I Can DO All things
Philippians 4:10-13
A couple of weeks ago I preached a sermon where I debunked a misunderstood spiritual truth. I told you: It is not true that God will not put more on you, or allow you to bring more on yourself, than you can handle.
I am sure there were some who did not like that sermon. Well, those same people may not like this sermon either because I am going to debunk it too.
I know that many of you if not all, have used this verse when you were facing some difficult task… “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Right??
Here comes the bad news… God never promised that you can do all things and He never promised that He would help you do all things.
What?? But I have heard that all my life. I have heard preachers preach that verse and tell me how God can do all things and He will help me do anything.
Well, maybe you have always believed it still wrong
Maybe you have heard preachers say it still not true
God CAN do all things but you can’t
I can promise you… You cannot beat Tiger Woods
You cannot outrun Usain Bolt
You cannot do a 360 slam dunk
You cannot hit a 103 mph fastball
Yes, God can do all things. And if there was some really unbelievable reason why God needed you to… for His glory or for His kingdom… you could reject a Lebron James slam dunk. But let’s get real… that ain’t going to happen.
Philippians 4:13 does not promise you that you can do all things.
As a matter of fact… and here comes the real shock…that verse does not even talk about ability… or being positive… or faith.
Preacher, I think you are crazy.
Without a doubt… but not because I say you can’t do all things.
And even if I am crazy… I am right about this.
((I may be crazy…but I’m not stupid))
Now… some of you are upset because you think I just stole something from you.
I did not steal anything… you didn’t have anything… you never had a promise that you could do all things… how could I steal it??
Just because you have a verse… and think you know what it means… does not mean it is true
Case in point: read letter
That guy is wrong… and crazy.
How can we get the right interpretation of a verse and avoid misunderstanding?
By remembering this… CONTEXT IS KING… you cannot pull a verse out of context and make it some magic bullet.
This promise was part of a larger section and a larger issue, and only if you keep it in that context can you understand what Paul was saying… what God was promising.
So… I want to read the verse IN its context
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether
living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all things through him who gives me strength.
What was Paul talking about CONTENTMENT … being content with his circumstances… not doing more or getting more… being CONTENT
When Paul said DO… I can DO…he did not mean accomplish or be victorious in a pursuit…
For Paul… as we see in the context… Paul meant HANDLE… I can handle
And the ALL THINGS Paul spoke of… that did not mean doing some difficult thing or accomplishing some monumental feat
ALL THINGS referred to “any and every situation” of verse 12
So… What Paul was saying in verse 13 was the same thing he had been saying in verses 10, 11 and 12… I can handle/do any and all situation…
I can DO hungry or I can DO full…
I’d rather do full BUT I CAN DO hungry
I can DO free or I can DO prisoner…
I’d rather do free BUT I CAN DO prison
I can DO lonely or I can DO friends…
I’d rather do friends BUT I CAN DO lonely
I can DO naked or I can DO well-clothed…
I’d rather do well-clothed BUT I CAN DO naked
THROUGH CHRIST… by His strength and with His help, I can DO whatever circumstance
Now… you may think I robbed something from you because I ruined this verse, stole the power of it.
The truth is, I have given you a gift… the real interpretation… the true meaning… Through Christ we can handle any circumstance
You can have the same contentment Paul had… in any and every circumstance.
That is a great promise!!!
BUT HOW??? How can you have this contentment?
For that secret you have to turn back to chapter 1 of this book and look at verses 21-26
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Was Paul talking about being victorious… over prison, over the government, over lonliness, over fear???
NO!!! He did not know if he would be victorious… he might die.
But he was CONTENT… whichever way it went
Can you say that? Would you be content in prison, or lonely, or naked, or hungry? Can you DO that?
How can you be so content… in any circumstance?
The same way Paul could… his mindset, his focus, his desire was CHRIST… to be obedient to Christ, to honor Christ, to serve Christ
Paul could say If I live or die… it is Christ
If I am loved or hated it is Christ
If I am rich or poor it is Christ
Paul was so content either way, until he didn’t even know which he preferred
Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
But you see… for Paul… his desire was to serve, bring honor to, work for and be obedient to Jesus Christ… when, where and how did not matter… just CHRIST… CHRIST… CHRIST
Let me make you a promise…
When you get so focused on loving, serving, obeying, proclaiming and pleasing Christ… until you don’t know which circumstances you would choose… you will have contentment
And you will be able to do/handle/ be content in any and all circumstances
You will be able to DO……ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
Then you will know the truth and the power of this verse.
