SERMON TITLE: Overflowing Joy in Our Weakness   Speaker: Pastor Juliana FernandesText: 2 Corinthians 7:2–4 Opening Prayer: Acknowledging the presence of the Holy Spirit to renew minds and hearts with the Word of God. ⸻ I. Background Context: The Corinthian Church • A young, humanistic church living in a society of self-centeredness and paganism. • Faced division, confusion, and cultural pressure—similar to today’s world. • 1 Corinthians deals with correction in church practices. • 2 Corinthians emphasizes suffering, weakness, and comfort in Christ. Key Text: 2 Corinthians 7:2–4 “Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you… I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.” ⸻ II. Main Theme: Joy that Overflows in Our Weakness Despite affliction, Paul declares overflowing joy. How is this possible? ⸻ 1. Trust in the Grace of God • Grace = what God does for you. • Law = what you try to do for God. • Many struggle to receive grace because of distractions, pride, or over-reliance on their own strength. Illustration: The distracted child in the classroom is trying to dress himself. Only when he asks for help does the teacher assist. Biblical Example: Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus—blinded to lose distraction, so he could truly hear God.Acts 26:4 – “I lived as a Pharisee, according to the strictest party of our religion.” He had everything to boast in—yet God had to break his pride to reveal grace. ⸻ 2. Live in the Righteousness of Christ • Righteousness = a position given by God, not earned. • We are no longer sinners—we are children of God, justified, and accepted. Key Verses: • Romans 3:24“And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” • Romans 5:19“For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” • We must reject condemnation (from the enemy or ourselves) and embrace the truth of justification by grace through faith. Practical Reminder: We don’t bargain with God through works. Our justification is not based on how much we serve or perform—it is based on Jesus’ finished work. ⸻ 3. Depend on the Power of God in Weakness • Joy doesn’t come from strength but from surrender. • Weakness is a channel for God’s power. Key Verse: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.” • The Greek word for “power” is dunamis—where we get “dynamite.” God’s explosive power is revealed through our surrender. Illustration: Even preaching in a second language, Pastor Juliana relies not on eloquence, but on God’s grace and power. ⸻ 4. Bonus Illustration: Gideon’s Story (Judges 6–7) • Gideon felt unqualified—“I am the least in my family.” • God reduced his army to 300 men and gave them jars, trumpets, and torches: • Jar = our brokenness • Trumpet = our mouth declaring His glory • Torch = fire and power of the Holy Spirit • The battle was won through weakness and obedience—not strength. ⸻ 5. Illustration: Electricity Object Lesson • Positive + Positive = No energy • Negative + Positive = Light turns on • When we approach God in our own strength (positive + positive), we resist His power. • When we come in weakness (negative), His strength is attracted and lights up our life. ⸻ Conclusion: Let Joy Overflow • The joy of the Lord is not circumstantial; it is spiritual. • It overflows when: • We receive His grace • We live in His righteousness • We embrace our weakness and let His power work in us Call to Response: Openly surrender weaknesses, distractions, pride, and receive the grace, righteousness, and power of God. Closing Prayer and Worship: A call to vocal prayer and spontaneous worship. Declare: “God, I surrender. Manifest your power in my weakness. Fill me with your joy!” ⸻ Final Blessing: God bless you. Have a week full of overflowing joy. Don’t forget—next Saturday is our Nations Festival. Bring friends! All proceeds go toward missions.

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