Delighting in Weakness

In my sermon yesterday I mentioned a sermon I had listened to a couple of weeks ago by a Ajai Lall who is from India. In it he is asked to give testimony to the reality of persecution of Christians in that country. You can find this sermon by following this link. There is an introduction and video that begins around the 22-minute mark, followed by Ajai’s sermon. Can I encourage you to listen to it? While it does give sometimes disturbing descriptions of what is happening there, I think you’ll ultimately find it both encouraging and challenging as you see what is happing within the Church in India. Ajai, his family, and his fellow Christians are responding to these attacks with love and grace. I believe it is an example for us.

Ajai’s sermon did two things for me. First, it helped me put the difficulties that I face into perspective. They are simply nuisances compared with what my brothers and sisters in Christ face in other parts of the world. Secondly, it made me think about what more I should be doing for the kingdom of God given my own context and circumstances.

Next week we’ll be looking at 2 Corinthians 11 and 12. The idea is that a Church in Action delights in our weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul writes, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 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,” (NIV). We can see Christ’s strength most clearly in those places where we are weakest. We depend upon his power to work within us at exactly those spots.

I’ve noticed some people posting in social media suggesting that Christians should pause this afternoon and pray for our nation. I think that’s an excellent idea and a much-needed reminder. I would only add that I hope that we pray regularly for our nation and its leaders. We were looking at 1 Timothy 2:1-2 in the Adult Sunday School class yesterday: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness,” (NIV). So I do hope that we join together with Christians all across this land in praying.

Invite someone to come with you Sunday! Remember the ornament making night we’re having November 17th as well. That would be another great time to invite someone to join you!

God bless, Brian

Scripture readings for next Sunday

2 Corinthians 11:1-15—What do you think Paul is addressing in this passage?

Psalm 103—How does it help us to know that God remembers how we were formed?

2 Corinthians 12:1-10—How do you understand the statement “when I am weak, then I am strong”?

Hebrews 4:14-16—How does it make you feel that Jesus sympathizes with our weakness?