BECAUSE YOU ARE STRONG, AND THE WORD OF GOD ABIDES IN YOU

Text: 1 John 2:12-14
3 July 2011

(I) CELEBRATION OF STRENGTH

“Because you are strong” 1 John 2:14b

1. Strength as a gift of God

2. Strength as a major feature of life

3. Strength as a great source of power in life

(II) CORE OF STRENGTH

“And the word of God abides in you…” 1 John 2:14c

1. To be found in the word of God

a) There is great power in the Word of God

b) It is able to make a person strong

c) This power comes from God Himself acting through His word

2. Abides in you

a) The promise of Jesus concerning abiding

i) Abiding in Him ( John 15:5 )

ii) Abiding in His love ( John 15:9-10 )

iii) Abiding in His word ( John 15:7 )

b) The potential power

i) The word of God abiding in young people ( 1 John 2:14 )

ii) The strength that now fills the life ( 1 John 2:14 )

(III) CONQUERING THE EVIL ONE

“And you have overcome the evil one” 1 John 2:14d

1. Power of the evil one is not to be underestimated

2. Power to overcome the evil one

a) Contemplated

b) Celebrated

(IV) CHALLENGE TO FIND THAT STRENGTH

1. Desire to be an overcomer

2. Decision to let God’s word abide in our heart

3. Determination to live in the strength of God