January 2025 Printable 215 KB .pdf

MOR-Bible, which is by God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God's grace, unmerited divine favor, be to you and peace, an absolute end of all strife or trouble, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ to the faithful in Christ Jesus. We bow our knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. We pray that God our Father will grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and empowered with might by His Spirit in your inner man. We pray that Christ, the glorified one, may dwell in your minds and hearts by believing, and that you be filled with all the fullness of God. Unto God our Father be the glory in the church through Christ Jesus, our Lord, Amen.

To start the new year of 2025, this month's teaching is on Living with strength and power. We will look at the following:

• Define the Greek word asthenés.
• Review the scriptures to understand when we were without strength and power.
• Perform a Word study on the Greek word endunamoo which means "to empower."
• Identify the verses which tell us how we can be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.

  Note: The sources for all Greek English words are Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, The Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament (Bullinger), Young's Analytical Concordance to the Bible, The Word Study Concordance by George V. Wigram and Ralph D. Winter, The Bible Hub, and Webster's Desk Dictionary of the English Language.
  

People, before we were born-again of God's Spirit, we did not have the strength and the power of God our Father and His son the Lord Jesus Christ. It is written in Romans 5:6:

For when we were yet without strength [Greek word asthenes], in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Note: Bold added for emphasis.

The phrase without strength is the Greek word asthenés. This Greek word is often used in the Bible to focus on human weakness in contrast to divine strength. Let's review the scriptures to understand when we were without strength and power.

In Ephesians 2:2, we are told:

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.

The word world in this verse is the Greek word kosmos meaning "activities in this world as organized or influenced by Satan." The phrase Wherein in times past establishes the time in which we walked according to the course of this world or kosmos or the world as influenced by the devil. Remember, Ephesians 6:12 says:

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Going back to Ephesians 2:2, we are told we walked according to the prince of the power of the air. Here, the word prince refers to the adversary or the devil. This doubly establishes that the world is influenced by Satan. The word power is translated from the Greek word exousia which refers to the exercising power that the adversary uses. The phrase of the air is a figure of speech. This one verse packs so much warning from God about how the devil has power and influence over the world.

Ephesians 2:3 continues on to tell us:

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Here, we are reminded again that in times past we were by nature, body and soul, without God and without Christ. Who is the god of this world? Satan according to 2 Corinthians 4:4. In times past, we belonged to Satan until we were saved. We were by nature, by natural birth, body and soul, without the spirit of God and without Christ. We were children of wrath, even as others.
Ephesians 2:12 explains:

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

The reason this verse stated That at that time ye were without Christ is because Christ came for the lost sheep of Israel (see Matthew 15:24). As a reminder, the Gentiles were uncircumcised, and not of Israel. This is why the Gentiles are described in this verse as being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. We were without strength and power before we were born-again of God's Spirit (see Romans 10:9) which is God in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:19) in you the hope of glory (see Colossians 1:27). We were without Christ, having no hope, and without God in the world therefore no strength and power (see Ephesians 2:12)! I ask you to read the verses included in parentheses so you can understand the power and strength you have through Christ.

When we confess the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, we are saved (see Romans 10:9)! Now, we have in our physical bodies God in Christ in us! What a remarkable truth people!

It is written in 2 Corinthians 5:19:

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Note: Bold added for emphasis.

It is written in Colossians 1:27:

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Note: Bold added for emphasis.

It is God in Christ in you, which gives you the strength and power. I cannot stress how empowering this is people! Numerous born-again Christians do not know this great truth. They do not know what we can do in the name of Jesus Christ. Or what we have received in Christ or what we shall receive with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ! Why? Because they do not study God's Word to know what they have received in the new birth and what is available to them! We thank God for all the ambassadors for Christ, who rightly divide His Word and hold forth His Word of life (see Philippians 2:16)!

With this understanding of how we have power and strength, let's perform a word study of the Greek word endunamoó which means "to empower." There are only eight (8) usages in the New Testament. The number eight in the Word of God means "to make fat," "to cover with fat," "to super abound," and "over and above." The number eight is always used to denote the first of a new series. We will bold the word for endunamoó for emphasis.

The first usage is found in Acts 9:22:

But Saul increased the more in strength [Greek word endunamoó], and confounded the Jews [Judeans] which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

The word strength is the Greek word endunamoó which means to empower! The verb endunamoó carries the meaning of being immersed with strength or power. It describes the spiritual empowerment that believers receive from God. This empowerment enables them to endure trials, perform their duties, and live out their belief effectively. The term emphasizes the source of strength as being external, coming from God, the one supreme with whom is the fountain of life and light, rather than from human effort.

It is written in Romans 4:20:

He [Abraham] staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong [endunamoó] in [by] faith [believing], giving glory to God.

The phrase was strong in this verse is the Greek word endunamoó or to empower. Abraham staggered not at the promise of God, the one supreme with whom is the fountain of life and light, through unbelief; but was empowered by believing, giving glory to God. Can you see how much more the verses come to life when you understand the original words (Greek) and their meanings?

Let's continue with Romans 4:21:

And being fully persuaded that, what he (God) had promised, he (God) was able also to perform.

When we as sons and daughters of God staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but are empowered by our believing, giving glory and honor to God our Father, we are strong! And when we are empowered in this way, we are fully persuaded without a doubt that what God our Father, the one supreme with whom is the fountain of life and light, has promised, He was able and powerful, and mighty to perform. This is an extraordinary example on how to believe to receive God's promises!

It is written in Ephesians 6:10:

Finally, my brethren [not in the original text], be strong [endunamoó - empowered] in the Lord [master], and in the power of his might.

This verse tells us to be strong or empower in who? The Lord and master. And we do this in the power of who? His might! We are not to be strong in our own might or in our preacher's or theologian's might. We are told to be strong in the might of the Lord, our master! This verse has a wonderful figure of speech known as hendiadys, which means that two words, power and might in this case, mean one thing. So, in this verse, the phrase in the power of his might is hendiadys or be strong or empowered in the Lord our master, and in his mighty power! Wow! The richness of God's Word is astounding!

It is written in Philippians 4:13:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [endunamoó] me.

We are empowered to do all things through Christ, because he is the one who has empowered us. It was through his torture, death, and, most importantly, resurrection that we become empowered when we confessed the Lord Jesus and believed in our hearts that God raised him from the dead (see Romans 10:9)!

I love the Amplified Bible translation of this verse. It translates this verse to mean:

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose-I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

The next usage of endunamoó is written in 1 Timothy 1:12:

And I [Paul] thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled [endunamoó] me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.

Who enabled or empowered Paul? Christ Jesus our Lord! Who enabled or empowered us? Christ Jesus our Lord! The Bible is very clear on this.

2 Timothy 2:1 has the next usage:

Thou therefore, my son, be strong [endunamoó] in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

In this verse, we are told to be strong or empowered in the grace, God's unmerited divine favor, that is in who? Christ Jesus. Once again, the Bible reminds us from where we get our strength, our endunamoó.

2 Timothy 4:17 has the next usage:

Notwithstanding the Lord [master] stood with me [Paul] and strengthened [endunamoó] me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Who is the lion in this verse from which Paul was delivered? It is the devil. How did the Lord master stand with Paul? By empowering or endunamoó him through the gift of holy spirit within him. How does the Lord, our master, stand with you and I? By empowering us by the gift of holy spirit that is within us, which is God in Christ in you! It is pretty simple, people.

We see the usage of the word lion referencing the devil in 1 Peter 5:8:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

The final usage of endunamoó in the Bible is in Hebrews 11:34:

Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong [endunamoó], waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Isn't it enlightening and empowering to know that out of weakness we are made strong? We are empowered with God in Christ in us, the hope of glory. When we find ourselves thinking we are weak, we must remember we have Christ in us, and he is our strength, he is our power!

Now that we have defined the Greek word asthenés, built our understanding of when we were without strength and power, and understand how we are empowered or have the promise of endunamoó, let's identify the Bible verses which tell us how we can be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. In reviewing these, you will learn that you must:

• Be born-again (Romans 10:9-10).
• Be filled with the gift of holy spirit (Acts 2:4).
• Study God's Word (2 Timothy 2:15).
• Renew your mind to God's Word and take action (Romans 12:2).
• Operate the nine manifestations of the spirit by speaking in tongues daily to edify or build up the spirit that is in you (1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and 1 Corinthians 14:4).
• Be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10) by studying the Church Epistles addressed to you, the church of the body, and practice the doing of God's Word as stated in these Church Epistles.

Remember, strength is not determined by someone's opinion or what some theologian or some church group may think. We are to be strong in who? The Lord, master! Once we are strong in the Lord, out of our weakness, we are made strong, empowered with God in Christ in us, the hope of glory. We can do all things, according to God's Word, through Christ which empowers us!

In this first teaching of 2025, we learned when we were without strength and power. We defined the Greek word asthenés and performed a Word study on the Greek word endunamoó which means "to empower." We also learned how we can be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. With this understanding, we can live with strength and power each day and walk in the Word of God continually.

To start off this new year, it is imperative to remember (and remind ourselves continually) that it is God in Christ in you which gives us the strength and power to move out and walk and talk according to the Word. I cannot stress how empowering this is people! Numerous born-again Christians do not know this great truth. They do not know what we can do in the name of Jesus Christ. Or what we have received in Christ or what we shall receive with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ! Why? Because they do not study God's Word to know what they have received in the new birth and what is available to them! Our source of strength and empowerment (endunamoó) is coming from God, the one supreme with whom is the fountain of life and light, rather than from our mortal efforts.

I thank God our Father for blessing us with this opportunity to hold forth the Word of life with you. We love you. We pray that God by way of Christ Jesus our Lord, will empower you and stand with you while you are holding forth the Word of life, God's Word. We pray that you will be strengthened and made strong (endunamoó) by His gift of holy spirit, which is God in Christ in you, the hope of glory. We pray that you will be strong in the Lord and the power of his might (endunamoó). In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Our love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Continue to remind yourselves that you are strong (endunamoó) and empowered in the Lord!

In the Lord,

Ministry of Reconciliation
Son of God through Jesus Christ
Ambassador for Christ

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