We are all weak. Are you weaknesses frustrations to you, or are they ways that God shows His goodness to you? A weakness isn’t something that you aren’t good at; they speak to a lack or deficiency. Paul in this passage wants us to embrace weakness so that we see we need God. We want to be strong and independent though so we try to hide from the realities of weaknesses. This creates pressures upon ourselves to appear a certain way. Paul instead submitted to the reality of who he was. When we see our weaknesses compared to what we want to be, it can cause bitterness in us if we don’t embrace those weaknesses. Wrestle with the fact of who you really are, not the image or persona others see. Do you see your weakness as an inconvenience or a mistake? Or do you see it as a grace from God to be benefited from? Our thorns are given as gifts. Do you accept those gifts? Thorns reveal our weaknesses so we may rely on God and not ourselves. God tells us that He is sufficient and that He will support us if we willingly accept our weaknesses. God’s strength will be seen and perfected in our weaknesses. We can rejoice in weakness because it leads us to experience the power of God. We do this for the sake of Christ. Self-sufficiency is not the message of the Gospel. Paul gladly boasted in whatever made Christ prominent. God shows us our weaknesses so that His strength can be seen. God wants us to rely upon Him and see that He is working all things for our good. Who will be seen in your life: you, or Christ? Examine your heart--will you embrace your weaknesses seeing that there is a purpose in them? We can be content in weaknesses. Don’t run from them; run to Christ and His strength.

In this passage, the disciples meet Jesus after His resurrection at the place He had directed. They fell down and worshipped Jesus when they saw Him resurrected, but some doubted. We too can be in a place where we acknowledge Jesus intellectually and publically, but still doubt Him in our hearts. Our outward witness only becomes inward by the Holy Spirit witnessing to our hearts. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit once we are born again that we have been adopted into God’s family. All believers are filled with the power of the Spirit. This is necessary for us to be witnesses. Do you have the assurance of the witness of the Spirit? This isn’t only an intellectual assent, but a change of heart and a realization that what was done on the cross was done for me. If you doubt, surrender your fears to God and ask Him for help. He will provide. In the Great Commission, Jesus first declares His authority to the disciples, putting the emphasis on Him and not the disciples. The commission is only possible because of the authority of Christ. We must understand that Christ’s Kingdom is over all things. What God calls us to do is only possible because of the authority of Christ. If you become anxious or fearful, you are losing sight of this and looking at yourself. Don’t try to complete the work of Christ in your flesh. Christ has already done the work--we are only vessels. We are called to both make disciples and teach them. Disciples are made through preaching, but we need the supernatural work of God to do this, not our own resources. The presence and influence of Christ is still with us. Know that Christ is in us and working through us. He alone is our founder and perfecter.

Who is Jesus Christ? Jesus asks us, “Who do YOU say that I am?” Disciples can’t rely on the testimony of others—we must individually say that He is the Christ. Jesus is Himself the Good News. Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame. Christ is the revelation of God. He makes God known; He is God in the flesh. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is the Alpha and the Omega. Do you see all things being held together by Christ, even in the midst of trials? We don’t yet see all things in subjection to Christ but we must trust Him in His promises. Keep your eyes fixed on Christ. Our trials are being used to form us into the image of Christ. Christ is the head of the church. He is the perfect Savior and our only source of salvation. Through Christ’s work on the cross, all things can now be reconciled back to God. See Christ by faith. Be willing to let Christ reconcile your body, soul and spirit to God. Christ came to deliver us from our sin and depravity which alienated us from God. We were slaves to sin and our condition was hopeless. But Christ came to reconcile us back to God and our original state. We can now have peace with God. Through the complete work of Christ on the cross, we can be completely reconciled. After justification, the Holy Spirit continues to do a work in our lives in order to present us holy before God. He must transform us and will destroy the works of the devil in us. Christ is the One who keeps us. He will bring His work to completion. As you walk by faith, stable and steadfast, the work of God will continue in your life. Fix your eyes on Jesus and don’t shift your gaze from the hope of the Gospel of Christ.

There are two themes in this sermon: who the Gospel says you are, and who the Gospel says God is. There are many influences around us telling us who we are. It’s important to know if these voices are right. Consider the Gospel and its call on your life. Find your identity in the Gospel. Christianity is a converting religion--we can be changed and transformed through Christ. Do you take seriously the claims of the Gospel in your life? Continue to press into the truths of the Gospel among the voices and influences. The Gospel is the power of God to transform us. Paul writes his letter to Timothy exhausted from living in this world but he moves his attention away from the world and gives thanks for the Lord for giving him strength. Remind yourself of who you are in Christ when you’re exhausted. The world and our own minds will continue to remind us who we aren’t. This leads to unrest. Paul was able to experience present blessing because of past experiences and grace throughout his life. When we are faced with trials and mistakes, remember that we have received grace and mercy from God. Stand upon the truth that Christ came into the world to save sinners. Rest upon this truth. Our Good Shepherd guides and keeps us. Acknowledge your continual need for the Shepherd. Life will be unfulfilling and joyless if we take on a lesser view of who we are in Christ. See that your life is to be used to display the love of Christ to this world.

Peter followed Christ at a distance purposefully. He undoubtedly had a storm raging in his mind from the events of the night. Earlier, he told Jesus that even if he had to die with Jesus, he would not deny Him. God continually humbled Peter throughout the night in regards to his flesh, mind, and strength. This caused Peter to turn inwardly and be self-absorbed. When the Lord reveals weaknesses to us, it can cause us to be resentful--often towards those whom the Lord is using to show us our weakness. The Lord will use our trials, struggles, as well as brothers and sisters to reveal our weaknesses so that we see our need for Christ, and for repentance. Peter refused to let go of where and who he thought he was. Often we begin seeking a testimony against what the Lord is speaking to us when our pride has been hurt. A choice must be made: either to humble yourself and surrender to God’s grace, or to harden your heart. Don't mock Christ or your brothers in Christ when your weakness is revealed. Peter denied Jesus in order to preserve himself. He didn’t want to confess his weaknesses and failures, but once the rooster crowed the second time, he saw his weakness and desperate need for a Savior, so he broke down and wept. Jesus told the disciples that they would all leave Him, but He also told them that He is going before them to Galilee. Therefore, we don’t need to rely on our own strength. Admit that you can’t do this alone. Jesus will restore you. What is God revealing to you about yourself? What is He telling you to repent of? Don’t resent those God uses to reveal to you who you are. Humble yourself and repent. God is going before you and will restore you if you repent.

What is the ultimate purpose of life? You were created for something greater than yourself. God has been working in your life to bring you to this knowledge. If life is purposeless, it creates a fear of tomorrow and an unsatisfied today. What is your theology of life? Our life is more than fleeting moments without purpose. God is infinitely involved in each of our lives. He was present in Joseph’s life and working on his behalf. God is good—let this define your moments. He is with you and is making all things work together for good in your life. We have been called in God for a purpose and He will complete that purpose. God will never forget us and is providentially caring for you. Joseph had every reason to doubt God and His care, but he held to the promise of who God is--that He is good, sovereign and working all things for his good. Joseph believed God was trust-worthy and intended his good. What do I believe is true of God? Joseph struggled during his time of waiting. Remain humbly submitted to the will of God believing that God is sovereign and has a purpose for the time of waiting and struggle. Waiting brings anxiety and fear, and it challenges us to trust God. Our seasons of waiting are meant to bring us to maturity. These seasons are meant to perfect us and lead to fruitfulness and show God’s promise and concern for us. So rest your life in God’s hands. Let God be enough for you. Disappointment tries our trust in God, but God works in our waiting and is shaping us. God works all things together for good. We have been called in God for a purpose and He will complete that purpose. God will never forget us. Our lives are not without purpose.

What does love mean? There are four greek words for love. Eros is erotic love or a love of passion. It is a self-satisfying love. Phileo is brotherly love. It means an affection and involves a giving and receiving. Storge is the natural affection we have for our families. And then there is agape which has its origins in God. It is an unconditional love that has a consuming passion for others. John wants us to have agape love for others. He encourages us to give for others and lay down our lives for each other even if we don’t get anything in return. Agape love is not naturally within us. God gives it to us as a gift. It is poured into our spirits from the Holy Spirit. Are we being transformed by the grace of God? Or are we becoming more selfish? If you do not love, you do not know God. The ultimate illustration of the love of God is Christ on the cross. The love of God was made visible by Him giving us His Son as a propitiation for our sin that we might live through Him. Since God showed us love, we are to love one another. It’s through our love for one another that others will see God. The fruit of the Spirit is love. Our love is to testify or bear witness of God. In order for us to testify of this love, we must first experience the love of God transforming our own hearts and lives. By abiding in God and Him in us, our love is perfected. This leads us to have a confidence on the day of judgement because we know the transformation of love in us. God does not desire to leave any of us where we are. He desires to transform us. We can only love others because God first loved us. It’s only when we look to the cross of Christ by faith that we can know the love of God.

What does love mean? There are four greek words for love. Eros is erotic love or a love of passion. It is a self-satisfying love. Phileo is brotherly love. It means an affection and involves a giving and receiving. Storge is the natural affection we have for our families. And then there is agape which has its origins in God. It is an unconditional love that has a consuming passion for others. John wants us to have agape love for others. He encourages us to give for others and lay down our lives for each other even if we don’t get anything in return. Agape love is not naturally within us. God gives it to us as a gift. It is poured into our spirits from the Holy Spirit. Are we being transformed by the grace of God? Or are we becoming more selfish? If you do not love, you do not know God. The ultimate illustration of the love of God is Christ on the cross. The love of God was made visible by Him giving us His Son as a propitiation for our sin that we might live through Him. Since God showed us love, we are to love one another. It’s through our love for one another that others will see God. The fruit of the Spirit is love. Our love is to testify or bear witness of God. In order for us to testify of this love, we must first experience the love of God transforming our own hearts and lives. By abiding in God and Him in us, our love is perfected. This leads us to have a confidence on the day of judgement because we know the transformation of love in us. God does not desire to leave any of us where we are. He desires to transform us. We can only love others because God first loved us. It’s only when we look to the cross of Christ by faith that we can know the love of God.

Two questions to consider in this sermon are: who was God to Abram and what results did this cause in Abram’s life? Remember that God is not only our companion in life, but He is also sovereign over all the world. He holds all of creation in His hands. When we live with this realization, it takes away our fears. God wants us to have a profound confidence in Him. We can entrust our uncertainties to God because He is in control over all things. When God called Abram, he was wealthy, had a wife and servants, and had a plan for himself. But God called him out of his comforts. Embrace the life God is calling you to. God wants to redefine your concepts and thoughts of Him. He calls us out of our limitations and conclusions of life. Let these things go so that God can show you who He is. There is a promise of something to come and God is faithful to bring that promise to pass. Press in deeper to this redefining process. God is trustworthy. God called Abram out of his conclusions and then promised him blessing. God speaks to the fears Abram might have had with his calling. Allow God to be your comfort, peace, and joy. God tells Abram that ultimately through your life others will be blessed. Learn how satisfying it is in finding worth in something greater than only living for your life. Relinquish control and let God redefine who you are. Abram decided to trust God and he stepped away from his comforts and conclusions. He willingly stepped out of his boundaries in order to press into God. He acknowledged that God is his God and built altars to testify who God is. Do you trust God to be who He says He is? Will you set aside your comforts and conclusions in order to press into God?

Two questions to consider in this sermon are: who was God to Abram and what results did this cause in Abram’s life? Remember that God is not only our companion in life, but He is also sovereign over all the world. He holds all of creation in His hands. When we live with this realization, it takes away our fears. God wants us to have a profound confidence in Him. We can entrust our uncertainties to God because He is in control over all things. When God called Abram, he was wealthy, had a wife and servants, and had a plan for himself. But God called him out of his comforts. Embrace the life God is calling you to. God wants to redefine your concepts and thoughts of Him. He calls us out of our limitations and conclusions of life. Let these things go so that God can show you who He is. There is a promise of something to come and God is faithful to bring that promise to pass. Press in deeper to this redefining process. God is trustworthy. God called Abram out of his conclusions and then promised him blessing. God speaks to the fears Abram might have had with his calling. Allow God to be your comfort, peace, and joy. God tells Abram that ultimately through your life others will be blessed. Learn how satisfying it is in finding worth in something greater than only living for your life. Relinquish control and let God redefine who you are. Abram decided to trust God and he stepped away from his comforts and conclusions. He willingly stepped out of his boundaries in order to press into God. He acknowledged that God is his God and built altars to testify who God is. Do you trust God to be who He says He is? Will you set aside your comforts and conclusions in order to press into God?