Renewed in Strength Home of Christians

Renewed in Strength Hymn # 471: ”All the Way My Savior Leads Me.” Verses: Isa.40:28-31; Heb. 6:11-12; 10:35-36; 11:1-2; Num. 14:6-9; Deut. 8:2-6; Josh. 1:6-7; 3:14-17; 6:20; Eph. 2:10,22; 1 Cor. 9:25b-26; Phil. 4:13 Outline: 1. Faith, Patience, Boldness 2. The Experience of Joshua 3. The Example of Lord Jesus 4. Renewed in Strength; Run Untiringly 5. Mutual Encouragement 2

Isaiah 40:28-31 Isa. 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 40:30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 40:31 but those who wait on (wait for, hope in ) the Lord will renew their strength. They shall mount up with (soar on) wings like eagles; they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint. 3

Hebrews 6:11-12; 10:35-36 Heb. 6:11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 6:12 We do not want you to become sluggish (lazy,) but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Heb. 10:35 So do not cast away your confidence (boldness); it will be richly rewarded. Heb. 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 4

1. Faith, Patience, Boldness A. Life’s uncertainty and perils Doubt - bewilderment Anxiety - edginess Peril - timidity B. Exhortations in Hebrews – God’s promise and reward Faith- (Heb. 6:12; 11:6) Patience- (Heb. 10:36) Boldness- (Heb. 10:35) 5

2. The Experience of Joshua A. By faith gazing upon God’s promised Canaan (Num. 14:6-9) B. Forbearing Israelites – wandering together for 40 years (Deut. 8:2-6) C. Be strong and of good courage (Josh. 1:6-7) Crossed Jordan (Josh. 3:14-17) Conquered Jericho (Josh. 6:20) 6

3. The Example of Lord Jesus A. Doubtless faith towards God’s will For such is thy good will (Lk.10:21) Not mine but thy will be done (Lk.22:42) B. Walk in God’s will with long-suffering Earthly mission – dying for our sin submitting to God’s will (Gal.1:4) Heavenly ministry – High Priest living for intercession for believers (Heb.7:24-25) C. Immense love and valor Suffered the agony of the cross (Heb.2:9b) Annihilated the power of death (Heb.2:14b) 7

4. Renewed in Strength; Run Untiringly A. Steadfast faith - on the faithfulness of God and His promise God’s work on us - (Eph. 2:10,22) God’s work through us – our testimony and service; Gospel God’s reward for us - (1 Cor. 9:25b-26) 8

4. Renewed in Strength; Run Untiringly B. Persevered and be renewed in strength (Isa. 40:31) “Perseverance” – the most precious lesson “Hope in” – Abraham “Wait for” – Jacob “Wait on” – Joshua C. March on boldly – on the un-treaded path Run and walk without growing weary or fainting Eric Liddell – Champion for the Lord ( ) 9

Headstone of Liddell’s tomb - Weifang, Shandong, China Inscription: Isaiah 40:31 “They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary.” 10

5. Mutual Encouragement May the Lord revive us and give us renewed strength for the New Year. Re-gain fresh faith in God’s purpose on us and His church, against our doubts, weaknesses and outward uncertainties. Grant us patience so we can persevere amid trials and difficulties. Supply us with the prudence and courage to take on His good work. Faith has aims; patience roots in hope; boldness comes from God’s strengthening. Phil. 4:13 I can do all things in Him who strengthens me! 11

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