Dear Friends,

No one likes to be seen weak. We do all we can to avoid being or appearing weak. We do all we can to not put ourselves in relationships or situations that expose our vulnerabilities. Try as we might and no matter what we do, we are eventually forced to face our weakness.

We in ourselves are weak creatures. We all need help. We all have weak points in our lives. This is an uncomfortable fact to face, but faith always is.

The good news is that when you finally see and embrace your weakness, you are now ready to look to the God who will make you truly strong.

God has always chosen to empower and work through the knowingly weak.

If you feel weak in some area or know someone who does, don’t miss this Sunday.

Blessings,

Joe

 

 

1 Corinthians 1:25-31 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26  For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28  and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29  so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

 

Preparing for Sunday “In Christ” Week 3

“We Are Weak, He Is Strong”

How does God’s basis of selection differ from this present world?

1 Corinthians 1:26-27  For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.

 

 

 

What are we conditioned to see as impressive and powerful in this present age?

1 Corinthians 1:27-31  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28  and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29  so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

 

 

 

How would Jesus be evaluated by the measures of this age?

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.   2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

 

 

 

What are common ways people deal with personal weaknesses and insecurity?

 

 

 

How did Paul deal with weakness?

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

 

 

What would have to change for you, to think like this?

 

 

 

Describe a time where your weakness caused you to do this?

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.