Tough Text: Philippians 4:13
Listen to "Tough Text Phil 4:13" on Spreaker.
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In some regard, Philippians 4:13 isn't really that difficult or tough, but it gets abused over and over again. Context is key when you teach. Context is key whenever you teach the Scriptures. The bible isn't written to bring you the most joy, it is about God's faithfulness and His glory!
Let's face it youth pastors/leaders/volunteers... we are often guilty of having a great idea THEN finding a verse or two to back up our point. That is a flawed view of study and teaching. We want more than a verse tattooed on the body or written on a poster. We want to walk our students through the text of Scripture. That way all the topics whether more flowery or less flowery.
Teaching within context give the student a picture of how they should study and how they should glean truths from the Scripture. WE don't want you to follow us, or be like Veritas Church, Grace Baptist Church, Calvinist or Armenian, Lutheran or Methodist, we want them to be Biblical. We need to equip them for the difficult times in life and that comes through thorough teaching of the Scriptures.
Matthew enjoys using biblearc.com. This tool helps me slow down by enabling me to break down a text phrase by phrase. We highly recommend the resource.
The context of Philippians 4:13.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Php 4:4–13.
It's funny, even in reading this portion I have missed out on more context!
If you have Christ you have everything. If you don't have Christ and you have everything, you have nothing. Paul, writing from a prison, is thanking the Philippian people for their generosity. He knows how to be brought low and he knows how to survive success. Jesus Christ.
This is a good message to teach students. They need a bigger view of God.
The danger of ripping texts out of context makes the Bible a book of good quotes. The Bible isn't a book of good stories or encouraging statements. Reading short texts out of context also create confusion in the lives of students about the Scriptures.
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