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This morning, Pastor Paul will be preaching on the Apostle Paul's well known declaration from the fourth chapter of his letter to the church in Philippi. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Here the reading of God's word from Philippians, chapter four, verses eight through 13. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there's anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned, and received and heard, and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low. And I know how to abound. In any in every circumstance, I've learned the secret of facing plenty, and hunger, abundance and need, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me the word of God for the people of God. Thanks, Peter God.

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Amen. And amen. Great to see you happy Father's Day to all the dads that are gathered here in the sanctuary. And as I extend that expression of warm heartedness, I also want to mention another matter that will warm the heart when engaged in properly we will have prayer training on our campus on Wednesday night, June 28. One hour in Seabrook, I'm going to be leading that when invite all of you loved ones, I'm not naive. The reason most church people don't come to prayer meetings is because most church people have been to prayer meetings. Think with me. And so what I'm saying to you is, we're going to train and equip the church on this particular night for prayer ministry for our worship gatherings. And I invite you to be a part. And I want to submit to you that your conversation and relationship with Jesus can be dynamic and vibrant and life giving. And you can pray more than two to three minutes. When you understand how to go about it and not lose your focus and enter into living relationship, I want to want to encourage you in those things. So that's June 28. So as grant has already mentioned, the verse we're looking at today in the series called context where we're lifting up verses that get quoted a lot. But most people don't know the context of what they're quoting. We're going to look at this verse, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Now. I've shared a little bit of this before, but I grew up in a church that did not place much emphasis on scripture, my youth group, when I was a teenager, we would talk more about the latest songs on the radio or the latest album, and kind of had discussion around that but very little around the actual kingdom of God. So when I was growing up, I didn't know John 316. But I knew Philippians 413. And I knew Philippians 413, because my father was a great athlete. By the way, it skips a generation. But I knew Philippians 413 Because we are a sports loving family still are and when I was a kid, I had these posters in my room. And one of them was up an NBA player, going over a defender with a layup. And at the bottom of the poster Philippians 413 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. And since those days I have seen this verse just like many of you, plastered on posters or in social media, at the bottom of pictures of people working out with weights or getting ready to perform their floor routine in the Olympics, or football players getting ready to flood the field. And so, here's the question for us, is the meaning of this verse. I can do whatever I set my mind to and Christ will give me the strength or is there something far more meaningful, far more life giving, that God is seeking to teach us and to illustrate for us in and through the life of the apostle Paul? I am still getting familiar with the Memphis area. And many of you know, I've been reading books to understand the history and the story of Memphis. And one of the books I read was a book called Rising Tide that a member of the church loaned me and, and in that book, there's a reference to our shall we say, not just a reference, but multiple references to the Mississippi River at flood stage, particularly in 1927. And I'm aware, and you're aware that there are probably some persons who know history well, and they can point out places where the Mississippi River has risen to flood stage and there are even what would be called watermarks on certain structures, maybe even trees in the flood lands around the river that that signify these high water marks throughout history when the Mississippi River has flooded? Well, we're all aware that when we look at the life of the apostle Paul, he too has some high watermarks in his life, I think there are three significant ones. First, his conversion. Secondly would be when the Apostle Paul was called to what was called the third heaven, when he was fully in the presence of Jesus, and in the presence of Jesus. And when he saw heaven in heaven, heavenly realities, Jesus shared two things with him. One, you're not allowed to write about everything that you see. But we're aware that when the apostle Paul writes, he writes from a perspective where he has a lens of being exposed to a dimension of reality that you and I have not been exposed to. And perhaps this is a part of why Paul, the apostle Paul writes, with such clarity and confidence when he pins much of the New Testament, we're also told that Jesus shared with him after this experience, that he would have a thorn in the flesh, and that in his weakness, God would provide in Christ's sufficiency of His grace, so that Paul did not grow arrogant in light of what you've seen, what he had seen, and what he did, he experienced and in light that Jesus proclaimed over his life, My grace is sufficient for you in weakness, second watermark. Third watermark is what we're looking at right now. That the Apostle Paul knew, knows a strength in persecution that comes from the person of Jesus Christ. Now, when we begin talking about persecution and suffering, as the Apostle Paul went through beaten times without number, the Scripture says, shipwrecked, all kinds of things he's gone through including being in prison and a Roman Sal, as he writes, the words that we're looking at right now, let's be honest, very few of us, maybe even none of us can fully identify with what the Apostle Paul is going through. Why is that? Is because in Western culture, we have all been able to follow Jesus, without a lot of pushback with without suffering. And I want to invite you to consider a matter this morning, here it is, at some point in your life, as you follow Jesus, when you were mocked, or misunderstood, or ridiculed or even threatened because of your Christian convictions. It may notice your pastor said may, it may be one of the best things that ever happens to you. Say, Pastor, why would you say that? Because it may be the time where in Christ as you have to depend on him in a different way, that Christ just as he did with the Apostle Paul may give you a great or even greater revelation of the SOURCE OF JESUS HIMSELF, a greater revelation, a greater understanding than you've ever known. It may be the time when God deposits into your life, a deposit of grace and expression of Christ that is so powerful, that he will also develop you in a way that you are no longer the same in a way that you impact others. And I want to lovingly say, out of love for you church family, that we could enter that day. Here's the statistical data. It indicates the following cultural Christianity or what some people call acculturated, Christianity, the trendline on that is doing this in North America. However, the trendline for what we would call convictional Christianity has remained consistent and run mains consistent as IT projects into the future, according to researchers now just invite you to think about this with me when I use the phrase cultural Christianity or acculturated Christianity. I think this is something Jesus would call lukewarm Christianity. And if you've ever read Revelation three, you're aware that Jesus doesn't have very nice things to say about that. So, I want to submit to you that in the day that we're in, if we were to enter into persecution, that loved ones, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Let's be mindful that when Paul is experiencing the revelation that he writes about in Philippians, and other places, let's be mindful that Paul is not writing these words, laying on a beach on 38th Drinking a cool one. No, he wrote these words from a Roman prison cells cell. And let's also be mindful that when we hear the phrase Roman prison cell, it's not like the prisons of today. Not only was it dark, stank, and rat infested that may not be unlike some prisons here in North America. But here's what's different. A Roman prison cell, its primary purpose was to hold persons who were condemned to die. If you were held, because you were facing trial, there was a strong likelihood, it was a serious enough trial, trial and prosecution, where you would end up being executed. So Paul clearly recognizes when he's writing this letter, that death may be the endpoint of his imprisonment. We know historically, that Emperor Nero was fiercely hostile toward Christians. And Paul cites this look with me, if you have a Bible open to Philippians 120, Paul writes, Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. And why does he write this because he knows he might be executed. He writes in the second chapter, pardon me, my voice must be changing. Forgive me, for it Libyans. 217. He says, Even if I am poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, why is he using the metaphor of organic matter being poured out? And out of the Old Testament law? Why is he using this? Because he's using this metaphor to illustrate dying on an altar that Paul may be sacrifice for the cause of Christ. Now, let me ask you another question. Just think with me for a moment, knowing Paul is in that predicament? Would it be okay if he complained? Just a little bit. But that's not what we see happening in the tax Philippians. Four as he's in prison under the sentence of death, he declares he's learned the secret of being content. Look with me, I have learned Philippians 411. I have learned in whatever situation I am, to be content. Are you kidding me? I know how to be brought low, I know how to abound in every in every circumstance, I've learned the secret of facing plenty of hunger, a bit of abundance and need. Now, let me submit to you that Paul is not writing about a contentment here that we would equate with complacency. Paul, I would submit has a sanctified ambition. And his sanctified ambition is to make Christ known to make the gospel known. But as he's in this circumstance, he says, I have discovered secret I've learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Now, if you were to look up the word content in the dictionary, you find a myriad of definitions. But I'm gonna share with the one that I like, here it is This is I didn't find this in the dictionary. But I would define contentment in this context. I have what I desire, and I desire what I have. Yes, Christ. And just before Paul says, I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. He recounts the different circumstances that he has been in Hungary well fed in need been well off. He's learned to be content, no matter what the circumstances are. Paul is not a wealthy person telling a poor poor person to be happy with what they have or vice versa. He's not sitting up on a full stomach, telling a hungry person to get over it. This is not a second gridded up kind of verse. Paul's human like the rest of us. Let's don't lose sight of that in these verses. He's normal like us. You say, How do we know that? Well, we know that for many reasons, but but he's appreciative of the fact that the church cares about him. He cites this in several verses in Philippians 14, he saying I Rejoice greatly that the church at Philippi is not indifferent to my client. In other words, he says, now that you've revised your concern for me, indeed, you were concerned before but you lacked opportunity. Really what that tells us is that while Paul is suffering, he is appreciative of the Philippians church caring for him in a Roman prison cell. Some of you are familiar with this book, you know, that a man from Philippi Naima Patra deines has brought a gift from the Philippian church to help meet Paul's needs while he is suffering. And it's just important that as we read this, that we don't think of him as some type of superhero at a level where we recognize that He's not like us, that he is human. But we need to also see that this verse is much more than a personal motivational mantra. This is not I can make this layup I can win this tennis match, I can nail this floor routine, I can get this contract, signed and sealed and delivered. Because you recognize there's much more going on here. It's context. Facts. Some of you have the NIV translation of the Bible. And you even know that when you read your Bible in Philippians, 413, it translates it differently. It's translated this way I can do all this through Him who gives me strength? Why this instead of all things? Well, because those scholars recognize that Paul's talking about all the things that Paul has been talking about not all things, in the sense that we can do everything. This passage is not about all the wonderful things that you and I can have or achieved, if you just muster up the will power and throw some Jesus sauce on it. No, this is not a blank check for a person to do anything that he or she wants or expects, and just says, Yeah, Jesus, Jesus, bless me because I can do all things because he gives me strength. No, this is an encouraging verse, but let's understand its context. It's an assurance that we can do. Whatever God calls us to do, and not whatever we decide to do. Now think about the depth of this. Because instead of grumbling and complaining, Paul says, I'm content. I've got the one I desire. Even rights now think about this, okay? You're in a Roman prison cell facing death. And Paul doesn't just think about himself. Listen to what he writes to the church. He says in Philippians, four, six, saying to them, Be Don't Don't be anxious for anything. But think about that. I'm locked up rats on the floor. I'm facing potential execution. And my love for Jesus and love for people is so deep, I'm telling the church, I'm instructing the church. Don't be anxious. but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. What did this man have? That we all need? I think in this instance, I think about the two E's. And what I mean by that when I say the two E's, I think about a quote from IE Stanley Jones and a quote from Elizabeth Elliott, E. Stanley Jones, great Methodist missionary, Elizabeth Elliott, the wife of a missionary martyr. He Stanley Jones once said, this spiritual power comes out of inward fellowship with God and abandonment to his purposes. That's not bad for a Methodist. You may ask the question, how did Paul do this? Think about the words of Elizabeth Elliott. The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances. Paul's contentment didn't come through inner determination, or willpower, or positive thinking. His determination came from the source. So I've often said a greater power in him than any challenge outside of him, and the source was Christ in them just like Elizabeth Elliott framed it. Isn't it true that in our fallen humanity, so often times that we can think that our happiness is if I only get to this set of circumstances? Many of you remember JD Rockefeller. I, I don't I'm not saying that I have this exact calculation perfect, because it's secondhand information. But I was told once that in JD Rockefellers lifetime if he were alive today, if you translated the value of currency and today's to turn terms, Rockefeller would be worth $400 billion. Rockefeller was once asked, How much money does it take to be content? And Rockefeller some of you know this story. Rockefeller said just a little bit more. And isn't it true that our lives can be like, when we play with our children or grandchildren, we blow bubbles. And the children run, they chase the bubble and they touch it. And when they touch it, it pops only to chase another bubble in it pops and to chase another bubble and it pops is that not a picture of what our lives can be like if we allow our fallen nature to constantly just be in the pursuit of that which we think will satisfy? What was it vana once said, I still sing it with me church haven't found what I'm looking for. And I'm aware that here in this passage, we see that this brother in Christ he knows the source. If you were to study the New Testament, you would find that the word Christian is only found three times in the New Testament. But she would notice, after a thorough study, that believers are described as being in Christ, or in him referencing Christ, over 100 times, think we should pay attention to that. And in light of that is Paul's secret was that his life was in Christ in him. And by virtue of his life, being in Christ, Christ being in him. He had the source, his grace, his resources, Jesus experience, if I were to take a bucket up here, and hold it before you and put a ball in it, the ball would be in the bucket. I know, take notes on that, forgive me, but I know it's simple strain metaphor, bear with me. But the ball is in the bucket. If I take the bucket and I swing the bucket, the ball is also swinging by virtue of being in the bucket. Alright, forgive me, so simple, I get it. But you see the picture. When our lives are in Christ, the experience of Jesus is in us, we're in him. That makes all the difference. It's why the gospel opens the door for our lives, to be in Christ, this counterintuitive gospel of bowing before him, confessing my own sin, and crying out to Him, and declaring he is Lord and taking him as Savior. That the scripture says something supernatural happens that you're no longer your own. You become bought by the person of Jesus Christ, and He takes up residence in your life, you are in them, and he is in you now. What is in him can dwell with in you, you get what I'm saying that metaphor breaks down. But you see the picture. As I mentioned, when we opened I grew up in a sports loving family. I know that's true of many of you as well. I watch the Oklahoma Sooners women's softball team win another national championship this year. And watch these players rejoice on the field. Some of you may have seen the ESPN interview that went viral following that championship. There's a young lady on that team named Grace Lyons and shortstop phenomenal athlete. But grace, recently recorded a video that I want to share with you. It's two minutes 48 minute seconds long. So just know that you can calibrate. But I want you to hear her story. I want you to hear Christ in her. I want you to hear what she's living for in this hour. So tech team, would you cue that up and I'll be right back after it plays. But Let's soak this in just for a moment as it relates to the passage that we're looking at this morning.

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Dear softball, I fell in love with you when I was a little girl always carrying around my glove throwing tennis balls off the wall and hitting with my dad in the park. I played with the boys when there was no softball, and then finally switched over once recruiting started. And that's when it started to get serious. I hungered for competition and strive for excellence. But for a while you were something that my hands had such a tight grip on. My identity was tied so tightly to a game that leads to failure almost all the time. And I rode the roller coaster of emotion And then I met Jesus. I learned I have a loving father who died for my sins and has a plan for my life, a plan to give me a hope and a future. My perspective change when I realize you were just something I did, not who I was. Jesus tells me who I am. And I wanted to bring this light into the softball world. I play the game differently. I was so blessed to have the opportunity to attend the best university in the country and play for the best program imaginable. Yes, winning a few national championships and winnings and personal honors is amazing. And I will never take that for granted. But it is so much greater than what goes on on that dirt. First, I have met some of my best friends and my future husband at ODU. Praise the Lord. But even more so the Lord has given me a platform to shine a light that the world tries to dim. The expectation is to idolize you. And the promise is that true joy comes from reaching a goal that you have put all of your effort into. Yes, we as Christians are expected to work hard at all that we do for Christ. But the real victory has already been won on the cross, Jesus dying for my sin and saving me. Because of this, I have an eternal hope that allows me to play your game free with fullness of joy that comes only from the Lord. With this mindset. I have played the most joyful softball the last five years. What's crazy is that this joy doesn't come after big wins homeruns championships etc. Because all of those things will fade away. I am filled with the steadfast joy. When I see one of my teammates decide to get baptized and become a sister in Christ. I will never forget worshiping with my teammates singing the song nobody in centerfield after winning the second national championship. God is so awesome. My prayer when I started college was that I could be a vessel that the Lord uses in his kingdom to bring others to know Him. As I leave college softball, I pray that others can know how loved they are by the creator of the world, and that Jesus can use you in mighty ways. You just need to be willing and obedient. I'll end with one of my favorite verses. Romans 828. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose. Sincerely, Grace lines.

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Once Do you hear? Do you hear? My greatest joy is not the national championships my greatest joy? Because all that's gonna fade is Jesus. What is grace Lions have? What is the apostle Paul have? I think about a Philippians 413. You do realize this is not ultimately about getting something this is ultimately about giving something because what the Apostle Paul here when he writes Philippians 413, he's actually breaking out in praise do we realize that, that what Paul is doing is saying, Hey, I've found the secret, being content, I've got the one I've got Christ, God's source. And in light of that, oh, I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me, he's actually breaking out in giving in a way that he's exalting Christ. You see that loved ones and just as guidelines is also glorifying God with our life. Now, church, here's what I want to invite you to consider you and I may not have the platform of the apostle Paul, we may not write a letter that millions and millions and millions of people are going to read over 1000s of years, we may not win a national championship, and have the kind of platform to game lions has to exalt and give glory to Christ, but loved ones, you have a platform. You have influence, whether you are a man or a woman serving in education, or you're serving on a food line, or you're in law or in the judicial system, or you are serving in banking or finance or in the nonprofit world. You're a housewife, you're a father, you're a grandfather, you have influenced loved ones, you have the opportunity to know the source and to bring glory to the source. That is what's happening in the verse. When Paul breaks out in this moment of praise and exultation of declaring the Christ. The source is so powerful when your life is in Him, that He sustains you, even in persecution. He sustains you even in imprisonment. And as Gabe Lyons has illustrated, he sustains you by giving you life giving perspective, that many things on earth victories, as well as honors will fade one day, but Christ sustains you, regardless of where your light light is in life and influence loved ones. Be mindful that Paul is suffering for the cause. of the Gospel itself. Paul is suffering and paying a price. Because he recognizes all people have the opportunity to come to know the one true sovereign God of the universe, through this gospel, our sins being forgiven in our turning to him, and being made brand new from the inside out, discovering and living in the source for His glory, in the name of the Father, in the name of the sun, and in the name of the Holy Spirit, amen. Which is bow your head. Let's Let's pray together. Father, I am always aware No one comes to the Sun unless the Father draws them. And so I pray God, in the balcony and on the floor of the sanctuary, pray that you do your drawing work among the young among those in their middle age years among those in their more mature years, I pray you do your drawing work. And as you draw God, I pray that Your kindness as the scripture says, would lead us to repentance. That your grace and by Your grace alone, that you would birthed us into the kingdom. So I pray that you draw God as only your Spirit can do, draw. And we pray these things in the loving strong name of Jesus. Amen.