Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire Book Reading Clip
God is attracted to our weakness and can use us in our natural state, as long as we are humble and dependent on Him.
In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal journey of discovering the power of weakness and honesty in preaching the word of God. He emphasizes that God is attracted to those who humbly admit their need for Him and that our weakness allows room for His power to work through us. The speaker also highlights the importance of being natural and sincere in preaching, rather than trying to put on a ministerial front. He encourages the congregation to trust in God's guidance and to study His word diligently, while embracing their own unique style of preaching.
Full Transcript
That evening, when I was at my lowest, confounded by obstacles, bewildered by the darkness that surrounded us, unable to continue even preaching, I discovered an astonishing truth. God is actually attracted to weakness. He can't resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need him.
Our weakness, in fact, makes room for his power. And in a parallel vein, people are not turned off by honesty either. I didn't have to keep up some ministerial front.
I could just preach God's Word as best I knew and then call the congregation to pray and worship. The Lord would take over from there. How I treasured those early humblings.
They showed me that I didn't need to play the preacher. Jesus called fishermen, not graduates of rabbinical schools. The main requirement was to be natural and sincere.
His disciples had to depend totally upon the Lord and his power, in the same way I needed to stop trying to act ministerial, whatever that was. God could only use Jim Simbala the way he was. What a breakthrough that was for me, as I learned to trust God to use my natural personality.
He had always despised sham and pretense, especially in the pulpit. The minute I started trying to affect any posture or pose, God's Spirit would be grieved. What I could do, however, was to get even more serious about studying.
I began building a biblical library and giving many hours during the week to digging into God's Word. But another John Wesley or G. Campbell Morgan I would never be. That was obvious.
I had to find my own natural style and stay open and dependent on God. Every week, however, seemed to carry with it a new challenge.
Sermon Outline
- God is attracted to weakness
- Stop trying to be someone you're not
- Stay open and dependent on God
- Our weakness makes room for God's power
- Honesty is attractive, not pretense
- Trust God to use your natural personality
- Study and prepare, but stay humble
Key Quotes
“God is actually attracted to weakness.” — Jim Cymbala
“Our weakness, in fact, makes room for his power.” — Jim Cymbala
“God could only use Jim Simbala the way he was.” — Jim Cymbala
Application Points
- Be willing to admit your weaknesses and needs, and trust God to work through you.
- Stay humble and dependent on God by continuously studying and preparing, but also staying open to His guidance and power.
- Remember that God doesn't call the qualified, but He qualifies the called, and He can use anyone who is willing to trust Him.