Nov 9, 2025 “When God Is Enough”(Philippians 4:11-13)

Philippians 4:11-13 New International Version

¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

When God Is Enough

Philippians 4:11-13

 

Many Christians are familiar with Phillipians 4:13.  

 

Philippians 4:13 ESV

[13] I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

 

However, reality might come in, we will see this verse in a different context. We need consider the context and who wrote this.

 

Paul wrote this while he was in prison. His coworkers had abandoned him, and he did not have freedom like he had. We need to look at verse 11 to have a better idea of what Paul meant in verse 13.

 

Philippians 4:11 ESV

[11] Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  

 

Paul was not a content man. He had always strived for more. He was zealous for God and did much. Paul knew what it was to have much and not enough, and through God, he learned to be content with what he had.

 

Paul is not telling us to just give up and be happy with our current situation.  Paul is encouraging us to change with God's help. We should strive to be better, but we should also know whether we have success or failure, God is with us.

 

Paul was not talking about winning every battle and having victory in every effort. Paul was talking about the content of knowing God is with him. It didn't matter what his circumstance was. It didn't matter that he was trapped in prison. What mattered was that he knew God, was saved. What mattered was that God loved him.

 

If you insist that Phillipians 4:13 means you will have victory in every effort you take on, you will be very disappointed. You will also miss the blessing of allowing God to be enough.  

 

We like to think that God thinks like us and will give us what we want. However, we need to understand that God does not always give us situations we want. Many could say that if God was all powerful, why couldn't God free Paul. Yet, Paul could be content because God knew and loved Paul. Paul was free in prison even in chains. Paul knew that God was enough. He did not have to compare himself to anyone else, but trust in God who was enough for him.

 

The same God who gave Paul the strength and comfort to overcome all circumstances can also help you. God is love, and He wants you to put your faith in Him. God will help you be content in all circumstances and help you overcome.  

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Aug 11, 2024 "Ability in God's Provision" (Philippians 4:10-13)

 

DOEM Summer Outreach

Ability in God's Provision

Philippians 4:10-13

 

Today's passage has Paul giving thanks to the church of Philippi which had supported Paul. The outreach team also experienced this when they went to the Philippines.  

 

Paul also understands the importance of partnership as opposed to supporters

 

Philippians 4:12 ESV

[12] I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  

 

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and giving and sharing should not be seen as superior people supporting weaker people. We should see the opportunities as ways to show our love to each other and God.  

 

The main goal of Missions is that we all share the same God the father. It is not that we are better or have something to give to others who have less, we do missions so that all may know God the father.

 

Paul did not boast that he was strong and could endure anything. He confessed that he could endure anything because God gave him strength.

 

Philippians 4:13 ESV

[13] I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

 

Paul fully understood God's providence and could be content with very little or very much. Paul was free from all things that bind us.

 

Philippians 4:11-12 ESV

[11] Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [12] I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

 

We need to remember that the situations God puts us in are for a reason. We need to remember God will take care of us. When we experience and understand God's providence, we will have the strength to endure whatever situation God puts us in.

 

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Aug 6, 2023 “A Deeper Knowledge of Christ”(Philippians 3:10)

ESV - Phil. 3:10 

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

NIV - Phil. 3:10 

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

NLT - Phil. 3:10 

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,

NASB - Phil. 3:10 

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

NKJV - Phil. 3:10 

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

THE MESSAGE - Phil. 3:10 

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

Philippians 3:10 Amplified Bible

10 And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did];

Sermon Outline 

I. Knowing the Person of Christ. 

II. Knowing the Power of Christ 

III. Knowing the Partnership of the Suffering of Christ.

Background of the city of Philippi Acts 16 

 

1.      First convert in Philippi is Lydia 

2.      Servant girl's evil spirit of prophesy exercised 

3.      Paul is arrested in put in prison. 

4.      Paul wrote the book of Philippians while he was prison 

5.      Rejoicing is mentioned 16 time in Philippians  

Philippians Chapter 1 Joy of living in Christ

Philippians Chapter 2 Joy of serving Christ in unity

Philippians Chapter 3 Joy in knowing in Christ

Philippians Chapter 4 Joy in resting in Christ

 

What does Paul want to know? 

1.      Knowing the person of Christ. 

 

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 

Philippians 3:10-11 ESV 

 

In Greek the word used to know has the meaning that you can never know completely. Paul knew that knowing God is something progressive. Paul wants to know who Jesus is. Even though Paul was serving Christ. He wanted to know Jesus more. This knowledge is more than information from books. This is a knowledge of relationship. By prayer, communication, you can have a relationship. Beyond information, there must be revelation and that can only come from communication This knowledge can only come from a deep relationship. You need to pray to get revelation.  

 

And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 

Matthew 7:23 ESV 

 

Even those who do miracles and preach Jesus might not have a relationship with Jesus. 

 

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 

1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV 

 

The real test to show if we know Christ or not is simply whether or not we keep his commands.  

 

And by this we know that we have come to know him if we keep his commandments. 

1 John 2:3 ESV 

  

2.      Knowing the power of Christ. 

 

Every Christian who knows Christ will want to know the power of Christ which is the power of Resurrection. The foundation is to know Christ personally and then know Christ's power. Some just want to know has power. 

 

 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 

Ephesians 1:19-20 ESV 

 

You cannot ignore the fact that there is spiritual warfare. You need to have the power of Christ or else you will become prey of the Devil. 

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 

Ephesians 6:10 ESV 

 

The more you have relationship with Jesus and know who He is, the more you will know his power. 

  

3.      Knowing the partnership of the suffering of Christ. 

 

Not many Christians want to know the partnership of the suffering of Christ. Only the deepest and most mature Christians will seek the partnership of the suffering of Christ.

 

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 

1 Peter 4:13 ESV 

 

if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 

2 Timothy 2:12 ESV 

 

 The ultimate goal of knowing Christ is to be becoming like Christ. 

 

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