Good morning! It is great to see everyone. I am excited because I begin a new message series today! It’s called “Pop Verses!” meaning “popular’ verses of scripture. It was tough for me to whittle down this list to seven. There are several popular Bible verses. However, I think I picked the ones that most people are very familiar with. And some of these may be your most favorite of all.
In this series we are going to take a closer look at these pop verses and the context in which they appear. We are going to find out why they are so popular and how they apply to our lives. What you might discover is that some of these verses don’t mean what you think they mean. Or you may discover these verses mean a lot more than you think they mean. You see, quite often our favorites verses, are just that – they’re verses. They’re not read in light of the passage in which they appear. This can lead to a misunderstanding about the true meaning of the verse. I believe this series is going to give you a lot of food for thought about the meaning of these popular verses.
The one I begin with today is my wife Brandy’s favorite. It is Philippians 4:13. Let’s say it together:
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. –Philippians 4:13
How many of you have heard this verse before? Now raise your hand if this verse is one of your favorites. We see this verse connected a lot with athletics and sports. I remember a poster that showed a sprinter stretching across the finish line. Below him was Philippians 4:13. That’s not bad, but the verse means so much more than that. There is a depth of meaning in this verse that could change your life. Seen in its larger context this verse is even more powerful than we think.
I believe all of us want this verse to be true. I think all of us want strength for living. All of us want to feel empowered in life. I know many of you are worn out, burned out, and about to pass out! A little bit of strength would be good, amen? Maybe you come to worship today exhausted by life. Maybe you have a tough decision to make and you don’t know if you have the strength to make it. Perhaps you have so many things on your plate that you would love an escape button. You want off this train! The pressures of work, family, and business and life have you at your wits end. I just spoke to a lady the other day who said, “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!”
It seems pretty clear from the verse today that we find the strength we need in Christ. For most of us here that is not a difficult concept to understand. Christ is our rock and our redeemer. But notice the verse expresses that Paul had found strength in Christ. He doesn’t say, “You will find your strength in Christ to do all things.” I am sure Paul believed that but he was giving testimony. He was testifying that he had found all the strength he needed in Christ. The question is how can we find it?
How can we go about our day to day lives with the strength of Christ – in the board room, in the waiting room, and in the emergency room? If we are honest, there are days when we don’t really feel that strong. We have prayed. We have been to church. We have maybe even read our Bible daily. But the strength is not there. We go on vacations. We read self help books. We listen to Oprah and the strength we need is still not there. Why is that? How can we get the strength we need?
Wouldn’t you love to have Paul’s confidence? Wouldn’t you love to feel the strength of Christ like Paul – to face life with power and wisdom and confidence – to experience strength beyond you? I think this is one of the reasons why this is a favorite verse for many people. It expresses a deep hope and desire to find strength. We like the verse because we hope for strength. We yearn for it. We long for it but many of us don’t experience it.
Well, you have come to the right place today. I am going to share with you how you can find the strength in Christ you need to do all things. I am going to share with you how you can tap into the power of Christ and have the same confidence as Paul. It is not that I have some secret knowledge or understanding. Some people think we pastors do. They will say, “Pray for me. I know you have a good connection to God.” Well, everyone has that connection! We believe in the priesthood of all believers. That is what the Protestant Reformation was all about! You have a connection with Christ too! You can pray to him anytime you want. He hears you the same way he hears me. So no, I don’t have some special knowledge. I have simply studied and prayed over this verse and read the verses that come before it.
You see, that is the key. Most people just read this verse alone, out of its context and think, “Okay, Christ gives me strength too.” In fact, if I took a poll of how many know Philippians 4:12, most people would not know it. But you can’t understand Philippians 4:13 unless you understand Philippians 4:12, and 11 and 10. We must see this popular verse in light of its context. It is then and only then that we discover how to have what Paul had, that strength in Christ to do all things. So if you want that strength today let’s take a closer look at the verses that come before this “Pop” verse.
Most scholars believe that Paul was in a Roman prison when he wrote the letter to the Philippians. It was his favorite church. He founded it. He loved the people and they loved him. He had a special relationship with them. Philippians 4:13 appears as Paul is wrapping up the letter. He is thanking the Philippians for sending him a gift, probably money to help his ministry. Paul had good etiquette. He knew it was important to send a thank you note! Take a look:
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. –Philippians 4:10
Paul is expressing how happy he was to receive their big check to help with his ministry. As Paul was preaching the gospel everywhere, there were no cell phones, emails, or texts. There was just snail mail. And so Paul’s special friends mailed Paul a gift to help him and this warmed Paul’s heart. It was the only way they could show Paul they loved him and believed in him. This made Paul very happy.
But Paul was very quick to point out something. Take a look:
I am not saying this because I am in need… –Philippians 4:11
Paul was quick to tell his special friends that he wasn’t thankful and happy because he was desperate and in great need for the money. Paul was not like a preacher on a stewardship Sunday. He was happy for the love and kindness behind the gift. Paul’s love language was probably “gift giving.” He appreciated the thought behind the gift.
And then Paul expresses something that is the beginning of understanding the power of Philippians 4:13:
…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. –Philippians 4:11
You see, this is Paul’s wisdom shining through. Paul was an older man by the time he wrote these words. He had been through life’s battles. He had survived countless bouts of persecution. He sat in a Roman prison cell awaiting death at any moment. He knew what was most important in life. He knew what counted. Life and faith had taught him to be self sufficient regardless of his circumstances. That is what content means, to be self sufficient. He didn’t rely on the circumstances of life to determine his happiness because he knew circumstances are always changing.
Most of us are quite the opposite. We are only happy and self sufficient when circumstances are just how we want them. We feel good when life lines up just like we want it. We put ourselves at the mercy of circumstances, but Paul didn’t. Paul continues:
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. –Philippians 4:12
Paul was basically saying, “Been there. Done that.” I have faced sad and desperate times. And I have face wonderful and glorious times. Each has something to teach us. I have lived life and have been through it. I know what I am talking about.” If Paul were living today he might have a tee shirt that says, “Getting Old is Not for Sissies!”
In essence Paul was confessing that when he was young he made the mistake of relying on circumstances for happiness and contentment. But then he realized that life is a series of ups and downs. If you rely on circumstances you are going to be disappointed.
So then Paul throws in a phrase that blows my mind. We don’t find anything like it anywhere in scripture really. It’s amazing. Take a look:
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. –Philippians 4:12
Now, how about that! Paul said he had learned the secret of being content no matter what life threw at him. Whether he was hungry in a prison cell or comfortable in his bed with a full stomach, he knew the secret – the secret to being content! I don’t know about you but I want that secret!
It does seem like a secret doesn’t it? Everywhere you look folks are unhappy. They have everything they want and they are still not happy or content. Everywhere you look folks are relying on circumstances to bring them strength and contentment and it always disappoints. It does seem like a secret.
Maybe the secret has eluded you. You would love to know that secret! You want the secret Paul learned? You really want the secret. Well, the truth is the secret is found in Philippians 4:13. Paul revealed it in this pop verse. He wasn’t trying to keep it hidden. The problem is we just miss it. Here is the verse again. See if you can spot the secret:
I can do all things through him who gives me strength. –Philippians 4:13
We always focus on the wrong word in this verse. This is why we miss the secret. Whenever we read this verse most of us underline in our minds the word “strength.” It is an important word but it is the byproduct of what I believe is the most important word in this verse. It is only two letters, but it leads us to the secret. The word is “Do.” I can DO all things through Christ, the one who gives me strength.
Paul’s secret to strength and contentment lied in learning to focus on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt he should have. It was not the money, the things, the power, the gifts, the prestige, that spurred him on; it was his relationship with Christ and what Christ had called him to DO.
Paul detached himself from the non-essentials of life so he could focus on what really mattered for eternity. So, in a nut shell, what is the secret to finding contentment and strength for living?
Let go of what you should have and grab hold of what you should do.
You see it is all about HAVE vs. DO. That is always our struggle in life and faith. That is where we get tripped up! We have it backwards. We think once we have what we want we will be free to do what needs to be done. You will never have all that you want. But you will always have the strength to do what Christ calls you to do, no matter your circumstances.
Many of us don’t have the strength we need because of where we put our energy. Truth be told, we often put our energy in what we should have and that will always suck the strength, joy and power right out of us.
For much of the world this verse is changed to, “I can do all things through money that will strengthen me, but I need more of it.” “I can do all things through the right relationship that will strengthen me, but all the good ones seem to be taken.” “I can do all things through position that will strengthen me and my self esteem, but I am not the boss yet.”
Maybe that is the story of your life. If it is, have you found the strength you need? I am betting not. Perhaps all you have to show for your pursuit of content and strength is a depleted soul and discouraged spirit.
You want power? Change your perspective. Do what Paul did. Take your mind and heart off the non-essentials and focus on the eternal. Let go of what you should have and grab hold of what you should do. Get to work on following Jesus in the world and everything else will take care of itself. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.”
The richest people are those with the fewest needs. The richest people are those whose only desire is to please Christ and live for him.
So many think this verse is about super human power. “I can do all things, like swim the English Channel or win a Green Jacket!” I had to give up my dream of a Green Jacket a long time ago! For Paul "all things" meant all the work and ministry Christ had called him to do. Paul didn’t say, “I can HAVE all things through Christ who strengthens me!” He said, “I can DO all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It was about Christ giving Paul all the strength he needed to do what Christ had called him to do.
When we don’t have strength and contentment it is not because Christ is absent. Oh, Christ is there. He is alive and well. We don’t have strength and contentment because we don’t make room for Christ and what he calls us to do. We spend our time and energy on the non-essentials of life.
Just think of how much time and energy we spend worrying about non essentials. The happiest, most energetic people I know are those who faithfully serve Christ and his church. Why is that? Christ loves giving strength to those who want to be involved with what he is doing in the world. People who are out doing for Christ never complain of not having enough strength. They may complain of not having enough time or resources, but not strength. The Bible says, “He who began a good work in you will see it to you completion.”
I have discovered that I find rest when I have worked. I find strength when I am doing for others. I find joy when I am serving. The more I bless, the more I am blessed. That’s how it works! I can DO all things through Christ who strengthens me!
Many folks don’t have strength for anything because they are not doing anything productive for Christ. They are focused on having instead of doing. This is why self-centered churches die! This is why inward focused churches die and outwardly focused churches thrive! Christ is not going to bless a church whose only desire is to be catered to. Christ is not going to strengthen a church whose only mission is to keep up traditions or be entertained. Christ is not going to bless a church that just stuffs itself with Bible study and never goes out to burn those spiritual calories by serving.
You will HAVE when you DO. You want fulfillment? Give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name. You want joy? Join us in serving the homeless at Pinellas Hope. You want meaning? Talk to another person about your relationship with Christ. You want purpose? Tell God you will do anything for him and watch your life transform. You will be so busy and so alive you won’t care anymore about getting everything you want. You will have found the secret to contentment.
One of my favorite movies is The Shawshank Redemption. It stars Morgan Freeman as “Red” and Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne. They are both prisoners and become good friends in prison. Andy is sentenced to two consecutive life terms for a double murder he did not commit. He experiences the brutality of prison life and works for a cruel and disturbed warden. He longs to be free from prison so he begins to plan his escape without telling a soul.
There is great scene in the movie when Andy and Red are sitting against a wall in the prison yard. Andy keeps talking and day dreaming about the life he would live if he were free. He says he would go to Mexico and live on the Pacific. He would run at hotel and run on the beach. He would buy an old boat and go fishing. Red, unaware of Andy’s plan to escape, tries to talk him back to reality: “Why are you wasting time with these pipe dreams. All that stuff is out there and you are in here.” Andy replies, “Well, life comes down to a simple choice. Get busy living or get busy dying.”
When I read Philippians 4:13, I don’t see a Green Jacket: I hear a challenge: “Charley, get busy living for Christ or get busy dying in trivial pursuits.” I choose Christ. Which do you choose? Let go of what you should have and grab hold of what you should do. Get busy living or get busy dying. Amen.