SF819 - THE STRENGTH OF THE NEW LIFE - 9 of 10 NEW LIFE FOR YOU (Philippians 4 13)
Philippians 4:13
Introduction
An inexplicable strength
This is one of the most exciting verses in the entire Bible. Paul is in prison, chained to soldiers, and awaiting trial and impending death. In spite of these circumstances, however, he could write one of his happiest letters and conclude with the words that we have chosen for our text. He says:
(Philippians 4:13 NKJV) "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Paul had discovered the strength of new life in Christ. In every situation and circumstance, he had proven Christ to be more than adequate; indeed, he claimed he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him.
An invaluable strength
Here is a secret we cannot afford to overlook or ignore.
Let us then examine Paul’s statement and find out what was, in fact, the supernatural secret that he discovered in Christ.
It is the supernatural ability to live life, as it should be lived.
Through Christ we can…
1A. Live a Faithful Life (1)
“Stand fast” - steôkoô; to stand, spec. stand firm
(1 Corinthians 16:13 NKJV) "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong."
2A. Live a Joyful Life (4)
We can always find joy in the Lord!
(Psalms 34:8 NKJV) "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"
(Psalms 100:5 NKJV) "For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations."
(Lamentations 3:25 NKJV) "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him."
(Nahum 1:7 NKJV) "The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him."
(Habakkuk 3:18 NKJV) "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
(Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV) “ . . . Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
3A. Live a Surrendered Life (5)
“Gentleness” = “to yield your rights to someone else.”
A selfless life given to God and others
Ø A willingness to give up my rights and needs for others.
(Matthew 5:40-42 NKJV) "If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. {41} "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. {42} "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away."
4A. Live a Settled Life (6a)
“Anxious” = to be anxious, to care for
The reason we are not to worry.
(Matthew 6:25-26 NKJV) "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? {26} "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"
The remedy for our worry
(Matthew 6:33 NKJV) ""But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
5A. Live a Prayerful Life (6b)
“Prayer” – present ourselves God
“Supplication” – present our needs to God
(Matthew 7:7 NKJV) "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
(James 4:3 NKJV) "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."
“Nothing is more dishonoring to God than His children begging someone else for what is His joy and responsibility to provide.” John Phillips
6A. Live a Thankful Life (6c)
“Thanksgiving” – eucharistia; thankfulness, giving of thanks: giving of thanks (3), gratefully (1)
(Psalms 100:4 NKJV) "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name."
7A. Live a Peaceful Life (7)
“Peace” = (to join): lit. or fig. peace, by impl. welfare; undisturbed (1).
(Colossians 3:15 NKJV) "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."
8A. Live a Focused Life (8)
(Proverbs 23:7 NKJV) "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he . . .."
By meditating on those things that promote character
“True” = absolute truth
“Noble” = honorable
“”Just” = fair
By meditating on those things that promote cleanliness
“Pure” = holy, free from sin
“Lovely” = pleasing, agreeable
“Good report” = good reputation
“Virtue” = moral goodness
“Praiseworthy” = things God would praise
9A. Live a Satisfied Life (11)
A life of physical satisfaction
(2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV) "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
A life of spiritual satisfaction
(1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV) "Now godliness with contentment is great gain."
10A. Live a Fulfilled Life (12)
No matter why things happen (12a)
Learn to ask how not why.
No matter where life takes us (12b)
Paul served wherever he was.
No matter what tomorrow brings us (12c)
Paul served God whatever his circumstances.
(2 Corinthians 11:25-28 NKJV) "Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; {26} in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; {27} in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness; {28} besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches."
Application
The challenge of this message confronts us with the only One in the universe who can give us the strength we need to live life.
John 10:10
If you don’t know Him already in your life, this wonderful Christ stands before you and says,
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock” (Revelation 3:20).
Do not reject Him. Rather, receive Him and obey Him as Savior and Lord of your life.
THE STRENGTH OF THE NEW LIFE
New Life For You – Part 9 of 10
Sunday, March 7, 1999 - Philippians 4:13
1A. Live a _________________________ Life (1)
(1 Corinthians 16:13 NKJV) "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong."
2A. Live a ______________________ Life (4)
(Psalms 34:8 NKJV) "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; . . ."
(Psalms 100:5 NKJV) "For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting . . ."
(Nahum 1:7 NKJV) "The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; . . ."
3A. Live a Surrendered Life (5)
(Matthew 5:40-42 NKJV) "If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. {41} "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. {42} "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away."
4A. Live a ___________________ Life (6a)
The reason we are not to worry. (Matthew 6:25-26)
The remedy for our worry (Matthew 6:33)
5A. Live a _______________ Life (6b)
“Prayer” – present ourselves God
“Supplication” – present our needs to God
Matthew 7:7
James 4:3
6A. Live a _________________________ Life (6c)
(Psalms 100:4 NKJV) "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name."
7A. Live a _________________________ Life (7)
(Colossians 3:15 NKJV) "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."
8A. Live a _______________________ Life (8)
(Proverbs 23:7 NKJV) "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he . . .."
By meditating on those things that promote character
By meditating on those things that promote cleanliness
9A. Live a ______________________ Life (11)
A life of physical satisfaction
(2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV) "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
A life of spiritual satisfaction
(1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV) "Now godliness with contentment is great gain."
10A. Live a Fulfilled Life (12)
No matter _______________ things happen (12a)
No matter _______________ life takes us (12b)
No matter _______________ tomorrow brings us (12c)
2 Corinthians 11:25-28