Sermon Tone Analysis

One of the most damaging beliefs a Christian can hold.

Here's the false idea: "God will never give you more than you can handle."

I suspect we've all had this concept pitched to us at some point as one of the key principles of the faith.

We've heard it from the lips of other Christians; we've read books about it; we've seen the phrase on bumper stickers.

But I'm telling you, it simply doesn't ring true—from the standpoint of human experience or from God's Word.

When we buy into this false idea, it only leaves us confused, frustrated, and angry.

The truth is, God often allows us to face more than we can handle.

But it's not because he's cruel or heartless.

It's so we'll stop trying to live life on our own strength and learn to depend on his.

Let's face the truth: It is fooling ourselves to triumphantly say that God will not give us more than we can handle.

Believing this wrongly emphasizes our own ability to weather storms and save ourselves.

It assumes God's desire is never to overwhelm us, which would cause us to actually need Him.

At best, believing this adage attempts to brush the difficult reality of our weaknesses right under the rug.

Key Study Passage:

Key Study Passage:

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

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9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

The Holy Bible: King James Version.

(2009).

(Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ).

Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

God will give us more than we can handle so that we will give Him the handle to steer our lives!

The point is that the key to the Christian life is not trying to be strong in ourselves, but rather letting God’s power and strength fill and empower us through the inevitable difficulties of life and even Gospel ministry.

Think of people like Moses (),

 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? 12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

I”m sure there are more, but here are 4 reasons God DOES give us more than we can handle.

11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? 12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

Gideon (), Jeremiah (), David (), Peter () and Paul (, , , ).

They were all given tasks and tests that were much bigger than themselves.

In fact, many people in the Bible were overwhelmed with what God called them to do.

God would often remind them that He was with them (see ) and would supply what they needed.

Over and over again God took His people into situations that were humanly impossible so He would receive the glory (see , cf. ).

It was much more than they could handle and that was the point!

God’s power showed up to see them through (see ).

Where they were weak, He was strong ().