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Introduction: A.
This
world loves
accomplishments, strength, speed, strategy, wisdom … of man. B.
This
world loves
to be “in control”: If not anxiety, questions, and doubts
creep into our minds. C.
As Christians, however, is our goal to be “in control”
or “under control”? cp. Gal.
2:20 D.
In other words, where does our “strength lay”? E.
This
week we look at how God is glorified: 1.
By contrasting this world’s view and God’s word in how
He is glorified. 2.
How God’s greatness (not ours) magnifies His name. 3.
And, how we are actually strengthened spiritually through
our personal weaknesses. Discussion: I.
Contrasting The World with the Word A.
In
the natural world the course of nature is evident: 1.
Life
in general:
The stronger, faster, and more cunning survive. 2.
In
business and athletics: The stronger, faster, smarter, most efficient, wins. 3.
It is understandable then, that – as men who live in the
flesh – we strive to live with this mindset. B.
While
this law of nature is the way of the world, it is not the
way of the Lord. 1.
While we live in the world, we are not of the world.
Jn.
17:16 2.
We cannot apply a truly successful walk in the Lord by this
mindset or way of living. 3.
To the world, weaknesses are unbecoming … even among
professing Christians. 4.
To God, however: His power is perfected through our
weakness. cp. Jdg.
7:2 II.
Why? Because
God is Glorified When His Power is Seen A.
God
used men in the most unimaginable manner to bring glory to His
name. 1.
He used a small nation of stubborn shepherds/slaves to be
His chosen people. Dt.
9:6 2.
He used a small statured people who did not know war and
afraid to leave the Egyptians. Ex.
14:10-12 3.
In this way the salvation of the Lord (for Israel) would
glorify His name among all nations. Ex.
14:13; Josh. 2:8ff III.
God Glorified Through Our Weakness A.
God
used these untrained men to battle against the giants of Canaan
and armies far more numerous than they. 1.
He used 300 men against two armies over 135,000 strong. Jdg.
7:1-2, 7; 8:10 2.
He used a young and small shepherd, with no experience of
war to slay a giant. 1
Sam. 17:41-42, 45-49 3.
In cases like these God makes it clear where the glory
should reside. Jdg.
7:2 B.
God
uses the seemingly worthless to deliver the invaluable
souls of the lost. 1.
He used the unlikeliest of men to preach His message:
fishermen, tax collector, the humbled. Acts
2:7 (Lk.
5:10, 27); 2.
He uses a foolish message. 1
Cor. 1:21 3.
He uses the humble and meek recipients to enter and
flourish in His kingdom. cp. Rom.
6:17-18; Matt. 5:2-12 IV.
Our Faith is Strengthened through Our Own Weaknesses A.
Our
faith is not in us, but in Him. B.
In
like manner: our strength lies not in us, but in Him. Eph.
6:10 C.
And,
like the apostle Paul, thorns may be given to us to humble us so
that we learn to trust in God’s grace. Cp. 2
Cor. 12:7ff Conclusion: A. Our fleshly mind works with a mindset trained by our experiences in the world: only the strong survive.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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