YES HE CAN!

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  (Philippians 4:13). 

      Several years ago a very successful presidential campaign slogan swept across the nation.  Adoring fans shouted, “Yes We Can! Yes We Can!” as their chosen candidate took the stage.

      What optimism!  What an encouraging message!  What a great theme!  That message won the day--and the election. 

“NO I CAN’T” –

      But we are struck by a remarkable difference between the Apostle Paul’s inspired words, and the words of the political rally.  The political crowd chanted “Yes We Can!”  The Christian acclaims, “Ye HE Can! ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’”

      The politically minded are not alone in their assertion of self-determination. 

      Scientists brazenly mock the Word of God and claim, “Yes We Can” discover and invent our way through every problem. 

      Psychologists and Psychiatrists discredit the power of Christ and suppose their combination of therapy and drugs can remedy any mental  challenges. 

      Businessmen and Bankers think they can buy and sell and invest their way to solve problems. 

      Stars, rockers, and performers act like they can laugh and dance and entertain us through life’s obstacles.

Actually without God we wouldn’t have the strength to oppose God!

Actually without God we wouldn’t have the power to live, and move, and have our being.

It is at best misguided, and at worst a malignant evil to suppose that we can live without Him.  To be accurate we should say, “No We Can’t!”

YES! HE CAN!

      This Christ is not the figment of our imagination.

      This Christ is not the Christ of another man’s perspective.

      This Christ is not the Christ who

THROUGH CHRIST I CAN…

STAND FAST IN THE LORD…

BE OF THE SAME MIND…

REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS…

REMAIN DISCIPLINED…

BE CAREFREE

HAVE PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING

      SATISFYING MY MIND AND SECURING MY HEART

I CAN THINK ON THINGS THAT ARE VIRTUOUS!

TRUE, HONEST, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, GOOD REPORT, VIRTUOUS, PRAISWORTHY…

BE CONTENT…

PHILIPPIANS 4

1 So stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

² I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

³ And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

¹¹ Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

¹² I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.