Church On The Rock-Abilene
Wednesday Night Service 3/4/2026
  • I Speak Jesus
  • Abide
  • GREAT ARE YOU LORD
  • 1 Samuel 30:3–6 NKJV
    3 So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. 4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. 6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
    Introduction:
    People Struggle. All People Struggle.
    Growing Christians struggle because we thought we where at least decent people then we got saved and in the word of God and discovered that we where so much worse than decent.
    We struggle not only in the faith but in general. so we came with insecurities and then discovered we where sinners. that's awesome.
    Our insecurities very. We know what some of them are and think we know where they come from. Some of them are so deeply rooted that we have no idea when or how they are working.
    When you add to that the fact that life is life and doesn't work the way that it is supposed to.
    then there is tragedy that comes in every life.
    Knowing all of this the need to develop the ability to encourage ones self is at the top of the list.

    There Will Be Days When You Have No Strength Left

    1 Samuel 30:4 NKJV
    4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
    Even strong men break.
    Even leaders collapse.
    Weeping is not weakness.
    Emotional exhaustion is real.
    Key truth: You are not less spiritual because you feel devastated.
    But devastation must not be permanent residence.

    There Will Be Moments When No One Can Carry You

    1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV
    6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
    The same men who followed him turned on him.
    The people closest to you may not be strong enough to hold you up.
    Sometimes everyone around you is grieving too.
    Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 NKJV
    9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
    Community matters.

    But community is not a replacement for personal responsibility.

    Backpack vs. Boulder (Illustration Point)
    Some burdens are backpacks — God intends you to carry them.
    Some burdens are boulders — God intends you to carry them with help.
    Luke 9:23 NKJV
    23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
    Your cross is not transferable.
    You cannot outsource your daily walk.

    There Must Be Times When You Strengthen Yourself in the Lord

    1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV
    6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
    He did not deny reality.
    He did not blame others.
    He did not wait for encouragement.
    He anchored himself in God.
    Psalm 42:5 NKJV
    5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
    David talked to his own soul.
    He did not wait for someone else to stabilize him.

    Community Is a Spotter — Not a Crutch

    A spotter in the gym is for:
    safety
    maximum lift days
    A spotter is not for everyday reps.
    If someone must:
    be emotionally carried daily,
    be stabilized daily,
    be reassured constantly,
    they are not building spiritual strength.
    They are avoiding it.

    Balanced Truth

    We encourage one another. But we must also learn to encourage ourselves.
    Hebrews 10:24–25 NKJV
    24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
    Community is biblical.
    But strengthening yourself in the Lord is essential.
    Closing Movement (Short)
    Encourage yourself.
    Then inquire of the Lord.
    Then move forward.
    David strengthened himself before he pursued.
    Encouragement precedes victory.

      • 1 Samuel 30:3–6NKJV

      • 1 Samuel 30:4NKJV

      • 1 Samuel 30:6NKJV

      • Ecclesiastes 4:9–10NKJV

      • Luke 9:23NKJV

      • 1 Samuel 30:6NKJV

      • Psalm 42:5NKJV

      • Hebrews 10:24–25NKJV

Church On The Rock-Abilene
churchontherockabilene@gmail.com
3256725446
https://church-on-the-rock-abilene-tx.faithlifesites.com
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