Ever-Increasing Strength

Intro

Text - Isaiah 40.30-31

Isaiah 40:30–31 NKJV

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Title - Ever-Increasing Strength

Main Point

The Christian life is not supposed to be defined by ups and down - nanghihina, then lumalakas, (repeat)

True Christian life is a life of victory, which means we must go from strength to strength

We already know that when we are weak, our strength always comes from God.

What we need to know is how to stay strong in the Lord and how to grow stronger and stronger!

What we mean by weakness

Paul talked about his weakness in 2 Cor 12.10

2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

this is not the kind of weakness that we are talking about

Paul’s weakness limitations and sufferings as a result of serving God

The weakness that we are concerned here is -

that which makes us “unable” to do the work of God.

that which makes us lose of spiritual battle

that which draws us back to sin

the weakness of the flesh

Matthew 26:41 NKJV

41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

The Strength that comes from God

Isaiah 40:28–31 NKJV

28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Christian strength comes from God

God strength is not diminished

God desires to increase our strength

human strength diminishes - strength from God increases!

So, how do we maintain our God-given strength?

Active service - Dedication to the service of God

Psalm 84:5–7 NKJV

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.

Get busy with the work of ministry

Jesus said - “I must be about my Father’s business”

Jesus said - :My Father is working, and I am working...”

Maintaining a clean life

Job 17:9 NKJV

9 Yet the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.

Ephesians 6:10–18 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

keeping a pet sin cannot make you strong

Ezekiel 7:13 NKJV

13 For the seller shall not return to what has been sold, Though he may still be alive; For the vision concerns the whole multitude, And it shall not turn back; No one will strengthen himself Who lives in iniquity.

Build on your knowledge of God’s word

1 John 2:14 NKJV

14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

Strengthen your faith

1 John 5:4 (NKJV)

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Conclusion

Not only is strength available from God - UNENDING SUPPLY of Strength can be received from God!

you’ll never have to become weak again in order to be strong again!

you need not wait till you are weak again, before you ask for strength - Ask for more strength when you strong!

Song - Teach me Lord to Wait