You Can Do Everything In 2013

You Can Do Everything In 2013

Philippians 4:12-13

Elder Clarence E. Weaver Sr

I. Introduction

Satan my brothers and sisters, does not attack believers in such a way that we should recognize him as being who he is. Instead, he comes disguised as the voice behind the theologian from the best seminary that may be the leader with a huge church empire and also be the author of many bestselling books. I know that I not going to get any Amen with that statement.

So I ask the question, how does he attack what we call the Christian faith? You know what I mean things such as the preaching of the gospel, weekly Bible Study, sacrament of baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, etc. He attacks that by putting people in place that both insist on and those who promise to deliver by taking emphasis away from all those things above and giving people something that they really want. Sometimes the leaders doing this think this is what the people really want, but it is not. Let me say it this another way, when the sheep or members of the church go to their pastors and ask to be fed spiritual food, rather than giving them spiritual food, they get served with entertainment.

Certainly we have all at one time or another felt guilt that our actions ushered into our lives. We might not be the pastor, but think about yourself as a parent to your children, or as a supervisor on your job. We all hold some form of leadership position and we have been asked by subordinates for the means to grow, but instead we entertain with some other answer. We have become use to the term, “Everyone tells a little white lie every once in a while.” However, our action finds us standing above and condemning us. Some here undoubtedly have become acquainted with guilt’s condemning voice. Likewise, who among us has not one time felt powerless over the lure of that sin knowing the sting of the bait? If you haven’t I will sit down now and let you preach this sermon. Some here today is still in this bondage and unable to pull away from its addiction.

Paul in Philippians 4:1-9 continues to encourage the Philippians while seeking reconciliation between two women in disagreement. He also calls for them to pursue joyful faith and disciplined thinking. Paul had a close and intimate relationship with the believers at the church of Philippi. He calls them the joy and his crown. He call them that not because they believed the gospel, but because of their perseverance and growing into maturity in Christ.

Paul mentions Euodia and Syntyche whom he appeals to agree in the Lord. Their names were mention because they were active women in the church. Paul knows what conflict is but he does not mention the conflict shared between these two women. Rather he doesn’t say let’s find out who’s right and who’s wrong, but to simple appeals that they reconcile in the Lord to be forgiving and gracious and merciful.

How often my brother and sisters that too many Christians hold petty differences that are simply held in the bitter parts of our hearts as trophies of pride? Too many people have gotten hurt in church because of petty differences which has caused them to leave the church and faith. We need to take note of this my brothers and sisters. Rather than wasting time squabbling, spreading rumors about people and telling people about issues people has towards one another, we should seek commit ourselves to do other good, forgive, and reconcile in the Lord with each other. Peace in the Body of Christ is worth more than petty differences.

So we see that Paul tell them to rejoice in the Lord. I promise you brother and sisters, those two women were not going to do that while in conflict with each other. Christians must start here and let their reasonableness be known to all men. We must seek what is best for everyone not just for oneself. Therefore, Paul gives us a list of things to fill our minds with the inspire worship of God and services of others. If we do this, what will be the results?

We must realize that we can’t always rejoice in our circumstances, but we can always rejoice in the Lord. We have no anxiety in the Lord. The God of peace will be with us. It is that peace of a justifiable life in a different location, have a different vocation, to be in a different situation-something in all of us that long for a change.

But today, I come with some good news that you can apply in your life today and always. As we look ahead for 2013, I want to give you some advice from these scriptures sot that you can overcome Satan and do the will of God in your life a Sermon title, “I Can Do Everything In 2013.” My text today comes from Philippians 4:12-13. There’s something in each of us that desires to live for God and be content.