For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath...appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

Ministry is serving other’s needs to help them benefit themselves and others as well as glorify God through becoming more Christlike.

I. God only has Weak Servants to Use

A. He uses people with limited knowledge, experience, and even obedience Rom 6:19  I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh...

B. His use of a person is not always indicative of their accuracy or holiness 1 Cor2:3 I was with you in weakness, in fear...

C. We’re supposed to depend on Him 2 Cor12:9...”My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

II. Positive Side of Weakness (Wounded Healer)

A. Empathy Heb 4:15 not have...who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin

B. Compassion Heb 5:2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.

C. Greater reliance upon God 2 Cor13:4 For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

D. Victory is possible Heb 11:34 ...out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

E. Mistakes aren’t fatal  Jn 21:17 "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

III. Dark Side of Weakness

A. Defeated complacency John 21:3 Peter said to them, "I am going fishing.

Titus 1:13...Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

B. Reproduce Sin - Model Imperfection 1 Cor 4:16  Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. Gal 4:12

C. Mistake Use for Holiness   3 John 1:11  Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.

Gal 2:11  Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 13  And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

D. Minister in the flesh Gal 4:17  They zealously court you, but for no good  Rom 10:2 they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge

Rom 16:18  who do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

2 Timothy 3:13  But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

IV. Help for Weakness (see Process of Perfection Heb 9:17)

A. Trust God’s Help Romans 8:26 the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses...but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us...

B. Grow 1 Pt 2:2 desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby 2 Pt 3:18  but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior

Ephesians 4:15  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head----Christ----

C. Do Good Gal 6:9 not grow weary while doing good...reap if we do not lose heart. 2Thess 3:13 brethren, do not grow weary in doing good

D. Cross train - Experience Body Life 1Cor 3:6  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

E. Accurately assess differences, strengths and weaknesses  Rom 12 not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly (soundmindedly) , as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 2Cor 5:16...we regard no one according to the flesh

F. Evaluate according to the Scriptures Ac 17: 11  more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

G. Don’t put your faith in people 2Tim 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

H. See the hand of God behind other’s actions 1Cor 3:9 For we are God's fellow workers you are God's field, you are God's building.

I. Drown Sorrows 1 Tim 5:23  No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

J. Wait on the Lord Is 40:31  But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Psalms 27:14...And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait,

Isa 58: 10  If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. 11  The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Questions for Discussion/Reflection/Response:

1. How mature does someone need to be in order to minister to others? What’s the downside of immaturity?

2. What are some of the lessons you’ve learned from obviously imperfect people?  Why do we fail to view others in living color?

3. Why do people tend to forget where they’ve come from, particularly when ministering to others?

4.  Would people obey imperfect leaders better? How do you respond to imperfect leadership?

5. What have you found helpful to keep going when you’re weak?