I Can Do All Things Thru Christ

DECEMBER 29, 2021 STUDY NOTES PHILIPPIANS 4:13 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES INTRODUCTION Philippians 4:13 is a verse often quoted, one of the most popular verses in the NT It is a good verse to memorize and often call to your attention, it does help us go on But like all verses, it is much more meaningful when interpreted within its context Within context means to understand what was said before or after a particular verse Verse 13 is explaining why Paul could be content in all circumstances of life, Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Paul tells why he knew what to do when life was filled with disappointments or when life was good, Php 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Paul could get up in the morning ready to face the day ahead regardless of what he faced How could Paul deal with the daily difficult circumstances of life? How could Paul face the fulness of life when days were good for him? Paul tells us, Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. The previous verses help us to interpret what Paul is telling us in verse 13 “I can do all things” is not to be taken in the literal sense of anything and everything It is not a promise to you as a Christian that you can do anything you want to do Motivational speakers today tell us “You can do anything you want to, just put your mind to it” Scripture does not teach us to be motivated by the mind-set of “I want to do it” Paul has already instructed us concerning the mind-set that must motivate us, Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Paul presents Jesus Christ as our example we are to think the same way Jesus would think The “mind” of Christ is the mindset that should motivate us, Paul said it is to “be in you” The word translated “mind” speaks of attitude, our understanding, the direction of our thinking Our mind must be directed in the right direction, which is Christ, what would Jesus say or do? Christ will not help you to do something against the will of God Christ is there to help you “do all things” that are in the will of God for your life Paul also wants us to know that God will never ask us to do something that we cannot do The original word “can do” means having the required personal resources to accomplish it Which is not referring to our physical walk of life but to our spiritual life It refers to our spiritual strength, our Christian character capabilities, our daily testimony God has provided us with the necessary spiritual resources to do His will, to live for Him The Holy Spirit indwells believers so that we might receive all that God wants to give us, 1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. The Holy Spirit within us is our strength to do what we know God wants us to do, Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Paul told the Thessalonians why his ministry to them was successful, 1Th 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. Paul explains his capability to do all things according to the will of God, it is “through Christ” All Christians are assured to be “in-Christ,” 2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. In-Christ is a new life with power, Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, “Through Christ” tells us that we are “in-Christ,” but we are also told to “abide” “in-Christ” Jesus said, Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. The scriptural meaning of “abide” is to stay at home, to stay where you belong “In Christ,” God has given us a new home, a new place to live, a life that must be lived at home John explains how meaningful it is to “abide” in-Christ, 1Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. The experience of the Holy Spirit working in us tells us for sure that “we dwell in Him” Every believer knows that he has a living relationship with God because of the Holy Spirit within But John has more in mind than the fact of the presence of Christ within us John’s use of “dwelleth” means an abiding relationship that we can now experience We experience that living relationship with God as we “abide” in-Christ, staying at home “Abiding” in Christ means that you are depending upon Christ and being faithful to Christ daily Christians are to be faithful to Christ in-order to be fruitful for Christ, Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Jesus is not teaching that a Christian must remain “in union” with Christ in-order to stay saved Jesus is teaching that a Christian must remain “in communion” with Christ for “fruit-bearing” Christians “abide” in the Lord when we commit daily to His leadership and obey His will We “abide” in-Christ when we walk by faith, trusting Him, and communicating daily with Him It is impossible to bring forth fruit without Christ in us, but we must “abide” in Him Jesus states, “I am the vine,” and reveals that we are “the branches” The branches are totally dependent upon the vine, without Jesus we can do nothing Compare the progress that a Christian can make “through Christ” abiding “In-Christ” First there was fruit, then more fruit, now “much fruit” as we “abide” in-Christ Compare the words of Jesus, without me you can do nothing, with what Paul said, Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Paul lived a powerful Christian life and accomplished great works for the Lord, he tells us how, Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. This verse is a personal testimony of Paul, it begins with “I” The beginning of his testimony is true of every believer, you have been “crucified with Christ” Believers are identified with Christ in His death, without the cross of Jesus there is no salvation Believers are united in the death of Christ when we come to the cross and accept Jesus as Savior It was our old sinful nature that was “crucified with Christ” (Ephesians 2:1-10) Paul continues his testimony, he says, “nevertheless I live,” he is now alive spiritually This “I” that now lives, is not the “I” of the old nature that was crucified with Christ This new life is in Christ and under the control of Christ who lives in the believer When we receive Christ into our life, we are a new person, created to live a new life We can now life in that new life, pay attention to what Paul said, the life which “I now,” live Living by faith in Christ is abiding in-Christ and living the life God wants us to live Living within the strength of Christ, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me” It is Christ who “strengthens” us to live according to the will of God, “strength” to obey God Which Paul explained to Timothy, 1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Paul was thankful for his opportunity to serve God and thankful for the “strength” to serve “Who hath enabled” is the same word translated “which strengthen” in Philippians 4:13 Paul knew that God would make him equal to the task, furnish him with whatever it took As we abide in-Christ He is continually strengthening us, giving us, the power we need His power is given to use at the time we need it, whatever we need at-the moment Paul told Timothy that he had personally experienced the strength that the Lord will give, 2Ti 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (Paul may have in mind Daniel 6:22, 26-27) Paul knew that as Timothy faithfully served the Lord he would need spiritual strength, 2Ti 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Paul tells us to be strong in the Lord in-order to defeat the Devil, Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might Paul uses three Greek terms related to power in this one verse To “be strong” has the meaning of to be strengthened with ability, which is “In-Christ” “Power” is the living power of God that brought forth Jesus from the grave, resurrection power “Might” is power in action, the effectual working of His power in us, which means “I can” Paul wants us to think “I can,” and believe “I can,” and then do what we can “In-Christ,” Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (God’s power working “in us” is beyond explanation) To what extent can we expect the power of God to work in us? More than we can think of, more than we will ask for, above all that we will ask or think Abundantly more than we will ask or think, exceeding abundantly above all of our requests But there are certain qualifications, 1Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. Our asking must be in accordance with His will, 1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: We can be confident, we can ask according to His will, and He hears us, and we will receive Through Christ we can do everything God wants us to do in the coming New Year In-Christ we can face anything that comes our way, we can stand strong in the Lord’s strength We can stand like David did before Goliath, 1Sa 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. We can be victorious over every trial and temptation of Satan as we stand strong “In Christ” “In-Christ” you can do everything God wants you to do in 2022, you can obey His commands You can overcome every temptation of Satan you can win every battle you face against Satan CONCLUSION In the next few verses Paul is going to lead us into another very popular verse, Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Which is another good verse to claim as you enter-into the New year In this last week of 2021 make a list of things you want to do for God in 2022 and claim, Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Be sure they are things you need to do as a Christian and claim, Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. It is easy to make a list of the physical things you want to enjoy in life in the coming New Year Give serious thought to your list, don’t think earthly, think heavenly (Matthew 6:19-21) Seek those things which are above, Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Keep in mind, Jesus is coming back, Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Our spiritual goal for 2022 must be to “abide In-Christ,” 1Jn 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.