Introduction

Good morning, family. Today, we're going to dive deep into a subject that I know many of us can relate to — it's about our weaknesses, our struggles, and the comfort we receive from knowing that God is with us.

We are focusing on a Scripture that has comforted and emboldened many in their darkest hours, 2 Corinthians 12:9,

"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.'"

There's a quote from A.W. Tozer that resonates well with our topic today. He once said, "God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we plan only the things that we can do by ourselves." We often forget that our strength is not just about what we can do, but also about letting God work through us in ways we can't even imagine.

Let's bow our heads for a moment and pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, as we delve into Your Word today, we pray that You would open our hearts and minds to understand the message You have for us. Help us to see that our weaknesses are not something to be hidden or ashamed of, but rather platforms for Your power to shine through. Comfort us with the knowledge that You are always with us, especially in our struggles. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

So, let's get started.

The Power of God in Weakness

The power of God in weakness goes against the grain of our human understanding, which often equates power with strength, dominance, and the ability to control or manipulate circumstances. However, the biblical perspective presents a radically different view. In the kingdom of God, power is not found in human strength or ability, but in weakness and dependence on God.

Paul's experience: Paul, a man who had accomplished much for the cause of Christ, was also a man acquainted with weakness. He spoke of a "thorn in his flesh," a source of continual pain and struggle. Yet, in his weakness, he discovered a profound truth: God's power is made perfect in weakness. When we are weak, then we are strong because God's power rests on us.

Not like the power we see in the world: It is not coercive or controlling. It does not seek to dominate or manipulate. Instead, it is a power that transforms, redeems, and brings life. It is a power that is made manifest in love, grace, and mercy. It is a power that is most clearly seen in the person of Jesus Christ, who, though he was God, became weak for our sake, even to the point of death on a cross.

Works through us: It is not a power that we possess or control, but a power that possesses and controls us. It is a power that works in and through our weaknesses, our struggles, our failures, and our shortcomings. It is a power that takes our brokenness and transforms it into something beautiful and redemptive.

Can’t manufacture or manipulate: It is not something we can earn or deserve. It is a gift, a grace, that is given to us freely by God. It is a power that comes to us when we acknowledge our weakness, when we admit our need for God, when we surrender our lives to Him.

Brings comfort and hope: It assures us that we are not alone in our struggles, that God is with us, that He cares for us, and that He is working in and through us for our good and His glory. It is a power that gives us the courage to face our fears, to confront our challenges, and to persevere in our trials.

Changes us: It transforms our perspective, our priorities, and our purpose. It helps us to see that our worth is not defined by our abilities, our achievements, or our successes, but by our identity as children of God, loved and valued by Him.

Challenges us: It challenges our pride, our self-sufficiency, and our desire for control. It calls us to humility, dependence on God, and surrender to His will. It invites us to let go of our illusions of power and to embrace the true power that comes from God.

Liberates us: It frees us from the burden of trying to be strong, of trying to do it all on our own. It allows us to rest in God's strength, to rely on His power, and to trust in His provision.

Empowers us: It enables us to do what we could not do on our own. It equips us to serve, to love, to forgive, to endure, to hope, and to persevere. It gives us the strength to face our weaknesses, our struggles, and our fears with courage and faith.

The Strength of the Lord in Our Struggles

The strength of the Lord in our struggles is not about a distant, detached God who watches us from afar as we grapple with life's challenges ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO