Untitled Sermon (3)

The Transformative Power of Christ

Sermon

Ray C. Paquette

Philippians 4:13

Second Corinthians 12:9

John 15:5

I would like to start by sharing a story of two brothers one older and one younger. These two brothers were inseparable they both shared a room ate breakfast together and sat with one another in the school cafeteria for lunch. The younger brother would watch his older brother at football practice and then they both would walk home. These two brothers unlike most brothers adored one another and the younger brother always looked up to his older brother.

One day after walking home from school the brothers noticed a new construction site with the hill of dirt about three stories high. The brothers both looked at one another and smiled and started running to the top of the hill. As the brothers got to the top of the hill they looked out and could see their house and all of a sudden, the dirt gave way. The two brothers came crashing down. As the construction workers looked over, they raced to the scene and all they could find was the younger brothers had barely sticking out of the dirt.

They said Son where is the other boy? He took a deep breath and with a sigh, he said I am staining on his shoulders. Christians I have a question for you, whose shoulders are you staining on? Whose strength are you relying on? I am here to get you to stand on the shoulders of Jesus.

In today’s sermon, we will be exploring three verses of Scripture Second Corinthians 12:9 and John 15:5and specifically looking at Philippians 4:13. Now if you are like me, you probably have trouble memorizing Scripture, allow me to share with you how to remember Philippians 4:13. Please stand with me for the reading of Scripture. Hold out your hands and make a fist, a happy fist, not an angry fist. There are 10 words in Philippians 4:13 and hopefully, you have all 10 fingers, and if not use your toes.

Repeat after me and hold up one finger at a time as we read through the Scripture. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Great, 10 fingers 10 words and easy way to remember Philippians 4:13 which according to Norman Vincent Peel “is the most powerful verse in the Bible” and I agree.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)

Gives me strength. (Ten words ten fingers)

In the Greek ἐνδυναμοῦντί (endynamounti) Which is defined as to fill with power, strengthen, make strong; to empower.

The oldest manuscripts omit “Christ”; then translate, “In Him who giveth me power,” that is, by virtue of my living union and identification with Him, who is my strength

It represents the ultimate and ideal mindfulness of the Christian. The first thing we need to do is to throw off mere self-sufficiency, to know our weakness and sin, and accept the salvation of God's free grace in Christ; the next thing we need to do is to find the "strength made perfect in weakness," and in that be strong.

I. The Assurance of Christ's Empowering Presence:

In Philippians 4:13, the apostle Paul declares, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." These words embody a profound truth that every believer should grasp. We are not left to rely on our own limited strength, but rather, we have the unlimited power of Christ dwelling within us. He strengthens us in every situation, enabling us to face any challenge or trial.

II. Surrendering our Self-Sufficiency:

To fully embrace the power of Philippians 4:13, we must first recognize our own limitations and surrender our self-sufficiency. Many times, we try to rely on our own abilities, believing we can handle everything in our own strength. However, this verse reminds us that true strength lies in our dependence on Christ alone. It requires humility to acknowledge our weaknesses and entrust our lives to the one who empowers us.

III. Transforming Weakness into Strength:

Through His grace, Christ transforms our weakness into strength. As Paul illuminates in 2 Corinthians 12:9, God's power is made perfect in our weakness. It is during our most challenging moments that Christ's power shines brightly. When we recognize our insufficiency and bring our weaknesses before Him, His strength is revealed and magnified in our lives. Our weaknesses become opportunities for God's power to be displayed, enabling us to persevere and bring glory to His name.

Cross Reference

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Let us take a look at the words (is sufficient) What God is sharing with us is this, the trial must endure, but the grace shall also endure and never fail us. Let us look at the word grace in this context, the Greek word used here, charis, which refers to the power of Christ to help endure hardship, to be strengthened when struggling (physically, mentally, or spiritually), or to experience forgiveness.

Let us look at these words in context (power is perfected in weakness) Weakness provides the opportunity for God to show His mighty power. For this reason, we can boast about our weaknesses even though others may mock us. We must understand we cannot do anything apart from Jesus.

IV. Remaining Connected as the Vine and the Branches:

John 15:5 beautifully illustrates our dependence on Christ. Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing." Just as branches draw their life-source from the vine, we draw our strength and vitality from our relationship with Christ. It is through our union with Him that we are empowered to bear fruit, to impact lives, and to accomplish the purposes He has ordained for us.

Cross References

John 15:5 (NIV)

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.

Let us take a deeper look at what Jesus is saying here. First, let us look at who are the branches. the branches Refer to Jesus’ disciples, (us) who depend on the true vine (Jesus) for all things, including life and fruitfulness. Next, let us look at the statement (apart from me, you can do nothing) Jesus means that people cannot access God without Him, and consequently, they cannot bear fruit. All life-giving things require access to the source of life, which is found in Jesus.

As we come to a close, we must understand that “I can do all things” does not mean “I think I can.” It means rather, “I know I cannot without Jesus.” We must understand that we have access to the ultimate power source through Jesus. If you do not tap into the power you cannot succeed.

For example, when I go to turn my lamp on and I flip that switch I expect the power to illuminate, to bring light into the darkness.

However, if that lamp is not plugged into the power, it is useless. The same goes for us, we are useless unless we tap into the power of God through Jesus Christ. So Christian, let me ask you whose shoulders are you staining on, whose power are you relying upon yours or God’s? Remember Christian, God’s living word flights and enables us to do a great many things with the strengthening of Christ

Abraham Lincoln buys a slave girl

In the 1860s a man went for a walk and found himself at a slave auction. As he observed the slaves for sale, he could not help but notice a young slave girl who was burning with anger and contempt. There was something about the slave girl that touched the heart of this man. He has never owned a slave nor has he ever bought a slave. But there was something about this girl, and he knew he had to help.

As she came up for auction the man placed his bid and after several back and froths, the man had bought the slave girl for the exact amount of money he had in his pocket. As he went up to claim the young lady, she looked at him with disgust and anger. She looked at him and asked, what are you going to do with me? The man replied I am going to set you free. The girl asked free to do what? The man replied free to do whatever you wish. The girl then said, free to go wherever I want? The man said yes, and the girl said, free to live wherever I want? The man said, of course, the girl asked, free to say whatever I want? The man replied again, of course, you are free to do whatever you wish. Then the girl replied, I am going with you.

The man in the story was none other than Pres. Abraham Lincoln. This young slave girl believed in God; however, she never could understand why a God would allow her to be a slave to be beaten and abused all of her life. However, the young girl kept her belief in Christ, and in one day she went from a slave girl in chains to living in the White House with Pres. Abraham Lincoln.

So, as you can see, if you are standing on the shoulders of Jesus and tapping into His power, then you two, can experience a great change of life. No matter, how bad things seem, trust in the Lord and stand on His shoulders.

The sermon focuses on the importance of relying on the strength of Jesus and standing on His shoulders. It emphasizes the following key points:

- Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This verse highlights the believer's dependence on Christ's power to accomplish anything.

- 2 Corinthians 12:9: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." This verse teaches that God's power is fully realized in the believer's weaknesses, allowing them to boast about their weaknesses and rely on God's strength.

- John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing." This verse emphasizes the need for believers to abide in Jesus, the true vine, in order to bear fruit and accomplish meaningful things.

Ultimately, the message is to trust in the Lord, tap into His power, and rely on Him for strength and guidance in all aspects of life.

RE-CAP

The sermon highlights the importance of depending on the strength of Jesus and standing on His shoulders. It discusses the three Scripture verses: Philippians 4:13, emphasizing reliance on Christ's strength to accomplish all things; 2 Corinthians 12:9, Shares that God's power is made perfect in weakness and that His grace is sufficient to endure trials; and John 15:5, Shares the need to remain connected to Jesus, the true source of life, to bear fruit.

The sermon tells a story of two brothers who found themselves in a dangerous situation, and one brother was able to survive because he was standing on the other's shoulders. This story serves as a metaphor for relying on the strength of Jesus.

Additionally, the sermon mentions a mnemonic device to remember Philippians 4:13: associating each word with a finger to aid memorization. It explains the Greek meaning of the word "strengthens" in the verse and emphasizes the importance of knowing our weaknesses, accepting God's grace, and finding strength in Him.

The sermon ends with the story of Abraham Lincoln buying a slave girl and setting her free, highlighting the transformative power of Christ and the potential for a great change of life when standing on His shoulders.

Overall, the sermon encourages listeners to rely on the strength and power of Jesus, recognizing their weaknesses, and trusting in Him for guidance, endurance, and a fruitful life.