For the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, the Revised Lutheran Lectionary has the following 3 readings assigned: Isaiah 25:6-9; Philippians 4:4-13 and Matthew 22:1-14. The chosen text for the sermon is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

This is one of those verses that causes much mischief because of the old Adam of the Christian. Living under the Law in which you are the center of the Bible emphasizes the phrase, “I can do” rather than the living under the Gospel emphasis of “through Christ.” The first goal of the sermon is to demonstrate to the listeners that they burden themselves by misinterpreting this passage.

The sermon may ask the question, “In light of this verse, what is your answer as to why you sometimes cannot accomplish what you intend to do?” The answer will be, “I do not have enough faith in Jesus.” The commonsensical Christian living under the Law wonders if the promises of God are true, then why can I not do all things except for the reason that my relationship to Christ is not strong enough.

The listeners need to understand that such thinking is due to the theologian of self-glory that lurks in everyone of us. Such a theologian uses experience to make a decision as to one’s relationship with God. “If I am accomplishing great things, God is with me. If I am not, God is against me.” How sad? We are often like little children deciding whether Mommy or Daddy loves us on the basis of whether or not they are angry with our behavior.

The second goal of the sermon is to clarify first through interpretation (Scripture interprets Scripture) and then through application (distinctions between L&G) the true sense of this verse. The interpretation is found in the context. When Paul speaks of able to do all things, is he speaking of tasks and assignments he fulfills or is there something else he has in mind?

The context is clear as read at the end of verse 11, “for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” Of what states is he speaking? Verse 12 explains. The states of being abased or abound, to be full and to be hungry, to abound and to suffer need. What Paul means by able to do all things in reality is to endure all things which the world throws at him.

The reason Christians are able to do (endure) all things, is because of the trust planted in us by the Holy Spirit in regard to the promises of God never to forsake us, to come to us when we call upon Him, etc. etc. It is NOT by being anxious for nothing that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds (verse 7) but rather that because of the peace of God which we now have by grace, our hearts and minds will be guarded through Christ Jesus. What was once considered to be our burden to achieve, we now see through a glass darkly is to be credited totally to the work of Jesus Christ and Him alone!