God Is My Copilot

Are You Sure That’s What It Says?: Christ Is My Copilot

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Ro 8:28, NKJV)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Php 4:13, NKJV)

1. Context _____________ matters.

… my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown (Php 4:1a)

¹⁰ I rejoice greatly in the Lord now that you have revived your concern for me once again. Actually, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I lack anything; in fact, I have learned to be content in any circumstances in which I find myself. ¹² I know what it is to live in humble circumstances, and I know what it is to have more than enough. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, while being full or hungry, while having plenty or not enough. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, you did well by becoming partners with me in my affliction. (Php 4:10–14)

In Stoic (and Cynic) ethics αὐτάρκης [content] was regarded as the essence of all virtues. … Stoic doctrine was ‘that man should be sufficient unto himself for all things, and able, by the power of his own will, to resist the force of circumstances’.

^23b I’ve done more hard work, been in prisons more often, been whipped far more, and I’ve been close to death many times. ²⁴ Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods. One time I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day on the open sea. ²⁶ I have often been on journeys, in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from my own people, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger on the sea, in danger among false brothers. ²⁷ I have worked hard and struggled. I’ve spent many sleepless nights. I’ve been hungry and thirsty. I’ve gone without food many times. I’ve been cold and lacked clothing. (2 Co 11:23b–27)

⁸ But even more than that, I consider everything to be a loss because of what is worth far more: knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. For his sake, I have lost all things and consider them rubbish, so that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, which comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God by faith. ¹⁰ I do this so that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, ¹¹ in the hope that in some way I may arrive at the resurrection from the dead. (Php 3:8–11)

Philippian 4:13 is not a promise that we can accomplish any goal that _____ set for ourselves but a promise that God will give us the strength to persevere in any ___________________ until he brings us to the ___________ victory. (Brug)

2. A ______________________________ of Philippians 4:13 can bring a lot of ___________________.

3. A _______________ understanding of Philippians 4:13 brings ___________ comfort.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Tim 1:15)

Points to Ponder

1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week's message?

2. How can you use Philippians 4:13 in your life and in the lives of those around you?

3. In the sermon I shared with you that the Greek word translated "rubbish" (Phil 3:8) could literally be translated human excrement. Why would Paul use this kind of word? What was he trying to communicate?

Homework: Matthew 7