I. EXORDIUM:
Are you strong in the LORD?
Yes. Ephesians 6:10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers/unbelievers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To show that we need to be nearer than before and inside GOD'S Presence so that GOD can hold us in His arms and gives us encouragement that will result in being strengthened in the LORD JESUS more.
IV. TEXT:
1 Samuel 30:6 (Amplified Bible)
David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged {and} strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
V. THESIS:
Praise, worship, glorify, adore, bless, honor, acknowledge and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You are my Encouragement and my Strength.
VI. TITLE:
The LORD JESUS is my Encouragement and Strength
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author: unknown
B. Date written: After 1011 B.C.
C. Purpose: To record the founding of the Hebrew monarchy
D. To whom written: The nation of Israel
E. Keyword: king
F. Key verses:
1 Samuel 8:7-8 (Amplified Bible)
And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken to the voice of the people in all they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not be King over them.
According to all the works which they have done since I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they also do to you.
1 Samuel 15:22 (Amplified Bible)
Samuel said, Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
VIII. MAIN BODY:
1 Samuel 30:6 (Amplified Bible)
David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged {and} strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
A. The LORD JESUS is my Encouragement and Strength
Encouraged himself or "khaw-zak'" in Hebrew language meaning to fasten upon; hence to seize, be strong (figuratively courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer: - aid, amend, X calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage (-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengten (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong (-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand
Our encouragement or the Personified Encouragement is the LORD JESUS Himself and there's no one else to do the job of encouraging us rather than the LORD. His Very Presence commands encouragement. We have to fasten ourselves to Him to get encouraged.
How to encourage ourselves in the LORD?
1. Read, memorize, hear, meditate GOD's WORDS and do to it as long as you put it into your system of thinking.
Proverbs 4:13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
2. Pray
Nehemiah 6:9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, Their hands will be so weak that the work will not be done. But now strengthen my hands!
Now when we pray for strength, GOD will command strength in us, but we have to use that Strength, His Strength in us to pray. It's a sort of covenant with Him.
Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble {and} tottering knees.
3. Wait and hope in the LORD - this is a moment by moment waiting and hoping in the LORD.
Psalms 27:14 Wait {and} hope for {and} expect the Lord; be brave {and} of good courage and let your heart be stout {and} enduring. Yes, wait for {and} hope for {and} expect the Lord.
In waiting there's renewable strength.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change {and} renew their strength {and} power; they shall lift their wings {and} mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint {or} become tired.
4. Be courageous - take courage
For example if other people will tell you to be brave, will you do it? How about if your wife says, "Be courageous!" Of course, I will. If human beings can say this to you and you obey, how much more if GOD says this to you? Will you be brave enough for JESUS?
Psalms 31:24 - Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for {and} hope for {and} expect the Lord!
5. Take hold of GOD's Strength not our own human strength
Isaiah 27:5 Or else [if all Israel would escape being burned up together there is but one alternative], let them take hold of My strength {and} make complete surrender to My protection, that they may make peace with Me! Yes, let them make peace with Me!
The LORD JESUS commanded us to TAKE HOLD OF HIS STRENGTH, not our own human strength, that's why when we do this, our strength will fail us.
Illustration: Ever wanting to complete my exercise program in the gym, but when I got there, I was only able to do a couple of exercises to my frustration, I said, "well, this is my weakest day in the gym"
Why, because I relied on my own human strength to finish all my exercise program in the gym. It won't suffice, it's always weak, it's always failing. Rely and take hold of GOD's Strength within you.
6. Receive the brethren's declaration over you.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking {or} neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.
7. Allow GOD'S Hands (the LORD JESUS) to hold your right hand (symbol of strength) and let His Righteousness keep you.
Isaiah 41:13 For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!
Isaiah 42:6 I the Lord have called You [the Messiah] for a righteous purpose {and} in righteousness; I will take You by the hand and will keep You; I will give You for a covenant to the people [Israel], for a light to the nations [Gentiles],
If we give the LORD JESUS a chance to strengthen us Himself, let us do it, His Way, not our own way. First, when will allow GOD, GOD will hold our right hand so that we can pray and His Righteousness will be with us, so that our prayers will be heard.
Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me;
But if we hold on the Righteousness of JESUS CHRIST in our hearts, then GOD will hear our prayers. Our own righteousness will not suffice, we need GOD's (JESUS CHRIST) Righteousness so GOD can hear our prayers.
When we encourage ourselves in the LORD GOD, the result is Strength. We can face a new day with JESUS.
Philippians 4:6 Do not fret {or} have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance {and} in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
Luke 21:36 Keep awake then {and} watch at all times [be discreet, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength {and} ability {and} be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together] that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.
Luke 22:32 But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen {and} establish your brethren.
2 Corinthians 13:9 For we are glad when we are weak (unapproved) and you are really strong. And this we also pray for: your all-round strengthening {and} perfecting of soul.
Colossians 1:11 [We pray] that you may be invigorated {and} strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy,
It's a daily wrestling match with the enemy so be on our guard always on our knees.
Ephesians 6:12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
IX. CONCLUSION:
Praise, worship, glorify, adore, bless, honor, acknowledge and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You are my Encouragement and my Strength.
