Day 35. God's Power In Your Weakness

We are weak…yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you
~ 2 Corinthians 13:4

I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people.
~ 2 Corinthians 12:9a


God loves to use weak people
§ Everyone has weaknesses. In fact you have a bundle of flaws & imperfection
§ Physical
§ Emotional
§ Intellectual
§ Spiritual
§ You may also have uncontrollable circumstances that weaken you
§ Financial or relational limitations
§ The more important thing is what you do with these weaknesses
§ Usually we deny, defend, excuse, hide, &/or resent them.
□ This prevents GOD from using them the way he desires

God has a different perspective of your weakness
§ Isaiah 55:9
§ We think God only wants to use our strengths, but he also wants to use our weaknesses for his glory
§ 1 Cor. 1:27
§ Your weaknesses are not an accident. God deliberately allowed them in your life for the purpose of demonstrating his power through you.

God has never been impressed with strength or self sufficiency
§ In fact he's drawn to people who are weak and admit it
§ Matthew 5:3
§ The Bible is filled with examples of how God loves to use imperfect ordinary people to do extraordinary things in spite of their weaknesses
§ If God only used perfect people nothing would ever get done, because none of us is flawless

A weakness is not a sin or vice or a character defect that you can change (ie. Overeating or impatience)
§ It's any limitation that you inherited or have no power to change
§ Physical - handicap or chronic illness
§ Emotional - trauma scar, hurtful memory
§ Talent or intellectual limitation
§ God is never limited by our limitations.
§ In fact he loves putting his great power into ordinary containers
□ 2 Corinthians 4:7



HOW TO ALLOW GOD TO WORK THROUGH YOUR WEAKNESS
a. Admit your weaknesses
i. Own up to your imperfections
1) Stop pretending to have it all together
2) Instead of living in denial/making excuses take time to identify your personal weaknesses. (Make a list)
ii. Two great confessions in the NT illustrate what we need for healthy living
1) Peter said to Jesus "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" - Matthew 16:16
2) Paul said to an idolizing crowd "We are only human beings like you" - Acts 14:15
3) If you want God to use you, you must know who God is and who you are.
a) Many Christians, especially leaders, forget the second truth. We're only humans. If it takes a crisis for you to admit this, God won't hesitate to allow it, because he loves you
b. Be content with your weaknesses
i. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10a
1) At first this doesn't make sense, but contentment is an expression of faith in the goodness of God.
2) Why you should be content
a) It causes us to depend on God
i) 2 Cor. 12:10
ii) Whenever you feel weak . God is reminding you to depend on him
b) It prevents arrogance
i) 2 Cor. 12:7
ii) God often attaches a major weakness to a major strength to keep our egos in check.
One. A limitation can act as a governor to keep us from going too fast & running ahead of God
c) Encourages fellowship between believers
i) While strength breeds an independent spirit our limitations show how much we need each other
d) Increases our capacity for sympathy & ministry
i) We're far more likely to be compassionate & considerate of the weaknesses of others
ii) God wants you to have a Christlike ministry on earth
One. Others will find healings in your wounds
iii) Your greatest ministry will come out of your deepest hurts.
One. The things you're most embarrassed about, most ashamed of, & most reluctant to share are the very tools God can use most to powerfully heal others
Two. All God's giants were weak people
First. Moses weakness was his temper yet God transformed him into the "humblest man on earth" - Num 12:3
Second. Gideon's weakness was low self-esteem & deep insecurities but God transformed him into a "mighty man of valor" - Judges 6:12
Third. Abraham's weakness was fear but God transformed him into "the father of those who have faith" - Rm 4:11

c. Honestly share your weaknesses
i. Ministry begins with vulnerability
1) Paul modeled this in all his letters. He openly shared
a) His failures - Rm 7:19
b) His feelings - 2 Cor 6:11
c) His frustrations - 2 Cor 1:8
d) His fears - 1 Cor 2:3
2) Vulnerability is risky
a) You risk rejection, but the benefits are worth the risk.
i) Emotionally liberating - relieves stress, defuses fears, & is the first step to freedom
ii. God gives grace to the humble but many misunderstand humility
1) It's not putting yourself down or denying your strengths
2) It's being honest about your weaknesses
a) The more honest you are the more of God's grace you get & the more grace you get from others
iii. Vulnerability is an endearing quality; we're naturally drawn to humble people
1) Pretentious repels but authenticity attracts and vulnerability is the pathway to intimacy
2) This is why God wants to use your weaknesses, not just your strengths
a) If people only see your strengths they get discouraged & think they'll never be able to do that
3) Our strengths create competition but our weaknesses create community
iv. At some point in your life you'll have to decide whether you want to impress people or influence them
1) You can impress from a distance but to influence you must get close, and when you do that they'll be able to see your flaws & that's okay
a) They most essential quality for leadership isn't perfection but credibility
d. Glory in your weakness
i. 2 Corinthians 12:5b

Point to Ponder: God works best when I admit my weakness

V2R: My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness - 2 Corinthians 12:9a

Q2C: Am I limiting God's power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses? What do I need to be honest about in order to help others?