THE BELIEVER'S ALL SUFFICIENCY IS IN CHRIST

PHILIPPIANS 4:1

A. "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST, WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME."
  1. Experience shows that a Christian is constantly exposed to two deadly dangers:
    1. Overconfidence: EXAMPLE -
      1. Peter had moments in his relation with Christ when he was overconfident of his abilities: "Though all men shall be offended, because of thee, yet will I never be offended" - Matt. 26:33-35; Mark 14:66-72
    2. No confidence: EXAMPLE -
      1. The disciples on numerous occasions showed no confidence in the power of the Master - John 6:5-7; Luke 8:24, 25
  2. Both evils are because of our:
    1. Insufficient knowledge of our own ability - John 15:5; Rom. 10:1-3
    2. Or of our unwillingness to place our confidence in Him who is all able - John 20:24-28 This is a major reason for our defeats in our Christian experience - Jas. 4
B. "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST, WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME."
  1. Paul wrote out of the wealth of his experience; and we shall do well to consider his testimony:
    1. After considerable struggle with himself, he freely confessed, "I have no confidence in the flesh" - Phil. 3:3; "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing" - Rom. 7:18
    2. It was after his surrender to Christ, and his daily witnessing to the enabling grace of God, he was fully authorized to speak the words of our text.
  2. Let us consider the implications of our opening text:
    1. It indicates Christ's all-sufficiency for a full and happy life - 2 Pet. 1:2-9
    2. The Christian is fully able to perform all duties derived from his connection with Christ.
  3. Those duties are manifold:
    1. Love our enemies - Matt. 5:44
    2. Bless when we are cursed.
    3. Pray for those who mistreat us.
  4. The Christian can perform all sacrifices:
    1. Abraham did - Gen. 22:1-12
    2. Joseph did - Gen. 39:1-18
    3. Daniel did - Dan. 6:1-10
  5. He can resist successfully all temptations:
    1. Joseph did - Gen. 39:1-18
    2. The friends of Daniel did - Dan. 3
    3. The Christian martyrs did - Heb. 11:36-40
  6. He can successfully overcome all things:
    1. The lust of the flesh.
    2. The lust of the eyes.
    3. The pride of life - 1 John 2:15, 16; 5:1-5
C. OUR OPENING TEXT BRINGS TO LIGHT THE INEXHAUSTIBLE SUPPLY OF DIVINE STRENGTH PLACED AT THE DISPOSAL OF THE CHRISTIAN BELIEVER
  1. Jesus Christ is that source:
    1. "For in him dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead bodily." - Col. 2:9
    2. He assures us in the Gospel commission, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" - Matt. 28:18
      1. He is the food for the soul - John 6:55
      2. His blood is God's cleansing power - 1 Pet. 1:18, 19
      3. His grace is sufficient for our every need - 2 Cor. 12:9
      4. He is the eternal, unchangeable Saviour - Heb. 13:8; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 7:24-27
  2. We think of the power of His word:
    1. By it He upholds the universe - Heb. 1:1-3
    2. By it He transforms lives - 1 Pet. 1:22, 23; 1 John 3:7-9; 2 Pet. 1:2-8
    3. By it He will raise the dead - John 5:28, 29; 1 Thess. 4:13-17
    4. By it He will make all things new - Rev. 21; 22


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