“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
“through him who strengthens me,” ESV
Strengthen – to someone to have the ability to do or to experience something, to give someone the capability
Philippians 4:13 context
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.” – Philippians 4:10–14 NLT
Jesus gives Paul the ability/strength to live and to be content in every circumstance.
How do we draw strength from Jesus Christ?
1. Receive Jesus as Savior.
What does Jesus provide as Savior?
New spiritual heart/life. Heart – Ezekiel 36:26 Life – John 3:1-21 Ephesians 2:4-6
Forgiveness of sin. Ephesians 1:7 1 John 1:7
Freedom from the shame and guilt of sin. Romans 8:1 2 Corinthians 7:21
Freedom from the punishment of sin. Romans 5:9 8:1
Freedom from a compulsion to repeat sin. Matthew 16:24 Romans 6 Ephesians 2:10 Revelation 1:5 Titus 2:11-12
Accepted into God’s family as a coheir of Jesus Christ, children of God. Romans 8:17 John 1:12-13 Ephesians 2:13
Eternal peace of heaven as future home. John 6:47 Romans 5:1-2
2. Continually look to Jesus as Savior.
What does Jesus provide as Savior? Have you received it? Are you continuing to receive it?
14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” – Ephesians 3:14–20 NLT
3. Let this change the way that you look at everything.
Perspective change about current challenges, seen in Romans 5:1-11.
Clearly Paul drew spiritual strength, comfort, and perspective from looking to the example of Jesus Christ, see Philippians 2. This includes the gracious humility of Jesus as well as the suffering and victory of Jesus.