Russellville Christian Center

Tapping into His Strength 2/2/25 susan allen 2 Cor 11:23 NIV… I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.   25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King “Are-tas” had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.   2 Cor 12:7 KJV - And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.   MY GRACE: Grace- Greek word CHARIS – RENNER: a special power that enables a person to be and to do what they could not normally or naturally be or do IS SUFFICIENT: Sufficient- to keep off, to ward off, to raise a barrier, strong enough, (Thayers- to be possessed of unfailing strength, to give protection, to empower and help)   FOR THEE: FOR You- FOR you!   FOR MY STRENGTH: (the Lord’s strength) Strength- Greek dunamis- dynamic power, strength and ability   IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS: Made Perfect: to complete (perfect), i. e. add what is yet lacking in order to render a thing full   In Weakness: lack of strength or ability   MOST GLADLY THEREFORE WILL I RATHER GLORY IN MY INFIRMITIES: Infirmities: same as the word weakness used above ^   THAT THE POWER OF CHRIST MAY REST UPON ME: That- in order that The Power- dunamis again—dynamic power, strength and ability Of CHRIST- the anointed May Rest Upon – tent upon, cover, abide with, to fix a habitation on Me- ME!   THEREFORE: Consequently   I TAKE PLEASURE: I think well    in infirmities- weaknesses  in reproaches- insults  in necessities- distress, needs  in persecutions- harassment  in distresses- a narrow place, pressure   fOR CHRIST’S SAKE: (Mark 4:15, 17)   FOR WHEN I AM WEAK: Feeble THEN AM I: I exist STRONG: Capable, powerFUL, able