Turning Weakness Into Strength

Turning Weakness into Strength

April 3, 2011 Evening Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We must trust in the Lord to be our strength when ours have failed.

Focus Passage: I Samuel 13:15-23

Supplemental Passage: And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB)

Introduction: Some years ago an energetic young man began as a clerk in a hardware store. Like many old- time hardware stores, the inventory included thousands of dollars’ worth of items that were obsolete or seldom called for by customers. The young man was smart enough to know that no thriving business could carry such an inventory and still show a healthy profit. He proposed a sale to get rid of the stuff. The owner was reluctant but finally agreed to let him set up a table in the middle of the store and try to sell off a few of the oldest items. Every product was priced at ten cents. The sale was a success and the young fellow got permission to run a second sale. It, too, went over just as well as the first. This gave the young clerk an idea. Why not open a store that would sell only nickel and dime items? He could run the store and his boss could supply the capital.

The young man’s boss was not enthusiastic. "The plan will never work," he said, "because you can’t find enough items to sell at a nickel and a dime." The young man was disappointed but eventually went ahead on his own and made a fortune out of the idea. His name was F.W. Woolworth.

Years later his old boss lamented, "As near as I can figure it, every word I used in turning Woolworth down has cost me about a million dollars!" Bits and Pieces, Vol. F, #41.

I. Overwhelmed

a. They were surrounded

b. Raiders were going from town to town

i. we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NASB)

II. Under-equipped

a. They had no weapons and no one to make weapons

b. They took their tools to the enemy to be sharpened

i. The king is not saved by a mighty army; A warrior is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, (Psalms 33:16-18 NASB)

III. In God’s Hands

a. Only Saul and Jonathan had swords

b. Everyone else had hoes, plows, and other implements

c. Yet they set out in faith to meet the enemy

i. Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. (Psalms 20:7 NASB)

ii. You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1 NASB)

iii. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31 NASB)

Invitation: Are you facing overwhelming struggles? Are you under-equipped, under-financed, under-staffed? Trust in the Lord to make the way for you. If God is indeed for us, who, in this world, can be against us?