Strength Thru Weakness

SERMON STARTER

          Every year we offer flowers for moms on Mother's Day and uniquely packaged candy for fathers on Father's Day. There are usually more fathers than mothers in the Sheepfold, because we minister a lot more to men than women. This Sunday was no different.

          My sermon was addressed to those sacrificial fathers who laid down their lives for their wives and children. Jesus said the greatest expression of love is to lay down your life for your friends, especially your own family. Today's sermon provides an important warning to those fathers who start out meaning well, but can fall into complacency and forget God.

          I'm preaching to myself as a father and grandfather. It's easy for the heart to grow lukewarm and even cold. Holding positions of power and authority is not a sure indicator for the grace of God's approval. Only right attitudes and decisions can guide our families in a Godly direction. I explore these themes in this sermon.

 

Pastor Phil   <><<

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sheepfold Ministries - Father's Day

June 19, 2011 - Rev. Phil Roland

Strength Thru Weakness

2 Chron. 26:1-5; 15,16

"Often growth in God's spiritual kingdom is accomplished more through our pain and adversity than through our strength."             Pastor Phil  <><<

 

"And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." Luke 22:41,42

"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Cor. 12:7-9

 

Central Character; KING UZZIAH, So. Kingdom, Judah, King

In 2 Kings 15:1-5 he is called AMAZIAH

 

Uzziah's Hebrew name means, "My strength/power is from Ya-way"

 

Uzziah's Six Truths Concerning Strength Thru Weakness:

I.  WEAKNESS IS NATURAL - Verse 1

"Now all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah."
            A. Amaziah was a Godly King at first but later fell into sin

                        1. Defeated by Northern Kingdom King

                        2. Spent most of his remaining years in exile

          B. Confessed Weakness Becomes Shared Strength

                        1. Knowing who and what we are is very important

                        2. Fatal weakness of all human Kings

                                    a. They grow to wrongly think they are God

                                    b. They arrogantly believe that they have God's favor

                                    c. Grow to believe they are accountable to no one

            C. "Worldly Power is like a Bar of Soap: the more you use, the less                          you have."

            D. Acknowledge your personal weakness to God

 

II. WEAKNESS IS NOT SIN - 1 Cor. 1:27

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;"

            A. Acknowledgement of Weakness is Not a Sin

                        1. If you don't know an answer, say so

                        2. Tell inquirers when you don't know an answer

                        3. Study and research, then report back

STRENGTH THROUGH WEAKNESS, cont., p.2

 

            B. Admitted Weakness Can Be Used By God - 1 John 1:9

            "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to

             cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

                        1. Paul's confession of weakness - 1 Cor. 15:9

                        "For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called

                        an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."

                        2. He saw himself lesser than others - Eph. 3:8

                                "To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was

                        given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable

                        riches of Christ,"

                        3. Paul owned he was the chief of sinners - 1 Tim. 1:15

                        "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ

                        Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."

 

III. WEAKNESS NEED NOT TO PREVENT SUCCESS - vs. 2-3;6-15

"He built Elath and restored it to Judah, after the king rested with his fathers.
3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem."

          A. Success Brings Vulnerability

                        1. Attracts Critics and Sycophants (Think, "Fans")

                        2. Temptations are many - Proverbs 16:18

                           "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall."

            B. Success Causes Influence-ability

                        1. Easier to be Seduced by others

                        2.  Passive people are influenced by their peers

            C. The Choice Is Yours - Joshua 24:15

            ". . . choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . .But as for me

              and my house, we will serve the LORD."

 

IV. EXCHANGE WEAKNESS FOR GOD'S STRENGTH - Vs. 4,5

"And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 5 He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper."

          A. Feeling Weak? It's An Opportunity for God's Power! - 2 Cor. 12:9

            "And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made

            perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my

            infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

            B. Exchange Your Weakness for God's Strength

                        1. Do a Divine Trade-In - Phil. 4:13

                        "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

                        2. Trade in Your Weakness for God's Strength - 2 Cor. 12:10

                        "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."

                                    a. Identify Your Own Personal Weaknesses

                                    b. Commit Them Openly To God

STRENGTH THROUGH WEAKNESS, cont., p.3

 

                                    c. Ask God To Strengthen You

                                    d. Ask For God's Help To Attack One Weakness

 

V. LISTEN TO AND LEAN ON OTHERS - vs. 5

"He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper."

            A. Wisdom can be heard directly from God

            B. Wisdom can be heard by listening to others

                        1. You have one tongue, but two ears

                        2. Listen twice as much as you speak

 

VI. AVOID THE PITFALLS OF STRENGTH - Vs.15b, 16

". . . So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong. 16 But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense."

          A. Easy to Mistake God's Favor as a Reward for Self-Effort

                        1. God's Favor is by His Grace alone

                        2. We don't deserve it and cannot earn it

            B. Fathers: God's Strength Comes Only Through Weakness

                        1. Strength is from the Lord

                        2. Wisdom comes only from Him

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strength Thru Weakness

2 Chronicles 26:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.
2 He built Elath and restored it to Judah, after the king rested with his fathers.
3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.
4 And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.
5 He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.

 

2 Chronicles 26:16-17 (NKJV)
16 But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
17 So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the LORD--valiant men.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEAFAGE AND ROOTAGE

 

American President Woodrow Wilson once pointed out that "a man’s rootage is more important than his leafage." What others see are the leaves, the outside. What they can’t see are the roots, the values and principles that ground a person. Character is grown from a good system of roots.…

People of character live from the inside out. Their convictions guide their actions. Their principles govern their lives. People of character have both the strength and grace to give their best to the world.

To their enemy they give forgiveness.
To an outsider, understanding.
To a friend, their heart.
To their children, a good example.
To their mates, faithfulness.
To their parents, respect.
To themselves, gentleness.
To all people, kindness.

Strong roots produce a strong character. And a strong character is needed to give one’s best to life. When the tree’s roots are well tended, the leaves will be full and healthy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy of Sheepfold Ministries - Sharon, PA 16146