Perseverance – Never Give Up

Philippians 4:13

Perseverance – Never Give Up 02.12.25 CampdenPark Institute I am about to make a radical statement that in some ways may stun you: You will never experience the fullness of Joy that God wants for you to experience in your life until you put Christ 1stplace in every area of your life!

Jesus must be first place in our homes Jesus Christ must be first in our entertainment choices First in the way we use our financial resources, Jesus Christ must be first in our career, first in our marriage,

Jesus Christ must be first in our singleness,

Jesus Christ must be first in the area of our sexuality,

first in our relationships,

first in our dreams for the future.

Otherwise, we will not experience the fullness of Joy that God wants us to experience!

Many times, we see people looking for that joy, but they are looking to have it in all the wrong ways, they are looking in all the wrong places. It is only when we begin to realize that it is Christ and when I’m focused on him and I put him 1st place in my life then all of a sudden the joy begins to flow into my life like never before. That’s what Christ wants us to experience.

Now the question for all of us here this morning is: Is Jesus Christ first place in our life? Most of us would subscribe to this theoretically but when it boils down to reality it is a difficult thing.

Now we have in front of us today the focal point, the bull’s eye, the singular strongest Christological verse in all of scripture. More of what we believe about JC, more of what we celebrate about him, more of what we rejoice in regard to him comes from this verse. It is my hope that each one of us will leave here with this desire. Maybe you have not been doing such a good job at putting you first place in my life up to this point but from now on by your grace and in your strength, I am going to put you first place in my life.

***INTRO - Today’s verse is one of the most recognized and quoted verses in the Bible.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)

Tim Tebow A former NFL Quarterback used to put the reference on his eye black

Jon Jones the UFC prize fighter who became the youngest champion in the sport’s history had it tattooed across his chest.

Steph Currey the 4 time NBA Champion and 7 time All Star writes it on his sneakers before every game.

Why?

Because the gravitational pullof this verse is so strong that it makes a person thinkthey can do anything. (It boosts their spirit) it tells them to Persevere and Never Give Up

But is that what it’s teaching? Is that what’s it’s saying?

That we can be faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound in the name of Jesus! 😀

Philippians 4:13 is what I’ll like to share with you. As we focus on perseverance – NEVER GIVE UP… You are in school you get exercise academic muscles, learn a skill, flex your physical muscles but you need to also understand how to exercise your spiritual muscles.

I want to share 4 S words as we studythis verse phrase by phrase in its context to help us understandit and apply it to our lives.

Let me read it again so we can all feel the gravitational pull. Philippians 4:13 says,

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Philippians 4:13

Did you feel it? I did!

Let’s begin with our first S word as we examine this verse phrase by phrase to better understand and apply it to our lives.

1. The Secret of “I Can Do” IS NOT WHAT YOU CAN DO! BUT RATHER WHAT JESUS HAS DONE! YOU CAN ONLY ACCOMPLISH WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN YOUR LIFE, IF YOU FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR YOU. WHAT HAS HE DONE?

He offers us the gospel. The good news.

Let me summarize the Gospelin four words: Jesus took my place!

The Gospel in 3 words: Him for me!

The Gospel in 2 words: Substitutionary atonement!

The Gospel in 1 word: Grace!

The Gospel is not about what I can DO, D.O. to earn favor with God, to make myself right with Him, or to get myself to Heaven.

No!

The Gospel is all about what Jesus has DONE, D.ON.E for me on the cross as He took my placeand paid the debt that I couldn’t pay.

That’s why Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

In other words nobody is going to be standing around in Heaven bragging about how they got themselves there.

Jesus did it all when He died for us and was resurrected from the grave.

All we need to do is believe.

So the Secret of “I can DO”in Philippians 4:13, according to the context, is what Christ has DONE!

IOW When the verse says, "I can do all" he isn't talking about achieving success or overcoming physical challenges through sheer willpower or divine magic.

Instead, he's expressing his ability to endure any situation with peace and contentment because of the strength provided by Christ. The “I CAN DO” is about perseverance through trials and hardships. It reminds us that no matter what life throws at us—whether abundance or scarcity—we can face it with confidence because we are strengthened with the understanding of what He has done for us.

I can do! Because of what HE HAS DONE! What has he done. Jesus Came to give us life and life more abundantly.

* Sunday called to the house of a lady who had just lost her daughter. Disabled daughter who choked on a piece of macaroni pie why eating. How does she get through? I can do! Because of what Jesus has already done.

The second S word as we examine this verse phrase by phrase to help us understand and apply it to our lives.

2. The Scope of “All Things”MP2: The Scope of “All

Put your thinking caps on.

When studying the Bible contextdetermines meaning.

That’s the difference between exegesisand eisegesis.

Eisegesisis making the Bible say what you want it to say verses exegesiswhich is letting the Bible say what it was written to say.

In v11-12 as we let the Bible speak for itself.

11 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Philippians 4:11-13

What’s the context? [-] It’s divine contentment not human achievement.

Paul’s NOT saying you can achieve anything and everything you want in Christ; All your dreams and goals professionally, personally, or physically.

No he’s not saying that at all.

He’s saying you can be divinely content in every circumstance you face whether professionally, personally, or physically. (That’s what causes you to persevere and never give up).

That’s a big difference. This isn’t a blanket endorsement that you can humanly achieve all things; this is a blanket endorsementthat you can be divinely content in all things. So in Order to accomplish ‘ALL THINGS” Think about the context of these words. Paul, the apostle, is writing from prison. He’s facing hardship, uncertainty, and likely, a fair amount of fear. Yet, in the midst of these trials, he declares, not with bravado, but with quiet confidence, "I can do ALL THINGS”

This isn't a boast about his own abilities. Paul wasn't saying, "I'm strong enough to handle anything!" No, the strength he speaks of comes from an external source, a divine source. It's a strength that transcends our human limitations. It's a strength that flows from a deep connection with Christ Jesus.

For some of us, "all things" might be the daily grind, the monotonous routines that drain our energy. For others, it might be a health crisis, a broken relationship, or the weight of financial burdens. For still others, it might be the internal battles we face – the struggles with doubt, fear, and temptation.

Whatever your "all things" may be, Philippians 4:13 offers a powerful promise: you are not alone in your struggles. There is a source of strength available to you, a strength that can empower you to face any challenge, to overcome any obstacle.

1. The Secret | 2. The Scope

The third S word as we examine this verse phrase by phrase to help us better understand and apply it to our lives.

3. The Significance of “Through CHRIST”P3: The Sign

Here the Bible clearly says that we are to live “through Christ”

But to live “through Christ” you need to be“in Christ.”

It’s so important that we see the phrases“in Christ” or “in Him” 180x’s in the Bible.

Let me try and illustrate it in this way.

Here’s a ball and bucket.

What’s the relationship betweenthe two?

They are next to each otherthat’s it.

But as I put the ball inthe bucket;

What’s the relationship of the ballto the bucket now?

The ball is in the bucket.

So the preposition inis very important because it’s describing the relationship of the ball to the bucket.

Well, I know this illustrationisn’t perfect but just as this ball is in the bucket, so we ought to be in Christ.

So what happens to the ballwhen I swing the bucket?

The ball is still inthe bucket.

What’s true of the bucket is true of the ball because they are in relationshipwith each other.

That’s what it means for you and I to be in Christ.

The last S word as we examine this verse phrase by phrase to help us understand and apply it to our own lives.

4. The Supremacy of “Who Strengthens Me”

Jesus has power over disease. He gave sight to the blind, made the deaf hear, and made the lame walk.

Jesus has power over disasteror nature. He calmed the waves and the storm when the disciples were afraid in the boat

Jesus has power over death. He raised His friend Lazarus from the dead.

That’s who gives us our strength.

Jesus who is supreme over all things.

But how do we access this strength? It’s not a magic formula. It requires a conscious choice, a turning towards Christ. It requires cultivating a relationship with Him through prayer, through reading His Word,

This verse isn't a guarantee of an easy life. It doesn't mean that we'll be exempt from suffering or hardship. But it does mean that we will never face these challenges alone. Christ is with us, empowering us, strengthening us, and guiding us through every storm.

So, as you go about your week, remember the promise of Philippians 4:13. Whatever you face, whatever challenges lie ahead, you can do all this through him who gives you strength. Connect with Him, abide in Him, and allow His strength to flow through you. Amen.

The Secret | The Scope | The Significance | The Supremacy. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

When I was growing up, we used to sing an old hymn titled, Leaning On The Everlasting Arms; The last verse of which went like this . . .What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms.

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And the chorus – Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms. Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus, Leaning on the everlasting arms.

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It’s a great hymn; That expresses great truths; And great reminders of how we should be and think, and act – for sure!

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Leaning on the everlasting arms of God, the grace of God, the love of God, the sovereignty of God –

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Especially when you’re in the thick of it; Especially when skies are bleak, Especially when death, or destruction, or sickness, or betrayal plague your soul. Or how about stress, or opposition, or poverty, or fightings within and fears without, or loneliness, or abandonment settle in? Trusting God and leaning on his everlasting arms is ever so important.