[PDF]Loving Weakness, Pt 2 - Rackcdn.comhttps://c5938999218fe5242a6f-524531d55380a6e686bfb1a719b49460.ssl.cf2.rackc...
9 downloads
165 Views
53KB Size
Loving Weakness, Pt 2 Pastor Jim Critcher 7/17/2013
2COR 12:9-‐10 There are many biblical writers that highlight their weakness • To despise weakness, we conclude by despising ourselves • Weakness is to bring us to Him and exalting all that He is in light of all we are NOT • How long does it take us to get back to grace when we find our weakness • Only as we embrace weakness do we understand grace. DAN 2:21-‐22 – • God changes times & seasons – we cannot change JUL into NOV o There are seasons in our lives that we can’t change o We can dress appropriately for the season we are in…that is what it means to find grace • Time is something we lose control of; time like money is a weakness we can’t do much about o JOB 14:5 – God determines the number of the days of our lives o “Show me my life’s end and the number of my days…let me know how fleeting are my days…man is a mere breath…” PS 39:4-‐6 • “He sets up kings and deposes them…” There is an authority greater than yours; we really don’t like authority when it is exercised toward us. o IS 29:16; 64:8; ROM 13:1 o Beginning place for understanding authority is clearly distinguishing between the creator and the created o IS 29:16 – too often we try to tell God what want him to do. o IS 64:8 – “We are the work of your hand…” All human authority is flawed by the limitations of humanity o ROM 13:1 – though governing authority is not necessarily fair, yet all authority is established by God o Human leadership will never be perfect; it will always be flawed. • “He gives wisdom to the wise…light dwells with Him” o What we DO NOT KNOW is a weakness we struggle with o Can you accept what you do not know? o Beyond what we don’t know is the dimension of what we don’t understand o ECC 8:17; PS 147:5 – His understanding has no limit o IS 55:8-‐9 – “My ways are higher than your ways…” o We often ask “why” about things that we don’t need to understand. The real question is “do you trust me”? o There is a weakness of what can’t do because we don’t do understand.
1
•
•
•
We really don’t have power in our lives – even our will cannot ultimately withstand the will of God o He directs our path and works to get us into a certain place to work His will – and all of it beyond our power What we cannot do, God is able o 2CHRON 20:12 – “Our eyes are set upon you…” o EPH 1:20-‐22 – Christ is over all things o DAN 7:13-‐14 – “All peoples, nations of every language worshipped Him…” o Luke 9 -‐-‐ We must not try to take on the authority that is not yours – Jesus gave the disciples the power & authority to use to overcome/destroy the enemy o 1COR 15:24-‐25 – He must reign until all His enemies are put under his feet… MK 2 – “which is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven” or “take up your bed and walk”?” o This is real authority o ROM 3:5-‐6; 20; 21-‐24; 27 – “A righteousness from God has been made known…a righteousness by faith through Jesus Christ.” o It is by faith that righteousness comes to us – we are NOT able to bring this ourselves. o Real power is to acknowledge that only God can declare anyone – including ourselves as righteous o This revelation is that of God’s power and presence bringing the righteousness that only He can give o He is the source of life o PS 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God…” o This is where the strength of God comes to us as His righteousness.
2
