I Can Do All Through Christ
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
7/7/2013 PM
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Text:
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Philippians 4:13
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Psalters: |
259, 55, 200, 127 |
- The wonderful power.
- “I can do.”
- Paul is not speaking of a physical power on his part, nor something physical on Christ’s part.
- The ability is spiritual – the ability to please God.
- Paul claims the spiritual ability to do “all things” in the service of and to the glory of God.
- The “all things” for Paul (cf. 1:15,16; 1:21; 3:8; 4:11,12).
- In general, it is the strength to do three things:
- It is the spiritual strength to admit that we are wrong and weak, a sinful sinner.
- It is the spiritual strength to believe that Jesus is God’s only begotten Son.
- It is the spiritual strength to live consciously to God’s glory out of gratitude.
- The source Paul has found is “Christ.”
- It is the person of God’s anointed One (called and qualified to be God’s office-bearer).
- It is “through” (literally, “in”) Christ, i.e., connected to Him.
- Every member of Christ’s body is in Christ, having His life and power working in us.
- It is Christ who “strengtheneth” – “infuses me with power.”
- Paul and we are able in the power of His might.
- It begins by consciously acknowledging that without Him we can do nothing good (John 15:5b).
- We are able to do respond by doing right out of grateful faith and to God’s glory.
- This spiritually doing all things to God’s glory becomes a blessed experience.
- Realize that Paul is saying this while in prison (so it is not just a statement of fact or a mere doctrinal truth).
- This personal confession is based on personal experience.
- This experience is not yet perfect, but it is a real experience of being able to do the right.
- Do you say this?
- The experience begins with our saying that in ourselves we can do nothing right.
- It is experienced when we see ourselves in Christ, and consciously call upon Him for help.
- It is to know that nothing can separate us from Him and His love!!!