Christ our strength
Philippians 4:10-13
10 ΒΆ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
11. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
12. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Introduction:
Paul shares with us his confidence in Christ. There would be little victory without the grace and strength of Gods provision.
Ps 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
1. Victory over circumstances
Verse 11: I leave it to others if they will, to be discontented. I, for my part, have learned, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and the dealings of Providence to be content in every state I have learned.
Heb.5:8
Though he was a Son, yet taught him obedience by the things which he suffered;
Paul was grateful for the Philippians for his ministry support when he was need but his real support was in the strength of the lord.
a. Hardships of Paul’s life/2 Cor. 11
• More in labors
• Strips above measure
• in prisons more frequently
• In death often
• 40 stripes minus 1
• Beaten 3 times with rods
• Stoned
• 3 times ship wretched
• In perils- water, robbers, wilderness, false brethren
2 Cor 11-27-29
After his troubles he asks, who is weak? I am not weak.
2 Cor 12:9
And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Hebrews writer says out of weakness made strong. Heb. 11:34
I have learned to be content:
2Co 3:5
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
1Ti 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
2. Adaptation to circumstances
Verse 12:
Paul has learned to be Full and hungry. His strength comes from God as he adapts to circumstances. Knowing that God is in control:
How to be abased and abound
Abased- humble/ made low/ having little
Abound- abundance, increase, overflow
God has promised abundant grace, joy, power, supplies and entrance
John 10/10
10. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
2 Cor. 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
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,
Phil 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
2 Peter 1:11
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
He attributes his strength to his teacher the Holy Spirit John 14:16- Spirit of truth.
16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
3. Strength promised- with enabling grace
13. I can do all things— Greek, “I have strength for all things"; not merely "how to be abased and how to abound.
Not me but Christ gives the Ability and grace to do all things. Christ is always sufficient. Paul found it so.
1. He had gone through perils of all kinds, but Christ was always sufficient.
2. He was in abundance now, but Christ in all things was sufficient.
It is a blessed truth that, though we may fail Him, we cannot be in circumstances Christ is not sufficient for. Whether it be the church or individual saints, it is impossible to be in a place for which Christ is not sufficient.
Paul was in danger from the flesh, and a thorn was sent to him. The thorn was something which made him in some way, perhaps despicable in his ministry. The wonderful effect of his preaching, then, did not come from him; the evidence of the power of Christ was there.
Paul says: "I glory in my infirmities." The thorn was not power, but it was the way of power; the flesh is broken down completely that Christ may come in, If there had been a fourth heaven, the flesh would have been only the more puffed up: you cannot correct what is evil in its nature.
4. Christ power alone
13. I have strength for anything through Him who gives me power.
2Co 13:4
For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God: For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you:
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.
PS 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower
Through Christ alone we are saved through faith. We are sons and daughters of God, it is by his grace and kindness that all things are possibly to him that believes. He gives peace that passeth all understanding. He is the kingdom, power and glory Forever and forever Amen!
