Strong In The Lord

2010.Jan17.Sermon.Strong in the LORD

By William Akehurst, HSWC

Key Verse: Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

As a weight lifter in competition has strength, it is because of building his body for the purpose of the competition, the race, the reward. He must condition himself, and know his abilities and limitations.

As believers, we too, must condition ourselves to know our abilities, by knowing GOD’s abilities, HIS Strengths, HIS Power, HIS Might.

FINALLY (key word)

Finally my brethren, after all these things that you have been taught, heard and learned, as believers in Christ…

Finally, after everything else, to wrap it up, to bring it to its full meaning, to completely understand that which you have been taught…

if you don’t learn anything new, learn this…

BE STRONG in the LORD, and in the POWER of HIS MIGHT

We must know that we can go to the strength of our Creator and experience the power of HIS might.

Here are a few of the Strengths that HE provides.

STRENGTH IN TEMPTATION

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Satan is referred to as the ‘strongman’ who is trying in everyway to defeat mankind. But we are more than conquerers through Jesus.

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

STRENGTH IN TROUBLE

Psalm 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

Psalm 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

STRENGTH IN SICKNESS

Psalm 41:3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS

Isaiah 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

STRENGTH IN SERVICE

Haggai 2:4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:

Proverbs 16.2 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Hebrews 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

STRENGTH IN WARFARE

2 Samuel 22:40 For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

STRENGTH IN WAITING

Isaiah 30:7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.