Sunday's Message, July 11, 2021 - Living a Life of Weakness Before God Requires Humility

Hello Family of God,  

What the world frowns upon God is requiring of His children and that is humility.  When the world suggests that strength is attractive, God says weakness brings him close.  Cultivating a life of humbleness of heart before the Lord is the focus of our message today.

God Bless!

Scripture References & Highlights

Prayer for 2021:  This year will be a year of Light; that Light will shine and darkness will not dispel it. 

In Jesus' Name

Message Scriptures

• 1 John 4:4-5, John 15:19, John 17:14
• We are not of this world, we ought not think or adopt they way our culture thinks
• 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
• Paul experienced incredible revelations that can only be acredited to Christ and not man
• The more we learn of God the more humble we should become (Philippians 3:5-8)
• The constant barrage of trials, misunderstandings, and tauntings can cause any of us to lash out if we're not walking in humble submission to God
• 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
• Paul had great revelations
• The thorn in his side could have been physical
• The purpose of the thorn was to keep Paul humble because of the revelations shown him
• Philippians 2:1-11
• Jesus, being God in the flesh, humbled Himself and submitted to the will of God
• 1 Corinthians 1:27-30
• God consistently takes the lowly, discarded or the least likely to do great things in and through them
• 2 Corinthians 12:10
• Our weakness becomes a portal to God's power
• 1 Peter 5:6-11
• Humble ourselves or bow low in God's Presence
• Pour out our worries and stresses to Him and leave them there
• Resist the attacks of the devil with our faith

 Nuggets for the Week

• Humility defined - a modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness (Philippians 3:3-4)
• 3 Types of Weaknesses...
1. Spiritual Weakness - caused by not spending enough time with God and in His Word and/or refusing to do God's revealed will
2. Emotional Weakness - can result from not dealing properly with difficult circumstances and wrong emotional responses
3. Physical Weakness - results from sickness, lack of exercise or lack of proper rest
• Weaknesses...
• facilitates dependence on God
• cultivates grace in our lives
• ascribes all glory to God 
• Portal defined - a doorway, gate, or other entrance, especially a large and imposing one

Reflections

• What does the Bible say about weakness?
• 2 Corinthians 12:10, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 73:26, Isaiah 40:29, Matthew 11:28, Romans 8:26, Matthew 26:41, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrew 4:15, Psalm 82:3
• Many signs and wonders will be done by believers in the last days (Joel 2:28-32, Acts 2:17-21, John 14:12).  Will we carry that mantle with humility as Paul did? 

 Key Takeaway for the Body

• The Bible doesn't deny nor condemn weakness (Romans 8:1).  Instead, it acknowledges that weakness exists, and provides a solution in Jesus!
• God wants to build humility in us now so when that time comes only Jesus alone will shine.
• Our weakness is an opportunity for the world to see God's power on display and believe

Prayer Time

In your times of prayer this week (9am,12noon, and 6pm) we encourage you to include the following scriptures located below and in the article 7 Verses and 7 Prayers for your Pastor/

Ephesians 1:17-19, 3:16-17

Philippians 1:9-11

Colossians 1:10-12

Worship Highlight