WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.520 I'm going to talk to you this morning about strengthening yourself in the Lord your God. 00:00:05.219 --> 00:00:06.980 ! Strengthening yourself in the Lord your God. 00:00:07.980 --> 00:00:11.460 Very important skill set to have, right? 00:00:11.540 --> 00:00:14.080 To be able to strengthen yourself in the Lord. 00:00:14.080 --> 00:00:19.440 That title comes from 1 Samuel 30 verse 6, which we'll get to in a little bit. 00:00:20.379 --> 00:00:22.960 But David said this at one point in time. 00:00:23.320 --> 00:00:28.100 But Seth talked last week about victim mentality. 00:00:29.020 --> 00:00:38.300 And a lot of times when we feel weak or weary, it's easy to blame other people for our weakness or weariness. 00:00:38.820 --> 00:00:41.179 Instead of strengthening ourselves in the Lord, right? 00:00:41.780 --> 00:00:55.219 Instead of strengthening ourselves in the Lord, we can just say, well, I'm weary or I'm weak because of this circumstance or this person or whatever it may be. 00:00:55.219 --> 00:00:59.199 Instead of going to the Lord and finding strength, right? 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:08.780 And I really believe that over the course of time with this church, that God has exposed certain levels of a lack of character and order. 00:01:08.859 --> 00:01:11.980 And that's why God's having us to focus on that this year. 00:01:11.980 --> 00:01:22.420 But I also think that God is weaning Christ's church from an unhealthy dependence on others to get life and strength. 00:01:23.540 --> 00:01:31.359 And what keeps us from getting a reservoir in God in ourselves, right? 00:01:31.600 --> 00:01:34.800 Where we're filling up with the strength of the Lord. 00:01:34.799 --> 00:01:39.739 And when you have a new church plant, it presses those things, right? 00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:43.640 Because it's like, hey, there's not a lot of people to feed off of. 00:01:43.759 --> 00:01:45.859 You just, here we are, you know? 00:01:46.299 --> 00:01:51.519 And if everybody, if the morale goes low, it's like, okay, well, now who's going to encourage me? 00:01:51.959 --> 00:01:52.799 Well, the Lord. 00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:56.159 You've got to strengthen yourself in the Lord. 00:01:56.979 --> 00:02:04.560 But that needs to be kind of a church planting mentality, an apostolic mentality that we're bringing something out of nothing, right? 00:02:04.599 --> 00:02:05.459 It's a new church. 00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:12.419 And so maybe whether you were part of the church that sent us out or you're part of some other church at some point in time in your life, 00:02:12.419 --> 00:02:27.599 we have different churches where it's easy to just come into the life of the church and just enjoy the life and feed off the life and, you know, experience this kind of encouragement and excitement and momentum. 00:02:28.359 --> 00:02:35.459 And you can do that and then not even realize, oh, I'm not actually getting, having my own reservoir in God. 00:02:35.479 --> 00:02:38.239 I'm just drinking from everybody else's, right? 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:42.159 So this concept of strengthening yourself in the Lord, it's really important. 00:02:42.360 --> 00:02:51.700 And it's really important for us as a church that we develop this skill as a church so that we can be a healthy church, right? 00:02:52.520 --> 00:02:59.080 There's all going to be times we're going to have to dig deep as a church to say, okay, Lord, I need to find my strength in you. 00:02:59.740 --> 00:03:06.280 You know, maybe as much as I'd want my friends to be encouraging me and being strong for me right now, maybe they're not right now. 00:03:06.500 --> 00:03:08.219 Sometimes that's your own spouse, right? 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:13.159 It's like, oh, I want you to be strong when I'm weak. 00:03:13.320 --> 00:03:15.040 We can't be weak at the same time. 00:03:15.120 --> 00:03:15.920 That doesn't work. 00:03:16.980 --> 00:03:18.540 It happens though, right? 00:03:19.219 --> 00:03:26.600 And so this skill, this ability to be able to strengthen yourself in the Lord like David did, so important. 00:03:27.060 --> 00:03:29.460 And so important for us as a new church plant. 00:03:29.840 --> 00:03:36.040 So now, before we look into that verse and look into it, I want to say a couple of things. 00:03:36.039 --> 00:03:38.919 And that is, first of all, strength is not a feeling. 00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:39.879 Okay? 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:42.699 Now, when you are strong, you can feel strong. 00:03:42.699 --> 00:03:52.399 But sometimes we can get moved way too much by our feelings and we just need to be strengthened in the Lord, right? 00:03:52.400 --> 00:04:07.140 And I've been hearing actually a lot of people say, just in general, as I've talked to different people over the last probably six months in this church and talking with other people, I'll hear people say that. 00:04:07.259 --> 00:04:08.360 And I'm sure you've heard this before. 00:04:08.439 --> 00:04:10.319 People say, I got to get out of my head. 00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:11.219 Right? 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:12.379 Have you heard people say that before? 00:04:12.379 --> 00:04:17.719 And I've actually been telling people, I think you actually need to get into your head. 00:04:20.180 --> 00:04:22.560 You're already out of your head and that's the problem. 00:04:23.899 --> 00:04:31.139 Your problem is that you're being ruled and led by your feelings rather than letting faith and reason rule your feelings. 00:04:31.139 --> 00:04:38.240 C.S. Lewis, I read this quote last month and it's just been really encouraging to me. 00:04:38.659 --> 00:04:47.479 He said, faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods. 00:04:48.579 --> 00:04:48.800 All right? 00:04:48.860 --> 00:04:49.539 Let me say that again. 00:04:50.060 --> 00:04:57.039 Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods. 00:04:57.360 --> 00:04:58.079 Isn't that good? 00:04:58.079 --> 00:05:01.079 Let me ask you a question. 00:05:01.259 --> 00:05:04.439 What do we call people who are crazy? 00:05:05.139 --> 00:05:07.159 We say they're out of their mind. 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:08.099 Right? 00:05:08.479 --> 00:05:10.240 And what do you call someone who's not crazy? 00:05:10.839 --> 00:05:12.539 They're in their right mind. 00:05:12.819 --> 00:05:13.719 Do you see what I'm saying? 00:05:14.599 --> 00:05:16.740 And you can see this in the Bible actually too. 00:05:16.939 --> 00:05:20.000 In Mark 5, remember the demoniac that Jesus came up to? 00:05:20.579 --> 00:05:26.039 After Jesus delivered him, he was sitting clothed and in his right mind. 00:05:26.219 --> 00:05:26.419 Right? 00:05:26.420 --> 00:05:26.500 Right? 00:05:27.400 --> 00:05:32.879 Remember when Jesus' family came in Mark 3 and wanted to have a little intervention? 00:05:34.120 --> 00:05:36.379 Why did they need a little intervention with Jesus? 00:05:36.500 --> 00:05:39.640 They wanted to see him because what did they say about him? 00:05:39.780 --> 00:05:41.259 They said he's out of his mind. 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:41.879 Right? 00:05:41.879 --> 00:05:52.560 In Acts chapter 12, when Peter got out of jail because the angel sprung him loose and everybody's praying for him to be sprung loose and he was already sprung loose. 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:53.939 And he came to the door. 00:05:54.620 --> 00:05:56.240 The lady's like, hey, Peter's here. 00:05:56.740 --> 00:05:57.699 And what did they say about her? 00:05:58.259 --> 00:05:59.219 You're out of your mind. 00:06:00.100 --> 00:06:00.459 Right? 00:06:00.899 --> 00:06:02.000 That's what they said to her. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:11.720 And then Paul, when he was talking to Festus, he said in Acts chapter 26, Festus says to Paul, 00:06:11.839 --> 00:06:14.759 Paul, you're out of your mind. 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:17.480 Your great learning is driving you out of your mind. 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:24.100 And Paul said, I'm not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 00:06:24.879 --> 00:06:25.040 Okay? 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:28.700 Being in your mind is basing things on truth and reason. 00:06:28.699 --> 00:06:37.180 But we live in an age of sensuality, meaning like we're motivated or driven by our senses, what we feel. 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:37.860 Okay? 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:41.180 And life ruled by feelings. 00:06:41.980 --> 00:06:47.319 Making decisions or taking actions primarily based on emotions, impulses, or moods. 00:06:47.319 --> 00:06:59.060 Allowing desires or emotions such as anger, sadness, and excitement to dictate behavior without considering logic, facts, or long-term consequences. 00:06:59.639 --> 00:06:59.800 Okay? 00:07:00.379 --> 00:07:06.019 And so, sometimes you can feel strong and you're not really strong. 00:07:06.980 --> 00:07:11.319 And then sometimes you can feel like you're not strong, but you actually have the strength of God. 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:15.240 And so, we can't be moved and tossed to and fro by our feelings. 00:07:15.240 --> 00:07:18.519 We have to access the real deal. 00:07:18.819 --> 00:07:18.980 Right? 00:07:19.400 --> 00:07:20.740 And where does that come from? 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:21.759 Strength comes from God. 00:07:22.139 --> 00:07:22.759 Plain and simple. 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:23.759 Okay? 00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:24.939 Isaiah 40. 00:07:25.540 --> 00:07:28.280 Isaiah 40, verses 28 to 31. 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:29.079 He says, 00:07:29.160 --> 00:07:29.980 Have you not known? 00:07:30.840 --> 00:07:31.660 Have you not heard? 00:07:32.379 --> 00:07:36.439 The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. 00:07:36.900 --> 00:07:39.519 He does not faint or grow weary. 00:07:40.259 --> 00:07:42.400 His understanding is unsearchable. 00:07:42.399 --> 00:07:45.539 He gives power to the faint. 00:07:46.099 --> 00:07:50.000 And to him who has no might, he increases strength. 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:51.560 You believe that? 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:54.079 That's the word of the Lord right there. 00:07:54.839 --> 00:07:54.979 Right? 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:56.179 Do we believe that though? 00:07:56.719 --> 00:07:58.620 You might say, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:07:58.679 --> 00:07:59.419 I don't believe that. 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:01.500 What about when you're weak? 00:08:01.679 --> 00:08:02.459 Do you believe that? 00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:04.060 Where do you go? 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:06.439 Are you going to the one who gives might? 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:12.439 Are you going to the one who has no might, he increases their strength? 00:08:13.519 --> 00:08:15.439 Where do you go when you are weak? 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:17.120 Where do you go when you're weary? 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:19.879 Well, you should go to the source. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:21.680 You should go to the one who gives strength. 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:23.220 He goes on. 00:08:23.300 --> 00:08:23.500 He says, 00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:42.779 And many of you know that verse. 00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:44.279 Maybe even memorize that verse, right? 00:08:44.279 --> 00:08:47.339 And it's great to be able to quote it. 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:48.139 But do we do it? 00:08:48.220 --> 00:08:49.439 Do we go to the Lord? 00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:51.259 He gives power to the faint. 00:08:51.579 --> 00:08:53.519 And to him who has no might, he increases strength. 00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:54.759 When you're feeling faint. 00:08:54.819 --> 00:08:55.740 When you're feeling weary. 00:08:56.539 --> 00:08:57.559 Where do you go? 00:08:58.339 --> 00:08:59.379 Where do you go? 00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:02.240 Are you going to the well? 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:06.319 Are you going to the place where your strength comes from? 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:08.600 Or are we going other things? 00:09:08.780 --> 00:09:11.360 Are we complaining? 00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:13.140 Or are we blaming? 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:15.280 You know, like Seth was saying last week. 00:09:15.320 --> 00:09:16.740 Do we have this kind of victim mentality? 00:09:16.860 --> 00:09:20.080 And feel like, well, I would be strong if so-and-so was pulling their weight. 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:20.740 Or doing this. 00:09:20.760 --> 00:09:21.400 Or doing that. 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:23.200 Or if my circumstances were different. 00:09:23.460 --> 00:09:24.640 Or if this happened. 00:09:24.860 --> 00:09:26.080 Or if the church was different. 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:27.160 Or if my job was different. 00:09:27.340 --> 00:09:29.020 Or I mean, go to my spouse is different. 00:09:29.180 --> 00:09:30.460 Or I had a spouse. 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:31.280 Or you know, whatever. 00:09:32.180 --> 00:09:33.540 You can go down the list, right? 00:09:34.060 --> 00:09:35.400 Or do we go to the Lord? 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:37.200 What a privilege. 00:09:37.420 --> 00:09:37.940 What a privilege. 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:38.620 What a blessing. 00:09:39.520 --> 00:09:41.760 He goes on in Isaiah 41, verse 10. 00:09:43.080 --> 00:09:44.640 Another verse you're probably familiar with. 00:09:44.700 --> 00:09:45.100 But he said, 00:09:45.540 --> 00:09:47.560 Fear not, for I am with you. 00:09:48.420 --> 00:09:51.400 Be not dismayed, for I am your God. 00:09:51.900 --> 00:09:54.140 I will strengthen you. 00:09:54.800 --> 00:09:55.700 I will help you. 00:09:55.760 --> 00:09:57.879 I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 00:09:58.360 --> 00:09:59.800 These are promises, beloved. 00:09:59.960 --> 00:10:00.680 These are promises. 00:10:01.040 --> 00:10:02.180 I will strengthen you. 00:10:02.660 --> 00:10:03.800 I will strengthen you. 00:10:03.940 --> 00:10:04.460 Fear not. 00:10:05.020 --> 00:10:05.680 I'm with you. 00:10:05.679 --> 00:10:06.459 Be not dismayed. 00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:07.139 I'm your God. 00:10:07.219 --> 00:10:08.319 I will strengthen you. 00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:11.500 And we need an increase of faith. 00:10:12.219 --> 00:10:13.819 We need to believe that that's true. 00:10:14.979 --> 00:10:17.779 Not just in the noonday sun, but in the pouring rain. 00:10:18.839 --> 00:10:19.039 Right? 00:10:19.419 --> 00:10:21.059 Not just when everything's going great. 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:24.919 But when things are not going great, we need to believe, hey, I'm not going to be shaken. 00:10:25.579 --> 00:10:28.339 I have access to the source of strength. 00:10:28.959 --> 00:10:30.399 The one who increases might. 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:31.679 The one who gives strength. 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:36.679 1 Peter 5, 6-11. 00:10:36.679 --> 00:10:37.899 He says, 00:10:37.899 --> 00:10:46.719 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 00:10:47.459 --> 00:10:48.399 Be sober-minded. 00:10:48.539 --> 00:10:49.239 Be watchful. 00:10:49.679 --> 00:10:54.039 Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:55.599 Resist him. 00:10:56.039 --> 00:11:02.139 Firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 00:11:03.919 --> 00:11:17.579 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:19.919 To him be the dominion forever and ever. 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:20.939 That's a promise. 00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:22.639 These are promises. 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:25.159 Are we standing on these promises? 00:11:25.319 --> 00:11:26.500 Are we accessing these promises? 00:11:26.659 --> 00:11:29.419 Are we feeding on these promises? 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:30.899 We should be. 00:11:31.699 --> 00:11:32.720 These are good promises. 00:11:32.939 --> 00:11:33.840 These are good words. 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:38.100 Colossians 1, 28-29 says, 00:11:38.199 --> 00:11:43.919 Him we proclaim, warning everyone, and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 00:11:44.419 --> 00:11:50.620 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:51.700 Okay? 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:53.720 What a concept right there. 00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:56.679 There's an energy that comes from Christ. 00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:58.600 Another way you can say it is a strength, right? 00:11:58.679 --> 00:12:05.679 Strength or an energy that comes from Christ that we are to powerfully walk in. 00:12:05.679 --> 00:12:09.379 And you may say, well, I'm running out of energy. 00:12:09.699 --> 00:12:11.000 I'm running out of strength. 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:12.620 Good. 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:14.379 Good. 00:12:16.299 --> 00:12:18.559 Maybe God designed it that way. 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:24.279 You know, maybe God, maybe you're praying to get out of the thing God's been trying to get you into. 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:24.360 Good. 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:28.220 It's like, God, I'm just so weak. 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:29.399 Yes. 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:32.139 That's what I want you to do. 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:33.639 When you're weak, I'm strong. 00:12:33.959 --> 00:12:35.480 I want you to rely on my energy. 00:12:35.559 --> 00:12:36.919 I want you to rely on my strength. 00:12:37.339 --> 00:12:39.639 You keep trying to get into your own strength. 00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:41.339 Your strength doesn't last. 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:42.539 Your strength isn't enough. 00:12:43.779 --> 00:12:44.860 Paul got this, right? 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:47.220 He would say, when I'm weak, I'm strong. 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:51.980 Paul said, I'm struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 00:12:52.460 --> 00:12:57.779 We need to be a people that are good at struggling with all his energy that powerfully works within us. 00:12:58.320 --> 00:12:59.420 That has to be our strength. 00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:01.340 That has to be our source of energy. 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:02.399 Okay? 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:04.639 So strength comes from God. 00:13:04.700 --> 00:13:05.200 You see that? 00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:07.060 Not that you didn't know that. 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:07.779 I know you knew that. 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:10.660 But, you know, it's just good to be reminded of these promises. 00:13:11.680 --> 00:13:11.840 Okay? 00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:13.920 Next, strength is through God. 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:14.560 Okay? 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:16.620 It's from God and it's through God. 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:20.379 Now we'll get to our text of the name of the sermon, right? 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:22.560 Strengthen yourself in the Lord your God. 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:25.360 1 Samuel 30, 1-6. 00:13:25.419 --> 00:13:27.480 This is a little snippet from David. 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:28.279 Okay? 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:35.240 They just, the story preceding this, he's hanging out with the Philistines. 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:38.980 Remember, this is the one, remember he defeated Goliath and he's hanging around with them. 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:41.480 And then the Philistines are going to war against Israel. 00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:44.159 And then someone in there is like, hold on, hold on, hold on. 00:13:44.959 --> 00:13:47.259 These guys, these guys are Israelites. 00:13:47.439 --> 00:13:48.039 We're not going to go. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:48.959 They could turn on us. 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:51.059 We're not going to go with these guys. 00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:52.839 I need to get these guys out of here. 00:13:53.459 --> 00:13:59.120 And so David and his mighty men are dejected and leave because they were supposed to fight. 00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:02.620 And when they get back, tragedy hits, right? 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:07.940 They get back to the camp where the women and the children were supposed to be and all their stuff. 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.799 A city called Ziklag. 00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:13.080 So 1 Samuel 31, 30 verse 1. 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:20.139 Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negev and against Ziklag. 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:23.340 They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire. 00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:27.560 And taking captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. 00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:28.399 Whoa! 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.139 That's a big deal, right? 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:34.620 They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:40.899 And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:42.519 That's a bad day. 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:44.120 You think you had a bad day? 00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:47.840 You probably didn't come home with your house burnt down and your wife and kids gone. 00:14:48.579 --> 00:14:48.980 Right? 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:50.759 That's a bad day. 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:53.259 So it's a good... 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:59.740 I like that the bad day that David is setting this principle in was probably worse than most of our bad days. 00:14:59.860 --> 00:14:59.980 Okay? 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:05.659 They found it burned with fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:07.319 Verse 4. 00:15:07.319 --> 00:15:12.659 Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:14.279 So clearly it's a bad day. 00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:16.480 They're weeping until they got no more strength to weep. 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:16.939 All right? 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.000 Makes sense. 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:19.779 Verse 5. 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:22.399 David's two wives also had been taken captive. 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:26.480 Hinnom of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:27.980 Verse 6. 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:30.559 And David was greatly distressed. 00:15:30.679 --> 00:15:31.419 Of course he is. 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.279 He's in charge. 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:36.940 It's like, how would you like to be responsible for this breach? 00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:37.519 Right? 00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:39.940 David's distressed. 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:41.460 I bet he was stressed. 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:43.440 I'd be stressed if I was David. 00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:47.879 And not only that, what was going on? 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.639 We got a revolt going on. 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:52.159 So it just went from bad to worse. 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:58.759 So not only are my wives taken, my kids taken, and all my fellow soldiers, their wives and kids taken. 00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:01.559 Now everybody wants to stone me. 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:04.659 Now this is a bad day. 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:05.960 Right? 00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:09.540 So he's stressed because the people spoke of stoning him. 00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:13.720 He's starting to hear, hey, this David guy, not so great. 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:15.560 Let's stone him. 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:21.040 And David's probably doubly thinking, after all that I did for them, remember this crew that's hanging out with them? 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:23.200 They were the people nobody wanted. 00:16:23.300 --> 00:16:24.360 Do you remember that little detail? 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:24.519 No. 00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:26.419 They were the rejects. 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:26.820 Right? 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:33.480 You know, David's out here on the island of misfit toys, you know, just taking all the people with who nobody wanted. 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:36.320 The rejected, the people in debt. 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:39.220 Like this list of other people that are with him. 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:39.740 It's not. 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:41.180 And he's taking care of them. 00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:41.720 He's leading them. 00:16:41.820 --> 00:16:43.480 He turned them into a group of mighty men. 00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:46.700 And now they want to stone him. 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:49.780 So he's probably feeling pretty low. 00:16:49.780 --> 00:16:50.340 Right? 00:16:51.540 --> 00:16:55.120 Because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:56.500 Okay? 00:16:56.640 --> 00:16:57.540 Again, makes sense. 00:16:57.539 --> 00:17:01.879 And then you have this phenomenal little statement. 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:07.639 But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:11.319 But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:16.319 It doesn't say, but David blamed all his men for not protecting. 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:18.819 It doesn't say, David, blame God. 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:23.000 It doesn't say, David, blame the Philistines for kicking him out. 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:27.220 It doesn't say, he blamed Saul for getting him in this position in the first place. 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.039 Right? 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.379 He's not blaming. 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.379 He's not playing the victim. 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:31.980 You know? 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:35.819 He's not blaming everybody else and saying, hey, after all I've done for you. 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:36.779 None of that. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.180 None of that. 00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:40.159 Where does he go? 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:45.740 Well, he looks inside and he realizes, running on E right now. 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:48.579 I need to strengthen myself in the Lord. 00:17:49.139 --> 00:17:50.680 I'm greatly distressed. 00:17:51.379 --> 00:17:52.680 Stress levels are high. 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:56.119 Maybe his chest maybe felt a little tight right there. 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:56.700 You know? 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.480 You ever feel that? 00:17:57.799 --> 00:18:02.379 When you got a lot going on in your stress and you're just like, oh, I have a hard time 00:18:02.379 --> 00:18:03.180 breathing right now. 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:05.059 It's a lot going on. 00:18:05.379 --> 00:18:05.779 Right? 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:09.740 I'm sure David's feeling some serious stress going on. 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:15.960 And it says, but David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:17.279 What a statement. 00:18:17.639 --> 00:18:18.139 What a statement. 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.980 Do you know how to do this? 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:24.440 Do you know how to strengthen yourself in the Lord your God? 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:25.299 No, no, no. 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:26.639 That's other people's job. 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.419 Well, yeah. 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.960 People should do that, right? 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:30.200 Hopefully they are. 00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:31.359 But what if they don't? 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:33.680 I mean, they weren't doing it here. 00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:36.480 They weren't doing it for David. 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.740 They wanted to stone him. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.299 Okay? 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:44.039 And so it's like he couldn't go to his brothers. 00:18:45.139 --> 00:18:48.899 Couldn't go to, you know, he couldn't say, hey, I'm, oh, I'm just going to go to church. 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:49.619 You know? 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:52.599 It's like, no, the people at church want to stone me. 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:55.099 Essentially, right? 00:18:56.639 --> 00:18:59.259 It says, but David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:03.079 And I wonder how often we take advantage of that reality. 00:19:03.659 --> 00:19:05.859 I wonder how often we do that. 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.699 You have a bad day. 00:19:08.159 --> 00:19:09.219 Get some bad news. 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:10.659 You make a mistake. 00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:13.939 Feeling kind of low. 00:19:14.659 --> 00:19:15.519 Feeling disappointed. 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:18.119 Kind of hoping things in life would have been different. 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:20.240 Maybe hoping things in Christ's church would be different. 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:24.079 Hoping things, I don't know, wherever might be different. 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:26.819 We tend to get disappointed in life because life is disappointing. 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:28.619 Is it not? 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:33.019 We live in a broken body, in a broken world, in broken systems. 00:19:33.879 --> 00:19:35.960 And just when you think, oh, this is going to be the thing. 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:44.139 This president, this job, this, you know, house, this new gadget, whatever it is. 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:48.000 It's just like, oh, I'm disappointed. 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:50.660 You ever feel disappointed? 00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:51.880 You ever feel really disappointed? 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:53.580 You ever feel stressed in your disappointment? 00:19:54.020 --> 00:19:54.660 Where do you go? 00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:56.860 We have the Lord. 00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:58.720 We can strengthen ourselves in the Lord. 00:19:58.900 --> 00:20:00.160 And David did that. 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:03.220 And he strengthened himself in the Lord. 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:08.080 And it caused a whole group of people to get back on track. 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:10.220 And they went and they sought the Lord. 00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:11.180 God spoke to them. 00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:13.520 And they ended up finding where everybody was. 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:15.259 And not one person was harmed. 00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:16.259 They got everything back. 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:17.599 Isn't that amazing? 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:23.420 But if David wouldn't have strengthened himself in the Lord, that might not have happened. 00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:26.019 They might have stoned him. 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.920 And then they might have scattered. 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:29.639 And I mean, it could have been really bad. 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:35.339 Which makes you think, what's the power of even one person just strengthening himself in the Lord? 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:40.019 And in a small church like this, what's the power of one person strengthening himself in the Lord? 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:42.759 What's the power of multiple people strengthening themselves in the Lord? 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:52.599 What's the power of all of us acquiring this skill and exercising it regularly to strengthen ourselves in the Lord? 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:55.159 We need this. 00:20:55.659 --> 00:20:56.459 We need this. 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.019 It's important. 00:20:57.919 --> 00:20:58.819 We all need this. 00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:03.179 And don't say, don't in your mind say, oh, I know who needs it. 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.059 No, no, no. 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.859 Listen, you need it. 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.099 I need it. 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:08.359 Don't think about the other person who needs it. 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:11.859 Don't think about, you know, it's like, oh, I'm not going to look over there. 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:13.619 But I'm thinking, I know who needs this, right? 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:15.559 No, you need it. 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.740 We all need it. 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:20.059 We have to strengthen ourselves in the Lord. 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:22.359 And this is church. 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:28.019 Even if you had a big church that had a bunch of life, you still need to strengthen yourself in the Lord. 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.000 Okay? 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:36.880 But sometimes God exposes us and brings us to the surface like, hey, how's your reservoir? 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:46.279 How's that inner place of living water, that inner place of peace, of resource in God? 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.480 How is that? 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:48.700 How is that? 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:51.980 David strengthened himself in the Lord and his God. 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:52.700 Okay? 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:56.180 You have similar language in Philippians chapter 4. 00:21:57.180 --> 00:22:00.920 And no, this isn't about playing really good basketball. 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:04.079 1 Corinthians 4, 12 and 13, right? 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:07.700 I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:12.920 In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty in hunger, abundance in need. 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:17.700 I can do all things through Christ, through him who strengthens me. 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:18.680 Okay? 00:22:19.120 --> 00:22:23.880 And I know our culture has said, yeah, that means I can win basketball championships through him who strengthens me. 00:22:24.320 --> 00:22:29.960 I know what it means to be brought low in my multi-million dollar house and lose a basketball game. 00:22:30.320 --> 00:22:31.760 But the Lord will bring me high. 00:22:32.320 --> 00:22:33.620 No, that's not what he's talking about. 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.480 I mean, come on. 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:36.380 Paul was brought low, like real low. 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:41.259 Like, you know, three times he got the 40 lashes minus one. 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:42.259 That's low. 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.019 Okay? 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:44.680 Losing a basketball game. 00:22:45.120 --> 00:22:46.860 Yeah, I'm sure it hurts, but it ain't low. 00:22:47.679 --> 00:22:47.839 Okay? 00:22:47.879 --> 00:22:50.039 He said, Paul's like, I know how to be brought low. 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:52.019 And I know how to abound. 00:22:52.659 --> 00:22:58.359 In any and every circumstance, I've learned the secret facing plenty and hunger, abundance in need. 00:22:59.079 --> 00:22:59.319 Okay? 00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:04.460 Some of us know how to face plenty, and we know how to face abundance. 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.700 But let me ask you the question. 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:11.700 Do you know the secret of facing need and hunger? 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:17.399 Have you figured out that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you? 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:19.740 Have you found strength in him? 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:24.819 Do you regularly find yourself resourced by Christ? 00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:26.859 Or that's your source. 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:27.599 He's your battery. 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.759 He's your go-to. 00:23:29.679 --> 00:23:33.619 Or are you kind of, you have this like pseudo strength. 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:36.359 I put it in quotes because it's not a real strength. 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:39.500 But you kind of feel strong, but it's not real. 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.339 It doesn't last. 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:42.419 And it's disappointing. 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:45.659 We need the real strength. 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:47.779 The kind of hope that doesn't disappoint. 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.500 Comes from God. 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.599 Comes in God. 00:23:50.939 --> 00:23:51.099 Okay? 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:52.000 Through God. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:55.460 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:58.059 When you believe that, it changes things. 00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.900 David believed that. 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:02.119 And how do we know he believed it? 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:03.079 Because he said it? 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:03.359 No. 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:06.039 We know he believed it because he lived it out. 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:10.480 It changed the whole trajectory of that group of people. 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:15.220 Things could have took a really bad turn for a lot of people right at that time. 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:17.480 But David strengthened himself in the Lord. 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:21.839 He believed that he could do all things through him who strengthens him. 00:24:22.660 --> 00:24:22.799 Okay? 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:26.759 Psalm 84 has a similar kind of language. 00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:28.440 Such a great psalm. 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.039 Let's look at this. 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.680 Psalm 84. 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:31.039 Starting in verse 1. 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:35.099 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:38.240 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord. 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:40.900 My heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:44.660 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:49.619 where she may lay her young at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. 00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:51.439 Verse 4. 00:24:51.439 --> 00:24:55.279 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise. 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:56.779 Selah. 00:24:57.459 --> 00:25:03.159 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, and whose heart are the highways to Zion. 00:25:03.899 --> 00:25:05.379 What a cool picture, huh? 00:25:05.959 --> 00:25:08.699 Blessed are those whose strength is in you. 00:25:09.159 --> 00:25:11.159 If your strength is in him, you're blessed. 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.639 You're blessed. 00:25:13.300 --> 00:25:15.160 If your strength is in him, you're blessed. 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.460 Why? 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:17.980 Because you've got something that nobody can take away from you. 00:25:19.580 --> 00:25:21.160 Now, you find your strength in other things. 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:22.300 That can be taken from you. 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:25.860 Well, if my strength is in my health, what if your health goes away? 00:25:26.080 --> 00:25:26.940 Not so strong. 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:30.480 If your strength is in your friends being strong, what if your friends aren't strong? 00:25:32.840 --> 00:25:34.400 If your strength, you know what I'm saying. 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.340 You can go down the list. 00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:40.299 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, and whose heart are the highways to Zion. 00:25:40.840 --> 00:25:44.620 As they go through the valley of Baca, Baca, if you look at the footnote, means weeping. 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:49.940 As they go through the valley of Baca or weeping, they make it a place of springs. 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:52.960 The early rain also covers it with pools. 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:54.660 And then I love this phrase. 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:57.400 I prayed this this morning as we were praying. 00:25:57.900 --> 00:26:00.980 It says, they go from strength to strength. 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:03.059 Right? 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:06.160 That's not the norm, though, for most people, right? 00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:12.039 It's strength to weakness to strength to weakness. 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:13.120 Maybe to more weakness. 00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:14.960 And then to strength. 00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:17.319 And then it's more like this, right? 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.620 Would you say that's more? 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:21.340 If we're going to be honest, right? 00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:23.039 That's more kind of how our life goes. 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:26.159 But then you read this verse, and it's like, hold on. 00:26:26.679 --> 00:26:27.359 That's different. 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:36.639 He says here, the people he's referring to, the one whose strength is in God, they go from strength to strength. 00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:49.120 Let me ask you, do you sometimes have this kind of subtle, maybe not spoken, but deep down expectation that if you're in a strong place, the weakness is coming? 00:26:49.340 --> 00:26:52.080 Like you're going to, you're going to, the weariness is coming. 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:55.060 You're kind of like waiting for the other shoe to drop kind of thing. 00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:57.619 Okay, call it what it is. 00:26:57.659 --> 00:26:58.379 That's unbelief. 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:02.339 The Bible says right here, they, who's they? 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:04.659 The people that dwell in his house. 00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:06.879 The people who are resourced in God. 00:27:07.139 --> 00:27:11.159 They find their reservoir, their inner filling with God. 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:14.379 The ones whose strength is in God. 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.879 What do they go from? 00:27:16.399 --> 00:27:19.539 They go from strength to strength. 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.899 Strength to strength. 00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:24.180 Do you have faith for that? 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:29.759 Maybe some of us have become so used to not going from strength to strength. 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:32.080 We read that and we're like, yeah. 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.680 I mean, it sounds cool. 00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:37.540 Be cool to put on the fridge, you know, maybe post on social media. 00:27:39.560 --> 00:27:40.820 But what about living it? 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:45.300 Who, who in here, this is a rhetoric that you don't need to raise your hand. 00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:48.280 Who in here is going from strength to strength? 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:51.940 Who's going from strength to strength? 00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:57.000 That doesn't mean you're going from great circumstances to great circumstances. 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.240 You hear me? 00:27:58.779 --> 00:28:00.339 No one gets the luxury of that. 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:03.139 I mean, Jesus said in this word, you're going to have trouble. 00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:05.440 So you don't get to have that. 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:07.779 I mean, you get little streaks here and there. 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:11.200 But the truth is, you know, that's the one we don't like to talk about. 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.639 But Jesus said you will have trouble. 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:16.820 So you're going to go from trouble to trouble. 00:28:17.520 --> 00:28:20.600 But in trouble to trouble, can you go from strength to strength? 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:24.400 When you go through trouble, are you weak or are you strong? 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:29.220 When you go through a lack of friendship, are you weak or are you strong? 00:28:29.300 --> 00:28:32.220 When you go through lack of finances, are you weak or are you strong? 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:36.420 When you go through difficulties in establishing a church like we're trying to do, 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:40.580 are you going from strength to strength? 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:44.800 What are you in the midst of that, right? 00:28:46.320 --> 00:28:47.440 It's a great question. 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:49.500 They go from strength to strength. 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:51.220 Each one appears before God in Zion. 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:53.820 O Lord, God of hosts, hear my prayer. 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:55.100 Give ear, O God of Jacob. 00:28:55.860 --> 00:28:57.060 Behold our shield, O God. 00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:58.320 Look on the face of your anointed. 00:28:58.460 --> 00:29:02.000 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. 00:29:02.560 --> 00:29:06.300 I'd rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:07.420 Why? 00:29:09.100 --> 00:29:09.820 Verse 11. 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:13.100 For the Lord God is a sun and shield. 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:16.019 The Lord God bestows favor and honor. 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:20.340 No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:23.060 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you. 00:29:24.820 --> 00:29:25.740 It's a good word. 00:29:27.380 --> 00:29:29.200 Nehemiah 8 verse 10 says it this way. 00:29:29.580 --> 00:29:31.960 The joy of the Lord is your strength. 00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:34.640 Which is essentially what the psalmist was just talking about, right? 00:29:35.340 --> 00:29:38.460 He's saying about, like, there's no place I'd rather be than in the courts of the Lord. 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:38.960 Why? 00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:40.840 Because that's where I get joy. 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:43.300 And your joy is your strength. 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:50.420 If you're one who doesn't find yourself going from strength to strength, maybe there's a good chance you're not going from joy to joy. 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:52.860 Because joy is your strength. 00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:54.340 Do you struggle with joy? 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:57.259 Do you struggle with contentment? 00:29:58.100 --> 00:30:07.019 Are you one whose natural inclination is the glass half empty kind of thing and always looking at what's wrong or what's not there? 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.580 Or are you joyful? 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:14.220 Now, being joyful doesn't mean you can't see things that are wrong and that need to be helped. 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:14.939 Of course you can. 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:17.279 But do those things sink you? 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:20.579 It gets you into a sense of where you're not content. 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:27.439 Where you need to go from new to new, novelty to novelty, because you're not content with the same old, same old. 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:30.179 Something's always got to be new for you. 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:33.460 And you're not just steady. 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:34.960 Strength is strength. 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:35.039 Strength. 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:37.880 The joy of the Lord is my strength. 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:43.240 A lot of times when people are feeling really weak, they're like, man, I'm weak. 00:30:43.340 --> 00:30:44.319 I don't have strength. 00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:47.259 Ask the question, where's my joy? 00:30:47.360 --> 00:30:48.079 Do I have joy? 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:59.019 And is my joy in the fact that work's going well, my friends like me, church is this or that, or is it the joy of the Lord? 00:30:59.019 --> 00:31:03.680 Because all those other things, you can't wait. 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:05.079 The other shoe will drop. 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.279 Like, they're not going to satisfy. 00:31:06.779 --> 00:31:08.480 You can trust that you're going to have trouble. 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:12.720 But the joy of the Lord is your strength because the joy of the Lord is constant. 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:16.079 The joy of the Lord is your strength because the joy of the Lord is unchanging. 00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:21.799 The joy of the Lord is your strength because it is not based on shifting shadows and changing circumstances. 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:26.059 It's based on an unchanging Lord who's the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:27.579 You can find joy in Him. 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:31.500 And to find joy in Him means to enjoy Him. 00:31:32.359 --> 00:31:33.279 Do you enjoy the Lord? 00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:35.500 Do you regularly taste and see that He's good? 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:39.299 It's a great question. 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:42.240 2 Timothy 2.1 says, 00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:45.480 Be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 00:31:46.339 --> 00:31:47.720 Hebrews 13.9 says, 00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:55.680 That's why we pray for grace. 00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:58.160 God, my heart, I need to be strengthened by grace. 00:31:58.680 --> 00:31:59.579 I know I'm weak. 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:04.720 I know I tend to go to other things to find my joy and my strength. 00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:06.339 No, I want to go from strength to strength. 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.920 I want the joy of the Lord in my strength. 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:10.819 I want to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might, 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:12.440 which is what Ephesians 6.10 says. 00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:15.680 Be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. 00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:18.640 Be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:22.779 Be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. 00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:24.960 He is mighty. 00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:26.880 And His strength is for you. 00:32:27.820 --> 00:32:28.880 He gives it to us. 00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:31.940 1 Chronicles 16.11 says, 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:33.820 Seek the Lord and His strength. 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:35.860 Seek His presence continually. 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:38.340 Don't just seek the Lord. 00:32:38.660 --> 00:32:39.880 Don't just seek His presence. 00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:41.700 Seek His strength. 00:32:42.320 --> 00:32:43.519 You hear that in that verse? 00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:50.440 You know, sometimes I think we just go to the Lord in kind of a generic, kind of rote kind of way. 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:52.500 Like, yeah, I got to spend time with Jesus. 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:54.639 I have to seek His presence, right? 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.619 Are you seeking His strength? 00:32:57.339 --> 00:32:58.940 Why should you seek His strength? 00:32:59.119 --> 00:33:00.279 Because you need His strength. 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:02.220 You need it. 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:04.740 You're not going to make it without it. 00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:06.960 This church isn't going to make it without it. 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:07.539 Trust me. 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:08.819 It won't last. 00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:10.460 Won't last. 00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:17.019 Someone's got to dig deep, dig those reservoirs and say, I got a deep well in God. 00:33:18.600 --> 00:33:20.000 I got a deep well in God. 00:33:20.100 --> 00:33:21.680 I strengthen myself in the Lord. 00:33:22.120 --> 00:33:24.039 It's a regular discipline of mine. 00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:28.579 Hopefully so we can strengthen other people, right? 00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:34.379 So, I just want to talk about one little practical on how you strengthen yourself in the Lord. 00:33:34.699 --> 00:33:38.339 And that's strengthening, strength training through the Word. 00:33:39.199 --> 00:33:39.399 Okay? 00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:42.079 When you talk about getting stronger, you talk about strength training, right? 00:33:42.679 --> 00:33:44.919 Well, let's look at Psalm 119. 00:33:45.379 --> 00:33:47.939 It's that Psalm that's all about the Word of God. 00:33:48.439 --> 00:33:50.439 Psalm 119, 25 to 32. 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:52.500 Psalmist says, 00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:54.440 My soul clings to the dust. 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:55.880 Give me life. 00:33:56.180 --> 00:33:56.460 How? 00:33:57.079 --> 00:33:58.160 According to your Word. 00:33:58.839 --> 00:34:00.960 When I told them my ways, you answered me. 00:34:01.599 --> 00:34:02.880 Teach me your statutes. 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:05.859 Make me understand the way of your precepts. 00:34:05.960 --> 00:34:07.740 And I will meditate on your wondrous works. 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.219 Verse 28. 00:34:10.719 --> 00:34:13.260 My soul melts away for sorrow. 00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:16.860 Strengthen me according to your Word. 00:34:17.719 --> 00:34:18.300 You hear that? 00:34:18.739 --> 00:34:20.400 My soul melts away from sorrow. 00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:21.639 Strengthen me. 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:22.000 How? 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.599 According to your Word. 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:25.320 According to your Word. 00:34:26.219 --> 00:34:29.659 Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law. 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:30.980 I've chosen the way of faithfulness. 00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:32.500 I set your rules before me. 00:34:32.800 --> 00:34:35.139 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord. 00:34:35.760 --> 00:34:37.059 Let me not be put to shame. 00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:40.880 I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart. 00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:42.500 Listen to that language. 00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:44.280 Isn't that awesome language? 00:34:45.139 --> 00:34:47.420 God, enlarge my heart when I read your Word. 00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:50.739 Enlarge my heart to receive more strength. 00:34:50.739 --> 00:34:53.500 My soul melts away for sorrow. 00:34:53.679 --> 00:34:55.399 Strengthen me according to your Word. 00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:56.959 Excuse me. 00:34:57.459 --> 00:34:58.979 According to your Word, right? 00:34:58.980 --> 00:35:04.039 Are you getting strengthened by the Word of God? 00:35:05.760 --> 00:35:07.340 Just precious promises. 00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:09.440 There's a lot of good promises in there. 00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:12.059 There's a lot of truths about who He is and what He does. 00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:13.420 What He's done for you. 00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:14.500 What He is doing. 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.380 What He will do. 00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:19.539 And when you feed on these things, you get strong. 00:35:20.340 --> 00:35:21.140 You get strong. 00:35:21.800 --> 00:35:23.039 2 Timothy 3.16 says, 00:35:23.200 --> 00:35:27.160 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for training. 00:35:27.760 --> 00:35:28.740 What kind of training? 00:35:29.180 --> 00:35:31.079 Well, according to Psalm 119, strength training. 00:35:32.380 --> 00:35:33.980 This is like, this is your weights. 00:35:34.079 --> 00:35:35.360 This is your weights right here. 00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:38.099 You've got to lift this book to get strong. 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:41.519 You've got to open its pages to build strength in God. 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:43.400 You've got to do the work. 00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:47.199 And just like normal strength training with weights, 00:35:48.099 --> 00:35:50.739 some days you don't want to do it. 00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:54.139 But the people who want to get strong, 00:35:54.800 --> 00:35:58.199 are the people who are strong, like physically strong, 00:35:58.460 --> 00:36:01.000 are they people who only lift weights when they want to 00:36:01.000 --> 00:36:01.940 and when they feel like it? 00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:03.000 No. 00:36:03.780 --> 00:36:04.480 No way. 00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:09.559 The guys who are strong physically are people who work out. 00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:12.960 They train even when they don't feel like it. 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:14.039 What about you? 00:36:14.940 --> 00:36:15.659 Your spiritual training. 00:36:15.740 --> 00:36:17.019 Physical training is of some value, 00:36:17.400 --> 00:36:19.360 but spiritual training has value for this life 00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:20.539 and the life to come, it's that. 00:36:21.340 --> 00:36:21.579 Okay? 00:36:21.860 --> 00:36:24.500 How are you at spiritual training through the Word of God? 00:36:25.079 --> 00:36:25.880 Let's be more specific. 00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:26.980 How are you doing right now? 00:36:28.280 --> 00:36:29.980 So I don't want you relying on that season 00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:31.179 where you were really good at it. 00:36:31.460 --> 00:36:33.240 How about like right now? 00:36:33.420 --> 00:36:33.980 How are we doing? 00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:39.000 How's my spiritual strength training regimen going? 00:36:41.000 --> 00:36:41.940 And here's a more specific, 00:36:41.980 --> 00:36:43.240 and I need to drill down one more time. 00:36:43.300 --> 00:36:43.420 Ready? 00:36:43.960 --> 00:36:45.659 How about on the days when you don't want to? 00:36:45.940 --> 00:36:47.619 How about on the days when you don't feel like it? 00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:50.380 Those are the important ones, right? 00:36:51.300 --> 00:36:52.199 Are you showing up? 00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:53.780 Are you digging deep? 00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:56.139 Are you locking in? 00:36:57.199 --> 00:36:59.380 How many more cliches can I say about it? 00:37:01.380 --> 00:37:01.599 Right? 00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:04.059 How are you doing that? 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:05.240 Okay? 00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:06.260 We got to do that. 00:37:07.280 --> 00:37:11.800 And again, not because Josh is scolding us. 00:37:11.860 --> 00:37:12.800 Got to get in the Word. 00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:13.820 Got to get strong. 00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:14.179 No. 00:37:14.179 --> 00:37:17.019 Because that's where our joy is. 00:37:17.099 --> 00:37:18.139 That's where our strength is. 00:37:19.139 --> 00:37:20.779 You need it just like you need food. 00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:24.539 And yeah, sometimes you're going to read the Bible and you're thinking, 00:37:25.099 --> 00:37:27.059 I don't know. 00:37:27.099 --> 00:37:28.179 I don't feel much stronger. 00:37:29.579 --> 00:37:30.879 But that's where faith is. 00:37:31.919 --> 00:37:32.219 Right? 00:37:32.699 --> 00:37:34.960 Well, but it says I'll go from strength to strength. 00:37:34.960 --> 00:37:37.220 But it says your Word. 00:37:38.220 --> 00:37:39.659 I'm strengthened according to your Word. 00:37:39.760 --> 00:37:40.699 So I'm going to keep going. 00:37:41.220 --> 00:37:42.980 And it's no different with physical training. 00:37:43.860 --> 00:37:44.019 Okay? 00:37:44.119 --> 00:37:46.240 I've lifted weights before. 00:37:46.239 --> 00:37:48.959 I know that there's times you look in the mirror and you're like, 00:37:49.039 --> 00:37:50.719 I ain't seen any gains here. 00:37:51.439 --> 00:37:53.179 For some reason, I look more flabby. 00:37:53.239 --> 00:37:54.359 I don't know what the deal is. 00:37:55.319 --> 00:37:55.719 Right? 00:37:55.719 --> 00:37:58.339 It takes time. 00:37:59.419 --> 00:38:01.819 And then all of a sudden, you kind of look in the mirror one day and you're like, 00:38:01.899 --> 00:38:03.799 oh, can you notice it? 00:38:03.879 --> 00:38:04.039 Right? 00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:07.099 But you had many days where you didn't notice any difference. 00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:09.279 It's this, listen, newsflash. 00:38:09.339 --> 00:38:09.919 This is true. 00:38:10.299 --> 00:38:12.959 It's the same way with the Lord and your spiritual training. 00:38:14.119 --> 00:38:15.239 And this is good to remember. 00:38:15.639 --> 00:38:19.459 That multiple days of just reading the Word out of routine, 00:38:20.039 --> 00:38:23.139 out of a value, right, that this is the right thing to do, 00:38:23.139 --> 00:38:26.539 all of a sudden you find yourself in a hard position. 00:38:26.539 --> 00:38:28.000 You find yourself in some trouble. 00:38:28.379 --> 00:38:31.400 And this strength is there that you didn't know was there. 00:38:32.039 --> 00:38:33.179 Where did it come from? 00:38:34.000 --> 00:38:35.779 You've been strengthening yourself in the Lord. 00:38:36.599 --> 00:38:38.719 On those days when it didn't feel like it, 00:38:38.779 --> 00:38:42.739 you've been strengthening yourself in the Lord on those days when there wasn't trouble. 00:38:43.139 --> 00:38:44.579 And then on the day when there was, 00:38:44.819 --> 00:38:47.299 you had a reservoir in God that you could pull from. 00:38:48.679 --> 00:38:49.659 Does that make sense? 00:38:50.259 --> 00:38:51.819 You're able to go there and say, 00:38:51.820 --> 00:38:53.160 all right, I know how to do this. 00:38:53.280 --> 00:38:54.260 I've been practicing. 00:38:54.760 --> 00:38:55.680 I've been training. 00:38:56.340 --> 00:38:58.440 I've been training all along for this day. 00:38:59.539 --> 00:39:01.500 You know, when we watch sports athletes, 00:39:01.720 --> 00:39:07.980 we're in awe by what they do on the day of the meet or the game or the match, whatever it is. 00:39:09.680 --> 00:39:12.559 It's not about, yeah, you got to perform in the game. 00:39:12.620 --> 00:39:15.080 But you think that that all happened because of that? 00:39:15.760 --> 00:39:17.460 It's what they did when you're not looking. 00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:22.320 It's what they, the reason that guy who scored the points or did the deed, 00:39:22.420 --> 00:39:26.699 the reason he was so good at that is not just because he could pull together then. 00:39:26.800 --> 00:39:29.599 It's because of all the work he put in when no one was watching. 00:39:29.599 --> 00:39:38.719 And you can't have this kind of superstar spirituality where we're just lazy and we think that when trouble comes, 00:39:39.219 --> 00:39:39.759 we're going to be fine. 00:39:39.799 --> 00:39:44.460 We got to learn this reality to strengthen ourselves in the Lord. 00:39:45.179 --> 00:39:48.059 And the more we do it, the more we believe in it. 00:39:48.480 --> 00:39:52.279 When you get a, when you get a, I was going to say Rolodex, 00:39:52.280 --> 00:39:53.800 but probably nobody even knows what that means. 00:39:53.980 --> 00:39:54.940 Let me guys tell you about it. 00:39:55.440 --> 00:40:01.880 When you get like a, like a, like a, like a book of business, so to speak, 00:40:01.880 --> 00:40:05.400 of like all these testimonies that God has done, right? 00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:11.200 It's like, well, this, I strengthened my, I went through this and I strengthened myself in the Lord and it was awesome. 00:40:11.660 --> 00:40:14.880 And I went through this trouble and I was strengthened in the Lord. 00:40:14.880 --> 00:40:19.780 I, I, I, I dug deep into this reservoir of God's strength and he came to me. 00:40:20.079 --> 00:40:25.079 And when you have those testimonies, you begin to grow more and more confident in your troubles. 00:40:26.140 --> 00:40:27.840 And that's what David did, right? 00:40:28.460 --> 00:40:31.380 David ended up being a person who did that. 00:40:31.460 --> 00:40:33.200 But was that the first time he did that? 00:40:33.720 --> 00:40:37.420 I happen to remember that he was a young boy and there was a bear. 00:40:38.019 --> 00:40:40.360 And then I remember he was a young boy and there was a lion. 00:40:41.019 --> 00:40:43.240 And then I remember he was a young boy and there was a giant. 00:40:43.239 --> 00:40:49.799 And so, you know, he's got a good bear, lion, giant, burnt city. 00:40:51.000 --> 00:40:53.519 Wife, his wives are gone and kids are gone. 00:40:53.939 --> 00:40:57.239 It's like, well, I beat the, I found strength in the Lord to beat the bear. 00:40:57.299 --> 00:40:58.719 I found strength in the Lord to beat the lion. 00:40:58.879 --> 00:41:00.779 I found strength in the Lord to beat the giant. 00:41:01.339 --> 00:41:01.679 Okay. 00:41:02.319 --> 00:41:03.339 City's burnt down. 00:41:03.979 --> 00:41:04.879 Kids are gone. 00:41:05.199 --> 00:41:05.699 Wives gone. 00:41:06.099 --> 00:41:07.119 This one's pretty bad. 00:41:07.239 --> 00:41:08.419 Oh, and they want to stone me. 00:41:08.519 --> 00:41:08.839 Okay. 00:41:08.899 --> 00:41:09.099 Okay. 00:41:09.139 --> 00:41:09.399 Okay. 00:41:09.959 --> 00:41:12.919 I'm going to have to strengthen myself in the Lord, but I've done it before. 00:41:14.179 --> 00:41:15.159 Do you see what I'm saying? 00:41:15.199 --> 00:41:21.979 When you get that track record like David had, it becomes, I want to say easier. 00:41:22.099 --> 00:41:24.799 Sometimes it's not, but it just becomes more believable. 00:41:25.259 --> 00:41:26.139 Does that make sense? 00:41:26.219 --> 00:41:27.019 It's more believable. 00:41:27.299 --> 00:41:28.119 Might not be easier. 00:41:28.539 --> 00:41:32.479 Still might be hard, but it's more believable because you've seen God do wonders. 00:41:33.059 --> 00:41:37.859 You've seen his strength come through when you were weak and you learn how to embrace it. 00:41:37.860 --> 00:41:38.460 Okay. 00:41:38.820 --> 00:41:41.539 And so that's an important thing. 00:41:42.940 --> 00:41:44.420 Strength training through the word. 00:41:45.740 --> 00:41:50.500 Another point I wanted to make is think about the apostolic role to strengthen. 00:41:51.240 --> 00:41:51.400 Okay. 00:41:51.660 --> 00:41:52.880 I believe that. 00:41:53.019 --> 00:42:02.280 So, you know, the Bible talks in Ephesians 4, 11 about these five different gifts that are given to the church where the people themselves are the gifts to the church. 00:42:02.280 --> 00:42:05.740 Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists. 00:42:05.880 --> 00:42:06.019 Okay. 00:42:06.340 --> 00:42:10.060 So these are five gifts that God gives to the church and they're for different purposes. 00:42:10.400 --> 00:42:18.460 If you're expecting from one of those gifts to be one of the other ones or to be something that it's not, you're going to be disappointed. 00:42:19.120 --> 00:42:19.320 Okay. 00:42:19.320 --> 00:42:24.960 And so I want to help you get right expectation of even my role in your life. 00:42:25.140 --> 00:42:25.340 Right. 00:42:26.019 --> 00:42:32.760 As someone I believe is supposed to be that particular gift to this church in the apostolic department. 00:42:33.420 --> 00:42:33.600 Okay. 00:42:34.280 --> 00:42:37.660 And that is to remember, I'm not your pastor. 00:42:39.320 --> 00:42:40.580 I'm not your pastor. 00:42:41.160 --> 00:42:44.539 And so I'm here to strengthen you. 00:42:44.920 --> 00:42:48.519 I'm here to strengthen your faith and strengthen you to strengthen one another. 00:42:48.519 --> 00:42:50.679 That's part of my role as an apostle. 00:42:51.619 --> 00:42:57.400 And so if you expect me to be a pastor, you're going to be probably let down because that's not my role. 00:42:58.719 --> 00:42:59.699 It's like, man. 00:43:00.460 --> 00:43:02.780 I mean, over the years, I've heard many different times. 00:43:03.340 --> 00:43:03.519 Okay. 00:43:03.960 --> 00:43:06.340 Maybe you guys, maybe some of you have even said this before. 00:43:06.460 --> 00:43:06.860 It's fine. 00:43:07.219 --> 00:43:10.639 But I've heard many people say, it's like, man, he's just always coaching. 00:43:10.800 --> 00:43:16.280 And he's just always like, you know, got to constantly be exhorting. 00:43:16.280 --> 00:43:18.079 Like, well, yeah, I have a gift of exhortation. 00:43:18.079 --> 00:43:18.679 And that's what I do. 00:43:18.759 --> 00:43:18.960 Right. 00:43:19.539 --> 00:43:21.179 It's like, why can't you be more pastoral? 00:43:21.779 --> 00:43:23.119 I don't know, because I'm not. 00:43:23.819 --> 00:43:25.159 But there are people who are. 00:43:25.340 --> 00:43:25.840 Praise God. 00:43:25.920 --> 00:43:26.840 And that's the good thing. 00:43:27.000 --> 00:43:29.880 Like, you got to get out of the person who they are. 00:43:29.900 --> 00:43:30.099 Right. 00:43:30.179 --> 00:43:33.199 And so look to the right people to give you what they're giving. 00:43:33.199 --> 00:43:37.319 And if you look to the person to give you what they can't give, you're going to miss what they're giving you. 00:43:38.919 --> 00:43:43.319 And you might miss looking somewhere else for the people who are gifted the other ways. 00:43:43.679 --> 00:43:46.480 Or you might miss it right in front of you because maybe you're that person. 00:43:47.579 --> 00:43:47.699 Right. 00:43:47.699 --> 00:43:50.939 Maybe you're that person who's actually supposed to be doing that. 00:43:50.940 --> 00:43:55.639 And so no one person is the whole deal. 00:43:56.720 --> 00:44:04.179 That's why the fivefold giftings, they're important because we need all those things, but no one person can be those things. 00:44:04.179 --> 00:44:08.579 We need apostles and we need prophets and we need pastors and we need teachers. 00:44:09.659 --> 00:44:09.819 Okay. 00:44:10.199 --> 00:44:13.599 There's what I mean, I'm teaching you, but there's a lot better teachers than me for sure. 00:44:14.399 --> 00:44:14.599 Okay. 00:44:14.839 --> 00:44:16.500 I am way more of an exhorter. 00:44:17.039 --> 00:44:17.299 Okay. 00:44:17.960 --> 00:44:19.119 There's evangelists. 00:44:19.359 --> 00:44:20.480 We need all these. 00:44:20.559 --> 00:44:21.799 These are really important. 00:44:22.879 --> 00:44:28.639 But when we're talking about strengthening, one of my jobs as an apostle is to strengthen the church. 00:44:28.739 --> 00:44:31.619 You see this, the apostles in Acts 14, 00:44:31.619 --> 00:44:35.159 when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, 00:44:35.339 --> 00:44:40.259 they returned to Lystra, to Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, 00:44:40.859 --> 00:44:44.519 encouraging them to continue in the faith and saying that through many tribulations, 00:44:44.639 --> 00:44:45.839 we must enter the kingdom of God. 00:44:45.980 --> 00:44:51.059 That's one of my jobs is to strengthen and increase, to help strengthen your faith, increase your faith. 00:44:51.940 --> 00:44:54.000 I know that's part of my job description. 00:44:54.139 --> 00:44:55.119 That's what I'm trying to do. 00:44:55.519 --> 00:44:57.359 You guys have different job descriptions. 00:44:58.440 --> 00:45:00.699 Some of you might have the same job description, 00:45:00.699 --> 00:45:02.539 but what's your job description? 00:45:03.599 --> 00:45:08.279 What areas are you supposed to contribute and help in this church? 00:45:08.980 --> 00:45:10.899 And then let's do those things, right? 00:45:11.799 --> 00:45:13.299 Acts 16, verse 5, it says, 00:45:13.439 --> 00:45:17.219 The churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. 00:45:18.659 --> 00:45:20.119 This is what apostles do. 00:45:20.199 --> 00:45:21.500 They strengthen people in faith. 00:45:21.980 --> 00:45:23.379 Romans 1, 11 to 12 says, 00:45:23.380 --> 00:45:31.160 I, Paul, long to see you, or I, speaking of Paul, long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you. 00:45:31.539 --> 00:45:36.539 I don't believe he's talking about a spiritual gift in like, you know, what you'd see in 1 Corinthians 14, 00:45:37.140 --> 00:45:39.019 because he then specifically says, 00:45:39.420 --> 00:45:43.320 that is that we might be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 00:45:43.660 --> 00:45:48.340 So he's saying, I can't wait to get to you to encourage you in your faith and you to encourage me in mine. 00:45:48.340 --> 00:45:50.120 That was his job. 00:45:50.180 --> 00:45:52.019 He's going around strengthening these churches. 00:45:52.960 --> 00:45:53.059 Okay? 00:45:54.300 --> 00:45:56.079 But then what's going to happen is, 00:45:56.500 --> 00:45:59.260 is when I'm not around, we have to strengthen each other. 00:45:59.740 --> 00:46:00.180 Right? 00:46:00.240 --> 00:46:03.620 Look, even what Jesus said to Peter in Luke 22, 00:46:04.180 --> 00:46:04.420 said, 00:46:04.500 --> 00:46:06.500 I prayed for you that your faith may not fail. 00:46:06.559 --> 00:46:07.720 And when you have turned again, 00:46:08.260 --> 00:46:09.320 strengthen your brothers. 00:46:10.440 --> 00:46:11.300 Strengthen your brothers. 00:46:12.019 --> 00:46:12.240 Okay? 00:46:12.559 --> 00:46:14.019 Are we looking to strengthen one another? 00:46:14.019 --> 00:46:16.699 Now, clearly, if people don't strengthen you, 00:46:17.119 --> 00:46:17.960 you don't have an excuse. 00:46:18.079 --> 00:46:19.440 You got to strengthen yourself in the Lord. 00:46:19.500 --> 00:46:19.699 Right? 00:46:20.239 --> 00:46:22.139 But are we looking to strengthen each other? 00:46:22.900 --> 00:46:23.880 Strengthen our brothers. 00:46:25.159 --> 00:46:26.400 1 Samuel 23, 00:46:26.639 --> 00:46:28.980 such a great verse going back to David again, 00:46:29.480 --> 00:46:30.099 full circle. 00:46:31.420 --> 00:46:32.860 Sam brought this verse up to me. 00:46:32.920 --> 00:46:34.599 We were talking yesterday about my sermon. 00:46:36.280 --> 00:46:38.039 1 Samuel 23, 15 says, 00:46:38.179 --> 00:46:42.199 David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. 00:46:42.199 --> 00:46:44.879 David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. 00:46:45.279 --> 00:46:47.000 And then Jonathan, Saul's son, 00:46:47.480 --> 00:46:49.500 rose and went to David at Horesh 00:46:49.500 --> 00:46:52.879 and strengthened his hand in God. 00:46:53.659 --> 00:46:54.839 Isn't that a great phrase? 00:46:55.439 --> 00:46:55.719 It says, 00:46:56.159 --> 00:46:58.779 Jonathan strengthened David's hand in God. 00:46:59.099 --> 00:47:01.879 Do you know how to strengthen someone else's hand in God? 00:47:02.839 --> 00:47:04.299 Where you go to them and say, 00:47:04.399 --> 00:47:06.159 Hey, I know you're down. 00:47:06.279 --> 00:47:06.919 I know you're bummed. 00:47:07.019 --> 00:47:08.799 Maybe I know you're struggling to be content 00:47:08.800 --> 00:47:12.420 or you're just overwhelmed with weakness, weariness. 00:47:12.940 --> 00:47:14.560 I want to strengthen your hand. 00:47:15.080 --> 00:47:17.060 But it didn't stop there. 00:47:17.180 --> 00:47:19.360 It doesn't say he strengthened his hand. 00:47:20.160 --> 00:47:21.500 It's still in who? 00:47:22.460 --> 00:47:23.160 In God. 00:47:23.760 --> 00:47:26.080 He strengthened his hand in God. 00:47:26.880 --> 00:47:27.519 He came to him and said, 00:47:27.600 --> 00:47:30.620 Hey, he was helping him find his strength in God. 00:47:31.140 --> 00:47:32.460 That's what a good brother does. 00:47:32.519 --> 00:47:33.860 That's what a good sister does. 00:47:34.340 --> 00:47:36.400 So even when you're strengthening your brothers, 00:47:36.579 --> 00:47:38.220 you're basically just helping them do 00:47:38.220 --> 00:47:39.599 what this whole sermon was about. 00:47:39.820 --> 00:47:43.300 You're helping them find strength in God as well. 00:47:43.539 --> 00:47:43.700 Right? 00:47:44.260 --> 00:47:45.500 To strengthen someone is to say, 00:47:45.599 --> 00:47:47.220 Hey, let me help encourage you 00:47:47.220 --> 00:47:49.880 and to build your faith that God is your strength 00:47:49.880 --> 00:47:52.019 and that you can be strengthened in him. 00:47:52.460 --> 00:47:53.240 Go to him. 00:47:53.599 --> 00:47:54.740 I want to strengthen your hand in God. 00:47:54.780 --> 00:47:56.140 I'm going to speak to you of who he is. 00:47:56.380 --> 00:47:57.760 I want to speak to you of his faithfulness. 00:47:57.820 --> 00:47:58.920 I want to speak to you of his might 00:47:58.920 --> 00:48:01.260 and his strength and his willingness to give you strength 00:48:01.260 --> 00:48:02.800 because you need it. 00:48:02.800 --> 00:48:05.200 But are you a friend like that? 00:48:06.019 --> 00:48:07.260 Do you have friends like that? 00:48:07.320 --> 00:48:09.580 What if we as a church were friends like that? 00:48:09.940 --> 00:48:10.780 Where like Jonathan, 00:48:11.300 --> 00:48:14.340 we strengthened each other's hands in God. 00:48:15.320 --> 00:48:16.400 Such a cool thing. 00:48:17.460 --> 00:48:19.900 I close with 2 Timothy 4, 16 to 17. 00:48:20.400 --> 00:48:22.120 Paul says that my first offense, 00:48:22.640 --> 00:48:23.620 No one came to me, 00:48:24.780 --> 00:48:26.560 or no one came to stand by me, 00:48:26.780 --> 00:48:27.980 but all deserted me. 00:48:28.980 --> 00:48:30.640 May it not be charged against them. 00:48:30.639 --> 00:48:32.480 Then he says, 00:48:33.019 --> 00:48:34.639 But the Lord stood by me 00:48:34.639 --> 00:48:37.219 and strengthened me. 00:48:38.159 --> 00:48:39.239 And strengthened me. 00:48:39.559 --> 00:48:41.319 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me. 00:48:41.339 --> 00:48:41.839 You might say, 00:48:42.159 --> 00:48:44.179 Man, I just don't have people strengthening me. 00:48:45.219 --> 00:48:46.239 Well, that's a problem. 00:48:46.359 --> 00:48:48.099 We want people to strengthen each other, right? 00:48:48.480 --> 00:48:49.779 But sometimes it doesn't work that way. 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:51.619 But what you can always do, 00:48:52.339 --> 00:48:54.059 you can know that the Lord stands by you 00:48:54.059 --> 00:48:54.719 and strengthens you. 00:48:54.779 --> 00:48:55.879 Even if all deserts you, 00:48:55.880 --> 00:48:57.840 the Lord will stand by you 00:48:57.840 --> 00:48:59.420 and strengthen you. 00:48:59.840 --> 00:49:00.119 Amen? 00:49:01.180 --> 00:49:01.660 Amen. 00:49:02.119 --> 00:49:02.660 Let's stand. 00:49:02.659 --> 00:49:32.639 Thank you.