Can Do!

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Introduction: Remember “The Little Engine that Could”? Through Christ we can reword that from “I think I can...I think I can...” to “I know we can...I know we can!”

When Paul penned these precious words in , “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength” I’m sure he was not including such outrageous feats like me clearing the bar on a 20 ft pole vault or running a three minute mile or climbing Mt. Everest or even coming close to any kind of zip-line ever again!

But Paul was thinking definitely of some serious things that we CAN DO in Christ, who strengthens us. He had in mind some accomplishments not necessarily of athletic nature or physical prowess...but rather some definite spiritual achievements...not so that we could boast but rather so that our discipleship to Christ would be evident...to us...but especially to Him!!!

Paul certainly had his share of trials due to his faith and stand in Christ. In his own words Paul described how through the strength of Christ he was able to remain faithful: “In labours more abundant, in stripes above measure;” “in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”

Spurgeon, C. H. (1860). All-Sufficiency Magnified. In The New Park Street Pulpit Sermons (Vol. 6, p. 478). London: Passmore & Alabaster.

The New Park Street Pulpit Sermons, Vol. VI All-Sufficiency Magnified (No. 346)

Paul had seen the inside of almost every Roman prison, yet he had never been known to quake in any one of them; though he understood well the devices which Nero had invented to put torment upon Christians; though he had heard doubtless in his cell of those who were smeared with pitch and set on fire in Nero’s gardens to light his festivities; though he had heard of Nero’s racks and chains and hot pincers, yet he felt persuaded that rack and pincers, and boiling pitch, would not be strong enough to break his faith. “I can endure all things,” he says, “for Christ’s sake.” He daily expected that he might be led out to die

G. K. Chesterton once said, “Christians ought not to be better than other people ought to be. But they ought to be better than other people are.” Why would he say that? Because through Christ we can do better, behave better, think better and live better.

Spurgeon, C. H. (1860). All-Sufficiency Magnified. In The New Park Street Pulpit Sermons (Vol. 6, p. 478). London: Passmore & Alabaster.

G. K. Chesterton once said, “Christians ought not to be better than other people ought to be. But they ought to be better than other people are.” Why would he say that? Because through Christ we can do better, behave better, think better and live better.

We know very well...but we need to see this verse in its larger context. The whole tone of his Philippian epistle is one of confidence in the strength that Christ provides for us to “shine like stars.” (2:15). a

We know Phil. 43:13 very well...but we need to see this verse in its larger context.

You see, Paul is telling us that through Christ we can...

I. Love Across our Differences

1. It seems that there were a couple of women in the Philippian congregation that were not getting along...they had some differences.

2. We’re not privileged with the information of what the problem was or who caused it. It could have been some small word spoken between them that they had take offense at. It festered and grew until an ugly wall divided them and it not only affected them but others within the church family as well. Their problem was not just their problem...it was actually scandalizing the church and it was becoming an embarrassment to the gospel of Christ.

3. But Paul believed they could settle their problem and restore love for each other. He believed that they could do what Jesus had taught: “Pray for those who persecute you and love your enemies.” Paul believed that they could forbear with one another. He believed that they could forgive each other as Christ had forgiven them.

4. In and through the grace and power of Jesus Christ you and I can do what the world had great difficulty doing. We can work through differences and demonstrate a love that breaks down barriers and builds bridges!

5. It’s not a matter of “if” but “when” we have differences with each other. But the good news is that when it happens if we are willing to have the spirit and mind of Christ...differences can be worked out...they do not need to win the day...rather the love of Christ truly expressed will win the day every time!

6. We don’t know for sure what the problem was between Euodia and Syntyche, and we don’t know for sure how Paul envisioned them coming back together. But we have a clue in the names of these two women. Euodia means, “beautiful words,” and Syntyche means “coming together.” Maybe Paul was saying: “Sisters, come together and speak beautiful words to each other. Bless one another and do not curse. Express love to each other...and defeat the efforts of the devil in causing division.

6. We don’t know for sure what the problem was between Euodia and Syntyche, and we don’t know for sure how Paul envisioned them coming back together. But we have a clue in the names of these two women. Euodia means, “beautiful words,” and Syntyche means “coming together.” Maybe Paul was saying: “Sisters, come together and speak beaufiful words to each other. Bless one another and do not curse. Express love to each other...and defeat the efforts of the devil in causing division.

7. You see through Christ WE CAN DO it!

II. Live Through Anxiety

1. We live in an anxious world. Almost everyone worries at one time or another. Anxiety is so common that people almost consider it to be a natural part of life. But God doesn’t want you to worry.

2. Worry can ruin our health. Worry affects our nerves...our digestion...our heart...our lungs...our stomachs. Often times serious anxiety leads to alcoholism or substance abuse and depression, sexual disorders, and even suicide.

3. Montaigne, the philosopher said, “My life has been filled with terrible misfortunes, most of which never happened.” Research has proven that to be true...

• 40% of our worries never happen

• 30% are concerns of the past that we can’t change anyway

• 12% are needless health worries

• 10% are petty concerns

• Only 8% of the things we worry about are really legitimate concerns.

4. I read of a woman who was terrified she would get cancer. She talked about it frequently. She worried about it constantly. She died in her late 70's of a heart attack. She had spent her entire life worrying about the wrong disease!

5. There are a thousand different things that can raise out blood pressure and give us great anxiety, but in Christ, the One who said, “Come to me, all you who labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” our anxieties can be leashed and we can move through them!

6. Listen to what God’s Word says, “Have no anxiety about anything!” You’re fretting about that upcoming exam...you’re worrying about that pending project...you’re anxious about that doctor’s report. “Have no anxiety about anything!. But that’s not all that Paul says. Listen: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (4:6,7)

Through Christ our motto is “Can do!”

III. Join our Thinking with our Doing

1. There really does seem to be a gap here. So many have not been able to make the essential connection with what we think and what we do. We must realize that what we believe is directly to be translated into our behavior.

2. Too many Christians are guilty of compartmentalizing their lives. They believe in God...they go to church...they give to the work of the church and may even serve on a committee or teach a Sunday School class...but these things are done on Sunday...then comes Monday and Tuesday, etc. and they mind-set that a different set of rules and principles come into play. Nothing could be further from the truth. If our relationship to Christ means anything it means that it is a life-style behavior that is consistent with what we say we believe.

3. In other words, the words of Scripture are to guide the words we say to each other...to our employers and employees. The principles of our faith are meant to shape our scruples and ethics in what we do after we leave the worship service. The claims of Christ that we say “amen” to on Sunday are just as relevant and just as true outside of this building in whatever context or situation we find ourselves in.

4. This is essentially what Paul means when he says, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. They things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.” (4:8,9)

Through Christ we Can Do what glorifies Christ! In another place Paul wrote, “Whatsoever you do in word or deed do all to honor Christ to His glory!” ().

4. This is essentially what Paul means when he says, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. They things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.” (4:8,9)

Through Christ and the strength He provides we can also...

IV. Learn Contentment

His Confidence (13) – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Through it all, Christ had been faithful to provide exactly what Paul needed to endure. He had yet to face a trial that he could not endure through the help of the Lord. Christ had equipped him to endure those seasons of hunger and suffering. When he reached the end of himself, the Lord was always there to meet his need.

This is a favorite verse of many, but it is often quoted out of context. Few realize it is centered on trials and suffering. This verse does not offer a blank check of grace to provide for any and every desire we have. It declares that the Lord’s grace will always be sufficient to endure whatever trial we face. I can’t expect the Lord to provide the strength I need to finish a marathon in record time without a lot of training and preparation. I can’t expect the Lord to continually fill my bank account while making foolish decisions regarding my finances. I can’t expect the Lord to work through me as I stand and preach if I have not spent time in prayer and preparation. I can however, expect the Lord to provide the grace I need to endure the storms and trials of life. I can expect Him to teach me patience and contentment when I face great difficulties in life. I can endure whatever comes my way with Christ by my side!

1. The world in which we live is not friendly to the desire to be content. The society we live in with its emphasis on materialism is not helpful when we desire to be content.

The world in which we live is not friendly to the desire to be content. The society we live in with its emphasis on materialism is not helpful when we desire to be content.

IV. Learn Contentment

2. Everywhere we turn we are bombarded with messages about things we need or think we need. Even if we don’t need it we will be given 40 reasons why we should need it. Our society sells us on all sorts of gadgets that we feel we just must have and it’s great for a short period of time…then something else comes along that is supposed to do more and all of a sudden that gadget we felt we couldn’t do without is now (though still almost brand new) is obsolete and needs to be replaced.

3. I’ve encountered people who felt that they had no time for God or church or family because they had so much to do with their job…so many demands on their time…then a tragedy hits, or an unfavorable medical report comes back and everything changes…time is found for what we consider important.

4. It’s like the guy in the parable that Jesus told…you know, the farmer who had a great crop and decided that he needed bigger barns…for an even bigger crop…he was obsessed with the idea of expansion and had no time for God at all. Then God said, “Times up!” Jesus concluding remark in that parable was: “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” ().

5. Remember: Paul wrote these words to the Philippian church while in prison. He had endured a great many troubles since he began serving the Lord…but now he said, “I’ve learned how to be content!” Paul offers himself as an example of trusting in the Lord. He commends the Philippians for their generosity to his personal needs. Note what he writes to them:

The Message Chapter 4

I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.

15–17 You Philippians well know, and you can be sure I’ll never forget it, that when I first left Macedonia province, venturing out with the Message, not one church helped out in the give-and-take of this work except you. You were the only one. Even while I was in Thessalonica, you helped out—and not only once, but twice. Not that I’m looking for handouts, but I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.

18–20 And now I have it all—and keep getting more! The gifts you sent with Epaphroditus were more than enough, like a sweet-smelling sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing God no end. You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes.

Paul said, “Can do!” We need to say, “We can too!”

Conclusion: This morning we’ve discussed some of the challenges that we face when we are committed to Living for Jesus...there are others to be sure...but we need to remember that through Christ....”We know we can...we know we can!!”

Realizing this will result in agreeing with Paul’s doxology at the close of his letter: “Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (4:20).

Conclusion: These are some of the challenges that we face when we are committed to Living for Jesus...there are others to be sure...but we need to remember that through Christ....”We know we can...we know we can!!”