Strengthened with Might in the Inner ManSTRENGTHENED
WITH MIGHT IN THE INNER MAN (Message by Ps
Lam Kee Hing preached at the SIB Metro Church on 16th
August, 2009) Our nation is at a crossroad politically, socially,
economically and spiritually. Our urgent task and big challenge is to
strengthen every Christian to face the challenges ahead and to equip them with
the important task of bringing people to the Lord and then discipling
them to become strong and matured followers of Jesus Christ. Col 1:28,29 We must realize that to to
effectively carry out our mandate of evangelism and discipleship, we cannot
depend on our own
human abilities , wisdom and eloquence but on the power of God. 1 Cor 2:1-5 We need His strength and power to work in us and through us
if gospel message is to truly touch
and transform lives and nations. Thus he states emphatically in v 29, “To
this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me
mightily”. Hence Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Colossi
and Ephesus Col 1:9-12(*v11), Eph 3:14-20(* v16). Our effectiveness and fruitfulness in life and ministry as
Christians will depend on how much we allow God to work in and through us in
the inner man. (a) Man’s Focus : The
Externals of Size, Structure, Skills It is so easy and natural to focus on the external
and outer
physical aspects of life and faith. Life: appearances, personality, abilities, skills,
knowledge, qualifications Faith: buildings, structures, programs, activities,
gifts of HS, seeking God’s Hands (blessings), organization Results: diluted gospel worldly methods ungodly behavior evangelism as a matter of duty or obligation, weak,
carnal , powerless , superficial , uncommitted Christians who are self-centred, self-dependent, self-righteous – who backslide
and backstab, complain and criticize, fight and fornicate. (b) God’s Focus : Strength
in the Inner Man But what will produce lasting fruits and changes are spiritual
strength and moral fibre in the
inner man? 1) Spiritual strength and fruitfulness through: a) abiding in Christ John 15:4-7 b) waiting upon the
Lord Is 40;28-31 c) resting in the Lord Is 30:15 d)trusting in the
Lord Jer
2:13, 17: 5-8, Jesus’ example: Lk
6:12,13; Mt 14:13-23. 2)Moral strength:
integrity and character through walking in fear of God And living with godly wisdom 2 Cor
7:1 ;
Heb 12:28,29 Result : Powerful gospel Full of Power and authority of God through preaching
of His Word, through healings, signs and wonders Transformed lives Full of boldness and courage, compassion and mercy,
holiness and godliness Matured Christians Full of love and mercy, forgiveness and repentance,
joy and hope,
good works and acts of mercy Strong Church Full of life and joy, of truth and love, of peace
and hope Application 1. The
barrenness of a busy life. Rather be strengthened in the Lord for a fruitful
life 2. The
attraction of constantly seeking for the applause of man; rather be consciously
seeking for
the approval of God 3. The
temptation of trying to impress man with our abilities, skills, knowledge, prestige;
rather be seeking every opportunity to influence, inspire,
to impact and to impart people with the truth and love of God 4. The
danger of busily serving God, doing things for Him; rather be making it a
priority to regularly make time to seek His face and be with Him 5. The
danger of living in fear of man and
seeking to please man that leads to a life of compromise and sin; rather be
committed to walk in the fear of God and live a life of courage and boldness CONCLUDING CHALLENGE Be totally committed to allow the Lord to strengthen
you in your inner being. When there is inward reality of God and inner
strength of God, our lives will become powerful living witnesses for God and
God’s power will be manifested in our lives. We will be empowered to live lives of holiness,
love, kindness, compassion We will be excited about Evangelism because it is
the natural outflow and the overflow of what God has inputted into our lives Eph 3:20,21 Ps Lam Kee Hing |
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