True Inner Strength

3 Oct

Written By Peter

We’re all looking for ways to cope in the days of pandemic, isolation, economic pressure, anxiety and loss. There’s no shortage of those selling their own formulas for overcoming these challenges, many of them centre on “inner strength”. If we have inner strength we will weather these storms and prosper - but is that true, and what is inner strength? Is it unshakeable self-belief and prioritisation of our selves which will elevate us above the struggles of this world? The Scripture shows us a different way, a powerful way that carries us through trouble - and takes others with us. True Inner strength does not come from us, and is not focused on us, yet it has the power to give us hope, purpose, victory and peace.

Scripture

Hebrews 13:1-6 ESV Let brotherly love continue. [2] Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. [3] Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. [4] Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. [5] Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [6] So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Bible Study Questions

In Matthew 25:35‭-‬40 Jesus discusses the final judgement. The preceding chapter of Matthew 24 reveals a great deal about the end times and the way that Christian persecution will characterise it. What similarities do we find in Jesus words in Matthew and the words written to the Hebrew Church in Hebrews 13:1-3, how does the theme of persecution of the Church help us understand the Hebrews passage?
Hebrews 13:4 turns the focus onto the honouring and protection of marriage. Marriage is a building block of a strong and supportive community, but it is also far more. Why are we to hold marriage in such high regard and prioritise it for such careful protection? (Ephesians 5:31-32)
Marriage is God’s gift to us (Genesis 2:18) and an image of His love for us in Jesus giving Himself up for the Church. Can being single also be a gift and blessing from God? (Matthew 19:10-11)
God will judge the sexually immoral and the adulterous. How does 1 Corinthians 7:2 show us that any sexual activity outside of God’s design for marriage is immoral?
In Hebrews 13:5a we are warned against the love of money, and urged to be content (and by implication grateful) with what we have. What does the love of money and being ungrateful for what we have do to us? (1 Timothy 6:10)
God’s promise that He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5b) is made many times in the Bible to different people and is given as the reason why we should be content with what we have. Why can we be content knowing this promise? (Psalm 27:10, John 10:27-30
Hebrews 13:6 sums up the teaching of the first verses of chapter 13 with the conclusion that we need not fear. Why do we not need to fear? (Isaiah 41:10)

Prayer

Dear Father God in Heaven, Praise You Lord that You are faithful and just, holy and powerful, merciful and kind. Thank You for Your Church and for the gift of marriage. Thank You for making each of us so differently so that we can help each other and please help us to build each other up in love. Please forgive our sin and especially the way we doubt You and Your goodness. Help us to trust You and Your promises. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Worship

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"

Give thanks with a grateful heart (with a grateful heart)
Give thanks to the Holy One (to the Holy One)
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich (I am rich)
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
Give thanks

Serving

When we are struggling we are tempted to cry out asking God why there is nobody to help us. This week, try to turn that around and ask God to show us who He is calling us to help.

Peter https://churchfamily.online