Sal's Blog 4/15/2020
Wednesday Men’s Thought
Have you ever had like an older brother beat you up or maybe you were the older brother and did the beating…sat on top of them and held them down…they were powerless…you had power over them…you showed your strength was greater…
A situation where you have no say on the outcome…
Power is the ability to influence behavior or change the course of events…what about when you have no control over events…or your subject to power over you…
With great power comes great responsibility…
So power is the ability to influence the behavior of others…the ability to do something or act in a particular way…power is powerful…
One type of strength is physical strength-the ability to withstand great force or pressure…the potency of a drug, chemical or drink…a good quality or attribute of a person…the number of people comprising a group…
Please read-2 Timothy 1:7- For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Let’s read Isiah 40:29
Isaiah 29 He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
So when we are weary God gives us strength…So He is giving the ability to withstand pressure…giving us a good quality…a number of people in our lives…He is giving us the state or quality of being physically strong…He increases power…He gives strength…
So, He gives strength but to those who wait on the Lord they will gain NEW strength…
He mentions youth and young men getting tired and stumbling…
Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength…NEW meaning strength we didn’t have before…
A good server will cater to your every want and need…I want this and that and I want it this way and that…you need silverware and napkins and a seat but you want things your way too…
The Spirit of God that He has given us…what is the Spirit of God that He has given us? (Holy Spirit)
Why do we need that?
Let’s read Acts 4:13
New Century says-not afraid
English Standard says-boldness
The message says they were so confident and so sure of themselves
The New American standard version says it like this…
Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.
They had Confidence…
So if you remember the definition of strength….
The ability to withstand great pressure…do you think these guys were facing great pressure?
The Bible says …The rulers, elders and teachers along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander and other men of the high priests family called Peter and John
Do you think this group of guys that were grilling peter and john constitute strength? The definition says that strength is a number of people comprising a group…
Acts 4:8 says Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit…
So boldness….fearless…confidence…real strength where does it come from? the Holy Spirit
Verse 18 says they commanded them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus…
They were flexing their religious muscles…showing their strength…so many leaders and here’s 2 regular guys…like you and me…
Vs. 20-for we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. After further threats they let them go…
What’s their response…what’s Peter and Johns response to the great pressure the group of leaders flexing the strength that was being applied…
Real strength from Him who they waited on…
Real strength comes from God.
- What’s the weakest thing you can think of?
What’s the strongest thing you have or can think of?
What is the most pressure you have ever had/felt?
Have you ever had like an older brother beat you up or maybe you were the older brother and did the beating…sat on top of them and held them down…they were powerless…you had power over them…you showed your strength was greater…
A situation where you have no say on the outcome…
Power is the ability to influence behavior or change the course of events…what about when you have no control over events…or your subject to power over you…
With great power comes great responsibility…
So power is the ability to influence the behavior of others…the ability to do something or act in a particular way…power is powerful…
- Do you need power to have strength?
- Do we need strength to have power?
One type of strength is physical strength-the ability to withstand great force or pressure…the potency of a drug, chemical or drink…a good quality or attribute of a person…the number of people comprising a group…
Please read-2 Timothy 1:7- For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
- What does the Spirit not give us?
- What is it to be timid? Is it a lack of courage?
Let’s read Isiah 40:29
Isaiah 29 He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
So when we are weary God gives us strength…So He is giving the ability to withstand pressure…giving us a good quality…a number of people in our lives…He is giving us the state or quality of being physically strong…He increases power…He gives strength…
So, He gives strength but to those who wait on the Lord they will gain NEW strength…
- Why do you think it’s something new?
- What kind of strength is NEW strength?
- Is God saying that He gives strength to anyone who is weary?
- Does He increase power to him who lacks might?
He mentions youth and young men getting tired and stumbling…
Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength…NEW meaning strength we didn’t have before…
- So to wait on the Lord…what does that mean?
- What does that look like?
A good server will cater to your every want and need…I want this and that and I want it this way and that…you need silverware and napkins and a seat but you want things your way too…
- Do we wait on the Lord?
- Are we good servants to what God wants?
The Spirit of God that He has given us…what is the Spirit of God that He has given us? (Holy Spirit)
Why do we need that?
Let’s read Acts 4:13
New Century says-not afraid
English Standard says-boldness
The message says they were so confident and so sure of themselves
The New American standard version says it like this…
Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.
They had Confidence…
So if you remember the definition of strength….
The ability to withstand great pressure…do you think these guys were facing great pressure?
The Bible says …The rulers, elders and teachers along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander and other men of the high priests family called Peter and John
Do you think this group of guys that were grilling peter and john constitute strength? The definition says that strength is a number of people comprising a group…
Acts 4:8 says Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit…
So boldness….fearless…confidence…real strength where does it come from? the Holy Spirit
Verse 18 says they commanded them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus…
They were flexing their religious muscles…showing their strength…so many leaders and here’s 2 regular guys…like you and me…
Vs. 20-for we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. After further threats they let them go…
What’s their response…what’s Peter and Johns response to the great pressure the group of leaders flexing the strength that was being applied…
Real strength from Him who they waited on…
Real strength comes from God.
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