I Can Do All Through Christ

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