STRONG IN CHRIST

Intro.
1.  NT speaks of strength in Christ - Phil. 4:13; 2 Cor. 10:3-4; 1 Cor. 16:13.
1.  Excuses for not doing what God has told us to do will not be accepted by Him! (cf. child-parent) - Rom. 2:6; 2 Cor. 5:10.
"I don’t have the ability, I can’t do this or that."
"I don’t have much education."
"What will people think about me if I do that."
"I don’t have much money, I can’t give."
"There are just so many things happening in my life I don’t have time to worship,...."
"I’m too tired."
"Brother/sister so and so doesn’t love me anymore......"
2.  Lk. 14:18, 21, 24 - Excuses anger God & forfeit heaven!
3.  QUESTION: Can you name one thing that God requires of us that we are unable to do? If so, what?
4.  Eph. 6:10 - Here are some ways to be strong in Christ & overcome excuses for spiritual neglect (sin).

I.  BE INTERESTED IN GOD’S WILL!
  A.  The Ethiopian - Acts 8:27-39.
    1.  v. 27 - Traveled great distance to worship (~1000 mi.).
       -(worship services, gospel meetings, class to teach another)
    2.  v. 28 - Used his time to read scripture.
      -(Use your time to read God’s word!)
    3.  v. 31, 34 - Interested in learning.
-(Break out of the "boredom" mode! - 2 Tim. 2:15)
    4.  v. 36-38 - Responsive to truth - Obedient to it. (Jas. 4:17)
    5.  v. 39 - Rejoiced in his salvation. (cf. Psa. 51:12-13)
  B.  Cornelius - Acts 10.
    1.  10:1-2 - Excelled in character (10:22).
    2.  10:24, 33 - Anxious to hear God’s word & share it.
    3.  10:48 - Obeyed the commands of the gospel.
-Without a primary interest in God’s will, our lives will flounder in confusion and distress.

II.  HAVE CONVICTIONS BASED ON GOD’S WORD - Rom. 10:17.
  A.  Full Of Faith - Acts 11:24.
    1.  When there is no faith there is no conviction!
    2.  Conviction (synonyms: Confidence, certainty, intensity, fervor, persuasion.
    3.  cf. 2 Tim. 1:12; 1:7; 1 Cor. 16:13 - Calls to conviction which cause us to offer our best to God!

III.  HAVE A DESIRE FOR THE TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS (1 Pet. 2:2).
  A.  Seek & Apply God’s Word & Will For Your Life - Acts 13:6-7.
    1.  Sergius Paulus "sought" to hear the word of God.
    2.  Otherwise, we offer excuses, grow spir. weak & die.
    3.  Matt. 5:6 - Hunger & thirst (cf. Psa. 119:131).

IV.  DECIDE NOW TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT!
  A.  Have A Willing Mind - 2 Cor. 8:12.
  B.  Determine To Deny Self & Sacrifice For Jesus - Lk. 9:23.
    -(Willingness to sacrifice reveals the value we place on Jesus, truth & salvation!) - Heb. 3:7-8; 2 Cor. 6:2.

V.  DO THE RIGHT THING NOW! - Josh. 24:15; 1 Kgs. 18:21
  A.  Must Do The Things Which Produce Spiritual Strength - Eph. 6:10-11, 14-18.
  B.  We Must Do More Than Talk A Good Game - Live It! - Matt. 7:23

Conclusion
1.  We are able to learn our duty to God and to do everything God requires of us - Lk. 6:46.
2.  Get busy learning & doing - Living by faith!   2 Cor. 5:7