The Great Power that Looks Weak (Colossians 1:11).Sunday August 16, 2026
Main idea: Because of God’s promise of a steady supply of His power, everyone in Christ should have absolute confidence that they can be steadfast and patient in all things to all people for the sake of the gospel.
Intro:
“Hercules fought the river-god Achelous because Achelous was in love with the girl Hercules now wanted to marry. Like everyone else by this time, Achelous had no desire to fight him and he tried to reason with him. But that never worked with Hercules. It only made him more angry. He said, “MY hand is better than my tongue. Let me win fighting and you may win talking.” Achelous took the form of a bull and attacked him fiercely, but Hercules was used to subduing bulls. He conquered him and broke off one of his horns. The cause of the contest, a young princess named Deianira, became his wife.” [Edith Hamilton, Mythology]
When anyone speaks of power, might, or strength, it is usually in this realm of understanding. Beating your opponent. God’s strength in you is for saving your opponent.
Today we are going to see the power of God.
Col 1:11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;
Why is the power of God into us associated with resurrection?
Eph 1:18-23 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places [Dan 7:13-14], 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion [enemies], and every name that is named [the power of the enemy], not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet [Psa 110:1; Psa 8:6], and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
When Christ was raised, we were raised, and made a new creation in Christ. From the source of God’s dominion and power He brought about exceedingly great power to us when He raised Christ from the dead.
For what purpose? Strength takes many forms (Hercules?).
We are to be like Him (Col 3:10).
Eph 3:16-21 with the result – Eph 4:1-3.
Eph 3:16-21 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
For what purpose?
Eph 4:1-3 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
“The hands that had made the sun and stars were too small to reach the huge heads of the cattle.” G.K. Chesterton, The Everlasting Man.
Resurrection: not the power to destroy but to live like Christ.
The idol Power is a destroyer god: personal power becomes the ultimate.
Idol: something good that becomes ultimate and non-negotiable.
What you get in the end?
Hurt (yourself and others: seek control, eliminate enemies or obstacles), loneliness, isolation, emptiness.
Christ: the Son of God on a cross saying “Father forgive them,” and meaning it. That’s God’s power.
Christ’s resurrection power
He did not march over to Pilate, Sanhedrin, or Rome and boast victory.
He went to His disciples and sent them to the Jews and world.
Luk 24:47-49 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 "You are witnesses of these things. 49 "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."
Act 1:8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
The weak who are strong in God are sent to the weak who worship death (inner idols) in order to invite them into life.
Sending the weak / strong into world (1Co 2:3).
1Co 2:3-5 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
Resurrection is our reality (Eph 2:5-6; Col 3:1-4) before it has actually happened.
We remain weak by the world’s definition: longsuffering, patient, turn the other cheek, etc.
We are strong by God’s definition: we can suffer long in the power of God for the purpose of the gospel. Not ultimately seeking our own comfort or power or reputation.
Col 3:10-14 - the image of the new creation.
Col 3:5-9 - the image of the old.
Christ example: weakness promoted to the right hand of God.
Christ’s power in weakness is seen in His wilderness temptation and in Gethsemane.
He emptied Himself to be obedient and was exalted (Phi 2:6-8) – now He has exalted us, Col 1:12).
We do not fear because He has ultimate authority at the right hand, Psa 110:1.
We sing our praise to Him before the whole world as fearless (strong) babes (weak). Psa 8:2 (Col 3:16).
He said, “If you love Me you will keep My commands.”
There is no fear in love (1Jo 4:18).
Conclusion:
God’s power to us is associated with the resurrection of Christ because God’s might is the power source of the new creation.
That power is to be compassionate, love, and seeking the salvation of all, even our enemies.
Christ is always our model. They will persecute and insult: but blessed are you when they do.
What must you do?
Know that God’s power is being poured into you for the purpose of steadfastness and patience and not for self-promotion or any other selfish thing.
Detect within yourself the times when you are tempted by the idol Power (prayer, reflection, personal Bible study).
Convince yourself of the reason you cannot fear any intimidation (Christ is exalted) and then joyfully and boldly be a light to the world by the power of the Father to you.
Convince yourself that through love of God, the gospel is your calling (not any idol), and then shine the gospel forth to all. |