Victory Fellowship Church Podcast

Power in weakness? Our culture says that to gain power, you need to work harder. Our culture says to do more. Pastor Eric Robertson shares biblical advice to find power in weakness.

Sometimes we think that to walk in the power of God, we need to pray more and read the Bible more. Many times our work takes the focus off of God, who is our source of power.

God chooses the weak.

"The Bible has a history of choosing unconventional people in extraordinary ways.”

· Gideon (Judges 6:11)

· Moses (Exodus 3:4)

· David (1 Samuel 16:7)

God doesn’t look for people who have it all together but for people He can pour his power into.

How do you Power Up?

1) Acknowledge your weakness.

2) Invite God into it.

3) Talk about it.

2 Corinthians 11:30 Paul boasted in weakness: “ If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”

2 Corinthians12:9 “But he 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Your area of weakness is an opportunity for God to shine through you.

Talk about your weakness. Do not let fear steal someone’s breakthrough.

Be Humble: James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6

Humility is realizing the source of your power, and that it’s not you, I don’t have the power, but I know someone who does.

You operating in the power of God is a byproduct not the end goal. God saved you for you, but the gifts and power that you walk in is for the people around you

Paul says that God was working in power through all that he went through.

2 Cor 12:9 “... so that Christ’s power may rest in me.”

“Rest” Greek “episkenoo” – to dwell in

You cannot be filled with pride and the power of God at the same time.

If you want to operate in the power,

Be strong in the Lord:

Ephesians 6:10

Philippians 4:13

1) It’s a posture. Lean on Jesus. Proverbs 3:5

2) It’s giving up. Give up your need to be the power source.

3) It’s stepping out. Step out of your power and into His.

Are you willing to become weak to walk in His power?

What is MEligion? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally explains that

MEligion is when your faith is all about you.

James 1:27 ESV

Christians are called to be Christ-centered not self-centered. God came to save you, but part of that is saving you from you.

4 Symptoms of being MEligious:

1. Your spiritual disciplines only benefit you.

Spiritual disciplines are the intentional activities we do to grow in our faith. Right things

done the wrong way become wrong things.

Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. NLT

The invitation to follow Christ is an invitation into community because other people have been invited, too.

2. You make a big deal out of other people's sin instead of your own.

1 Timothy 1:15 "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." NIV

An inflated view of yourself leads to a deflated view of your sin.

Matthew 7:3-5 "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye." NLT

The Bible works best as mirror for seeing your own issues clearly, not a pair of binoculars to see others' issues clearly.

I often hear church people say things like "we need to take a stand against sin." I agree, but if we're going to be Biblical, we need to take a stand against your own sin, not the world's sin.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 NLT

The church doesn't exist to judge the world, but to love the world so that they might pursue a relationship with God.

3. You get frustrated when God doesn't do what you want Him to.

Galatians 6:9 "Let's not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary." NASB

1 Peter 5:6-7 "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time"

When is God going to do that thing He promised? When He's good and ready.

Make sure your faith is tied to a relationship with God, not a result from God.

4. You struggle with confusion, instability, and disorder.

James 3:16 "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." NIV

When we're consumed with ourselves, we'll often make decisions that hurt others and hurts oursleves. When we're consumed with Jesus, we'll make decisions that help others and help

ourselves.

Are you being MEligious?

Are you prepared to die? We tend to avoid thoughts of death, especially our own. In this message, Pastor Cynthia shares how thinking about death can lead to life.

Thinking About Death

Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” – NLT

Tips for Dying Well - Not a bucket list, a way of life.

1. Be an Apprentice of Jesus

Then [Jesus] said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23 NLT

And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. 1 John 2:28 NLT

1. Maintain a Clear conscience: Repent, Forgive, Live in Peace

a. Repent

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19 NASB

Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

b. Forgive

Mark 11:25 NIV

“Father, forgive them” – On the cross, Jesus released and forgave others.

c. Live in Peace

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18 ESV

3. Resist Fear/Walk in love 1 John 4:16-21

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:18-19 ESV

Psalm 23:4

God’s love drives fear from our lives. God is love. In His presence we know love.

When you are in that position of accepting His great love, fear loses its power over you.

1. Prepare Others

Jesus prepared his followers for his death.

Jesus told his followers: “I am going to Him who sent me... and you will see me no longer... you will weep and lament... you have sorrow now, but I will see you again.” – John 16:5,16,20,23 ESV

We have the responsibility as apprentices of Jesus to help others in our family and in our community be prepared to die.

1. Anticipate going home.

Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT

“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” – Philippians 1:21 NLT

People should die anticipating entering the presence of their loving Father.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints Psalm 116:15

`Into your hands I commit my spirit.' Jesus quotes Old Testament scripture, but he makes it personal and intimate by using the word “Father”. Even on a cross, Jesus died like a child falling asleep in his love."

Question: Are you prepared to die? Are you ready?