<Missed the 2014 Peacemaker Conference? Get summaries of the 2014 Peacemaker Conference Speakers here!>
Pastor Jason Meyer, from Bethlehem Baptist Church, gave the opening message at the 2014 Peacemaker Conference. He challenged us to embrace a theology of weakness. We glorify God by declaring his sufficiency for us in our weakness. Often we have the wrong impression of spiritual maturity. In physical maturity, we become less dependent on our parents as we mature. But in spiritual maturity, we become more dependent on Jesus and recognize that we need Him more.
Pastor Jason explained that when we are weak, that is when God can work. Therefore, peacemakers should boast in their weaknesses. Boasting in our weaknesses doesn’t come naturally. We are self-sufficient and self-reliant. But God wants us to come to an end in ourselves. In his love, he helps us to see the reality of our powerlessness and the sufficiency of His power.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Pastor Jason explained that we can often feel disappointed in doing the hard work of peacemaking. There are real pains in life. There are hard hearts and there is real evil in this world. We will feel at our wits end. We will be tempted to lose heart. Satan scores a basket and we are tempted to think that we have lost the basketball game. But in that moment, we are missing the big picture.
God is glorified in us when we are dependent on Him. Anxiety is looking at yourself and saying I don’t have enough. Whereas faith is saying, it’s not too difficult for God. Pastor Jason challenged us saying: “Let your weakness be seen so that His strength can be seen.”
2 Corinthians 1:8-11, shows the pattern for a theology of weakness.
- Desperation. (v.8)- Paul even felt despair of life itself and was burdened beyond his strength.
- Dependence. (v.9)- Paul explains that this was to make him not rely on himself but on God. It is loving of God to make us turn to him.
- Deliverance. (v.10)- God will deliver us. “In God’s world, faithful death always leads to resurrection.” If we lay down our life and give it to God, he will raise it up.
- Doxology. (v.11)- This is to the praise of God’s glory.
We spend so much time hiding our weaknesses. But Paul says get them out in front so everyone can see them. God uses a thorn to keep Paul humble (2 Corinthians 12:7). In the same way, God puts thorns into our lives so that we will not become boastful and independent and move away from Him. Can you boast in your weaknesses?
God intends that his grace would be sufficient for us. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Weakness is a gift that no one wants. Paul could look at it and say, what are you doing God? Look at all that you are keeping me from. But God responds and says, no, I’m keeping you from becoming self-reliant and self-dependent, like Satan who fell because of his pride. Pastor Jason asked us to get practical and say to God, thank you for sending affliction for you are keeping me close to you and in a position where I need you.
Pastor Jason explained that there is great freedom in knowing that we are the pencil and God is the artist. The pressure is taken off of us. As peacemakers we have no control.
“Control is just an illusion.” – Pastor Jason Meyer
We don’t need to keep a ministry score. When people see how God uses cracked pots, God gets all the glory.
Pastor Jason challenged us to focus on what we can not lose in the gospel. Death can not separate us from God’s love. Peacemakers need to look at the final score to not lose heart. Even though Satan may have scored, he is ultimately defeated. There is no greater love than God keeping you close to him and God knows how to do it.
Pastor Jason shared how Martyn Lloyd Jones, the great preacher from London was so sick at the end of his life that it took him a super long time to get from his couch to his bed. Friends came to encourage him but would get depressed just watching him. He used to be a lion in pulpit, but now looked pitiful. Martyn Lloyd Jones would encourage them from Luke 10:20. “Don’t rejoice that the demons are subject to your name, but rejoice that your name is written in heaven.” Jones asked his friends why he should be depressed? He explained that he is no less saved today than when he was in ministry. In fact, salvation was nearer than when he first believed.
May we embrace weakness and remember that God uses peacemakers who are cracked pots, for the praise of his own glory.
