This morning, I would like for you to ask yourselves, what definition do you give the word weakness? Oxford languages defines weakness as the state or condition of lacking strength, and they even suggest weakness as a disadvantage or fault. Whatever your definition of weakness is, I would like for you to take those definitions and throw them aside for the moment—then embrace a new reality that weakness is not a flaw, not a result of something you did, but in fact weakness exists in order to make you stronger! Whether its weakness of the body, mind, spirit and even our faith, weakness shall always reside with us while we are in this carnal body. However, remember this. Weakness shall never conquer us, if and only if we have accepted Christ into our life! Pauls second letter to the people of Corinth tells us “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Nothing is impossible with God. In starting our journey today, we are going to look into this word called weakness, and also see just how it’s possible that we can stand firm in our weakness even in the midst of our most trial some circumstances. Before we start, I would like you to remember this. We would spare ourselves a lot of anxiety in our efforts of life if we could remember that being a Christian means serious spiritual warfare. Satan is actively trying to oppose our efforts as we are his enemy.
I am going to start chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians verse 1. Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in trickery nor distorting the word of God, but by the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they will not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants on account of Jesus. 6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
I would like for these passages to reveal to you as a precursor to what is coming ahead that as Christians, we should not lose heart, not be ashamed of our weakness and always know that the light of the Gospel is who God is. As Christians, scripture tells us we are bond-servants on account of Jesus, meaning we are His and He is ours. The light of all the world shall never be overtaken by the darkness of any weakness, turmoil, sin or any other thing under heaven. Amen. So, lets continue to verse 7. But we have this treasure in earthen containers [this carnal body], so that the extraordinary greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who live are constantly being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you. WOW!
When we think that we must be strong and capable in order to serve God, we are missing the point. We are like jars of clay, earthen vessels that by the slightest touch can crack and even break it. What Paul is telling us here friends is Christ in us is who gives us worth, power, wisdom, joy and strength. And to beat all other philosophies that we can imagine, Christ accomplishes His will through us, the earthen clay jars, in a manner that is far above and beyond our human abilities—this is done also in order for others to see what God has done and will continue to do for those who know Him, even in our weaknesses. We are His children, and He is our God, with all our weaknesses. Amen.
During military training, the one thing that is taught at the very beginning is to first expose the weakness of the individual in order to make that individual stronger. To make that individual military material. As one soldier put it, When there’s a difference between what you project and what you are capable of, it all crumbles under stressful situations. On the other hand, if you’re honest with yourself, and acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses, what you’re capable of and what might scare you, then you can come to terms with what you’re facing and deal with it. It’s not bravado, it’s humble confidence. A little doubt keeps you sharp.
Paul who was beaten, shipwrecked, abused, abandoned and so much more asked God to take away a burden of his, but what was God’s answer? “My grace is sufficient for you!” Meaning, I got this! My strength is sufficient! Another piece of scripture that reminds me just how awesome God is in the midst of our trials, tribulations and our weakness’s is 1 Corinthains 10:13, No temptation [trial] has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted [tried] beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Did you hear that? God will allow us to be tried to the breaking point but not beyond it! I would like for you to repeat these words. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Remember these words friends. In the midst of the weakest points of life, we can stand tall knowing God will provide a way through His strength and encouragement, not ours!
Now, I would be lying to you if I could answer why God allows the weakness’s of life to indwell us so often. I do not have that full answer, however I do know there is various scripture references that try to clarify this. My personal favorite is the first chapter of James. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. We see here that regardless of our trial, our abilities and our weakness’s, in the end we will be made stronger, but we must come to God with faith. When our faith is tested by fire, all impurities are burned off and we come through it like fine gold. When we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. The output that we deliver from our weakest points resemble Christ, because its Christ who strengthens us. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
If you are a fan of Winnie the Pooh like me, I find this quote very helpful during my times of distress. “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Theres a lot of truth to this!
In closing, I would love for you to embrace the true reality that God indeed indwells those who have weaknesses. He will work out a perfect plan in your life and it will be for your best, even with all your weaknesses. And while it may seem difficult, we cry buckets of tears for so many reasons, but we shall learn that through it all, we learn a valuable lesson. Its okay to be weak! Weakness draws us to our ultimate source of strength. Christ! In Him alone we find all the strength we need. You are not forgotten to God, even though you may feel it at times. You are not lost in the desert where you think God cannot find you, although you may have experienced separation and abandonment. You are not beyond God’s reach no matter where you are! So let me leave you with these exclamations I found while preparing for this message.
With our weakness, First, you End It! Stop admitting your weakness as the final resolve. Nothing to learn and nothing to gain. Stop it! Second, Admit it! WE all are weak, but God is who gives us all the strength we need. Third Confess it! We are always to confess our sins just as we confess our weakness’s so we can now bring them to surface to be used for His will and purpose. Fourth Accept it. Weakness is part of our carnality. In order to move forward with anything that hinders us, we must accept it to allow God to work in us. Fifth, Embrace God’s plan to use it. Yes, God uses all our weaknesses for His glory. Countless examples are in scripture where even the most undesirable weaknesses were used in final resolve for God’s ultimate plan. As Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians, “who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are partners in our sufferings, so also you are in our comfort.” We were never created to do it all or be it all. We were created to know the One who holds all things together. The one who is ALL and uses all our weaknesses to strengthen us and so many others. I will leave you with a passage from Nehemiah 8:10 – The joy of the Lord is your strength. Amen.