Sermon Tone Analysis

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!”

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!

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!!!

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.

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.

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).

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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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

7.

You see through Christ WE CAN DO it!

II.

Live Through Anxiety

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.