The Weak And The Strong

In every situation, we have those whom we consider weak

and those whom we consider strong.

A. We all have somewhat different criteria that we

use to come to this conclusion.

1. This is generally referred to as “our standards”

a. If someone doesn’t measure up to our

standards, we consider them weak.

1.) What does this automatically

imply?.....Yes....that we who have

set the standards, are the strong.

I can poke holes in this whole system....but for the sake of

this exercise....let us consider that your standards are the

right ones and that everyone else that doesn’t measure up to

those standards, is weak.

A. In the jungle....in the animal kingdom...., the weak

do not survive.

1. The weak becomes food for the strong.

Examples: Large predator cats will pick out the weakest in

the herd.

Chickens will peck the weakest one in the flock

to death.

Even among humans......the bully will pick out

weak kid, on the playground.

Is this how things are to operate in the Kingdom of God?

A. Is there any difference in the relationship between

the weak and the strong?

1. I believe that the scriptures speak quite clearly

concerning this relationship.

Let us take a look at what God says......from the standpoint

of YOU BEING THE STRONG ONE!

I. God views the weak as objects of His special love and

care and expects men and women to extend love and

concern towards them, as well.

A. God, Himself, is there to give strength to those

who are weak.

1. Physically.......but more importantly....God

is there to strengthen the spiritually weak, if

they would only cry out to Him and let Him

work in their lives.

Isaiah 40:29-31 - 29 He gives power to the

weak, And to those who have no might He

increases strength. Even the youths shall

faint and be weary, And the young men shall

utterly fall,31 But those who wait on the

Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall

mount up with wings like eagles, They shall

run and not be weary, They shall walk and

not faint.

2. God does not look on the weak with scorn and

condemnation....he looks on the weak with

pity and a yearning to help.

B. If you really think about it............it was this very

attitude that moved God, with pity, to send His

own Son as the remedy for sinful....weak....and

fallen man.

Romans 5:8 - 8But God demonstrates His own love

toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died

for us.

II Cor. 12:9 - 9And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient

for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

John 3:16 - 16“For God so loved the world that He gave

His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him

should not perish but have everlasting life. 17“For God did

not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but

that the world through Him might be saved.

Isaiah 53:6 - 6 All we like sheep have gone

astray;We have turned, every one, to his own

way; And the Lord has laid on Him the

iniquity of us all.

1. Sin weakened us all, spiritually......indeed, we

were even weakened unto death.

a. God looked down on mankind’s state and

His love....His mercy....His care and

concern............gave us a new life and

new strength, in Him.

II. God’s word explicitly describes how we are to treat

those who are weaker than we are.

A. We, as God’s children, need to emulate God in all

of His ways.

1. As God showed mercy, love, and concern

for the weak........it is only fitting that we, who

are strong, also show mercy, love, and

concern for our spiritually weak fellow man.

Romans 15:1-2 - 1We then who are strong ought to bear

with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to

edification.

a. We are not in a jungle atmosphere....we

left that mind-set when we left the

world.

1.) Survival of the fittest is a law of

Darwin....it is a law of the flesh....

it is a law with no hope and no

help.

b. We, as Christians, live under a law of

love......a law that frees others as we

have been freed.......a law of hope, in

Christ Jesus.

1.) The weakest of us can be given

support, encouragement, help,.....

and eventually.......Eternal Life!

B. Let us remember the proposition.....YOU are the

spiritually strong one.....let us see what God tells

you to do.

1. To the leaders “shepherds” of Israel, God

charges care....concern....involvement...

responsibility.

a. God is the same today as He was back

then........God still charges the