Introduction

Hello, my brothers and sisters! We find ourselves gathered today to explore a powerful message from the book of Philippians, one that speaks volumes about our past, our present, and the boundless possibilities of our future.

Rabindranath Tagore once said, "Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark." Isn't it the truth, though? We don’t always see the purpose or the promise in the seeds we plant; we may never know the strength of God until we face challenges that require us to lean on Him and, often, we believe there are things we just can't do.

The scripture we're diving into today is Philippians 4:13, which reads:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

This verse is a testament to the truth that with God, there's no such thing as can't.

Let's open in prayer.

Dear Lord, open our hearts today to receive Your word. Help us to look at our past with gratitude for the seeds we've planted, to feel Your strength in our present and to believe in the power of 'can' for our future. We ask this in Your mighty name, Amen.

So, let's unpack this scripture together...

The Power of a Seed Planted in the Past

The power of a seed planted in the past is a testament to the idea that our past actions, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem at the time, can have a profound impact on our future.

We don't always see immediate results: In fact, it often takes time, patience, and nurturing for that seed to grow and bear fruit. This is true in our spiritual lives as well. When we plant seeds of faith, we may not see immediate results. We may even face trials and tribulations that make us question whether our faith is strong enough, whether our seeds will ever bear fruit. But the promise of Philippians 4:13 is that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. This means that even when we can't see the fruits of our labor, even when we are faced with challenges that seem insurmountable, we can have faith that God is working in our lives, nurturing the seeds we have planted, and preparing us for a future that is greater than anything we could imagine.

The idea of legacy: Each of us is a product of the seeds that were planted by those who came before us. Our parents, grandparents, and ancestors planted seeds that have shaped who we are today. They planted seeds of faith, love, and hope that have grown and blossomed in our lives. This is a powerful reminder that the seeds we plant today are not just for us, but for future generations. The faith we cultivate, the love we share, the hope we inspire - these are the seeds that will shape the world of tomorrow.

Also about the negative seeds: These are the seeds of doubt, fear, and despair. These seeds too can grow and shape our future. But the promise of Philippians 4:13 is that we can overcome these negative seeds through Christ who strengthens us. We can choose to plant seeds of faith instead of doubt, love instead of fear, hope instead of despair. And in doing so, we can transform our future.

A testament to the transformative power of faith: It's a reminder that our past does not define us, but rather shapes us. It's a call to action, a call to plant seeds of faith, love, and hope in our lives and in the lives of those around us. It's a promise that with God, there's no such thing as can't.

Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about a seed you planted in the past (positive or negative) and how it still affects you today.

The Strength of God in the Present

The strength of God in our present is a reminder that God's strength is not just a historical fact or a future promise, but a present reality that we can lean on in every moment of our lives ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO