Bobby McDonald - The Lord Strengthens Us

Bobby McDonaldFebruary 24, 201713mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: Bobby McDonald Title: The Lord Strengthens Us Date: 02-19-2017 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The speaker emphasizes that while the physical body naturally declines, the Holy Spirit works in the inner person, leading to spiritual growth. True strength isn't about removing life's difficulties, but about developing the capacity to bear greater weight and overcome temptations through the Spirit's power. This process pushes believers toward greater maturity and Christ-likeness.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Welcoming a new baby and reflecting on agingBobby shares the joy of welcoming their third baby while noting that his body does not have the same energy it did six years ago.

God strengthens the inner personEven though the outer physical body decays, God gives increasing strength, patience, and faith in the inner person.

Strengthened with power through the SpiritPaul prayed for believers in Ephesians to be strengthened with power through the Spirit in the inner man, providing strength to handle sin and temptation.

Strength makes weight bearableIncreased strength does not remove the weight of life's difficulties; rather, it makes them more bearable and easier to handle.

A personal example of enduring headachesBobby shares how God did not remove his childhood headaches instantly, but instead gave him wisdom, reduced his stress, and increased his ability to bear the pain.

Piling on more weight to mature usGod allows harder temptations and trials to test us, pushing us from one degree of glory to higher maturity, much like lifting heavier weights in the gym.

Jesus as our example of spiritual maturityJesus handled intense relational moments without temptation to lust, demonstrating complete spiritual mastery and obedience through the Spirit.

Suffering and strengthening in First PeterPeter writes about suffering and how the God of all grace will himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish believers after a little while.1 Peter 5:9

Inner joy and transformation over outer easeInner love, joy, and peace matter far more than outer circumstances or wealth, which the devil falsely promises will satisfy.

Praying for strength instead of removalInstead of merely praying for God to remove every difficulty, we should pray for Him to strengthen us to endure and bring Him glory.

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Bobby McDonald - The Lord Strengthens Us

Bobby McDonald · February 24, 2017 · 13m

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