Be Strong

1 Corinthians 16:13 KJV 1900

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

"Quit Ye Like Men, Be Strong"

INTRODUCTION:

One of the greatest liabilities to the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ is the lack of men who are strong in the Lord. There are many Scriptures that admonish those who are saved to be strong in the Lord. Of these I wish to call three to your attention.

WE NEED MEN WHO ARE STRONG IN FAITH—Rom. 4:20

Romans 4:20 KJV 1900

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Faith in the Word of God—Rom. 10:17

Romans 10:17 KJV 1900

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith in the God of the Word—Jn. 5:24

John 5:24 KJV 1900

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Faith for salvation—Acts 16:31

Acts 16:31 KJV 1900

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Faith for Security—Jn. 10:28

John 10:28 KJV 1900

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Faith for provision—Phil. 4:19

Philippians 4:19 KJV 1900

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Faith to serve— Matt. 6:24

Matthew 6:24 KJV 1900

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

WE NEED MEN WHO ARE STRONG IN CONVICTION—2 Tim. 4:3-4

Conviction about sin and sinfulness—All sin and every kind of sinfulness—Rom. 6:23a; Ps. 1:1

Conviction about separation from all sin and every kind of wickedness—2 Cor. 6:17

Conviction about dedication to God

a. Separation is the negative side for us

b. Dedication is the positive side for us, and we need the DOS just as much as we need the DON'TS

WE NEED MEN WHO ARE STRONG IN ACTION—1 Sam. 2:3

1 Samuel 2:3 KJV 1900

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; Let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: For the Lord is a God of knowledge, And by him actions are weighed.

Action is the manifestation of what FAITH and CONVICTION a man has.

We need men who will act according to their professed convictions

We need men who will act according to the word of God

CONCLUSION:

There are two passages of Scripture that I would like to leave with you for earnest and prayerful consideration.

Joshua 1:7–9 KJV 1900

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.