All Things

Introduction 

We are wrapping up our series on Common Cliches. We’ve been looking at Christian cliches that we often use but might not mean what we want them to mean. The use of these cliches is not a knock on Christians who use them. I’ve used them myself.  

But the hope is that we would use these phrases in ways that communicates their actual meaning. A way that communicates their actual intent.  

Two weeks ago, we talked about the common cliche of by his stripes I am healed and I said it’s more about spiritual healing from the wounds of Jesus than physical healing.  

Last week, we talked about the common cliche of God won’t give more than you can handle and I said it’s more about God’s supplying us the ability to endure through the trial s and temptations of life than about finding that ability within ourselves. It’s about escape from sin and not from the trials of life.  

Today, we wrap up with the cliche “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This cliché comes from Scripture, but we often use it out of context. 

You might be surprised like my wife that this well used phrase is a cliche that does not mean what we want it to mean.  

Early last week, Modesta asked me what will be the cliche for this week’s sermon. I told her and she said, “that’s a cliche?” 

I want to be clear though, the point of this sermon and this series is not to condemn you for these phrases or even to stop you from using them. Instead, it is to help you gain an understanding of how to use them within their proper context.  

This is an extremely popular cliche. It is used by Christians across different theological lines, Christians in different countries, and Christians in different professions. Even non-Christians are aware of this cliche.  

Our goal this afternoon is to peel back the layer of this cliche and expose its true meaning.  

We have two objectives this afternoon. 1) Explain how this cliche is often used. Although I suspect no one is unfamiliar with its usage. 2) Explain what it actually means. 

Let us pray.  

How Cliche is Used 

For those who might not be aware, this famous phrase comes from Philippians 4:13.  

We use this phrase to motivate us when we're chasing a goal.  

The athlete uses it as a motivation to keep pushing and to believe that through Christ they can achieve success.  

The student recites this verse to encourage himself with Jesus they can pass the impending exam.  

The business owner believes that she can be successful in the business endeavor through Christ who strengthens.  

People get a tattoo out of it.  

We use it in any area that requires personal triumph to remind ourselves that there is nothing we are unable to do when Christ is our strength.  

And when we think about it, there is nothing inherently wrong with believing that the strength that Jesus supplies is what you need to experience success in whatever it is you are doing.  

It is better to rely on the strength that Christ supplies than on our own limited and insufficient strength.  

But the challenge with the use of this cliche is where does it end? When the Apostle Paul says, “I can do all things,” is it a reference to all the things we commit our minds to? 

If I commit today, to be a professional boxer, can I recite this scripture as a motivation and inspiration to keep going? What about if I want to be a professional basketball player? What about if I want to be a billionaire? What about if I want to be an Olympic athlete? 

Here’s the reality, this verse is not a blank check. It’s not meant to guarantee Christ’s strength for anything we want to achieve. 

You can’t do all things, and I can’t become a professional basketball player. I got the wrong genes and none of the skillset.  

And here’s what’s fascinating; we use this cliche when we want to accomplish more stuff but the context is about being content in whatever circumstance we find ourselves.  

What It Actually Mean? 

Let’s take a look at it. If you haven’t, open your bible to Philippians 4. Let’s start at 4:10 

“10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it.”  

The church had concerns about Paul because Paul was in prison, they wanted to support him but the chance to support hadn’t presented itself. Paul wrote this letter from a prison cell. He was locked up because of his faith in Jesus. Ironically, this church was started from a previous prison experience when he was locked up on his first visit to the city years earlier. So, it possible, a sizable amount of the church members were ex-convicts. They know the harsh reality of being locked up so they had a heart to help.  

Paul goes on in 4:11.   

11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.  

This is the lynchpin to understanding the cliche. No matter the circumstances he found himself, Paul said “I have learned to be content.” He elaborated on the types of circumstances he’s referring to in 4:12 – When he has little and when he has a lot. When well fed or hungry.  

He’s showing the Philippians how he was thinking while they were worried about him. 

He said also in 4:12, “in any and all circumstances, I have learned the secret of being content.” Don’t miss what the Apostle is saying. Being content is a secret to navigating any and all circumstances we find ourselves.  

He is saying that I have learned how to be okay in whatever lot I find myself in. This is not a place he arrived at the moment he became a Christian. He had to learn it. 

Contentment is not the opposite of setting goals or having aspirations. It is the opposite of anxiety and worry. You can have aspirations and goals without worry and anxiety but that’s the challenge.  

The Philippian church were worried about him but he wasn’t worried about himself. He wanted to be free and would have like financial support but wasn’t worried about being free and not having financial support.  

Because of that, he is able to say in 4:13, that “I am able to do all things, I am able to face all things through him strengthens me.” 

He’s not talking about running a 10K race, or overcoming a difficult exam, or launching a successful business.  

He’s talking about contentment in any and all things that he finds himself. As a matter of fact, the verb “to do” doesn’t exist in the actual Greek composition of the verse. We add it so that the words can make sense to us. It would not make sense if the translation is “I am able all things in Christ who strengthens me”. Able to do what? To be content in all things.  

He is giving them a lived experience of what he told them in 4:6-9.  

Theologian Ben Witherington writes that “The point really is that Paul had learned during the course of his Christian life how to live in any and all circumstances and remain Christian and joyful and full of faith, hope, and love.” 

How I wish we can all say with Paul that we have learned how to be content in any and all circumstances.  

I worry when I shouldn’t, I’m anxious when I shouldn’t.  

That’s why when Paul talked about contentment in 4:11, he started with anxiety in 4:6.  

He wrote, “6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” 

The road to contentment starts with prayer. There is no contentment if there is no trust in God. We often talk about a prayer of faith, we need to popularize a prayer of trust because that’s what alleviate worry and anxiety.  

Instead of being anxious, Paul tells us to pray and trust God. When peace rules your heart, it shows you're trusting Him. 

This is not easy stuff. But it is the biblical antidote to worry. It takes work to get there but we must get there.  

This peace surpasses understanding because your circumstances tell you, you should be worried but your trust in God says you shouldn’t. 

Paul tells them Philippians to pray to God but also to watch their thoughts.  

It’s all too common for us to pray, only to get off our knees and resume worrying.  

Paul wrote in 4:8. 

8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. 

Nothing fits those descriptions more than the word of God and the Christ.  

This is not denying the reality about your circumstance.  

But it is choosing to focus on what is true about not just your circumstance, but also about God. To focus on what is honorable, and just, and pure, and commendable. And nothing is more honorable, just, pure, and commendable that the word of truth and Christ himself.  

It is choosing not to drown in pain, lack, or uncertainty—but to focus on God and His Word. 

As you think about the areas of life where you are anxious and not content, what thoughts dominate your mental space right now?  

This is not merely positive thinking. It is truth thinking, it is righteous thinking, it is honorable thinking.  

Conclusion 

The Apostle Paul was able to do all things through Christ who strengthens him because his heart and mind were guarded by the peace of God and not by worry because he trusted in God, and not only that, his thoughts were fixed on heavenly truths rather than earthly lies.  

There is no contentment without those two things. Trust in God and Thoughts on Heavenly Truths.  

But it’s not easy. That’s why we need the strength of Christ. We need his strength to be content. We need his strength to trust and not worry. We need his strength to think on heavenly truths.  

We need his strength day in and day out to grow in our learning of contentment.  

We need that more than we need help to be successful.  

This cliche is less about success and more about contentment.  

Less anxiety comes with more contentment. Worry fades when contentment grows.  

Our contentment increases when we trust in God and focus our thoughts on heavenly truths. 

Yes Church, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. But the “do” is contentment. We can be content in all things in Christ who strengthens us.  

Next time, you find yourself feeling anxious and worried, ask yourself “how much am I trusting God and how content am I?” 

Remember, contentment does not mean being okay with your circumstance but being okay in your circumstance. 

Where do you need to be content today? Spend time this week asking God to help you.  

And here’s an assurance all God's children can have, because Christ is risen and reigning, you can rest, knowing your Shepherd is enough—no matter the season.