Fantastic 4 “Strength”

Unshakable Peace: Finding Strength in Christ

Bible Passage: Philippians 4:10–13

1. Ben Grimm Story

To be honest, I have never seen the Fantastic 4, and I didn't even know the name or the story behind the character of “The Thing” Ben Grimm. You see, Ben Grimm had a painful childhood. He had a rough childhood, losing his older brother and eventually his parents. by then he was taken in by his uncle.

A natural athlete, Ben earned a scholarship to Empire State University, where he met Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic). They became close friends, and Ben jokingly promised to fly Reed’s future spaceship

Years later, Reed builds a spacecraft and invites Ben (now a skilled pilot) to fly it. They’re joined by Sue Storm and Johnny Storm.

During the mission, they’re exposed to cosmic rays in space. The radiation mutates them all: Unlike the others, Ben's transformation is permanent and physically monstrous, which causes him deep inner pain.

On the outside, Ben is scary, strong, tough, and durable, like a rock. The world sees him as such. But inside, he struggles. Part of those struggles is the way he looks, but it's also the pain he carries from his painful past.

For the World, he is the strongest “Thing out there,” But it is just a thing.

I think this is a clear picture that illustrates the type of Strength the world offers. A strength based in control, power, and holding your life together. Of showing yourself great on social media, when in reality, we know that doesn’t last. We are still in pain, wondering how we will overcome it.

Today we are talking about a different kind of Strength, it is a strength that Christ offers us, it is a strength based in Him and not our own.

The World Offers Superficial Strength, Christ Offers Everlasting Hope

For today’s passage, as the theme indicates. We will look in to Philippians 4

This passage is part of the Apostle Paul's letter to the church in Philippi, written while he was under house arrest in Rome (around A.D. 60–62). It's one of the most personal and encouraging letters in the New Testament, often called the “epistle of joy.” Isnt that just a contrast to what the world offers? Paul is under arrest, yet he writes one of the most uplifting and powerful letters ever. and the stregth Paul had is the one we are going to be talking about today.

Lets Go to Philippians 4:10-13

Philippians 4:10–13 NIV

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

The letter to the Philippians was written to a special church—the first Christian church in Europe, founded by Paul during his second missionary journey. Philippi was a Roman colony in Macedonia, and the church began with the conversion of Lydia, a businesswoman who opened her home for worship.

Though small and mostly Gentile, the Philippian church was known for its generosity—faithfully supporting Paul even when others didn’t. 

When Paul writes in Philippians 4:10–13 about learning to be content in all circumstances, he's writing not just as a missionary, but as a friend, deeply grateful for a church that stood by him.

1. Christ is our support in times of trouble

Philippians 4:10 “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.”

When I was in high school, I was—and I believe I still am—someone who tries to avoid trouble. I tried to be friends with everybody and anybody: the cool kids, the shy kids, even the nerds.

One time, I had a class with the tough kids—you know, the rough and rowdy type. We were in a workshop class, helping paint a room. As typical high school boys, we were messing around a bit. But then one of the tough guys crossed the line. To mess with me and be "funny," he took his paintbrush and splattered paint all over my coat.

It wasn’t just any coat—it was a nice one my mom had just bought me that winter. I was furious. He laughed like it was no big deal, but I was mad. So I turned around and did the same thing to him… maybe even a little worse.

But here’s the thing—bullies aren’t used to people standing up to them. He got super angry and threatened to beat me up after school. I’ll be honest—I was concerned. I had never been in a fight before. I was a chill guy. And now I was staring down a fight with someone a whole head taller than me.

I was terrified. I thought, Why did you let your emotions take over? Did you just get yourself into your first fight? I might have prayed like thirty times.

I remember trying to sneak out of school unnoticed—but it was too late. I saw him from a distance, walking toward me, ready to fight. I froze. But then—out of nowhere—two of my classmates jumped in front of me and stood like towers.

One of them looked straight at the guy and said, “Don’t even think about it. You’re not touching a single hair on Gonzo.”

From behind them, I nervously added, “Yeah… don’t even think about it.”

And just like that, they walked me away. I remember thinking, Phew! That was close. Thankfully, that was the end of it.

How many times do we get ourselves into trouble—because of a lack of patience, a lack of peace, or simply because we aren’t willing to wait on God’s timing and provision?

We get ahead of God. We act on our own. We think our strength is enough—we try to handle it for our family, for our kids, for our parents.

But the truth is, when we try to do life on our own strength, it eventually catches up to us. We burn out. Struggles come—sometimes because of our choices, sometimes because of others’.

And in those moments, we’re reminded: our strength isn’t enough. But Christ’s strength is. And many times, God uses others to be His strength in us. Or God wants to use you to give strength to others.

The World will tell you, toughen up, you dont need anybody else. But the reality is that we all need each outher. We need God’s church to help us look back at Jesus.

2. He Is Our Contentment in Chaos

Philippians 4:11–12 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

The world will tell you: you just need to have a positive attitude. You just need to apply these daily habits, and life will be good.

Here’s the thing—those are good things to do. But what do we do when our strength has run out, when we’ve had enough and feel like giving up? When all the tricks and tips are not working? We need another source to take over.

Paul is not preaching a prosperity gospel. Paul is not saying, “If you trust in God, His strength will give you everything you need,” or that you will have a problem-free life. What Paul is saying is the opposite. He is challenging the believer to find God’s joy and contentment in every circumstance of life.

Have you ever had this type of thinking? Once I get a new house… once I get the job promotion… then I will be happy.

Because we have been trained to trust in our plans and our ability to toughen up. But what happens when problems come our way? What happens when suddenly we lose everything we’ve been working for?

The truth is that we are not promised tomorrow. Life is not safe. We can’t have control over what is going on in the world.

Think about the last couple of weeks—how out of nowhere a flood took so many lives. Our neighbors from Iowa lost houses due to flooding.

But Paul is challenging the Philippians to not rely on circumstances. Paul is challenging us to put our trust, hope, and contentment in something that is secure—because the hope and joy God offers shines brighter in the chaos. And when chaos is reigning, the greater the opportunity we have to rely on God.

How can we do that? How can we find contentment even in the midst of tragedies, want, and struggles?

In Matthew 18:2, Jesus calls us to have a childlike faith to enter the Kingdom of God.

Last month, in June, a group from our church had the blessing to be part of a mission trip to Honduras. I think the highlight for most of us was the children—how quick they were to love you, to hug you, to have fun with you. They wore somewhat clean clothes, and they seemed happy, like any other kid there. I still remember visiting some of their homes and hearing some of their stories—some kids enduring abuse, neglect… some of them hungry, having to leave home at 5 a.m. for a 2-hour walk to school with an empty stomach.

The faces we met didn’t match their reality.

Maybe it's because children find joy in the little things. And they are able to forget the pain—at least just for a moment. If you show them love, they trust you.

Initially, I was heartbroken, thinking, The problem is too big. How can we help these kids? How can hope come from such chaos?

But then I was reminded that the hope of Jesus is not tied to a salary, an economy, or to the stuff you can accumulate—to daily problems, or to abundance, or lack thereof.

The hope of Jesus is the same in that chaos as it is in a mansion here in Marion.

That’s why God is calling you right now to have a childlike faith—to choose the joy of Jesus in the middle of your struggle, knowing that no matter where you are or how much you have, He can give you strength.

3. We Find Everlasting Strength in Our Savior

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” is often used to imply personal achievement or success. But Paul is actually talking about his ability to endure hardship and remain content—not win championships or get promotions—but stay faithful in all situations, because of Christ.

Paul is writing out of his own experience. He has lived a tough life, and it’s not over yet. But what he is claiming is a supernatural ability to fulfill God’s purposes—because he himself is no longer the source of strength. It is Christ.

I have good news and bad news for you today. But don’t worry—the good news trumps the bad news.

As Christians, we are called to suffering. We are called to struggle.

The more you study church history—the movement and arc that God has been shaping for the last two millennia—you see strength in suffering.

And let me be honest with you: it’s kind of scary to preach this, because I also like comfort. I enjoy when life feels good and simple, when things go the way I want. I don’t even want to think about suffering.

But it’s true.

Sermon Illustration: Dr. Tennent’s Encounter with Ashwin Kumar

Let me share with you a story from Dr. Timothy Tennent, president of Asbury Theological Seminary and a long-time missionary and missiologist.

It’s a story that has never left him—and once you hear it, I believe it won’t leave you either.

Back in 1987, Dr. Tennent was a young professor traveling to North India to teach a course about the Bible.

About 50 evangelists and pastors were registered, but many more showed up—hungry for the Word.

On the very first day of class, Dr. Tennent noticed one young man sitting near the front who looked like he had recently been badly beaten. His face and body bore clear signs of violence.

During a break, Dr. Tennent learned his name: Ashwin Kumar—just 21 years old—a bold evangelist from a remote part of India.

Ashwin had been taking the gospel to unreached villages, but not without cost. In one village, the people tore up his Bible and threw the pages into a muddy ditch, warning him never to return.

But Ashwin did return, again and again. He insisted, “I have good news for them. I must go.”

Eventually, their threats turned brutal. The villagers destroyed his bicycle, then beat him so severely that they threw his body out of the village, assuming he was dead.

But then came a moment that mirrors the parable of the Good Samaritan.

A stranger walking along the road saw Ashwin lying there, stopped, gave him water, bandaged his wounds, and saved his life.

That beating had taken place just weeks before Dr. Tennent met him in that classroom.

After the class He returned—to that very same village.

A year and a half later, Dr. Tennent received a photograph. In it, Ashwin stoodwaist-deep in a river, baptizing the first twenty Christians from that village—the same people who had once tried to kill him.

Over the years, Dr. Tennent has kept in touch with Ashwin. His ministry has flourished among one of India’s most resistant people groups.

And Ashwin himself has said this:

“The persecution I faced didn’t destroy me. It strengthened my faith. It steeled my determination. And it softened their hearts—because they saw I still loved them, even after everything they did.”

Now the good news is that in our weakness, we are strong.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Maybe you are in the middle of the struggle right now… …or the suffering …the loss …the beat-down.

It is real. It is raw.

And God is inviting you to surrender it to Him.

To Let go of Control - and Let God Take over

I don’t know what God will do with that pain… But I know for a fact: He can use it for good.

Even Jesus—when He was hanging on the cross—went through a period of isolation, when everything felt silent, even from the Father.

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me”

Now, more than 2,000 years later, we see the picture. We study the reason. We know that God didn’t forsake Him. It was all part of the divine plan.

But in that moment—right before His death—Jesus hung there to feel your pain. To embody your suffering. To know what it is like to feel the full weight of sin on His shoulders.

But your feelings are not the truth. The truth is that Jesus conquered the grave— so that today, in your weakness, you can be the strongest.

Because when we are weak— that’s when we are strong in Christ.