Philippians — Week 11

Concluding the Philippians series, this message confronts one of Scripture's most misused verses. Philippians 4:13 is not a declaration of limitless personal power but of complete surrender to the lordship of Christ and contentment in every circumstance, whether in plenty or in want. Echoing Jesus' paradox that whoever loses their life for his sake will find it, the teaching argues that life begins with death, and that our fear of death keeps us from truly living. We surrender to Jesus because he first surrendered for us, going to unimaginable lengths and proving himself by predicting and accomplishing his own resurrection. Three biblical strategies frame what follows: loving God with everything, loving every kind of neighbor as Christ first loved us, and being a disciple-making church that takes territory for the kingdom.