Robert H. Hitchcock
Sugarland, Texas
FEBRUARY 2, 1997
Be Strong In TheLord
Eph 6:10-11
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of hismight.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand againstthe wiles of the devil.
Be strong in the Lord. Be strong in the power ofhis might. Remember Rom. 10:9,10 when you confessed him as Lord? That's becauseyou and I weren't strong enough to be our own Lord. We wanted Jesus Christas Lord. Strong in the Lord, and strong in the power of his might.That's a mighty believer, one who is strong in the power of God, not hisown power.
2 Tim 2:1-3
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in ChristJesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, thesame commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Strong in grace, that's right!"By grace are ye saved through faithand that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest anyman should boast." Only one thing tobe strong in: Grace. God's power. Certainly not in our own great abilities,education, successes, etc.
Timothy "copied" Paul. And all those that Timothytaught were to teach THE SAME.
How do we endure hardness? Being strong in the Lord;being strong in grace. We have to stand in it.
Phil 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Being a believer in Christ is not about being ourown man or woman, but about being in Christ.
You can do because he has enabled you todo.
Col 2:10
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality andpower:
We have nothing more to acquire. Rather, we needto learn, believe, and operate more. We are alreadycomplete.
How do we learn, believe, and operatemore?
Phil 4:6-9
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplicationwith thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep yourhearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things arehonest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoeverthings are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be anyvirtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, andseen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
One who is strong in the Lord, one who is strongin grace, one who is complete, one who can do all things through Christ neednot be anxious. To be strong in the Lord is to trust him. Believe that hewill do what he's promised.
Phil 4:19
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in gloryby Christ Jesus.
Rely upon God to supply the need. That's being strongin the Lord, too.
Col 3:12-17
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels ofmercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man havea quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond ofperfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also yeare called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teachingand admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singingwith grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the LordJesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
We should take the time to get our hearts into theWord of God, into Christ's accomplishments for us. How about humility? Howabout meekness? How about forgiveness of one another? So often we get soupset with people and it leaves us empty, it steals from our peace. Why letit? Why not walk in love and be BIGGER than the situation?
That's being strong in the Lord, too.
Rom 8:37
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him thatloved us.
That sums this topic up beautifully! In all things,we are more than conquerors, THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US! When we are strongin him, we will be more than conquerors. We just have to remember the grace,the completeness, the I can do, that God supplies our need...
Eph 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of hismight.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand againstthe wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, againstspiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be ableto withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and havingon the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able toquench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, whichis the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, andwatching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Are we going to be strong in the Lord? Ifwe are, then we have to put on the whole armour of God. We'll have to operatethe spirit of God! We'll have to stand on the Word of God! We'll have toremember His grace! We'll have to STAND!