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“St. Paul’s Source of Strength
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

 

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Pastor Kevin Vogts
Trinity Lutheran Church
Paola, Kansas

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost—July 26, 2015

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

One of the most common and widespread problems facing Americans today is what we call “burn out.”  The hectic pace of life in today’s world can simply be too much.  It’s a common complaint that these days there are too many demands put upon us.  Many of us are fatigued, worn out, exhausted.  But, it’s much more than physical weariness that is afflicting us.  We have to admit that people in olden days certainly did much more PHYSICAL labor than we do.  Our “burn out” is primarily caused by weariness of spirit, “burn out” of the soul.

In our text from 2nd Corinthians, St. Paul seems to have a secret source of strength: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  How did he do it?  What was “St. Paul’s Source of Strength”?  How can you have that same strength for everyday living?

It’s really no secret.  St. Paul gives us the answer earlier in 2nd Corinthians when he writes, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.”  That is the key.  Too often we make the mistake of trying to be sufficient of ourselves.  Going through life without gaining strength from “St. Paul’s Source of Strength”: “But our sufficiency is from God.”

It was because of our weakness, our frailty, our insufficiency that God sent his Son to be our Savior.  The book of Hebrews says that Jesus “is able to sympathize with us in our weaknesses” because “he came down from heaven and was made man.”  On the cross, Jesus suffered for us in our place.  Bearing in his body the burden of our sins.  Enduring the punishment we deserved, earning for us forgiveness, salvation, eternal life.  On account of Jesus Christ, your sins are all forgiven.  Trust in him as your Savior, for he promises, “Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life.”

There’s a song that says, “Lean on me when you’re not strong.”  Lean on Jesus when you’re not strong.  Gain from him strength and sufficiency for everyday living, for he invites you, “Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. . . You will find rest for your souls.”  “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves . . . but our sufficiency is from God.”  Lean on Jesus when you’re not strong.  That was “St. Paul’s Source of Strength.”

How long do you think your body could survive without food to eat or water to drink or air to breathe?  Then is it surprising that your SOUL will suffer without SPIRITUAL nourishment and refreshment? 

Gain strength for everyday living through the Word of God.  St. Paul says in Romans that the Gospel is “the power of God,” literally the “dynamite” of God.  Read and study God’s Word—it will give you power for your life. 

Gain strength for everyday living through the blessed sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion.  St. Paul describes the renewing power of Holy Baptism in the book of Titus:  “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

In Holy Communion, Jesus gives you his body and blood, in, with, and under the bread and wine, to strengthen and preserve you steadfast in the true faith unto life everlasting.  As St. Paul says in 1st Corinthians: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? . . .  For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Gain strength for everyday living through weekly worship in the Lord’s house.  As Psalm 122 says, “I rejoiced with those who said unto me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”

Gain strength for everyday living through prayer.  Jesus promises, “Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened unto you.”  Have you been asking?  Have you been seeking?  Have you been knocking on God’s door in prayer?  As St. Paul says in Philippians, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known unto God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  What was “St. Paul’s Source of Strength”?  The same source of strength that is available to you and me, to give us strength for our everyday lives.  “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves . . . but our sufficiency is from God.”  As St. Paul says in Colossians, “Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance, and patience, and joyfulness.”  What a beautiful description of the inner strength that is found in Christ alone: “Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance, and patience, and joyfulness.”  As St. Paul says in Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”

“Finally,” St. Paul says in Ephesians, “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.”  Lean on Jesus when you’re not strong.  That was “St. Paul’s Source of Strength” and that will be your source of strength too.

St. Paul continues in Ephesians describing the mighty armor of God, clothing you with strength for daily living: “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying . . .”

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  How did he do it?  What was “St. Paul’s Source of Strength”?  How can you have that same strength for everyday living?

“Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. . . I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”  Lean on Jesus when you’re not strong.  That was “St. Paul’s Source of Strength” and that will be your source of strength too.

Amen.

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