HANDOUT FOR SERMON: I Don’t Have the Power to Overcome? Manchester, TN August 14th, 2022, 9:30 am.
INTRODUCTION: Why is it that so many believers struggle with their faith, loyalty and living for Jesus? We need to realize God never intended that you walk all on your own! There are so many scriptures that indicate God will help, will assist, will strengthen, and protect us as we strive to follow Him. We need to understand “I” absolutely need Jesus and the power of God to overcome. We need to learn how to stand firm, learn to run with and lean on Jesus in our Christian walk. There is great value in prayer, value of spiritual focus and value in fasting and devotion to God. We all should be pursuing a closeness to the Lord. We grow our closeness with Christ in His word. If I need encouragement, where should I go in the Bible to find what I need? In times when you need strength you need to go the Gospels and listen to the teachings of Jesus. The second place I would encourage you to go is the Book of Psalms, which are basically prayers. In our lesson today let us open our Bibles to Psalm 71 as we will focus on verses 1-6. I encourage you to read Psalm 71 one time each day of this week – let God’s word build confidence in YOU!
LESSON:
YOU ARE MY ROCK AND MY FORTRESS, Psalm 71:3.
We push self-reliance, personal works and obedience leaving God’s part out! God never intended you to walk all on your own! We must learn to stand on “the rock!” God must be our foundation!
Scripture: Psalm 62:6-7, Matthew 16:13, 16, 18-19, Ephesians 2:1-2 & 19-22
We are built upon the foundation of Jesus, and we are the building where God dwells! Things that God builds do not crumble! We need to get out there and live like “God is our ROCK and FORTRESS!” Knowing and believing this builds confidence and strength!
YOU HAVE GIVEN COMMANDMENTS TO SAVE ME, Psalm 71:3
We must not separate the power of Jesus from the commandments of Jesus! You can not stand on who Jesus is and not do what He says. So many Christians lament the commandments of Jesus. It sounds like they describe His commandments a burden, a heavy rock to carry! If we view it this way it will not be long and we will drop the rock!
Scripture: Matthew 7:24, Matthew 28:19-20, Psalm 119:105-112
YOU ARE MY HOPE, YOU ARE MY CONFIDENCE FROM MY YOUTH, Psalm 71:5
I pray for all our young people in the church, we older folks need to sit down with these young people and warn them about leaving God and His foundation. I had, as a young person tried to remain true to the teachings of Jesus. I have learned it is hard to stay true unless we have a firm foundation. I encourage the young people to stand firm now. Parents must try their best to be an example for them to learn from and follow. Young people tell yourself: “I will stand on the firm foundation of the Lord.”
Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-3 & 10, Psalm 71:17-19
If you are a Christian whatever your age is now, make a commitment that from here on I will stand firm for the Lord Jesus. I will stand on the foundation of the Lord. As Christian parents let us build a foundation for our children. Our kids might throw dirt and mud on it but the Lord may send a storm to blow the dirt away or a rainstorm to wash it clean! God is our rock, and His commandments are for our good!
MY PRAISE IS CONTINUALLY OF YOU, Psalm 71:19-24
It is so important for us to praise God and praise Him often. Psalm 119:164 speaks of praising God seven times a day. God should always be on our lips. Everywhere we go we should be magnifying God. Stop mumbling, we are not to be ashamed of Christ nor of His teachings and commandments. We have confidence because we are standing on “the rock of salvation!” There is no shame, and we eagerly praise God out there among others. We want to let people know! This opposition and resistance to being emotional in our services must stop! We are to rejoice, praise the Lord and find happiness in the Lord and in His worship! People in the Bible fell down and bowed down in worship. Others lifted holy hands in prayer and kneeled before the Lord.
Scripture: Proverbs 3:6, Psalm 71:1, Psalm 68:4, Psalm 69:30, Psalm 95:6, Psalm 105:1-2 & 6, Revelation 5:9-14
CONCLUSION:
Homework this week: Read Psalm 71 one time each day this week. Then select one verse that is extra special or meaningful to you and think about all week.
One that I liked: “May YOU increase my greatness and turn to conform me!” The Psalmist recognizes that only God can restore us to a former condition and only God can enlarge my happiness. The goal is that our light will shine brighter, and I will thrive more as an individual. Our goal is to be a powerful influence for good in this world.
Psalm 18:35-36 “You have also given me the shield of Your Salvation, Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. You have enlarged my path under me, so my feet did not slip.”
Do you believe this?
ARE YOU STANDING ON THE ROCK?