Overcoming Weakness With God's Strength | Overcomer Bible Study | Mike Prah

Mar 2, 2022 | by Mike Prah

OVERCOMING WEAKNESS WITH GOD'S STRENGTH | OVERCOMERS BIBLE STUDY | MIKE PRAH

INTRODUCTION

As believers, we need divine strength to overcome the spiritual battle of the forces of evil. The Bible urges believers to be strengthened continually because:

"For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world" Ephesians 6:12, LB

SOME OF THE WEAPONS OF THE ENEMY TO SAP OUR STRENGTH

Bitterness

Fear

Worry

Disappointment

Problems: Physical, Mental, Financial Emotional, Relational, Spiritual, Vocational

KEY VERSE

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power" Ephesians 6:10, NIV

"Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power" Ephesians 6:10, GN

The Greek word, translated as "Be Strong' (endynamóō ; pronounced: en-doo-nam-o'-o) means "intense power," to make strong, endue with strength, strengthen, receive strength, be strengthened, increase in strength, be bold, to recover strength from weakness).

First, we must be strengthened "in the Lord." Ephesians 6:10a

Only in union with Christ do believers find the power to live the life God has called us to live.
No human power alone can resist the devil's designs

Second, we need to be strengthened "through the power of the Lord's mighty power." Ephesians 6:10b.

The capacity to fight spiritual battles lies in appropriating tapping God's strength.
We are strong as we allow ourselves to be continually strengthened by God.

Human strength and ability grow weaker in life, But God promises His strength if we will continually download His power.

GOD'S AFFIRMATIONS AND PROMISES OF HIS STRENGTH FOR BELIEVERS

"Be strong and brave, for you will be a successful leader of my people; and they shall conquer all the land I promised to their ancestors" Joshua 1:6, LB

"David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished." 1 Chronicles 28:20, NIV

"Don't be afraid," he said, "for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!" As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, "Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me." Daniel 10:19, NLT

"Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 2:1, NLT

"I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39, NLT

"Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Corinthians 15:57, NIV

GOD'S FORMULA FOR BECOMING STRONG AND OVERCOMING WEAKNESS

WE MUST BE RELENTLESS WITH PRAISE. PRAISE BREAKS THE ENEMY’S WEAPONS

"Through the praise of [your] children … you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger" Psalm 8:2, NIV

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, which shook the prison to its foundations. At once all the doors opened, and the chains fell off all the prisoners” Acts 16:25-26, GN

Let those who worship him rejoice in his glory. Let them sing for joy even in bed! Let them shout his praise with their two-edged swords in their hands. 7 They will punish … and defeat the people. They will put those kings in chains … They will punish them as God has written. God is honored by all who worship Him. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 149:5-9, NCV

WE MUST HAVE A PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO THE WORD OF GOD

“The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart” Hebrews 4:12, GN

“Take the … sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” Ephesians 6:17, NIV

“They won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed” Revelation 12:11, GN

"God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful." 1 Corinthians 1:27, NLT

"God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ Jesus to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin. 1 Corinthians 1:30, NLT

WE MUST CONTINOUSLY DEPENDON GOD’S POWER

“I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.” 1 Corinthians 12:7-8, NIV

“But God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 1 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV

OVERCOMING WEAKNESS WITH GOD'S STRENGTH - PART 2 | OVERCOMERS BIBLE STUDY | MIKE PRAH

GOD'S FORMULA FOR BECOMING STRONG AND OVERCOMING WEAKNESS

WE MUST CONTINOUSLY DEPEND ON GOD’S POWER

Hannah’s Prayer: "God will protect His faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by [their] strength alone. Those who fight against the LORD will be shattered. He thunders against them from heaven. God gives power to His people; He increases the strength of His anointed one.” 1 Samuel 2:9-10, NLT

“You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God! Psalm 68:35, NIV

“Thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s victory parade. God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume” 2 Corinthians 2:14, NCV

“The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:28-29, NIV

WE MUST STAND FIRM IN FAITH

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” 1 Corinthians 6:13, NIV

WE MUST TRUST & OBEY GOD. HE IS FAITHFUL!

“A king does not win because of his powerful army; a soldier does not triumph because of his strength. War horses are useless for victory; their great strength cannot save. The LORD watches over those who obey Him, those who trust in His constant love.” Psalm 33:17-18, GN

“Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock” Isaiah 26:4, NIV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV

OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD

“Don't let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.” Romans 12:21, CEV

DIVINE RESOURCES GOD HAS PROVIDED US TO OVERCOME WEAKNESS WITH HIS STRENGTH

Tap Into God’s Strength From His Word

“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word” Psalm 119:29, NIV

Tap Into God’s Strength From Worship

“God, my strength, I will sing praises to you. God, my defender, you are the God who loves me” Psalm 49:17, NCV

“Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.” Psalm 21:13, NLT

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength!” Habakkuk 3:17-19, NLT

Tap Into God’s Strength Through Prayer

“Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony” Psalm 6:2, NIV

“You, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.” Psalm 22:19, NIV

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV