6 Sermon Illustrations on Strength in Weakness

There is an analogy between our lives and the different kinds of boats we have today. There is the rowboat, the sailboat, and the steamboat. All three of them are able to carry loads. The rowboat carries the least because its motion depends on the strength of those who row. The sailboat carries a little more for its motion depends on the wind. However, there is a chance that the wind will toss the boat around quite a bit, and it will be difficult to reach the goal. The steamboat, however, depends neither on human strength nor on the winds, but on the power within which will move it to its destination in spite of the weakness of human strength and the fury of outside circumstances. This is what Christ desires of us. He desires His followers to develop the capacity to carry a heavy load in life without permitting that load to depress them, but rather allowing it to help them to move smoothly. I do not know if you have ever traveled on a boat which is empty, which has no cargo. The motion is terribly rough and the seamen dread it. But when the boat is loaded, it goes along smoothly. That is the goal of trials in the Christian journey. They help us to get settled on the sea, furious though it may be, and move smoothly on to our destination.

I can but wonder at three things in the love of Christ. First, freedom. Oh that lumps of sin should get such love for nothing! Secondly, the sweetness of his love. I give over either to speak or write of it; but those that feel it may better witness what it is: but it is so sweet, that, next to Christ himself, nothing can match it. Nay, I think that a soul could live eternally blessed on Christ's love, and feed upon no other thing. Thirdly, what power and strength are in his love! I am persuaded it can climb a steep hill with hell upon its back; and swim through water, and not drown; and sing in the fire, and find no pain; and triumph in losses, prisons, sorrow, exile, disgrace, and laugh and rejoice in death. When I have worn my tongue to the stump in praising Christ, I have done nothing to him; for my withered arms will not go about his high, wide, long, and broad love.

— Rutherford

A certain amount of opposition is a great help to a man. Kites rise against, and not with, the wind. Even a head-wind is better than none. No man ever worked his passage anywhere in a dead calm. Let no man wax pale, therefore, because of opposition. Opposition is what he wants and must have, to be good for any thing. Hardship is the native soil of manhood and self-reliance. He that cannot abide the storm without flinching or quailing strips himself in the sunshine, and lies down by the wayside to be overlooked and forgotten. He who but braces himself to the struggle when the winds blow gives up when they have done, and falls asleep in the stillness that follows. J. Neal.