“The High Mileage Verse for the Low Mileage Christian”
Text: Philippians 4:11-13
Intro: I can do
In other words, the apostle was simply saying that as he “drains/pours out his strength & energy” to the abasing (low periods) & abounding (high periods) of life; God is able to pour power back into him when needed.
Paul was not trying to create a “magic bullet,” he was simply indicating that he had come to grips with a very personal truth in his life. I can suffer and get through it . I can be prosperous without being prideful. “I can do all things…” -He was not telling a man with a 4th grade education to go down to UAMS and demand that they make him the Chief Surgeon!
This contentment that Paul speaks of was not a habit he had formed, but it was a way of life that he had come to accept. -Their will be good days, and their will be bad days. (Simple as that) Silly is the child of God who thinks that all days will be good or that all days will be bad.
*How Content (Satisfied) Are You?
Now you will have a hard time claiming Phil. 4:13, if you fail to see the context (in earlier verses) of how Paul reached this point of contentment. Again, it is personal, and not a “cookie cutter” pattern. In other words, you must find contentment in God for yourself/on your own.
*Survey on Contentment:
I am content only when I am happy.____
I am content only when things go my way.____
I am content only when I am praised or appreciated.___
I am content only when I see results.____
1. First, you must learn to Praise The Lord… Somehow.-Verse 4.
"Rejoice (to be cheerful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off) in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
-Re-joice, meaning you have had joy before, now you must find it again.
-What has made you happy about God? Well he hasn’t changed! Think about it and It will make you happy again.
2. Passionately Live Like The Lord Will Return-Verse 5
“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”
One atheist observed, “Many Christians live like they are not going to a paradise at all.”
3. Pray, Pray, Pray-And when you get done, Pray some more!-Verse 6
“Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
-Three Important Parts of communicating with God:
Prayer-oral speech
Supplication-petition
Thankfulness-gratitude
4. Look for PEACE… God Said It Would Come!-Verse 7
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. “
-When peace comes, it will keep your heart (the seat of your emotions), and your mind (the area that houses your sanity).
5. Continue To Think Right, Godly, and Positive…On Purpose!-Verse 7
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he..."
