Weakness overcomes power

Steve was amazing at stepping up at the last minute, to share at our June Gathering. Here’s my notes from his message.

Egypt at the time of Passover was a world power. It also had a focus on death - known for its pyramids and mummies etc. God assaulted all the power of Egypt with the many plagues, but when he assaulted them with death to defeat them, in turn death was defeated, by the blood of the lamb on the doors of the Jews.

The gospels have all sorts of stories and quickly run through miracles, events, parables and more, but quickly get down to what the situation is about. The Cross.

The thing that is irresistable to all cultures is death. Except the church. Death is final, but as a Christian, what does death mean to us?

Philipians 2: 1-11. 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Wouldn’t that be a fascinating trip.

Galatians 2: 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Romans 6: 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

This all has meaning, what is it?

Its a divine recognition that this action is of the nature of God. Jesus didn’t do it as a demonstration of something, it was about who he is. He is strong and weak - but his power is exhibited through weakness. Nothing weaker than hanging on the cross.

What does this mean to us? We, the church, are massive, but if we truly are, why are we not having an impact? If there is a God, why does all this stuff happen? God does NOT dominate. Does our weakness mean that we can be walked all over?

Jesus could have called on legions of angels to save him, but he let himself be taken. God is always interested in the interests of others, he defeated death and the victory is now, not just after actual death. Weak is not pathetic. Jesus is weak, but it is controlled strength. Says to Pilate, you have no power over me.

How does controlled strength work in everyday life? Not reacting to situations in a negative way. Takes character to do so. The world is looking to see what difference it makes, looking for miracles and big signs. Instead God is working from the inside.

Car salesman and pastors have the same reputation - because they haven’t been crucified with Christ. God is saying work it out, through the everyday stuff. You may see miracles, you may not. Its really simple, really complicated, really easy, really hard.

Church used to have a position of power, but that was abused. They used position and power, but not Godly authority. Its position has been destroyed in the Western world and is dead in the Middle East where Christianity began. Its strength and growth is now in Asia and Africa.

Authority is controlled strength.