Sep 20
7:06 AM
Joy Through the Power of Jesus
Sep 20
7:06 AM
Sep 20
7:06 AM
Monday, September 20, 2021
Philippians 4:13
Today, I want to talk to you about the most famous verse in Philippians, the most well known verse, the most popular verse in the whole book of Philippians. It comes from Philippians 4:13. I want to help you understand what it does and doesn't mean. Here's what it says, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Another translation says, "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me the strength." It's an amazing verse. It talks about the power of Jesus. We have joy in the power of Jesus. But it doesn't talk about the power of positive thinking. It doesn't say, I can do all things. It doesn't say, I can do all things that strengthen me. It doesn't say that at all. That's positive thinking. That's Pollyanna. That's what people who don't have Christ in them say. That's the first myth. Paul says, "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me the strength." So, you have to have Christ in your life to give you that strength.
Neither does it say I can do all things, and Jesus will help me do all things. That's another myth. It's not that YOU can do all things. Neither is it that you can do ALL things. You can't do everything. You have to do all things through Christ, which means that not everything that you want to do is something you are going to do, unless it is through Christ. So that's the balance. And here's what I want to say: I'm really joyful, that I can do all things through Christ, who gives me the strength. I'm really glad I can't do all things through myself, because then I'd work a steadfastly independent life of God. I wouldn't want that. And I'm sure glad it's not "I can do all things by using Christ to do anything I want," because some of the stuff I really want, I don't really need. The beautiful balance is this: you can do all things through Christ. This means two things. Number one, I can do all things only through Jesus Christ. Number two, since it comes through Jesus Christ, he only strengthens us for what is good for us. I find joy in that. Aren't you glad for that?
No matter what problem you're facing, Jesus Christ will give you the strength to overcome it. Maybe not overcome it the way you want, not overcome it in the time you want, but he gives you the strength to overcome it. You can do anything that God wants you to do, because he'll give you the strength. A trial, achievement, something in your family, something personal, whatever it is, Jesus Christ can give you the strength. He gives you the strength to accomplish exactly what he wants done. I like that, too. He never lets you get too far from him because it's only through Christ. Have you ever tried to do things on your own? You don't have the strength. Do you ever think something is good for you, you try to pursue it, and you try to think that it is Jesus's will, but it doesn't happen? Probably because it's not his will. The great thing is you can do all things through Christ who gives you the strength. Thank God that Jesus Christ gives us the strength to do things in life.
Life is tiring, exhausting, it saps me. Here at Lakehsore we're trying to fix a drain problem. It's nonstop. We have backed up water in our sewage pipes. We've looked at it and had different people look at it, and there are all kinds of problems. But I know that through Jesus Christ, he wants his church's parking lot not to flood. So, I'm trusting him to give me the strength, give Sal Mejia our facilities guy the strength, and to give our staff the strength to find the solution, even if it costs us some money, which it already has. Here's the thing, whatever's going on in your life, Jesus Christ will give you the strength. Isn't that a great promise? If God calls you through something, you will accomplish it through Jesus Christ, and that ought to fill you with joy. So, whatever is causing you to wonder and doubt, just give it to Jesus Christ. Say, "Jesus, take it. I can do all things through you." Then watch what he does in his perfect way, in his perfect time. Father, thank you for this great promise, this great key verse in the book of Philippians. Help us to understand it appropriately. It's not our own strength, and it's not everything we want, but it's through you. This means it's through your strength, and it's only in accordance with your will. We asked this in Jesus' name, amen.