Can I Really Do All Things?

Viral Verses

Can I Really Do All Things?

Philippians 4:13

We have no right to hold God responsible for a promise we have misunderstood.

In Christ Jesus we can rely on all the promises of God when they are properly understood and applied.

Background:

• Paul is In Prison

• The believers in Philippi have sent him a gift, he is writing a letter to thank them, encourage them and instruct them

Paul’s Response

1. Paul’s Joy (10)

• Spontaneous Joy

• Important Qualification

2. Paul’s Contentment (11-12)

• Learned

• Dynamic

• Extreme

• Christ-Centered

Paul’s fulfillment came not from what he accomplished, but Whose He Was

“Contentment is the direct fruit of having no higher ambition than to belong to the Lord at His disposal.” Sinclair Ferguson

“Knowing Him is the greatest treasure; walking with Him the greatest pleasure; living out His plan on earth the greatest significance.”

Question: What if what is best for the kingdom of God is not best for you personally? Are you willing for God to do what is not best for you if it’s best for his kingdom?

3. Paul’s Confidence (13)

Dependent Confidence – “through him or in him”

The proper understanding of “all things” is controlled by the Context

Paul is referring here to All These Situations he has just been writing about

“I have the power to face all such situations in union with the One who continually infuses me with strength.”

“Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” (Philippians 4:13, The Message)

Living In Light Of This Promise

1. Anchor your identity in Christ

The secret to contentment is finding my identity, my security and my satisfaction not in what I have, but in Whose I Am

2. Avoid comparisons

3. Adjust to the reality of change

4. Draw on Christ’s power

Contentment does not mean you will always Like the situation you are in, but that with Christ’s power you can handle it.  You are sufficient for it.  You can cope. 

“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.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

5. Trust God to meet my needs (19)

6. Focus on glorifying God (20) 

Discontentment is a signal that Jesus Christ is not the center of my life

Making It Personal:

• Is there any way in which you have misunderstood Philippians 4:13 and its application to your life today?  What needs to be adjusted?

• Review the six points of “living in light of this promise.” Practically how can you live out these points this week?

• Take some time this week to meditate on and pray Philippians 4:10-13 back to God.

• Who can you share these truths with?