This week Youth Director Elijah Hippe continued on sermon series The Seven with the church of Philadelphia. The most powerful yes we can give God is often the one we make when we feel the weakest. A weak yes may not feel courageous or significant, but when it is surrendered to God, He can use it to open doors, build endurance, and accomplish what we could never accomplish in our own strength. God is not asking us to have unlimited strength: He is asking us to trust Him with the strength we do have. Sometimes, the end of our own strength is exactly where His power begins.
Revelation 3:7-8
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. 8 ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.’” ““8 ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.’”
James 1:2-4
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Galatians 6:9
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Hebrews 12:1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”
2 Corinthians 12:9
“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.
Luke 22:41-44
“And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Repeatedly choosing discipline strengthens the brain’s self-control pathways, making it easier to resist impulses and choose what is harder but more beneficial. Over time, these choices reinforce new neural pathways, delay gratification, and train the brain and body to handle stress and resistance more effectively.
Servants: those who serve the church faithfully and lovingly, who arrive early and leave late
Revelation 3:11-12
“I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.”
Spectators: those who come to church and hear the word, but are on the fence as to what comes next
1 Peter 4:10-11
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Seekers: those who are at church, but does not really know who Jesus is
If God exists and you believe → infinite gain (eternal life)
If God exists and you don’t believe → infinite loss (damnation)
If God doesn’t exist and you believe → finite loss (some worldly sacrifices)
If God doesn’t exist and you don’t believe → finite gain (some worldly freedom)
Discussion Questions:
- Which are you more likely to be right now: a servant, a spectator, or a seeker? What do you think might be keeping you from moving one step closer to fully following God?
- The Bible says God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. Why do you think we sometimes try to hide or overcome our weaknesses instead of allowing God to work through them?
- Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but yours, be done.” What makes surrendering our own plans to God difficult, and what might change when we genuinely trust Him with the outcome?
Application Questions:
- What is one small, practical choice you can make this week to move from being a spectator to being a servant?
- When you feel discouraged or want to give up, what truth from this week’s message can you remind yourself of—and how will you put it into practice?