Be Strong in the Lord

[0:00] Please be seated. Go with me to Ephesians 6. Do you want to be strong in the Lord? That's my message today. Be strong. Be strong. It's a repeated theme through the Word of God. A repeated theme. In fact, it is a command from God that we should be strong. We should be strong.

[0:28] Be strong. Ephesians 6 verse 10 tells us, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Why should we be strong? It's a command. It is a command. Finally, my brethren, be strong. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

[0:54] Ephesians 6, of course, the context is about the whole armor of God. It's a command from God that we should be strong. We need to be strong. Why? Because we have a committed enemy and we face a battle to be brave.

[1:12] We need to be strong, to be steadfast, living out a righteous testimony, living a life with integrity and truth. We need to be strong for our families. We need to be strong for our church to be strong. Each one of us needs to be strong, strengthened, stronger.

[1:30] And we can be strong because the battle is the Lord's. The battle is the Lord's. He will help us fight the battle because he will fight it for us.

[1:41] Why should we be strong? It's a command. Be strong. How should we be strong? In what ways? We need to be strong in character, strong in faith. We need to be strong in our Bible knowledge such that this book matters to us. It's truth to our soul, truth lived out in our shoes, in our lives that we live.

[2:04] We need to be strong in our faith. We need to be strong in our faithfulness. The reality is that we may feel weak. I, for one, feel weak oftentimes, very inadequate. And yet, it's not me that I have to rely on. Is it? It's not me. It's not you. It's not each one of us, of ourselves.

[2:28] Maybe we can feel defeated. Again, I think it's common to man. That feeling of, it's a battle. It's a jungle out there. And we're living this day-by-day battle in the frailties of our flesh.

[2:48] As we're likely, none of us are getting much stronger. Generally, it's a weakening as we get older. I speak for myself. I think lately my eyes are not what they used to be. I had to go to the optometrist lately and I didn't bring my glasses.

[3:07] Even these words, they look blurry to me. So that's how bad it is. And we can exchange our weakness for his strength, can't we? We can exchange our weakness for his strength. And that's the good news. Even though we may feel at times like we're on the ropes, like it's a battle, as I say. It's hard at times.

[3:28] The strength and empowerment that we need comes from above. It comes from him. I know I was reminded as I walked in that today's Pentecost Sunday. In fact, I wasn't even clear of that. I thought it was last week for some reason.

[3:44] Oh, okay. All right. Whatever it is, we don't keep times and seasons so much as the truth of the Holy Spirit's coming. We think of Pentecost, don't we? We think of the day of Pentecost. And that was prophesied for us in Acts 1 verse 8.

[4:01] But you shall receive power. After that, the Holy Ghost has come upon you. And you shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

[4:13] You could read that. You shall be witnesses unto me, both in Elizabeth Park and in Salisbury and in Adelaide and Australia-wide and worldwide. You know, how can we make that happen? It is happening. Thank God there's people here this morning because someone knocked on their door and invited them to know the Lord.

[4:30] The person already did know the Lord. But to come and fellowship, to come and be part of what God is doing here in Elizabeth Park. And God is doing it by his power because the people are caring enough to share the gospel.

[4:43] You might say, preacher, I've never done that. You know, been brave enough to knock on the door and maybe get that slammed in your face or spat upon.

[4:53] I remember some while back there was preachers in Rundle Mall and they had carrots thrown at them for the glory of God. You know, what can it be? We can stand up for Jesus.

[5:06] You might say, preacher, I've never done that. That's too hard for me. Well, come and learn. Come and learn. Come and see Brother Mick. Wave your hand, Mick. He's the good-looking man that was talking before.

[5:16] He's the man you can encourage and be encouraged by as being part of the witnessing team. There's numbers of people doing that, men and women. So come and be a part of that. Be encouraged to be his witnesses.

[5:30] There was power from on high in Acts 1 verse 8. Why? You should be witnesses unto me. He empowers us for a job to do. And we can exchange our weakness for his strength.

[5:42] It's only by his power and enablement and, you know, by you just stepping out of the comfort zone and saying, I want to be used of God. I want to learn how to witness and just tag along and listen in.

[5:56] You know, be part of the renter crowd. That's often what we need to do, like open-air preaching. Sometimes just one person talking and a number of people just tagging along and being part of that renter crowd, if you like.

[6:08] So it's how you learn, is by tagging along. So tag along next Saturday, maybe. See, brother Nick, for more info on that one. And we see Ephesians 3.16.

[6:18] It says, Paul prayed that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit. By his Spirit. Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.

[6:32] It's his Spirit. His Spirit. His Spirit in the inner man. The strength and empowerment that we need is a spiritual one. The Holy Ghost will come upon you.

[6:43] You shall be witnesses unto me. Be strong. Be strong. As I say, it's a repeated theme through the Bible. The Word of God.

[6:54] David used these words to his son, Solomon. David told Solomon, God has a work for you to do.

[7:07] Be strong. This is 1 Chronicles 28, verse 20. David used these same words. Be strong. God has a work for you to do, and he will enable you to fulfill it.

[7:21] Whatever that work is. Some of you are working in the youth program. That's a challenge. Wow. You know, some of you are working as school teachers in the day job.

[7:33] You know, that's a challenge. And whatever it be, wherever God's placing you, every job can be a ministry, I believe. You know, I work in the disability sector.

[7:44] It's a ministry. It's a ministry, isn't it? Some of you people working in a factory. That's a ministry. You've got workmates. You've got colleagues. You've got a mission field all around you. Amen? God's placed you there, and he's going to use you there, wherever you are, wherever God has placed you.

[8:00] Bloom where you plant it. God told Solomon, through David, his father, he said to Solomon, his son, be strong and of good courage. Be strong and of good courage.

[8:14] And do it. The task at hand, building the temple. Be strong and of good courage. And do it. He gives us power for action.

[8:27] Power for purpose. Power for a work to do. Whatever it be. What God puts on your heart to do, do it. Do it well. Do it. Fear not. Nor be dismayed.

[8:39] For the Lord God, even my God will be with thee. He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work of the service of the house of the Lord.

[8:52] Be strong, Solomon, and do it. What God's put on your heart to do. Do it. Do it well. God is holy, and he has called us, according to his holy will, to fulfill his holy purpose.

[9:06] And his holy purpose might seem day by day, practicalities, rubbing shoulders with people, introducing them to the Saviour. There's so many opportunities that present.

[9:18] It's all the work of the Lord that he puts on your heart to do. Where he's placed you, in his mission field, that he's sent you to. How is this possible, you might ask? How is it possible to be strong?

[9:31] David himself said, God is my strength. He is my strength, and power, and he maketh my way perfect.

[9:42] This is how it is possible, because God is our strength. God is our strength. Not our own power, but his power. He is the secret of true strength.

[9:54] We are to be strong, it says in Ephesians, in the Lord. Our strength comes from his supply. He is all the strength that we need.

[10:04] To fulfill his will in us. As Paul urged the Corinthians, he said, Watch ye. Stand fast in the faith. Quit ye like men.

[10:15] Be strong. Now, yesterday we had, it's the end of the fire band season, and we had a big pile of wood in the backyard, lit out in the sticks, and time to burn the woodpile.

[10:28] Julie left me in charge, and I was sitting there, on the chair, because it has to be minded, it has to be supervised, and I was thinking, oh, now I've got a nice time, Saturday afternoon, it'll be a nice time, just to have a little nap, a little snooze there, while I was on duty there, as the watchman, watching the fire, and I thought, no, I better not, I'll keep my eyes open, let's get the toothpicks out, and I sat there with this, meaningless task of watching this fire, burn to the ground, but, you know, we need to be watchmen, and watch women, don't we?

[11:05] We need to be watching, we need to be wide awake, alert, watching all around us, making sure that fire doesn't jump, and bounce, and catch fire to the paddock next door, we need to be watching, and wakeful, and alert, in these days, we need to be watchmen, and watch women, on the watch, as it were for God, because our Lord is coming, He's calling us to watch, and to work, you know, in the sense of, the watchman is the one, and who defends the city, keeps on the lookout, and sees if there's the enemy coming, that's the sense of it here, to watch, we need to be watchful, because there's enemies all around us, that want to undermine, and attack the church, but the people of God, we need to be watchful, and then it says, stand fast in the faith, in the faith, the word of God, the truth, and then quit you like men, it's got the sense, of act like men, acquit yourself, is the sense of it, to quit, acquit yourself, to prove yourself men, to be brave, to be strong, that is what we're called to be, Paul knew where this strength came from, who this strength came from, he says, in Philippians, he says,

[12:13] I can do all things through, Christ, which strengtheneth me, what a scripture that one is, it's a good one, to memorize that one, they all are, but you know, that's a good one, to think of, when you're feeling weak, and overwhelmed, inadequate, incapable, and lacking, oh, how can I do anything, I can do, all things, through Christ, which strengtheneth me, again, this is a scripture, you're going to watch, because, some Bibles, take the fundamental word out, which is Christ, I can do all things, through whom, strengthens me, no, I can do all things, through Christ, which strengtheneth me, that's a fundamental, truth of this scripture, that we need to ensure, that we put our faith, in Christ, here's the one, this strength, is the power, that works within us, it's God's power, we see in Ephesians 3, 20, it says, Paul again, now answer him, that he is able, to do exceeding, abundantly above, all that we, ask or think, he's able to exceed, abundantly above, all that we ask, or think, according to the power, the power, that worketh in us, this power of God, works in us, it's active, and energized, and lived our power, it's the strength, and power beyond, our own power, it's the strength, that,

[13:39] Moses had, when he decided, to suffer, affliction, with God's people, rather than, enjoy the pleasures, of sin, the pleasures, of Egypt, for a season, he was Moses, he could have, lived the high life, he was in the, in the box seat, as the, adopted son, of the Pharaoh, he had, had it all, he had it all, laid out for him, you know, what a life, he would have lived, a life of luxury, and ease, in the king's palace, imagine it, you're born into royalty, brother, you know, maybe you should check, your genealogy, I know, my dad's been checking, his DNA, to see where he's come from, maybe there's some, in that genealogy, you could, you could be, an heir to the throne, without even realizing it, but what's great, and still, is that we are adopted, into the king of kings, and the Lord of God's family, we are the royal family, here this morning, we that know him, to as many as received, as they gave him the power, to become the sons of God, even to them, that believe, on his name,

[14:52] I'm the most royalty, this morning, I'm highly honored, to be in your presence today, your majesties, you know, princes and princesses, of the king, amen, what greater, joy, than to know, his power, works within us, and Moses, had it all set here, as the, you know, in the palace of Egypt, everything laid on, you know, everything you could imagine, to eat, and indulge your senses in, he had it all, but he chose rather, to suffer affliction, with the people of God, he chose rather, to become, amongst those, who were there, making the mud bricks, and heaving the loads, and carrying the, the, the slavish work, for the Egyptians, he chose rather, to enjoy, to choose rather, the affliction, of the people of God, that's powerful, isn't it, that's powerful, to make a choice like that, it's powerful, to take up your cross, to deny yourself, and to follow him, that's power, that's true power, the prophet Jeremiah, knew this power, in Jeremiah 31, 32, verse 17, our Lord God, behold, thou hast made, the heaven and the earth, by thy great power, and stretched out arm, and there is nothing, too hard for thee, there is nothing too hard, for your God, nothing too hard for him, and this empowerment, this strength, we can know it, we can know him personally, it's none other, than the very power, of the almighty, the almighty,

[16:26] God himself, we can know him personally, that great king, we can walk into his palace, we can walk up to his throne, at any time, day or night, and there will be, an open access, we have been granted access, through the beloved, and here is the wonderful truth, again as David cried, the Lord is my strength, and my shield, my heart trusted in him, and I am helped, therefore my heart, greatly rejoiceth, and with my song, will I praise him, the Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength, of his anointed, now you might be hearing, all this and say, preacher look, it all sounds good, in theory, I know there's lots of Christians, who have got that spiritual power, but I'm feeling quite, out of it, I'm feeling like maybe, perhaps I once knew that time, of greater spiritual power, but I feel like I've lost it,

[17:34] I feel like I've lost it, that's grown dim, I've grown cold, I've grown weak, I've just succumbed to, you know, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak, there is yet hope for you, there is yet hope for you, brother, sister, this morning, the power, can be restored, amen, don't you believe that, and this power, is not based on, some power supply company, we know Adelaide's renowned, for it's, you know, unreliable power, this power is not unreliable, but this power, can be restored, if you've lost the power of God, in your life, it's the strength, that Samson had, amen, Samson, had the power, then he lost it, didn't he, he lost it, to his foolishness, as he succumbed to, to liless charms, and she found the secret, of his power, and his hair was cut, which was that sign, of his dedication, unto God, and then Samson, they poked his eyes out, imagine that, his eyes poked out, plucked out, pulled out, burned out, whatever they did to them, he lost his eyes, and then, he was chained, to the millstone, walking round, and round, and round, in circles, milling the grain, in the dark, damp, dirty dungeon, you can imagine, what a life he had, he once knew, the power of God, to be a mighty warrior, to be victorious, and, powerful, in God, and, he became, as weak as water, his strength, his power, was gone, but Samson, regained the power, he regained the power, we see, and, and for, for one time, actually, when he lost the power, he didn't even realise it, you know, he, he didn't realise, that God had departed, from him, he shook himself, as at other times, thinking, ah, yeah, and, ooh, it wasn't there anymore, he'd lost the power, and, yet, in Judges 16, 28, when the crunch time came, as he was stood there, in the heathen temple, as they were sporting with him, and making mockery of him, and, and, and, throwing things at him, and, and cursing him, and mocking his God, and his faith, and, the people of God, and he was just, the, the, the focus of all, their jesting, and mockery, and Samson, called unto the Lord, and Samson, called unto the Lord, and said, oh Lord God, remember me, remember me,

[20:28] I pray thee, and, strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, oh God, only this once, oh God, that I may be at once, avenged, of the Philistines, for my two eyes, and God, answered his prayer, amen, as he held those, columns of the temple, and, uh, it started rocking, and a reeling, and, uh, crash, bang, wallop, the whole temple, the temple of Baal fell, uh, upon, was it Baal, or Dagon, the whole temple fell, on the pagans, and they were slaughtered, for the glory of God, God restored, the power, for Samson, and he can restore, the power for you, brother, sister, you can regain, that spiritual strength, again, you can restore, that spiritual power, again, you can regain, the power of God, in your life, again, simply pray, oh Lord God, remember me, oh Lord God, perhaps you may feel like, the going's on in your life, the pressing trials, the heaviness you carry, it's stopping you, from knowing, this power of God, over your life, we can all make excuses, hey, it's hard for me, right now, you don't know, what's going on, for me right now, you don't know, what's going on, for me right now, we've all got our crosses, we all have our burdens, we all have our concerns, and cares, and tragedies, of life, for some, the cross is heavier, than others, yet all have a cross, yet God's strength, is available, ever available, isn't it, isn't it, isn't his power, available now, as ever it was, and ever will be, his everlasting power, his everlasting strength, we see the story, of Paul and Silas,

[22:22] Paul and Silas, as they were, confined, in Acts 16, 22, we don't have it all, on the projection here, but, the context is, in Acts 16, from verse 22, the multitude, rose up together, and the magistrates, rent off their clothes, they tore the clothes, off these men, they were just, treated brutally, torn, their clothes, shredded, pulled off their backs, humiliated, ashamed, the clothes, rent off their backs, torn off their backs, and the magistrates, commanded to beat them, beat them, and when they had laid, many stripes upon them, they cast them, into prison, charging the jailer, to keep them safely, who, having received, such a charge, thrust them, into the inner prison, and made their feet, fast in the stocks, had these big metal, stocks, these metal, fetters, that held their legs, and held them, confined, as they were chained, and confined, constrained, and what do they do, at such a time, at such a time, as this, at midnight, you know, what a woeful time, as their backs, were bruised, and blue, and bleeding, the humiliation, the public shame, the devastation, that they were in, and at midnight,

[23:59] Paul and Silas, prayed, and sang praises unto God, and the prisoners, heard them, you know, they were listening, in the next, in the next door cell, what's that noise, I hear, it's midnight, there's someone, joyfully singing, praises unto God, who is this, these mad men, in the next cell, you know, the prisoners, heard them, Paul and Silas, found joy there, joy in the stocks, joy in their bruising, joy in the prison cell, they found joy here, in prison, and singing, they found joy, whatever your circumstance, however painful it might be, however hard, it might be, and truly it may be hard, I don't know how, hard some people are doing it, but there's people doing it tough here, I know that, you know, I often get to hear those stories, and I feel for you, each one, there's people here doing it tough, my heart goes out to you, it's hard for me to bear, even the knowledge of, what is, what people are going through, at times, but we have a high priest, that can be touched, with the feelings, of our infirmities, don't we, don't we have a great high priest, he's touched, he's touched, and we can find joy, joy in God, no matter what, because the joy of the Lord, is your strength,

[25:28] Nehemiah says, the joy of the Lord, is your strength, it's not the joy, of your circumstance, Paul and Silas, didn't have a lot of joy, to tell of as far as, their earthly circumstance, but the joy they had, was the Lord, he was their strength, it's the strength, that Paul and Silas had, it's the strength, that John Bunyan had, John Bunyan, and I've got some old, volumes of some of these works, and people would know, that Pilgrim's Progress, is one of them, one of them's called, grace abounding, for the chief of sinners, John Bunyan, John Bunyan, he had that strength, he knew that strength, as he was held in a jail in England, for 12 years, and at the time, 12 years, and at the time, the king said to him, on any day, that you'll promise, not to preach, the gospel, of the son of God, on any day, you'll promise, not to preach, you may have your liberty, now of course, the religious establishment, of the day, you know, the, the, the, that kind of, accepted, conformist religion, of the day, which was the, conforming to the king, and to the, hierarchy, and the establishment, the establishment church, of its day, they, they didn't allow anyone, to preach, or to gather, or to, to study the word of God, except in that, establishment church, the, the, kind of, weak church, of the day, and John Bunyan, was a non-conformist, he didn't conform, to the establishment, church of the day, he wanted to preach, the gospel freely, and widely, to the common folk, to the, to the folk, wherever they, were, wherever he could reach them, because he cared about the gospel, the gospel truth, and the king said, any day, you promise not to preach, you can be set free, but he chose rather, to, suffer, in that, squalid jail, of old England time, would have been, pretty gross, kind of place, you know, imagine, the grossness of it, not the modern, cons of, of prisons, of our day, and time, of this place, but of that place, it was a squalid place, and he would spend his time, making lace, for his little blind daughter,

[28:18] Mary, he would make lace, in his cell, for his little blind daughter, Mary, to sell, in order that she might, support his family, you know, obviously his wife, and other children, I believe there's more children, than Mary, that, the support of the family, he had to, work in his prison cell, to support his family, so they had food to eat, to live, and when the king, said this, I'll set you free, if you stop preaching, I'll set you free, if you conform, to the establishment, church of the day, and John Bunyan, said this, I had rather stay, in this jail, until the moss, grows over my eyelids, rather, than disobey God, I would rather, stay in this jail, till the moss, grows over my eyelids, rather than, disobey God, and of course, God, did set him free, as he was, set free in time, and, he was, widely known, as, a man used of God, for the great works, that he penned, by God's grace, and strength, in the prison cell, and he became, a widely known, author and pastor, as, he was, vindicated, and,

[29:32] God, stood for him, and with him, he knew the strength, amen, he knew the strength, when God called Joshua, he told him also, be strong, he says, only be thou, strong, and very courageous, he says, obey, the word of God, don't turn here, and there, go the way, that I send you, and he says, the book of the law, shall not depart, out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate, therein, day and night, then, shalt thou make, thy way prosperous, and then, shalt thou have, good success, have not I commanded thee, be, strong, and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God, is with thee, with us so ever, thou goest, be strong, he says, Joshua, be very courageous, why, because I will not fail thee, I will not fail thee, I will be with you, wherever you go, let this book, not depart out of your mouth, but meditate therein, day and night, his strength came, from God, from God's word, there's much truth here, that we should meditate therein, meditate therein, it says, day and night, this is Joshua 1, verse 8, do we meditate therein, day and night, chew it over, mull it over, feed your soul, then you'll be strong, be strong, and this strength, that we hear of today, it's not strength, of human brains, or brawn, neither, it's not, strength from ourselves, but strength from above, it's strength from God, it's God, granted strength, likewise, it was said of Apollos,

[31:22] Apollos was a man eloquent, and mighty, in the scriptures, Apollos, this strength, is not mere human willpower, or wisdom, or human abilities, it's not the strength, of some motivational self-talk, you know, I've been seeing some advertising, lately online, but Tony Robbins, is coming to Australia, who's heard of that, Tony Robbins, he's that great, self-help guru, who helps you walk on fire, you know, he's coming to Sydney, I think, I don't know if he's coming, Adelaide even, I'm not sure, he's coming to Australia, and the message is all out there, on social media, this message, of Tony Robbins, that we can unleash, and unlock, the power, of self-improvement, the power, of personal growth, unleash the forces, inside the advertising tells us, emerge with the knowledge, that you can change your life, forever, says Tony Robbins, this is not, what we're talking about, this morning, I'm not saying, unleash the power, that is within, as if you go, oh, you know, just go, you know, get some kind of, great buzz, and spiritual, self-talk, and be some, you know, get that power, from within, it's not a power, from within, it's a power, from without, a power, that is from without, that comes from, that comes within, it's the power of God, that we're talking about, not some strengthening, that is within, of ourselves, of our, but there is a strengthening, that happens within, because God, makes it happen, you know, maybe there's some good, out of motivational, self-talks, but that's not the point here, that, what matters, is that, empowerment, from God, that strength, that comes from knowing him, it's from without, ourselves, it's experiencing his empowerment, what is this power, this strengthening, how can we truly know, his strength, that we're talking about, it's a repeated theme, through the word of God, talks about power, it talks about strength, it talks about might, it talks about, that, that strengthening, there's many words, check your concordance, there's many references here, of course, there's many powers too, that are outside of God, some people say, that they're, they're people of faith, or, or they're, they're people with them, they're people are, oh,

[33:37] I'm a spiritual person, or I'm a religious person, I'm not talking about, any airy, fairy, fuzzy, wuzzy kind of God, I'm talking about, the God, the God, the only God, the God of the Bible, the God, we can know, Jesus Christ, that is the God, we're talking about, not some God, of a self-help guru, or some, self-enablement, or self-empowerment, but the strength of character, that strength of will, that strength of faith, in Christ, that strength, beyond our own strength, that we can know, we can truly know, and how do we know it, the power of prayer, the power of prayer, can help you know it, as Joshua said, you know, as, as, as the people of God, Ascension cried out, oh God, help me, sometimes the prayer, can be just so simple, can't it, it doesn't have to be flowery, you don't have to use, all kinds of, you know, posh language, to talk to God, just talk to him, just know him, know him personally, the power of prayer, communicate with the Lord, about everything, you don't have to get, some holy moment, or be in some holy place, you can access, that throne of grace, 24 by 7, wow, isn't that good, and to know that, the power of prayer, the power of his spirit,

[35:00] Paul told Timothy, for God hath not given us, the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind, the power of God, the power of love, the power, the spirit of power, the spirit of love, the spirit of a sound mind, he helps us, to think straight, to get it right, keeps us sound, whole, we don't have to somehow, summon up strength, from within, ourselves, but God has given, God has given, his spirit, God will give you, his strength today, brother, sister, you're feeling weak, join the club, God is able, God is able, he will give us strength, he will give us, the power we need, Paul told Timothy, it's the power of grace, grace, that's a, that's an amazing concept, isn't it, how do I, how do we put grace, in some human definition, grace, it's hard to put a definition on it,

[36:03] Paul says, be strong in the grace, that is in Christ Jesus, how do we do that, be available, be available, simply that, surrender, let go, and let God, surrender to him, you might say, but preacher, you don't know how weak I am, you don't know where I've been, what I've done, I'm a lousy Christian, I'm a backslider, I'm just, a nobody, spiritually right now, I'm just nowhere, spiritually right now, Paul knew exactly, what you're talking about, he had that sense of, inadequacy, of human frailty, you know that scripture, in 2 Corinthians 12, where he says, take this from me Lord, and God said, no you've got to hang on, you've got to keep going, keep going with it, I'm going to let you, keep hanging in there with it, because 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, the power of Christ, may rest upon me,

[37:12] God says to you, my grace, is sufficient, for you, wow, our sufficiency, is of God, it's not of ourselves, it's not unleash the power, that is within, the heart is deceitful, and desperately wicked, you know, some self-help gurus, would say, oh just, follow your heart, you know, oh you've got that, sort of, you know, boom boom, boom boom, boom boom, you've got, follow your heart, just do, do what feels right to you, if it feels good, do it, follow your heart, the Bible says, the heart, is deceitful, and desperately wicked, who can know it, don't follow your heart, now if your heart, is in right tune with God, he will give you all the desires, of your heart, and your heart is right, he will, lead your heart, but don't follow some, fuzzy wuzzy, burning in your bosom, as far as, you know, some goose bumpy, feel good, oh it just feels right, it just feels so right, how could it be wrong, like the song goes,

[38:27] I mean, no, don't do that, do what is right, do what is right, and he will give you the strength, to do what is right, and we read elsewhere, that where sin abounds, grace abounds, even more, isn't that good, where sin abounds, God gives grace, even more grace, grace upon grace, grace that is greater, than all our sin, and Romans 5 talks about, where sin is multiplied, grace multiplies, even more, 2 Corinthians 9 verse 8, it says, God is able, to make all grace, abound, towards you, in that you, always having all sufficiency, may abound, unto every good work, just conscious on, there's more, more, more sermon, than we've got time for, there's more grace, than we've got, than we've got capacity, to receive, isn't there, his grace is enough, people of God, here today, his grace is enough, for you, he says it's sufficient, so, now that doesn't mean, we have to stay, in a state of weakness, and then make excuses, for living outside, of God's will, saying, oh God's grace, is sufficient, to cover my sin, so I'm going to keep, on doing it, that's not the point, don't live lukewarm, don't live on the edge, don't tread on thin ice, thinking, oh I'm a Christian,

[39:48] God will excuse me, don't live on a diet, of spiritual junk food, thinking, oh God will make me strong, you've got to, apply yourself, yet the weakest, of God's children, can know his strength, to help you through God's, your life's tests, his grace will carry you over, and we're kept by his grace, thank God for that, he is the one keeping you, not yourself, some people think, I'm going to keep myself saved, I've got to keep myself saved, I don't want to lose it today, you know, I could die tonight, if I lost it, I'm going to help, if you've got it, you've got it, he's given it, grace, grace, sufficient grace, all sufficient grace, and we're kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed, be strong, be strong, now the military context, of Ephesians 6, it tells of that whole armor of God, it tells of the discipline, of being a soldier, now just last night, I was going past the gym, and there was these boys there, in their khaki outfits, you know, some soldiers there, down at the gym, sort of doing a bit of a workout, and if we're going to be soldiers, we've got to do some workouts, there's some workouts for us, our salvation, not that we're working for it, but our salvation should work out, we should work out, our salvation, so have a bit of a workout, don't miss the opportunities, for workout, you know, don't miss those opportunities, to increase your strength, now you might not be able to get, to all the meetings, like me, but you can take time, tune in, get some good gear from the library, some good DVDs, tune in, get some good MP3s, so you can tune in, switch on, tune in, tune in to, good gospel preaching, where you can access it, on YouTube, here and there, get some good Bible software, we've got eSword, we can give you a DVD, a CD, so you can, program it into your computer, it's free, and it's a great, study software program, there's all manner of things, we're so blessed, aren't we, aren't we so blessed, there should be no reason, why we cannot, grow, and be strong, in such a time as this, get a workout, whether it's at home, or, anytime you can fellowship, don't miss that, that strenuous fitness regime, that's what the,

[42:14] I was looking about Roman soldiers, what they do, in Ephesians 6, I was looking at some commentary, that was talking about, the strenuous fitness regime, of Roman soldiers, it's mind boggling, what they made them do, carrying these big packs, and, when they went on a march, it was almost like a slow run, they had to cover, these huge distances, fully loaded, with all these, all their military equipment, all their backpack, and their armor, and equipment, and, the strenuous program, that the Roman soldiers, had, and that's the kind of, parallel here, in Ephesians 6, it's what it's telling us, not that we're working, for our salvation, as I say, but our salvation, is worked out, it's lived out, it's alive, it's day by day, and we can be, victorious Christians, victorious soldiers, this strength, also comes by, the power of his word, just as we, gradually wrapping up here, the scriptures, are the voice of the Lord, and we can, know his strength, in time of trial,

[43:20] Psalm 119, for example, the psalmist cries, my soul melts, for heaviness, strengthen me, strengthen me, according to, thy word, I'm melting here, in this heaviness, this, it's heavy, right now, strengthen me, according to your word, truly God's word, will strengthen you, as you receive it, as David cried out, in Psalm 29, verse 4, the voice of the Lord, is powerful, the voice of the Lord, is full of majesty, the voice of the Lord, here it is, wow, I've got it in black, and white, and red, and it's in pages, and I can hold it, in my hand, and I can refer to it, day or night, and you might have it, on your phone, you've got it on your computer, the word of God, it's the KJV, the King Jesus Bible, that's what we need, we need to hear his voice, don't we, we need to hear King Jesus, his voice, it's right here, he says, my people, hear my voice, my sheep hear my voice, and they follow me, we need the Bible people, we need the Bible, now the best Bible, is a red one, mine's a black one, but one that you read, read the Bible, the best Bible is a red Bible, get one, and read it, amen, this gospel, has soul transforming power, it tells us,

[44:41] King Jesus, has given us a word, the word of a king, where the word of a king is, there is power, you don't mess with the king, you see the royal wedding lately, and there's all these protocols, and certain things, you're allowed to do with royalty, and not allowed to do with royalty, no one was allowed to sit, in front of the queen, because she had her seat, and you know, where the word of the queen is, there is power, you know, but where the word of the king is, the Bible says, there is power, our king is the greatest, almighty king, the king of kings, the lord of lords, we are his royal subjects, but more so, we are his royal family, and his word, he's given for us, let's not neglect it, and this gospel that we have, has soul transforming power, Paul says, I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God, the power of God, unto salvation, to everyone that believe it, praise God, and this powerful book, it speaks loud and clear still, to the very heart of man, the word of God is quick, in other words, it's alive, and it's powerful, and sharper, than any two-edged sword, and it tells us, the preaching of the cross, is to them that there is foolishness, people would tune into this, and, or, think of churches, and messages such as this, and say, oh what a load of hogwash, what a load of foolishness, there are fools down there, at church for you, there are a load of, nutters, there are Christians, wackos, foolishness, but to us who are saved, it is the power of God, the power of God, wow, we can't get enough of it, because it's the power of God, it's foolishness to some, who are not saved, but to us, this is the power of God, the power of God, the saving power of God, when this book is communicated, to a human soul, it is the very voice of God, to your heart, the very power of God, and the one of whom we speak, he is the almighty, the almighty, may we let go, of our weak, insipid, weakly ways, and find this true power, deep down in our soul, come to this almighty king, come unto his almighty throne, there's a throne of grace, it's available now, there's no waiting, there's no hold up, there's no need, for you to delay, come boldly to it now, draw near to that throne, to your heavenly father, to find his boundless, unlimited supply there, to know his gracious pardon, at his feet, to hear his beckoning call, his warm embrace, his hug, his kisses, our Lord God, our father, receive his sufficiency, find his spirit's empowerment now, where there is mercy and grace, available now, in our time of need, ever more so, when we are strong in the Lord, we'll know the grace, of the grace of God, that we can come to that throne, you don't have to wait, till it's six o'clock tonight, you don't have to wait, till a particular meeting time, or this or that, or feel like you've got to get, some kind of holy feeling, come to the throne of grace, in time of need, now don't go, you might want to ring the pastor, and get some help, or you might want to ring, some Christian friend, but first go to the throne, first go to the throne, amen, first go to the throne, and we can be strong in the Lord, and we can be strong in the Lord, and see a fruitfulness, as we abide in him, and he abides in us, as his word abides in us, even in our present weakness, we can be strong, the Lord is my light, and my salvation, says David, whom shall I fear, the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid, he says, wait on the Lord, and be of good courage, he shall, strengthen your heart, wait I say, on the Lord, you can, strengthen your heart, you might say, preacher, what about my ever pressing needs, what about my weaknesses, what about my lack, what about my suffering,

[48:37] Paul says, I take pleasure, wow, he's a nutcase, this guy, take pleasure in my infirmities, I take pleasure in my afflictions, I take pleasure in my persecutions, I take pleasure in my distresses, for Christ's sake, for when I am weak, then am I strong, it's counter-cultural, isn't it, counter-intuitive, it goes against the grain, it goes against what your flesh, will tell you, I will believe God, I will take pleasure, I will joy, in the God of my salvation, because when I am weak, then am I strong, and this strength that we know, goes beyond, even the second death, if you're outside of Christ, this is what awaits you tonight, it's what awaits you, it says, the fearful and unbelieving, the abominable, the murderers, the whoremongers, sorcerers, and all idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part, in the lake, which burneth with fire, and brimstone, which is the second death, what a horrific destination, don't make that your destination, it's horrific, you see lately, in Hawaii, the bubbling, and spewing volcanoes, and the lava pouring out, it tells of brimstone, there's a lake, that burns with fire, and brimstone, it's called the second death, you don't want to go there, you don't want to go there, but this power, and strength, of which we speak, it says, that if we know him, the second death, hath no power, over them, you know,

[50:08] I know, Mick likes to say this one, you're, some people are born once, and they die twice, if you're born twice, you only die once, okay, how do I explain that, you're born once, we're all born once, physically born, then it says, you're going to die, and then you're going to die again, it's called the second death, the second death, right, hell is the second death, the fire, and brimstone, the lake, but if you're born twice, so you're born, then you're born again, you're born, then you're spiritually reborn, you're born again, you have rebirth, you're born again, you become a brand new person, in Christ, if you're born twice, you only die once, because then you have, the one resurrection, and you're in glory, with your saviour, and you don't face, that great white throne judgment, they will still face, the judgment of Christ, the judgment seat of Christ, where your works, will be measured, but you will not suffer, the second death, you're only judged, for rewards, so friends, in the midst of, these telling days, we see volcanoes erupting, we see, signs of, world chaos, and global, concerns, we see, great dangers, with, men who have, red buttons, on their desks, and if they just get, a little bit itchy, or, they're having a bad hair day, they might press the button, people of God, time is short, don't muck around, if you're outside of Christ, you face the second death, but if you're inside of Christ, it has no power over you, the second death, has no power over you, so, let me encourage you today, to find,

[51:56] Christ as your Lord and Savior, one day there will be, a one world government, every knee shall bow, but, I'm not talking about, the first one world government, talking about the second one, when the rightful owner, of planet earth, takes his rightful throne, then the government, shall be upon his shoulder, it's not one you can vote in, at the moment, they're all, they're all pretty bad, there's not much choice, but one day the government, will be on his shoulder, amen, one day the government, will be on his shoulder, for the meantime, it's time to man the battle stations, and neither give place, to the devil, don't let the devil, don't give him an inch, don't give place to him, you know, don't give him a foothold, in your life, you are being attacked, that's life, get used to it, alright, you will be attacked, that's life, it's a spiritual battlefield, because life is a battlefield, but the battle is who's, the Lord's, the battle is the Lord's, trust in him, and the power of his great love, let it constrain you, with this life changing message, with the power of the gospel, it's the power of God, it's the salvation, we've got a message, it should be burning our hearts, it should be burning our lives, this message of love, this power of his love, that we want to communicate, of our great almighty king, who extends his, wide, wide invitation, and there's meantime, time, meantime, to trust him, and I pray,

[53:23] I pray you'll know him, I pray you do know him, and that relationship, I pray it will strengthen, it will strengthen, and get ever stronger, by his holy power, because for the meantime, we've a race to run, finish strong, finish strong, finally my brethren, be strong, in the Lord, and in the power, of his mind, Lord, we praise you, that you are great, and glorious, almighty God, our loving father, and saviour, Lord, we bless your worthy, and holy, majestic name, and Lord, we know your word, tells us that, there is power, from on high, and it's given for a reason, Lord, not for some showy signs, and wonders, but for, a life changing, of souls, sent to heaven, by the grace, by the blood of Christ, by the power of the blood, of Jesus, Lord, we thank you, for the power of your word, the power of your grace, the power of your spirit, Lord, and that power is made, it comes and resides, in even human weakness, such as human vessels, such as we, and we give you all the glory, and all the praise, we pray that any here, knows you not, that they won't delay, they won't delay,

[54:40] Lord, that they will know, a power, that has power, even over the, second death, it's such power, as everlasting, and eternal, and eternity changing power, Lord, help each one, to put their trust, their trust in you, so that one day, when we will bow, every knee, shall bow, we will bow unto you, not unto some false god, or some false world leader, but we'll bow unto you, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Amen.

[55:08] Amen. Amen. Thank you.