Strength To Endure

Paul is CONSTANTLY being persecuted, and yet he is ministering with seemingly great affect. How is he accomplishing this?

We look to Paul and see great strength we wish to emulate.

Paul’s Boasts

2 Corinthians 12:1 “I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 11:30 “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”

Galatians 6:14 “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

Paul wanted none of the credit for anything He accomplished in ministry, because He understood that he did not deserve any of that credit.

Paul was a bit transparent in that way; preferring to self deprecate and show his weakneses; his inabilities.

Paul’s Strength?

Philippians 3:4–7 “… If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”

Clearly not his lineage, raising, nor even education and experiences is he counting on for strength to endure

2 Corinthians 11:32–33 “At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.”

Paul had staunch supporters, yet he does not call on them for strength to endure

2 Corinthians 12:8 “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.”

2 Corinthians 12:10 “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Now we get to where Paul finds strength: In confessing his complete inability;

Here he RECOGNIZES, OWNS, CONFESSES, weakness

Recognition - only found through honest self reflection

Owning - an act of uncommon honesty with self; shedding any attached shame

Confessing - the act of expressing, vocalizing this truth, esp to God.

This is also an act of faith in God’s acceptance of us through Christ Jesus.

This is an act of submission to the Lordship of Jesus as Sovereign Lord over the circumstances and outcomes of our life, and of this circumstance in particular.

This is an act of trusting that God has provision for our lack.

So, in order to emulate Paul’s strength, what we must practice is this recognizing, owning, and confessing our weakness and inability.

This is counter-culture. It it counter self-pride.

It is both uncommon in our day, and a necessity in the life of a believer!

Our Weakness and Inability

Illness?

Family?

Grief?

Fear?

Concern for the nation and world?

Concern for our church?

Given up on yourself?

Lost or uncertain about your soul?

I am NOT strong. Neither Are you.

Live for the sake of Christ

Why is Paul content with weakness? FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST

Are you purposing your personal life to glorify God?

Are you purposing your work life to glorify God?

Are you purposing your family life to glorify God?

Are you prioritizing church participation (more than attendance) to glorify God?

Confess your inability and find God’s strength

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from me you can do nothing.”

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”