WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.880 So today I want to see if I can translate the best I can this topic of boasting in weakness. 00:00:09.820 --> 00:00:19.280 Now this topic is one that I got to choose, but it's something that I am working on personally, 00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:21.120 have been for a little while. 00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:29.519 And so we'll unpack it a little bit, but I want to translate to you what I have understood in this passage 00:00:29.519 --> 00:00:31.820 of 2 Corinthians chapter 12. 00:00:32.539 --> 00:00:38.159 So if you have your Bible, if you would turn there, 2 Corinthians chapter 12, we'll start with verse 7. 00:00:39.799 --> 00:00:42.060 But we'll look at some other verses as well. 00:00:44.200 --> 00:00:50.579 Monday, so this we're studying here, boasting in weakness. 00:00:50.739 --> 00:00:53.920 Monday at man camp, we learned that a man is not weak. 00:00:54.500 --> 00:00:56.859 Now these two things are not opposed to one another. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:01:07.099 What Josh taught on Monday was being weak in character, weak in faith, that kind of weakness. 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:13.659 This is a weakness that Paul describes. 00:01:14.120 --> 00:01:15.599 And Paul was not a weak man. 00:01:16.299 --> 00:01:21.579 Matter of fact, he told us to act like men in 1 Corinthians 16. 00:01:21.579 --> 00:01:36.379 So this type of weakness through humility, through God-given humility, we find ourselves in a state of inadequacy, 00:01:36.739 --> 00:01:38.479 a state of need. 00:01:39.480 --> 00:01:43.400 As human beings, we are needful people. 00:01:43.400 --> 00:01:55.540 And when we recognize that and accept that, then there's optimal ground for the Lord to work in our life, 00:01:55.600 --> 00:02:01.780 for him to be powerful in a life that is needful and not powerful. 00:02:02.260 --> 00:02:06.060 So that's the type of weakness that we want to talk about today. 00:02:06.060 --> 00:02:06.100 Okay. 00:02:08.460 --> 00:02:10.719 And so a little bit of context. 00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:14.060 Let me get my... 00:02:14.060 --> 00:02:16.219 A little bit of context I want to go through. 00:02:16.640 --> 00:02:22.840 So going up to, in 2 Corinthians, before this, Paul talks a lot about weakness throughout the book. 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:31.140 In different contextual settings, but also in some of the verses, he just flat out talks about boasting in weakness. 00:02:31.139 --> 00:02:32.899 There's a couple I want to bring to your attention. 00:02:33.539 --> 00:02:38.939 In the book of 2 Corinthians, chapter 11, verse 30, Paul says, 00:02:39.319 --> 00:02:43.739 If I must boast, I will boast in the things that show my weakness. 00:02:45.379 --> 00:02:48.279 Chapter 11, 23 through 33. 00:02:48.939 --> 00:03:00.239 Basically, Paul catalogs all these different sufferings and perils and hardships that he endured in his weakness. 00:03:01.139 --> 00:03:03.439 2 Corinthians 12, 5. 00:03:03.559 --> 00:03:04.000 He says, 00:03:04.379 --> 00:03:08.099 On my own behalf, I will not boast except of my weaknesses. 00:03:08.839 --> 00:03:10.279 So this was important to Paul. 00:03:11.099 --> 00:03:20.099 There's also, in chapter 4, verse 7, he talks about ministers that are earthen vessels or jars of clay. 00:03:20.919 --> 00:03:22.539 For any of you 90s fans. 00:03:23.259 --> 00:03:24.000 Yeah, there we are. 00:03:24.719 --> 00:03:25.659 Jars of clay. 00:03:25.799 --> 00:03:28.179 So it's the power that's being carried. 00:03:28.180 --> 00:03:31.120 It's not the container that's powerful. 00:03:31.939 --> 00:03:33.379 It's what's inside. 00:03:33.939 --> 00:03:35.180 Chapter 10, verse 10. 00:03:35.300 --> 00:03:38.719 Paul himself had a weak bodily appearance, he says. 00:03:39.060 --> 00:03:42.120 And he wasn't a man of great speech, per se. 00:03:43.640 --> 00:03:49.700 So he just continues to put himself in that weak position. 00:03:49.699 --> 00:03:52.739 And to share that. 00:03:52.959 --> 00:03:56.539 So 2 Corinthians 12, 7, though, is what we'll read here. 00:03:58.539 --> 00:04:05.359 So to keep me from becoming conceited, because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, 00:04:05.839 --> 00:04:13.459 a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 00:04:13.460 --> 00:04:17.819 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 00:04:18.340 --> 00:04:19.100 But he said to me, 00:04:19.180 --> 00:04:25.000 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 00:04:25.000 --> 00:04:33.699 Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 00:04:33.980 --> 00:04:41.279 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. 00:04:41.779 --> 00:04:45.100 For when I am weak, then I am strong. 00:04:45.100 --> 00:04:50.980 Well, the first thing I want to do is answer this. 00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:55.000 This is sort of the order that I went in to studying this passage. 00:04:55.220 --> 00:04:57.180 The first thing is, what is weakness? 00:04:57.780 --> 00:05:00.900 What is it that he's talking about here in this space? 00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:03.920 So the first thing is, weakness is not sin. 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:06.520 Weakness is not sin. 00:05:06.520 --> 00:05:10.879 Paul uses different Greek words, very different words. 00:05:10.879 --> 00:05:15.139 They're not even adjoined for weakness and for sin. 00:05:15.300 --> 00:05:16.920 So it's two different areas. 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:24.980 And if weakness was synonymous with sin, Paul would not boast in it, would he? 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:27.540 He wouldn't boast in his own sinfulness. 00:05:28.180 --> 00:05:29.060 That's not good. 00:05:29.180 --> 00:05:30.920 In chapter 6, he speaks to that. 00:05:31.159 --> 00:05:33.120 We don't sin all the more, right? 00:05:33.659 --> 00:05:36.120 So it's not interchangeable. 00:05:36.120 --> 00:05:41.360 But sin can lead to weakness and vice versa. 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:42.939 Weakness can lead to sin. 00:05:43.519 --> 00:05:45.500 So the first one, sin can lead to weakness. 00:05:45.639 --> 00:05:50.459 Look at 1 Corinthians 11, 27 through 30. 00:05:52.199 --> 00:05:53.899 And I don't think they're real quick. 00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:56.899 1 Corinthians 11. 00:05:57.860 --> 00:06:04.480 And we know this to be the scripture, one of the main scriptures regarding the Lord's Supper. 00:06:04.480 --> 00:06:06.140 And so what does he say? 00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:07.939 1 Corinthians 11, 27. 00:06:07.939 --> 00:06:13.240 Whoever therefore eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner 00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:17.340 will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 00:06:18.140 --> 00:06:22.620 Let a person examine himself then and so eat of the bread and drink the cup. 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:29.860 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 00:06:30.759 --> 00:06:33.480 That is why many of you are weak and ill. 00:06:33.480 --> 00:06:34.780 And some have died. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:39.240 But if we judge ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 00:06:40.020 --> 00:06:45.439 This is a case of the sin leading to weakness. 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:52.040 Which here was the sin of unworthily taking the cup and the bread. 00:06:52.200 --> 00:06:54.879 And then the sickness was a result. 00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:57.140 And we'll talk about it in a moment. 00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:00.660 But weakness is an asset. 00:07:01.460 --> 00:07:03.240 Weakness is something that God uses. 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:05.480 It's a good thing in our life. 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:06.759 It's not a negative thing. 00:07:07.040 --> 00:07:08.960 Sometimes we look at it negatively. 00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:11.079 But it's actually a good thing. 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:15.300 The other flip side of that is weakness can lead to sin though. 00:07:15.980 --> 00:07:17.860 And Matthew 26, 41. 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:18.579 Jesus says, 00:07:18.819 --> 00:07:22.180 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. 00:07:22.960 --> 00:07:26.840 The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. 00:07:26.839 --> 00:07:30.459 So that would be a case of weakness. 00:07:30.459 --> 00:07:39.879 If you're not watching and praying, then you fall into sin through the weakness of the flesh. 00:07:39.879 --> 00:07:43.560 So pay attention to your weaknesses. 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:46.120 And acknowledge them. 00:07:46.339 --> 00:07:47.180 Rely on God. 00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:50.219 That's sort of the crux of this concept. 00:07:51.219 --> 00:07:52.839 Weakness is a state. 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:55.000 Sin is an action. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:08:02.259 Weakness is a result of any number of things in our lives. 00:08:03.720 --> 00:08:06.680 It could be from things that are from birth. 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:10.819 Physical problems that are picked up along the way. 00:08:12.100 --> 00:08:15.860 Previous sin that has left you in a needful position. 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:22.800 But when we look at sin and we look at weakness, weakness being a state of where we're at. 00:08:23.139 --> 00:08:26.259 Whatever it is that led us to that point, whatever got us to that. 00:08:26.540 --> 00:08:28.660 If we look at today and we say, 00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:31.120 Okay, I am needful. 00:08:31.480 --> 00:08:32.580 I am weak. 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:37.539 Lord, when I get out of the way, then you can work. 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:39.360 And you can show your power. 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:43.659 And maybe that begins with confession and repentance. 00:08:43.659 --> 00:08:46.539 If sin is what brought you to that spot. 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:51.120 But there's a lot of different ways that weakness shows up. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:55.579 Basically, weakness is inadequacy. 00:08:56.740 --> 00:08:58.360 J.I. Packer says, 00:08:58.459 --> 00:09:05.579 The idea from first to last in regards to weakness is of inadequacy. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:09.579 We talk about physical weakness, including sickness and disability. 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:11.360 Intellectual weakness. 00:09:11.559 --> 00:09:12.559 Personal weakness. 00:09:12.559 --> 00:09:21.439 A weak position when a person lacks needed resources and cannot move situations forward or influence events as desired. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:27.539 Relational weakness when persons who should be leading and guiding fail to do so. 00:09:28.459 --> 00:09:29.399 Weak parents. 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:30.899 Weak pastors. 00:09:31.699 --> 00:09:32.179 And so on. 00:09:32.179 --> 00:09:39.659 Some specific weaknesses would be things like a physical illness or a condition. 00:09:40.059 --> 00:09:45.539 And it brings us to that point of realizing, I can't fix this. 00:09:45.919 --> 00:09:47.339 I can't get beyond this. 00:09:48.059 --> 00:09:51.979 It's something that we learn is out of our control. 00:09:52.859 --> 00:09:53.419 Weak. 00:09:53.419 --> 00:09:56.740 That brings us to that weakness spot. 00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:58.799 Maybe a learning disability. 00:09:59.019 --> 00:09:59.979 Cognitive boundaries. 00:10:00.459 --> 00:10:01.299 Even in aging. 00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:02.199 As we age. 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:06.339 More and more, I'm noticing the senior moment like coming up. 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:08.599 You know, they kind of grow as you go. 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:11.699 So these kind of things. 00:10:11.839 --> 00:10:17.039 We recognize our own pains and hurts and things as we even age. 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:19.159 And those weaknesses. 00:10:19.860 --> 00:10:22.719 There's knowledge deficiencies or lack of ability. 00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:30.339 There's the types of weaknesses that sort of happen to us or come upon us. 00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:44.639 But there's also, and it's important to recognize, that there are weaknesses where things in life, specifically sin, have led to a weak position. 00:10:46.860 --> 00:10:50.700 In high school, I never really did my math homework. 00:10:51.420 --> 00:10:55.500 And what I understand is math sort of builds on itself, you know, as you go. 00:10:55.500 --> 00:11:00.500 And so if you don't understand the early ones, you're not going to get the later subjects. 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:05.279 So basically, I didn't do my homework. 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:08.279 I did very poorly, got bad grades, those kind of things. 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:16.559 But luckily, when I was a senior, they had a thing called senior math, which kind of went back to like addition and subtraction and those kind of things. 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:18.179 I passed that one. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:18.799 I was very happy. 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:21.080 I had to, actually, to get through. 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:27.120 But what that did was it left me with a deficit in math. 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:28.800 And I didn't understand. 00:11:29.020 --> 00:11:30.460 And there was a lot of things I didn't know. 00:11:30.800 --> 00:11:31.720 Well, then I joined the Navy. 00:11:31.800 --> 00:11:32.759 They put me in electronics. 00:11:33.020 --> 00:11:37.980 And with electronics, there's a lot of math that goes with that, unfortunately for me. 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:42.320 But there was a change in my thinking. 00:11:42.740 --> 00:11:49.980 And I realized that I needed to submit to learning and that that was a godly thing to do. 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:52.279 And so I ended up diving in. 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:52.840 I learned. 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:54.340 And I was the top of my class. 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:55.100 Math. 00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:59.100 In math, I was the top of my class, which was pretty great. 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:02.940 But what that does is that's a simple illustration. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:10.399 That's just a simple illustration of how I, through my sin, led to a place of being deficit. 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:18.459 And then I had to come to a place where I confessed that, repented of that, and then let the Lord work in it. 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:22.699 That's how sin can lead us into a place of weakness. 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:26.899 But the Lord's power can be shown in that spot. 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:29.480 Paul Tripp says, 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:46.860 Again, it's a tool. 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:48.039 And we'll talk about this. 00:12:48.039 --> 00:12:51.460 But weakness is something that is good. 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:55.460 Matter of fact, Paul boasts gladly in his weakness. 00:12:55.940 --> 00:12:56.680 And we should, too. 00:12:56.679 --> 00:12:58.519 We'll get into that. 00:12:59.479 --> 00:13:05.879 This idea that being a tool in God's hand, it's to be brought to Jesus. 00:13:06.959 --> 00:13:14.079 It could be given to you by him for your benefit. 00:13:14.719 --> 00:13:16.000 The weaknesses in your life. 00:13:16.079 --> 00:13:17.500 The things that you struggle with. 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:20.759 The places that you find yourself in. 00:13:21.139 --> 00:13:23.879 It could be given to you by him for your benefit. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:26.419 And it's useful in his hands. 00:13:27.679 --> 00:13:31.580 The first time that we recognize this. 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:33.980 The first time that we recognize this. 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:37.519 Is the first time that you confess your sins. 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:40.320 And hear the gospel. 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:44.659 And understand the grace that's offered to you. 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:51.539 Because the thing that we find ourselves in, in order to believe the gospel, is that I have need. 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:57.139 If I don't believe I'm weak and have no need, the gospel does not make sense. 00:13:57.759 --> 00:13:58.959 There's no reason for it. 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:01.360 You're not being saved from anything. 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.639 You've already got it all together. 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:06.779 You already think that you know all the answers. 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:19.919 But when you come to a place, as I did in 1981, December, where I realize that I don't have the answers. 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:28.860 That there's no way that I can take care of the break between a holy God and myself. 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:31.120 Because I've transgressed. 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:32.659 Because I've gone against him. 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:36.419 And I find myself in a place that is incredibly weak. 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:37.899 And with no hope. 00:14:39.180 --> 00:14:40.440 Once you go there. 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:43.320 And then you confess. 00:14:43.560 --> 00:14:44.240 And you repent. 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:45.639 And you give that to Christ. 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:48.759 Let his power then make you new. 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.680 And bring you to life. 00:14:50.679 --> 00:14:53.759 From a place of 100% weakness. 00:14:54.239 --> 00:14:56.199 To a place of power in life. 00:14:56.839 --> 00:14:59.199 That's the first time that you'll run across this. 00:15:00.199 --> 00:15:03.620 And if you don't ever actually acknowledge that. 00:15:03.979 --> 00:15:06.239 If you don't ever actually acknowledge that. 00:15:06.579 --> 00:15:10.359 In fact, I am so weak that I have to be saved. 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:14.059 I am so weak that I can't do it on my own. 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:21.719 Then salvation will always be something that you may know about. 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:26.059 But if you don't actually believe, it will never be profitable for you. 00:15:26.819 --> 00:15:32.019 The power will never be on your life. 00:15:35.299 --> 00:15:42.939 Our ongoing sanctification also relies on our ongoing. 00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:47.600 So there's that initial time that we understand our weakness for salvation. 00:15:48.160 --> 00:15:50.400 But then it does not stop. 00:15:50.780 --> 00:15:51.800 It doesn't stop. 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:53.400 Does he want to keep changing you? 00:15:53.560 --> 00:15:59.240 Does the Lord want to continue to grow you into looking more like Christ all the time? 00:15:59.640 --> 00:16:00.060 Absolutely. 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.480 How does he do that? 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:05.480 Well, you've got to stop trying to take control. 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:08.720 You have to say, I am weak in this. 00:16:08.780 --> 00:16:10.300 I'm going to boast in this weakness. 00:16:10.300 --> 00:16:12.300 Because that's where Jesus steps in. 00:16:12.940 --> 00:16:13.660 Not me. 00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:20.940 The more I think I know it, the more I think I've got it, the less he can even do in my life. 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:22.960 Because I'm trying to run the show. 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:24.840 And I'm trying to make that happen. 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:30.080 If you look back at our verses now. 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.560 Verse 27. 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:35.460 Whoever therefore... 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:35.680 Oops. 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.620 I'm way off. 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:39.820 I'm still back on now. 00:16:40.660 --> 00:16:41.980 Let me get to 2 Corinthians 12. 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:46.420 What he first starts talking about. 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:48.440 Look at what Paul is concerned about. 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:50.120 In verse 7. 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:57.860 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, 00:16:57.860 --> 00:17:00.659 a thorn was given me in the flesh. 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:05.720 A messenger of Satan to harass me to keep me from becoming conceited. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.799 What is Paul's concern? 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.559 Conceited. 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:11.079 Becoming conceited. 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:13.019 That ongoing sanctification. 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:17.220 The need to continually be offering my weakness to Christ. 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:19.039 He's concerned here. 00:17:19.679 --> 00:17:20.539 He's concerned. 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:23.779 Paul was doing some great things. 00:17:24.399 --> 00:17:29.480 God was really using him in magnificent ways. 00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:30.799 In planting churches. 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:33.839 And obviously writing scripture. 00:17:35.639 --> 00:17:37.639 And lots of ministry victories. 00:17:38.159 --> 00:17:41.000 A lot of troubles that he expresses as well. 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:45.599 And he specifically says the surpassing greatness. 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:49.279 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.259 Well, interesting. 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:51.059 Right before that. 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:53.579 He talks sort of third person. 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:58.339 About a guy 14 years ago who went up to the third heaven. 00:17:58.339 --> 00:18:02.220 Well, that's commonly understood to have been Paul. 00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:04.899 And he's speaking from the third person there. 00:18:05.699 --> 00:18:10.059 But it's that kind of thing that can make a person conceited. 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:13.619 When God uses somebody that way. 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:16.839 When the Lord does something in your life. 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:22.399 And maybe you want to grab credit or grab glory somehow. 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:25.720 That's being conceited. 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:30.779 That's trying to be something that you're not. 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:32.360 Paul didn't want to do that. 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:35.100 He didn't want to fall into that. 00:18:35.600 --> 00:18:37.220 Certainly there was temptation. 00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:40.259 He gets a thorn in the flesh. 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:43.640 There was temptation for Paul to fall into that. 00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:47.319 The flesh is weak. 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:49.380 Conceit itself. 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:51.140 If we think about conceit. 00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:56.680 I would say it probably is the opposite of weakness. 00:18:58.120 --> 00:18:59.500 If you look at that. 00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:03.360 Why would he attack conceit? 00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:05.900 Well, conceit says, I know. 00:19:06.520 --> 00:19:07.480 I already know it. 00:19:08.020 --> 00:19:08.920 I'm good. 00:19:09.580 --> 00:19:10.860 I've got it all together. 00:19:11.780 --> 00:19:13.060 That's what conceit would say. 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:14.220 I'm squared away. 00:19:15.520 --> 00:19:15.640 Right? 00:19:16.800 --> 00:19:18.900 Weakness says, I need. 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:19.040 I need. 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.820 I need. 00:19:21.800 --> 00:19:26.540 So it's probably two different ends of the spectrum right there. 00:19:27.800 --> 00:19:31.519 Paul doesn't want to fall into a place of saying, I know. 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:32.560 Or I'm squared away. 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:33.680 Or I've got this. 00:19:34.120 --> 00:19:35.880 He doesn't want to fall into that. 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:39.640 He wants to remain in the place of need. 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:40.940 I need. 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.160 I'm inadequate. 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:45.800 So Satan sends this messenger. 00:19:46.060 --> 00:19:48.320 This thorn in the flesh, he says. 00:19:48.820 --> 00:19:49.940 To harass him. 00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:53.920 There's lots of thoughts on what that thorn is. 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:56.060 You know, if you study, you know. 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:57.620 A lot of different ideas. 00:19:57.820 --> 00:19:58.740 It is in the flesh. 00:19:58.900 --> 00:19:59.660 Which is important. 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.340 Is what he says. 00:20:02.300 --> 00:20:04.320 But we do know it was from Satan. 00:20:04.560 --> 00:20:05.519 So God allowed it. 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:07.500 God allowed that to happen. 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:12.279 And not only that, but God used it. 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:20.299 For Paul's sanctification, God used Satan intervening. 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:24.460 Piper, he said, he's considering what God might have said here. 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:26.160 You know, just in a writing. 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:32.500 God might have said something like, I want a humble apostle with no conceit. 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.460 My solution? 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:37.180 Use Satan to take away your braggadocio. 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.599 So, very interesting. 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:45.039 The messenger of Satan was used by God for Paul's sanctification. 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:49.160 So, if we sort of translate that to our own life. 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:51.400 Can things happen in our life? 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:55.500 Do people say things or situations enter? 00:20:55.940 --> 00:21:01.700 Or health issues or whatever that God can use for our sanctification? 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:06.700 For our growth and staying away from conceit? 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:07.759 Absolutely. 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:13.600 Even in pleading for it to be removed, the answer was still no to Paul. 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:15.220 He went to God three times. 00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:16.039 Will you take it away? 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.580 And God said no. 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:19.299 He had a purpose in it. 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:27.640 He had a purpose in keeping Paul in the weakness mentality in that space. 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.860 What is your thorn? 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:32.000 What is your weakness? 00:21:34.479 --> 00:21:37.619 As I was studying for this, I prayed about that. 00:21:37.699 --> 00:21:42.319 And I was like, Lord, what is the... 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:43.479 I mean, I have plenty. 00:21:43.699 --> 00:21:44.000 Believe me. 00:21:44.899 --> 00:21:46.799 Many things came to mind, you know, very quickly. 00:21:47.179 --> 00:21:52.339 But I think that there are certain things that the Lord is where the pedal is up, so to speak. 00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:53.639 And God's working on it. 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:55.780 And working in your life and in your heart. 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:58.920 We'll talk more about that in a second. 00:21:59.100 --> 00:22:05.700 But maybe you've prayed and asked God to remove that thorn or that trouble. 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:13.200 Or that, you know, maybe it was a health issue or financial. 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:13.740 Whatever. 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:17.259 Whatever it is that is creating that space. 00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:19.359 But think about it. 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:24.740 He may be using that very thing for your benefit and your growth. 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.759 How is he doing that? 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.599 It's not going away. 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:30.980 Maybe you've prayed those three times. 00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:33.539 Maybe you've fasted. 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:37.259 And just really, really ask God to take that away. 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:39.500 And the answer is still no. 00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:43.519 What is he doing in your life in that? 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:45.180 How is he using that? 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:51.879 In verse 9, Jesus responds to Paul. 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:55.859 So Paul talks about in verse 8, I've pleaded with him the three times. 00:22:56.859 --> 00:23:00.980 And verse 9, probably one of the most famous verses we know. 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:08.819 But he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:16.059 So Jesus' power works in my weakness. 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:18.019 Well, if that's the case, let me be weak. 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.680 Let me be weak. 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.819 Let me talk about it. 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:22.920 Let me boast in it. 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:24.319 Let me share that. 00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:26.839 If that's where he works. 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:33.199 If that's where the Lord is going to get into your life and his power is shown, then we want to be there. 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.559 We want that. 00:23:34.919 --> 00:23:36.799 From the very beginning, from salvation. 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:39.419 I want to see him work in me. 00:23:39.699 --> 00:23:41.000 I want to see that power. 00:23:41.439 --> 00:23:43.740 I want to go from death to life. 00:23:44.919 --> 00:23:46.459 And it's his power that does it. 00:23:48.159 --> 00:23:50.079 All I offer is my weakness. 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:56.899 Therefore, Paul says, I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness. 00:23:56.899 --> 00:24:00.799 And this will allow the power of Christ to rest upon him. 00:24:02.179 --> 00:24:03.539 Not my feeble attempts. 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:07.259 Not my worries about life or health. 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:10.159 Not my inadequate abilities in every situation. 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:12.439 But his power. 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:13.939 His power. 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:17.159 And there's a key here. 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:18.919 And it's what Jesus said to Paul. 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:23.820 He said, it's my grace that's sufficient. 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:26.759 He is enough. 00:24:27.560 --> 00:24:29.580 Now, I want to think about this. 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:39.620 We may hear this and say, okay, there's this place in my life that I've isolated. 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:41.000 I understand is a weakness. 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:46.140 And I can see what Jesus says there. 00:24:46.620 --> 00:24:48.600 My grace is sufficient for you. 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:50.339 And I can acquiesce to that. 00:24:50.439 --> 00:24:51.259 Yes, I understand that. 00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:51.839 I believe that. 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:55.199 And then still go about doing it my own way. 00:24:55.939 --> 00:24:59.519 And ignoring what he's actually telling us there. 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:06.759 Maybe I said about behavior modification. 00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:12.839 Just changing, pretending in my own mind and in my own heart. 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:15.900 Pretending that I'm actually trusting in him. 00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.200 But am I? 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:24.880 Am I truly acknowledging my weakness and standing in that space? 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:29.660 Or am I still trying to take what I can and make it happen on my own? 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:36.900 Seeing the emptiness in our abilities and actually filling that space with grace. 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:41.380 I've been making espresso lately. 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:46.500 Because I got a Breville for Christmas, you know, like where you make your own espresso. 00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:47.700 So I'm learning this. 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:49.640 I'm still trying to dial it in. 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:52.920 And actually, on a side note, my worst fear came true. 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:55.940 Zemir was at the house and he asked for just a plain espresso. 00:25:55.940 --> 00:26:01.180 And I gave it to him very trepidatiously. 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:02.880 And he said it was no good. 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:06.840 But I was like, I need to dial it in more. 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.920 Give me another chance. 00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:08.559 Give me another chance. 00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:17.259 But one thing that I did try was, you know, you use milk to like for cappuccinos or lattes. 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:19.940 You use regular milk because it froths up really nice. 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.799 It's got fat in it. 00:26:20.820 --> 00:26:21.799 It's got the things that you need. 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:28.339 And, but I'm like, okay, well, how can I, you know, with keto, milk isn't so good. 00:26:28.419 --> 00:26:29.839 So I'm trying to get rid of that. 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:32.940 And so I tried almond milk. 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:35.700 I frothed it up and everything. 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:40.279 And it came out like when, you know, it looked just right. 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:43.299 That cappuccino, the, the, now I don't do art yet. 00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:44.259 I'm still working on the art. 00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:46.339 But everything else, like just right. 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.759 It looked just like a cappuccino. 00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:50.879 And I tried it and it was almond milk. 00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:52.460 Like it was yucky. 00:26:52.780 --> 00:26:53.860 It didn't do right. 00:26:54.840 --> 00:27:01.320 But what's interesting, just in that, like that little illustration, like we, we can look 00:27:01.320 --> 00:27:04.500 a lot and I'm talking about in our own hearts, right? 00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:06.860 We, we can fool each other all day long. 00:27:07.320 --> 00:27:08.780 We can fool each other all day long. 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:13.160 There's some things that we can maybe see with discernment, God giving things like that. 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:21.820 But, but we can actually come to our gatherings and, and hang out and fool one another into 00:27:21.820 --> 00:27:25.160 thinking that we don't have weaknesses, but we do. 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:27.000 We do have these. 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:30.559 This is why I have been working on this topic. 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:37.579 It's something that I, I want to be diving into this in my own life and, and be ready 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:39.000 to share these things. 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:44.299 Be ready to walk in these things and, and give God glory for how he operates in it. 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:47.879 When I get out of the way and let him take over. 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:58.039 But the worst case scenario is people thinking from the very beginning that they are trusting 00:27:58.039 --> 00:28:05.299 in Christ, but they actually are just saying this and they never really believe that they 00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:06.259 need to be saved. 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:10.180 They never really believe that they need to be forgiven of this debt. 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:18.340 They never really believe that their sin is against a holy God who will not stand for 00:28:18.340 --> 00:28:18.560 it. 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:20.940 They've heard the gospel. 00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:25.380 They say they believe this is worst case scenario. 00:28:26.340 --> 00:28:30.620 These are the ones that, that one day Jesus says, I never knew you. 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:32.600 I never knew you. 00:28:32.599 --> 00:28:43.939 Our weakness is something that we've got to acknowledge that we have to gladly boast in, 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:48.399 because if we don't, then it's all, it'll always be us. 00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:54.919 It'll always be what we can do or what we think we can handle or what, who we think we can 00:28:54.919 --> 00:28:56.299 please on our own. 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:59.699 And we can't, we can't do that. 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:04.960 But I want to talk about weakness in the body. 00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:10.740 So in, in the body of believers and in our church, what makes our church strong? 00:29:12.360 --> 00:29:14.700 What, what would strengthen our church? 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.600 Look at verse 10. 00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:23.700 He says, for the sake of Christ, then I, then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:29.340 persecutions, and calamities for when I am weak, then I am strong. 00:29:30.420 --> 00:29:34.740 A body of believers that's strong is weak. 00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:37.440 When I am weak, I am strong. 00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:41.680 When we are weak, then we are strong. 00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:45.279 That's how a body becomes strong. 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:47.440 When we are content with weaknesses. 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:54.519 Paul talks about those being insults, hardships, persecutions, distresses, calamities. 00:29:55.019 --> 00:30:00.180 I want to read this same verse from the Amplified Bible, sparingly. 00:30:00.379 --> 00:30:04.000 I'd be careful with this, you know, because you, but sometimes it really opens up things 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.240 well. 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:04.859 And here it did. 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:05.839 Verse 10. 00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:12.799 So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, 00:30:12.899 --> 00:30:15.519 and with difficulties for the sake of Christ. 00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:23.240 For when I am weak in human strength, then I am strong, truly able, truly powerful, truly 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.799 drawing from God's strength. 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:29.359 And they really opened that up well and added good points. 00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:37.359 So operating together to get to that place of strength as people who acknowledge our weaknesses. 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:40.419 First, we have to speak of them. 00:30:40.679 --> 00:30:42.039 We have to talk about them. 00:30:42.419 --> 00:30:43.759 We have to share them. 00:30:44.379 --> 00:30:46.359 We have to be clear with one another. 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:49.699 And the weaknesses really are across the board. 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:52.699 I was talking with Judah just before even preaching this. 00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:54.399 How ironic, you know. 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:59.279 I have to step up here and make sure that I'm walking in weakness because this is God's 00:30:59.279 --> 00:31:00.480 word that I'm sharing with you. 00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:02.259 And it's important. 00:31:02.899 --> 00:31:04.460 It's important to live that way. 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:08.480 Now, what about responding to others? 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:16.319 So as we all talk, as we share our weaknesses with one another, well, there's the person who 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:22.579 is in humility, is sharing that weakness, and they're talking to somebody else. 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:24.940 Now, how does that somebody else respond? 00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:30.080 Number one, it's not a place for judgment. 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:33.400 Because remember, weakness is a good thing. 00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:38.140 And sharing the weakness and walking in the weakness, it's a good thing. 00:31:38.580 --> 00:31:40.299 This is something Paul says, do this. 00:31:41.360 --> 00:31:42.480 Not hide this. 00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:43.960 Do this. 00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:47.200 So, no judgment. 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:51.539 If you're cognizant in your own weakness, judgment won't happen. 00:31:52.580 --> 00:31:55.519 You won't judge somebody else if you're walking in your own weaknesses. 00:31:58.299 --> 00:32:03.680 John Newton had a phrase, habitual tenderness. 00:32:03.840 --> 00:32:04.580 And he wrote about it. 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:13.120 He says, in describing the believer's life, John Newton, he's the one who wrote Amazing Grace. 00:32:13.119 --> 00:32:13.779 Yes, yes, yes. 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:21.859 He says, about a believer's life, he believes and feels his own weakness and unworthiness 00:32:21.859 --> 00:32:25.619 and lives upon the grace and pardoning love of his Lord. 00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:30.659 This gives him a habitual tenderness and gentleness of spirit. 00:32:31.719 --> 00:32:32.359 I love it. 00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:36.519 Because that's exactly how we would communicate with one another. 00:32:36.899 --> 00:32:39.559 You don't beat somebody up because they share a weakness. 00:32:39.719 --> 00:32:41.319 You don't look down on them. 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:48.059 I think that there's an underlying fear sometimes to share the weaknesses. 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.099 I know I've had it. 00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:51.819 Because I think, what will I receive? 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.839 What will somebody say to me? 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:55.579 How will they look at me after that? 00:32:56.700 --> 00:33:04.179 That's not habitual tenderness of someone else who's walking in their weakness as judgment. 00:33:04.939 --> 00:33:10.779 Like Paul, we should encourage voicing the weakness and trust in sufficient grace and encourage each other. 00:33:11.319 --> 00:33:12.079 To do the same. 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:19.639 If you're walking in your own strength, if you're walking in your own strength, your actions will give you away. 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:24.439 The things that you say, the ways that you respond and talk to one another. 00:33:24.439 --> 00:33:32.099 Your actions will give you away if you are disregarding your weaknesses and walking in your own strength. 00:33:32.099 --> 00:33:37.240 Judgment, slander, gossip, division, anger, lack of patience. 00:33:37.539 --> 00:33:40.839 All these things will show up. 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:50.279 And people who are humbly walking in their weaknesses don't have a purpose to tear somebody else down. 00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:52.679 Because they're already in their weakness. 00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:57.940 And they don't look at somebody else and try to tear them down in some way. 00:33:58.440 --> 00:33:59.960 There's no purpose to that. 00:34:02.560 --> 00:34:08.599 But if you are the one who has it all together, 00:34:08.860 --> 00:34:13.579 what you'll try to do is try to get everybody else up to speed with you. 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:23.739 All those sinful ways of trying to get somebody else to do what you want them to do. 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:25.039 It goes back to judgment. 00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:30.340 It goes back to those areas that are not tender. 00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:32.159 That are not loving. 00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:39.339 So we encourage the practice of boasting and weakness. 00:34:39.799 --> 00:34:42.500 We encourage one another to do that. 00:34:42.799 --> 00:34:45.799 And then when somebody does, pray for them. 00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:46.739 Lift them up. 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:47.839 Encourage them. 00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:54.599 Take joy in the fact that you're doing gladly exactly what Paul said to do. 00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:56.759 Was to boast in the weakness. 00:34:57.299 --> 00:34:58.559 And then let Jesus work. 00:34:59.279 --> 00:35:00.879 And let his power flourish. 00:35:00.880 --> 00:35:02.579 And be perfected. 00:35:07.340 --> 00:35:11.220 So, identifying my own weakness. 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:13.900 And this is what I was talking about a little bit earlier. 00:35:14.059 --> 00:35:18.180 Just the idea of, okay, we walk away and we say, 00:35:18.320 --> 00:35:20.700 Lord, where am I weak? 00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:23.019 Where is it that you're working in me? 00:35:23.460 --> 00:35:25.420 What is it that you want to teach me? 00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:28.119 Through whatever it might be that's going on in my life. 00:35:28.119 --> 00:35:33.679 First thing in identifying our own weakness. 00:35:33.900 --> 00:35:36.199 First thing is it's a flesh problem. 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:39.719 And so if I find myself saying, 00:35:39.719 --> 00:35:45.339 I want to be strong or I need to be strong. 00:35:46.279 --> 00:35:48.019 That's a good flag. 00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:50.639 That I'm the one who's trying to do it. 00:35:50.639 --> 00:36:00.599 That I'm the one who is resting on my own thoughts and ideas and strength. 00:36:01.159 --> 00:36:06.440 The problem is with the flesh is the culture tells me I should operate that way. 00:36:07.159 --> 00:36:10.279 This whole where we live, how we grow up, all these things. 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:15.300 The culture keeps telling you to pick up your bootstraps. 00:36:15.440 --> 00:36:17.580 To not look weak. 00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:24.519 To not have this space where we admit that I can't and I need. 00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:32.600 Unfortunately, the kids when they were little, they watched a lot of Disney. 00:36:32.720 --> 00:36:33.740 Well, maybe they haven't stopped. 00:36:33.840 --> 00:36:34.180 I don't know. 00:36:34.179 --> 00:36:40.419 But they watched a lot of Disney and I would watch the shows and it would just bug me so much. 00:36:40.659 --> 00:36:45.399 Because all they ever talked about was how it's within you. 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.519 The humanism of it. 00:36:46.899 --> 00:36:49.919 It's just humanism from the very beginning. 00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:51.279 On repeat. 00:36:51.919 --> 00:36:53.579 Teaching young people. 00:36:53.859 --> 00:36:54.239 Us. 00:36:54.779 --> 00:36:56.399 If you watched a lot of that stuff. 00:36:56.400 --> 00:37:01.539 How to be our own person. 00:37:02.160 --> 00:37:03.300 And do things our own way. 00:37:05.380 --> 00:37:11.019 Second thing of identifying my own weakness is Jesus is the one who should get the glory. 00:37:11.960 --> 00:37:13.200 Even in my pain. 00:37:13.720 --> 00:37:14.740 Even in my hardships. 00:37:15.119 --> 00:37:18.099 Even when things just all fall apart. 00:37:18.780 --> 00:37:20.500 He alone is worthy. 00:37:21.220 --> 00:37:23.780 And his glory is not for me to take. 00:37:23.780 --> 00:37:33.660 Like, you know, if he demonstrates power through me, that's not something that I can take. 00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:36.420 That's not something I should boast in. 00:37:37.540 --> 00:37:38.900 As if I didn't. 00:37:39.560 --> 00:37:40.380 Boast in Christ. 00:37:41.080 --> 00:37:46.700 Boast in the fact that I was in that place, that weakness place, to let him work. 00:37:47.260 --> 00:37:48.500 And just get out of the way. 00:37:48.500 --> 00:37:54.559 So, to continue identifying weaknesses. 00:37:55.820 --> 00:37:58.099 Where do you think that you have it all together? 00:37:59.219 --> 00:38:04.320 Where are you prideful of what, maybe you're saying, what I have done? 00:38:06.920 --> 00:38:09.039 Where do you think, man, I'm something? 00:38:10.860 --> 00:38:11.880 That's a good place. 00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:13.179 That's a good place to start. 00:38:13.420 --> 00:38:14.340 Start looking in that. 00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:16.059 Where do you think you have it all together? 00:38:16.059 --> 00:38:18.719 Second thing is, where are you fearful? 00:38:20.719 --> 00:38:28.199 Fear is a pride that underlying says, I can take care of this somehow, someway. 00:38:30.559 --> 00:38:34.360 There's an inadequate feeling in fear. 00:38:35.219 --> 00:38:38.039 And you can't take care of it. 00:38:38.759 --> 00:38:40.340 You can't take care of it. 00:38:40.699 --> 00:38:42.519 Jesus said, my grace is sufficient. 00:38:42.519 --> 00:38:42.659 My grace is sufficient. 00:38:46.059 --> 00:38:48.519 I am tempted to fear. 00:38:48.619 --> 00:38:55.799 This is one of the areas that, as I was preparing, that I want to share in this. 00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:57.900 I'm tempted to fear. 00:38:58.820 --> 00:39:02.539 And sometimes it pushes me to try harder. 00:39:03.059 --> 00:39:04.679 Or to prevent. 00:39:05.000 --> 00:39:06.400 Or to be careful. 00:39:06.820 --> 00:39:08.179 Or things like that. 00:39:08.179 --> 00:39:11.599 And step up somehow. 00:39:11.960 --> 00:39:15.599 One area in particular is as a missional community leader. 00:39:16.799 --> 00:39:24.460 There are times that I take on to myself, I look specifically at outcomes. 00:39:25.619 --> 00:39:33.559 Outcomes are not ours to monitor in terms of how I can make for a good outcome. 00:39:33.679 --> 00:39:34.440 That's the Lord's work. 00:39:35.059 --> 00:39:36.119 Outcomes are the Lord's work. 00:39:36.119 --> 00:39:41.960 But sometimes I can find myself measuring in myself. 00:39:42.099 --> 00:39:42.699 Am I good? 00:39:42.920 --> 00:39:44.219 Am I doing okay? 00:39:45.279 --> 00:39:47.440 Should I even be doing this? 00:39:47.599 --> 00:39:48.980 You know, like all these questions. 00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:53.859 These are things that come to mind in fear. 00:39:54.739 --> 00:39:57.579 In measuring myself. 00:39:57.579 --> 00:40:03.960 And I forget that it's boasting in weakness. 00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:07.639 Because I can't affect outcomes. 00:40:07.779 --> 00:40:09.739 That Jesus' grace is sufficient. 00:40:10.519 --> 00:40:13.860 Sufficient to do whatever it is that he wants us to do. 00:40:14.239 --> 00:40:16.420 And whatever he gives in that. 00:40:16.519 --> 00:40:17.119 He's leading. 00:40:17.860 --> 00:40:19.699 And doing that work through us. 00:40:19.699 --> 00:40:22.359 Third thing. 00:40:23.259 --> 00:40:24.179 Where are you frustrated? 00:40:24.919 --> 00:40:27.119 Where are you frustrated in life? 00:40:27.859 --> 00:40:28.960 What's your roadblock? 00:40:29.059 --> 00:40:31.239 Maybe it's health, relationship, parenting. 00:40:31.779 --> 00:40:33.159 Where are you frustrated? 00:40:33.659 --> 00:40:37.299 If you're frustrated, whose power are you working in? 00:40:38.679 --> 00:40:39.719 Your own. 00:40:39.719 --> 00:40:45.559 Instead of acknowledging the weakness that I can't fix this. 00:40:45.639 --> 00:40:47.019 I can't make this better. 00:40:47.519 --> 00:40:48.459 I get mad. 00:40:48.639 --> 00:40:50.899 And then I try to force things myself. 00:40:50.900 --> 00:40:59.220 Are there thorns that are being used to draw you closer to him? 00:41:00.180 --> 00:41:01.619 Some of those frustrations. 00:41:01.800 --> 00:41:02.639 Some of those fears. 00:41:03.280 --> 00:41:07.340 Some of the things where you think that you have it all together. 00:41:07.780 --> 00:41:13.860 Actually, if you turn to the weakness, you'll realize the thorn in that. 00:41:14.099 --> 00:41:15.320 Where he wants to teach you. 00:41:15.680 --> 00:41:18.220 Where he wants to grow you and sanctify you. 00:41:18.219 --> 00:41:21.719 But you have to identify. 00:41:22.579 --> 00:41:25.679 And gladly boast in those weaknesses. 00:41:26.379 --> 00:41:28.039 And not pretend like they don't exist. 00:41:28.859 --> 00:41:30.959 And not keep trying on your own. 00:41:31.439 --> 00:41:33.659 Not keep operating in your own power. 00:41:35.379 --> 00:41:37.599 Not a, you need to fix this. 00:41:38.039 --> 00:41:42.139 This whole idea is not a, you need to fix this idea. 00:41:42.899 --> 00:41:45.399 It's a, you need to let go idea. 00:41:46.199 --> 00:41:47.439 You need to let go. 00:41:48.939 --> 00:41:49.959 Embrace the weakness. 00:41:50.119 --> 00:41:52.079 Let's embrace the weakness together. 00:41:52.799 --> 00:41:54.819 Let's boast in it together. 00:41:55.459 --> 00:41:56.980 And then see what God does. 00:41:57.459 --> 00:41:58.719 See what Jesus does. 00:41:58.719 --> 00:42:04.419 When he can operate in power in your life.