the new week, I want to challenge each one of us to be more like Jesus. Let's strive to depend on God in all circumstances, not just when we're facing difficulties. Let's lean on Him when we're happy, when we're sad, when we're at peace, and when we're in turmoil. Let's make it a habit to seek God's guidance in every decision we make, big or small. And let's remember to give thanks to Him in all situations, for His love endures forever.

Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for the time we've spent in Your presence today. We thank You for Your word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We thank You for reminding us to lean on Jesus, our source of strength.

As we go about our lives in the coming week, help us to depend on You more. Help us to recognize our weaknesses and surrender them to You. Fill us with Your strength, Lord, and enable us to trust in Your promises. May Your Holy Spirit guide us and empower us to be more like Jesus. We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

And now, as we prepare to leave this place, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. May these divine blessings guide us, protect us, and strengthen us in the coming week and always. Amen.

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