Tag bold

Let’s Talk about Jesus the Strength Giver

The Preacher 1 Comment

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

People are talking about Jesus. Let us be ready to talk about Him also, but with purpose and power.

We have seen in the last two articles that Jesus gives JOY, and ETERNAL LIFE, the above verse shows that He also gives us strength.

While this verse doesn’t explicitly tell how He strengthens us, there is scriptural evidence within the New Testament that teach us how and when we can be STRONG in the Lord.

All of us could use a little more strength in this life, but the true strength we need is only in Christ.

In what ways is the Saint made STRONG in the Lord.


Christ makes us SPIRITUALLY STRONG. Eph 3:16 “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love” (Eph 3:16-17). How can we be strong, and how does He dwell in our hearts? If you read the comparable passage in Colossians 3, you’ll see that it’s through scripture. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16a). Paul would continue to reveal to the Ephesians how to be strong; “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Eph 6:10-12; cf. 13-18).

Jesus gives us strength to TRANSFORM us by the renewing of our mind. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom 12:1-2). This transformation gives us the strength to change our character as seen in the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23).

Christ gives us strength to rise up in the face of persecution. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matt 5:10-12). We can have the Resilience to endure this life knowing that He sees, and that we have a reward in heaven.

This strength gives us Hope and Optimism in the face of death. Paul said, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:20-21). This optimism gives us peace of mind instead of vexation because we know that a better place awaits the faithful in Christ (cf. John 14:27). “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). This optimism can be seen in personal contentment with our needs, (Phil 4:11-12).

He gives us the strength to be bold in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Apostles prayed for this strength of courage when they faced physical violence against their preaching (cf. Acts 4:29). “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment” (1John 4:18). When we commit to and look to Jesus with our whole heart in love, we shall have the nerve to speak the truth in love to our family, friends, and neighbors.

Ultimately, we have the strength of Christ through His Grace. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2Cor 12:9-10). Paul had an immediate empowerment from a change of perspective of his “thorn in the flesh.” Instead of viewing it as a weakness that hinders, it became a weakness that empowers! The thorn never changed, the pain never lessened, but the Power of Christ was displayed.

Agape,

Spencer

Spencer is an evangelist for the Franklin & Juniper st church of Christ in Borger, Tx.

This is part of a series of articles about reasons to Talk About Jesus.

4 Wise Little Creatures pt4/4 Spiders are BOLD

The Preacher Leave a comment

God uses nature to teach spiritual lessons. “But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee.” (Job 12:7).

This article looks at another wise creature, the Spider (or perhaps a “lizard” ASV?); “The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.” (Prov 30:28)

The wording can either mean, the creature can grab, or it means that it can be caught easily in your two hands. In either case, the wisdom of the spider is about being BOLD & cunning. Even though it is small, it is found in the King’s own palace!

The need for bravery cannot be overstated. The scriptures teach that vocal Christians (and even non-vocal) shall face persecutions from their preaching. Consider the words of our Lord; “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” (John 15 18); and “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2Tim 3:12). From these passages we can see the need for boldness.

How do we become BOLD? Here are four keys we can use to become BOLD.

The first key is to repent and be BLAMELESS before God. Knowledge is power, and through the knowledge of God we can know how to be BLAMELESS before him. Consider these passages…

Fear is an indication that some action must be taken. When we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then we can be BOLD.

The second Key, going along with the first, is we must OBEY GOD even when we’re afraid. When you recognize that God’s commands are for our good, then any fears we may have in doing them will evaporate. His commandments are not burdensome. Look at the command to have no fear…

When God commands us, we can have confidence & boldness.

FEAR of loss demotivated the one talent man – Matt. 25:24-31.

FEAR of doing difficult things makes us useless in the service of God: “fearful and afraid” (Judges 7:3) – 22,000 departed.

The third key is LOVE, perfect love casts out fear. (1John 4:18.) We are to Love God, Mat 22:37; Love others, Mat 22:39; Love enemies, Luke 6:27; and it’s love that spreads the Gospel.

The fourth key is to place your trust in God by DRAWING NEAR to Him, (James 4:8). We try to become bold through wealth, but those are uncertain. (1Tim 6:17) We trust only our own selves, but that will end in disaster, (Prov 3:5) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;” We sometimes replace God with Gov, but that’s no help. (Daniel 4:17; Acts 5:29). And certainly, the world is not to be trusted: “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.” (Prov 29:25)

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” (Phil 1:20).