I Can Do All Things Through Christ

The Dangers of Bumper Sticker Faith Series

Week 2

Jeff Weiss, Worship Director

Philippians 4:13, For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:12-13 “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.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT LIFE IS HARD.

Matthew 26: 38-39 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.  Stay here and keep watch with me.”  He went on a little further and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father!  If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me.  Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT WE ARE NEVER ALONE.

Psalm 23:4 “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”

Psalm 34:18-19:  “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.  The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.”

Romans 8:11 “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.”

WHY WOULD GOD ALLOW US TO GO THROUGH HARD TIMES?

James 1:2-4 “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  

So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

HOW DO WE GROW SO WE ARE STRONG DURING HARD TIMES?

Matthew 6:19-21 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.

Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

Mark 1:35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.”

Luke 5:16 “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.”

The relationship we have with God during our worst days is built during all the other days.

“A theologian is one who prays, and one who prays is a theologian.” – Evagrius of Pontus (345-399)