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I Can - Through Christ - Pastor Stuart Price
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I Can - Through Christ
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Every year we have a verse that we stand on at Spirit Life, that sets a theme for the year. A verse of scripture that I seek the Holy Spirit for us as a church. Last year it was Philippians 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. This year it is I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Apostle Paul was a great man of the faith and a testimony that no one is beyond the saving grace of the Lord. Pauls early life was marked by religious zeal, brutal violence, and the relentless persecution of the early church.
He had a powerful encounter with Jesus one day and that was where God changed his man. Saul became Paul, and he lived his life for Christ Acts 9:1-22 and the advancement of His kingdom. Paul took three different missionary journeys in his life time.
We read in Acts 16 that he went into Philippi and went to a prayer meeting on the banks of the river. A lady by name of Lydia a seller of purple, got saved and that was the birth of the Philippians Church. Paul planted his first church. Then Paul and Silas were put in prison because they cast a demon out of a slave girl and her owners were very upset as she worked for them.
Paul suffered so much, but he never pulled back or lost his zeal to spread Gods word. I am showing you his life and all he suffered, because from it he said the words "I can do all things - Through Christ."
Please read 2 Corinthians 11:22-30 a list of things he suffered. Five times he received 39 lashes. Three times beaten with rods, once stoned and left for dead. Then in verse 26 he lists 8 perils he faced. Wow, I think I would have run away from the first 39 lashes!!
Coming back to Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased (humble) and I know how to abound (prosperity). Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and suffer need. I can do all things.... Through Jesus.
This is not a verse about a Superman T-shirt. Paul used the word contentment. That means a state of happiness and satisfaction.
Paul was happy with much and he was happy with little, you see our happiness is in Jesus and not things. 1 Timothy 6:6 Godliness with contentment is great gain.
Paul learned a secret of how to be satisfied, even if hungry and being able also to do without. It is a verse about perseverance in Gods will and way, it's about Paul submitting to Gods goals and plan, and God giving him strength to do so. We are bought with a price. It's not about our dreams, our goals, our agendas, and getting God to assist us with them. It's about Christians like Paul doing God's will, working out gods salvation plan, even when it involves suffering, loss and hunger etc.
Paul says bravely - I can endure anything the world throws at me, in Him who strengthens me. Have you faced hardship and pulled back? Then it is time to make a stand and say "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" the amplified bible puts it this way 'I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me - I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength to me. I am self sufficient in Christs sufficiency. '
2018 is going to be a great year to be serving the Lord and His will
Have a great week
Pastor Stuart & Colleen