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The sermon interprets Philippians 4:13 not as a promise of autonomous success, but as Paul’s confession that Christ enables him to endure suffering, resist sin, remain content, and serve God in every condition. Strength is mediated through the Holy Spirit, especially through strengthened faith, self-denial, discipline, and daily supplies of grace. Believers are therefore called to active ministry rather than passive profession, using opportunities to witness, confront sin, show mercy, and honor Christ in every vocation. The closing appeal also presents repentance and faith as impossible to fallen nature apart from Christ’s enabling power.
Theological center: Christ, through the ongoing enabling work of the Holy Spirit, gives believers sufficient strength for faithful obedience and ministry in every circumstance.
Applications: Overcome Sin Through Christ · Serve God Despite Inability · Serve Actively and Courageously · Use Opportunities for Witness
Primary texts: Philippians 4:13 · Philippians 4:12-13 · 2 Corinthians 11:24-28
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 THE former part of the sentence would be a piece of impudent daring without the latter part to interpret it. There have been some men who, puffed up with vanity, have in their hearts said, “I can do all things.” Their destruction has been sure, and near at hand. Nebuchadnezzar walks through the midst of the great city, he sees its stupendous tower threading the clouds, he marks the majestic and colossal size of every erection, and he says in his heart, “Behold this great Babylon which I have builded, ‘I can do all things.”’ A few hours and he can do nothing except that in which the beast excels him, he eats grass like the oxen, until his hair has grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. See too, the Persian potentate, he leads a million of men against Graecia, he wields a power which he believes to be omnipotent, he lashes the sea, casts chains upon the wave, and bids it be his slave. Ah, foolish pantomime—“I can do all things!” His hosts melt away, the bravery of Graecia is too much for him, he returns to his country in dishonor. Or if you will take a modern instance of a man who was born to rule and govern, and found his way upwards from the lowest ranks to the highest point of empire, call to mind Napoleon. He stands like a rock in the midst of angry billows, the nations dash against him and break themselves, he himself puts out the sun of Austria, and bids the star of Prussia set, he dares to proclaim war against all the nations of the earth, and believes that he himself shall be a very Briarius with a hundred hands attacking at once a hundred antagonists. “I can do all things,” he might have written upon his banners. It was the very note which his eagles screamed amid the battle. He marches to Russia, he defies the elements, he marches across the snow and sees the palace of an ancient monarch in flames. No doubt as he looks at the blazing Kremlin, he thinks, “I can do all things.” But you shall come back to your country alone, you shall strew the frozen plains with men, you shall be utterly wasted and destroyed. Inasmuch as you have said, “I propose and dispose too,” lo! JEHOVAH disposes of you, and puts you from your seat, seeing you have arrogated to yourself omnipotence among men. And what shall we say to our apostle, little in stature, stammering in speech, his personal presence weak, and his speech contemptible, when he comes forward and boasts, “I can do all things”? O impudent presumption! What can you do, Paul? The leader of a hated sect, all…