“You Can Do It”
October Series: NEVER GIVE UP
October 24, 2010
By: Rev. Rey T. Bechayda
Phil.4: 13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me”. WEB
Introduction:
Today’s message comes from the life of the great apostle Paul who experience both extremes of life such as “life of abundance” and “life in deep needs” yet he is fully satisfied in his life in Christ.
Like Paul, sometimes we experience abundance and sometimes we are in great needs, but unlike him we rejoice when in abundance and we murmur when in need.
The tendency is for us to enjoy all the blessings while it last but we don’t welcome sufferings as if it doesn’t come from God (remember the lesson we learned from Job last week...).
When we are in need we lose our belief to the God of possibilities; we began to doubt, and eventually question God and His ability to bring us out of this situation.
My desire is for you to anchor your faith in Him and begins to see the impossible things happen in your own life.
In spite of what he has gone through in life, why did Paul declare, “I can do all things?” We can appreciate it in three different aspects…
First, Paul acknowledge that…
I. For with God: “All things are possible”
Matt 19:26
"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." NIV
Two reasons why:
A. Because God is “All powerful”
- Through His power He created everything that has been created.
- Through His power we have we move and have our being.
- Through His power He destroyed the power of sin.
- Through His power He saved us from the consequences of sin.
- God is all-powerful and none can compare His power.
B. Because God is “All knowing”
- God is full of wisdom that He knows everything in this world and even everything beyond this known world.
- His power caused Him to know everything in the past, present, and the future.
- It is comforting to know that He knows us and even every small details of life and body.
Second, Paul always believe that…
II. For him who Believes: “Everything is possible”
Mark 9:23
"'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." NIV
A. Faith is the key
- Take note that in order to overcome the impossible the requirement is faith.
- A person without faith is a shortsighted person; they don’t have the courage to pursue even further because they were driven by their own doubts.
- A person with faith doesn’t believe in the impossible because for them everything is possible.
B. Faith in God
- The book of Hebrew says, “without faith it is impossible to please the Lord…”
- The question is where do we address our faith? Sometimes, we hooked our faith in human promises, sometimes in our own strength and might, sometimes in our money, sometimes in our business, etc. Then, frustration certainly follow because God in not in the picture.
- Because He is the God of possibilities it is just but proper for us to hook our faith in Him alone for us to see the impossible becomes possible.
Third, Paul always stand with the principle that…
III. For those who Persevere: “I can do all things…”
Phil 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. NKJV
This statement might mean two things:
A. I can’t do it alone
- It is an acknowledgement that we need Jesus to do all things (enjoying His abundant provision and suffering while in need).
- Without Him and apart from Him we practically can do nothing… and therefore, we are nothing without Him.
- Illustration:
Derek Anthony Redmond (born 3 September 1965, in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, England) is a retired British athlete. During his career, he held the British record for the 400 metres sprint, and won gold medals in the 4x400 metres relay at the World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games.
However his career was blighted by a series of injuries, and he is best remembered for his performance at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona where he tore his hamstring in the 400 metres semi-final but fought through the pain and, with assistance from his father, managed to complete a full lap of the track as the crowd gave him a standing ovation. The incident has become a well-remembered moment in Olympic history, having been the subject of one of the International Olympic Committee's 'Celebrate Humanity' videos and been used in advertisements by Visa as an illustration of the Olympic spirit and featured in Nike's "Courage" commercials in 2008.
Show Video Clip…
B. I can’t do it on my own
- It is an acknowledgement that the strength to do all things comes from Jesus alone.
- Sometimes there’s a tendency for a believer to rely on what he already know or from his past experience not knowing that he/she is trying to do things on his own instead of trusting God.
- Believe that like apostle Paul you can only do all things through Christ who gives you strength.
Conclusion:
Are thinking of giving up already?
Remember, Jesus is always there and is always willing to provide us power and strength for you to do the impossible things possible…
Rise up people of God!
I believe “you can do it” believe also that “you can do it” through Christ that gives you strength.
