Series: Lord, Give Me Strength!

The Horizontal Strength of God

 What does horizontal strength look like?

 Point 1: We receive resources to make us strong from God through others. 

 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone, it is the same God at work. Now to each one, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.   To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gift of healing by that one  Spirit, to another miraculous power,  to another prophecy,  to another distinguishing between spirits,  to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,  and  He distributes them  to  each one,  just as He determines.”

Point 2: We receive strength from God through the prayers of others.  God wants us in the community.

James 5:13-15 “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. and the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.”

Point 3: We receive strength to not turn away from God through others.

Hebrews 3:12-13 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful,  unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily as long as it is called “Today,”  so  that    none  of  you  may  be  hardened   by  sin’s deceitfulness.