Strength in Christ: Embracing God's Sustaining Presence

Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate and declare the greatness of our God—His faithfulness, His mercy, and His unwavering presence in our lives. We acknowledged that every good thing we have, every moment of deliverance, healing, and provision, is a direct result of God’s love and power at work. As we reflected on the sacrifice of Jesus and the privilege of approaching God’s throne, we were reminded that we belong to Him, and He is always mindful of us.

Drawing from Philippians 4:13, we explored what it truly means to say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This is not a call to self-reliance or a guarantee of constant triumph, but a declaration of dependence on Christ’s sufficiency. Paul’s words teach us that contentment and strength come not from our own abilities, but from the inner strength and peace that Christ provides. In every season—whether in abundance or in need, in joy or in suffering—God’s presence is our sustaining force.

We also considered how cultural phrases like “May the force be with you” can be reimagined in a Christian context as a prayer for God’s Spirit to guide, empower, and sustain us. Just as the world seeks strength and guidance, we are called to take God with us into every situation, relying on His power rather than our own. The journey of faith is not about avoiding hardship, but about trusting that God is with us in every trial, just as He was with the saints of old—never abandoning, always sustaining.

As we move into new seasons and face new challenges, the call is to take God with us—His strength, His grace, His guidance. We are reminded that without Him, we can do nothing, but with Him, all things are possible. Our testimonies bear witness to His faithfulness: when we were ready to give up, He kept us; when we strayed, He welcomed us back. God’s promises are sure—He will never leave us nor forsake us. So, let us hold fast to Him, build our hope on things eternal, and trust in His unchanging hand.

Key Takeaways

- True strength and contentment are found not in our own abilities, but in Christ’s sufficiency. Paul’s declaration in Philippians 4:13 is not about personal triumph, but about learning to rely on the strength that only Jesus provides, especially in times of need or suffering. This dependence transforms our perspective, allowing us to face any circumstance with peace and confidence. [20:38]

- The presence of God is not a passive comfort, but an active force that empowers, guides, and sustains us through every season. Just as the phrase “May the force be with you” is a wish for strength, the Christian’s prayer is for God’s Spirit to be tangibly present, infusing us with courage and hope as we walk out our calling. [23:00]

- Contentment in Christ is forged in the crucible of adversity. Paul’s ability to be content was not the result of easy circumstances, but of a deep trust in God’s faithfulness through suffering, uncertainty, and change. Our own contentment grows as we learn to trust God’s presence more than our circumstances. [26:35]

- God’s faithfulness is proven in both scripture and our own stories. From the deliverance of Israel to the faithfulness shown to Paul, Daniel, and even Jesus in the garden, God has never abandoned His people. Our testimonies echo this truth: no matter how far we stray or how hard the journey, God is always ready to receive, restore, and sustain us. [35:12]

- The call to “take God with you” is a call to intentional dependence. As we step into new beginnings or face daunting challenges, we are invited to carry God’s strength, grace, and guidance with us. This means letting go of self-reliance, trusting in His promises, and allowing His Spirit to direct our paths, knowing that with God, all things are possible. [28:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:11] - Praising God’s Awesomeness
[16:43] - Thanksgiving and Prayer
[17:36] - Declaring God’s Faithfulness
[18:19] - Gratitude for God’s Goodness
[19:10] - Testimonies of Deliverance
[20:02] - Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:13
[20:59] - Encouragement: Take God With You
[22:02] - Cultural Connections: Kentucky Derby & May the Fourth
[23:00] - The Force of God’s Spirit
[25:25] - Paul’s Secret of Contentment
[26:50] - Relying on God’s Strength
[28:43] - Entering New Seasons with God
[30:19] - God’s Power Over Our Circumstances
[32:33] - God’s Promises in Weakness
[35:12] - God Never Abandons His People
[36:42] - God’s Unfailing Presence and Encouragement

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Take God With You”

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### Bible Reading

- Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
- John 15:5
“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
- Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Philippians 4:13, what is the source of Paul’s strength and ability to face all things?
2. In the sermon, what are some specific ways God’s presence is described as active in our lives? ([23:00])
3. How does John 15:5 connect to the idea that “without God, I can do nothing”? ([26:50])
4. What examples from the Bible did the pastor mention to show that God never abandons His people? ([35:12])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The pastor said that Philippians 4:13 is not about personal triumph but about relying on Christ’s sufficiency. What does it look like to depend on Christ’s strength instead of your own? ([20:38])
2. How does the phrase “take God with you” challenge the idea of self-reliance in our daily lives? ([28:43])
3. Why do you think Paul was able to find contentment even in suffering and uncertainty? ([26:35])
4. The sermon compared “May the force be with you” to a Christian’s prayer for God’s Spirit. How does this comparison help us understand the role of God’s presence in our lives? ([23:00])

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### Application Questions

1. The pastor encouraged us to “take God with you” into every situation. Think about a challenge you are facing right now—what would it look like to intentionally invite God’s strength and guidance into that situation? ([28:43])
2. When have you tried to rely on your own strength and found it wasn’t enough? How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time to depend on Christ? ([26:50])
3. The sermon mentioned that contentment is forged in adversity. Is there an area of your life where you are struggling to be content? How might trusting God’s presence change your perspective? ([26:35])
4. The pastor shared testimonies of God’s faithfulness—times when God kept us, welcomed us back, or provided for us. Can you share a personal story where you experienced God’s faithfulness in a hard season? ([29:29])
5. The call to “take God with you” means letting go of self-reliance. What is one practical step you can take this week to trust God more and depend less on your own abilities? ([28:43])
6. The sermon reminded us that God’s promises are sure—He will never leave us nor forsake us. How can you remind yourself of this truth when you feel alone or overwhelmed? ([32:33])
7. The pastor said, “Build your hope on things eternal, and trust in His unchanging hand.” What is one area where you need to shift your hope from temporary things to God’s eternal promises? ([37:31])

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Devotional

Day 1: Relying on Christ’s Strength, Not Our Own
True strength and sufficiency come not from ourselves, but from Christ who empowers us to fulfill His purpose. When we face challenges, it is not our own ability that carries us through, but the inner strength and confident peace that Jesus infuses into our lives. No matter what God has called you to do, you can be ready for anything because Christ is your source of strength. As you move forward, remember that your sufficiency is found in Him alone, and with Him, you are equipped for every good work. [20:38]

Philippians 4:13 (Amplified)
"I can do all things which He has called me to do through Him who strengthens me and empowers me to fulfill His purpose. I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency. I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been relying on your own strength? How can you intentionally invite Christ’s strength into that area today?

Day 2: Abiding in Christ for Fruitfulness
Without Christ, we can do nothing; but with Him, all things are possible. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, so we must remain connected to Jesus to experience true spiritual growth and effectiveness. Our dependence on Him is not a sign of weakness, but the very foundation of our ability to live out God’s calling. Let your heart rest in the truth that abiding in Christ is the key to a fruitful and victorious life. [27:09]

John 15:5 (ESV)
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: In what practical way can you abide in Christ today—through prayer, worship, or obedience—so that your life bears fruit for Him?

Day 3: Trusting God’s Guidance Over Your Own Understanding
God calls us to trust Him with all our heart and not to lean on our own understanding, promising to direct our paths when we acknowledge Him in all our ways. Life’s journey often requires leaving behind familiar comforts and relationships, but God’s guidance is sure and His presence is constant. As you step into new beginnings or face uncertainty, choose to take God with you, trusting that He will lead, protect, and provide every step of the way. [31:10]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What decision or situation are you facing where you need to stop relying on your own understanding and trust God to direct your path?

Day 4: God’s Faithfulness in Every Season
God’s promise to never leave nor forsake us is a source of unshakable hope, even in times of suffering or uncertainty. Throughout Scripture and in our own lives, we see that God is a present help in trouble, sustaining and delivering His people. No matter how far you may feel from Him, He is always ready to receive you, strengthen you, and reveal His glory through your circumstances. Hold fast to His faithfulness and let it anchor your soul. [32:33]

Hebrews 13:5b-6 (ESV)
"For he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'"

Reflection: Recall a time when you felt alone or abandoned—how did God show His faithfulness to you, and how can you encourage someone else with that testimony today?

Day 5: Courage and Contentment Through God’s Presence
God’s presence brings courage, contentment, and the assurance that we are never alone, no matter what we face. Even in suffering, we can be confident that God is with us, sustaining and shaping us for His glory. Like the saints of old—David, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and even Jesus in the garden—we are never abandoned. Take courage in knowing that God holds your hand, wipes away your tears, and will never fail you. [36:42]

Psalm 46:1 (ESV)
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Reflection: Where do you need to experience God’s courage and contentment today? What step can you take to rest in His presence and trust that He will not fail you?

Quotes

We are so appreciative for all that he has done today uh and in our lives. We are indeed thankful and grateful people. Amen. And we believe and I I continue amen to reiterate if it had not been for the Lord who was on our side. Many of us share the testimony that we don't know where we would be. Amen. But I I'm so thankful that uh like the man that Amen was uh dealing with all of those spirits. Praise the Lord. We are sitting clothed and in our right mind. Amen. We are thankful that God has delivered us, that God has kept us, that God has healed us, that God has sustained us, that God has been faithful, amen, to those that have been faithful to him. [00:18:44]

The Bible says, "I can do all things which he has called me to do through him who strengthens me and empowers me to fulfill his purpose. I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency. I am ready for anything and equal to anything through him uh who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace." Amen. We are thankful that God is with us. [00:20:26]

Of course, um, you all I um I kind of struggled this week. Typically, it is our custom to uh whatever we are are teaching on Wednesday. We come back and uh try to pick up where we left off and move forward uh in that manner. This week, we did not uh have Bible study uh against all efforts. Praise the Lord. We were unable to this week. Uh but God is still good. Anyhow, uh there are several things that have happened this week and of course uh with that I try to uh do my best to keep uh our messages, our sermons, our series kind of relevant to uh what is going on. [00:21:14]

In a Christian context, may the force be with you, can be interpreted as a uh, wish for God's grace, strength, and guidance uh, to be with someone. Much like uh the Star Wars phrase, it only it is a way of wishing someone well and encouraging them with uh the belief in a higher power. Uh for more details or more of a breakdown uh as we are experiencing different things in our lives, uh we must understand that we need God's presence. Praise the Lord. [00:23:00]

The phrase can uh be seen as a way of expressing a desire for God's presence and believing and blessings in someone's life. It also can uh we can find this through the strength and the courage that comes from God. It is also represented as a wish for strength and courage especially in uh the face of challenges or difficult situations. uh we find uh uh these words that can encourage us both in hope and in faith. [00:23:33]

This refers to Paul's ability to be content in all things. Uh to achieve uh this contentment, he must uh and must rely on the strength that comes from Jesus Christ. In other words, this helps us to understand that we are not relying on our own strength, but we are relying on the help that comes from God. And this uh uh Christian contact may the force be with you again can be interpreted with uh the wishes for God's grace as you are moving forward in the things that God has called you to do. [00:25:28]

Unfortunately, many of us and then take this verse out of context uh in reference or try to uh reinforce it to a a triumph moment or a superch Christian uh moment, praise the Lord, or type of mentality instead of seeing it as that God's strength uh through Jesus Christ is in Paul's life and that it was evident in his ability. Praise the Lord. Amen. An ability to be content. Praise the Lord. as he suffered, as he went through, as he went through uh different countries and different nations and cities, uh he grew content in God and his ability to trust rely on the strength that only comes from God. [00:26:11]

We have to rely on the strength of God. As we move forward to do and to become who it is that God has instructed us to become. Amen. We have to make sure that we are relying on the force, the strength, the guidance that comes from God. Amen. We can't, amen, do it on our own ability. We can't do it based off of the knowledge that we have. But we have to trust in God no matter what. [00:27:18]

Looking back, amen, a few Sundays ago, and we talked about Jesus being in the garden. And many of us have to get in a position to where we're able to look at God and say, "Nevertheless, not my will, but thy will be done." Praise the Lord. We are relying on God's strength. Praise the Lord. Amen. As Paul has stated here, I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. Praise the Lord. Amen. Again, acknowledging that we are nothing without God. [00:27:44]

As we step into this next season, remember to take God with you. Take his strength. Take his power. Take his grace. Take his mercy. Take his guidance. As he is guiding you through this path, as he is guiding you through this journey, rely on him. Praise the Lord. And as we often state and quote the scriptures, looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith. Praise the Lord. Looking to him that is able to keep us, sustain us. [00:28:40]

The many moments that we wanted to throw in the towel and give up and walk away. God kept us. Praise the Lord. When we wanted to walk away from him, he continued to draw near to us. Praise the Lord. And it didn't matter how far away we strayed away from him. Soon as we made a decision to turn back, he was there waiting with arms open, ready to receive us. Praise the Lord. And so we encourage you to take this God with you. This God that is Amen so wonderful. This God that is so mighty. This God that is so strong. Take him with you. [00:29:37]

Remind yourself and everybody around you that no matter how difficult I mean the situation may feel or seem or look or appear our God is stronger than anything that you could ever go through and with him you can accomplish everything I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. Take him with you. Take his spirit. Take his power. Take his authority. Take his anointing. Take the calling. Amen. Take it with you and remind the enemy that no weapon that's formed against you, it shall not be able to prosper. [00:30:16]

You have, Amen, power to speak life to every dead situation. You have the authority and the ability and to trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding, but in all of thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path. Take God with you. If you don't take your mother, take God with you. If you don't take your father, take God with you. You got to leave some friends. You got to leave some family. Amen. But take God with you. Praise the Lord. [00:30:56]

He's there to guide you. He's there to help you. He's there to strengthen you. He's there, Amen, to lift a standard and build a fence around you. He's there, amen, to guide you with grace, to guide you with mercy, and to guide you with power. Tell somebody, take God with you. Hallelujah. Amen. We serve an amazing God. Amen. that in spite of what we feel and in spite of all that we have gone through amen we are encouraged by amen these things that Paul amen has declared I can do all things praise the Lord amen it doesn't matter what we amen are going through doesn't matter amen what it is that God has called us to do amen we have to have the courage and the strength to believe in a higher power to believe in a higher force to believe in a higher calling to know that God is going to be there. [00:31:36]

His presence, amen, is promised. Amen. For he said it in his word that he would never leave us nor forsake us. Amen. He said that his strength and his courage would be there. Is in time of weakness that God's strength is made perfect. Amen. He told us in his word, Amen. that hope and faith was there. We are reminded according to the word of God that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Amen. We are drawing closer to him through prayer. Amen. Anybody that calls on the name of the Lord, Amen, they shall be saved. [00:32:31]

God didn't just do this with his words. Amen. But he promises us. Amen. That he would be there. Hallelujah. To help us. Amen. To shape us, to mold us, to build us. For God said it in his word, Amen. that he would be a very present help in the time of trouble. And with God on my side, I can do all things. Praise the Lord. With God, with Christ, amen, who strengthens me. Amen. I don't have to fear. Amen. I can be content. Amen. and knowing that this suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in Christ Jesus. [00:33:11]

We have so many examples in the Bible. Hallelujah. Of God not forsaking us. Of God not abandoning us. Amen. The children of Israel. Amen. In the wilderness, God did not abandon them. Shadrach, Meack, and Abedneo. Amen. God did not abandon them. David, Amen, facing Goliath, God did not abandon him. Daniel in the lion's den, God did not abandon him. Jesus in the garden, Jesus on the journey, Jesus on the cross, God did not abandon him. Amen. Even Jesus while he was in the garden, I mean, those that were around him had fallen asleep. Amen. God saw fit. Amen. For Jesus not to be alone. Amen. He dispatched angels. Amen. To Jesus. Amen. To minister to him. Amen. [00:35:18]

He is the keeper of his promises. He promised not to leave us. He promised not to forsake us, but he'll be there helping us along the way and in this journey in this moment and in this hour. You have to take courage and knowing, hallelujah, that we serve a God who will always be there. He will always hold your hand. He will always wipe away your tears. He is a present helper in the time of trouble. He is our God, our solid rock, our strong foundation. Our unshakable faith is in God, a God that promised that he will never fail us. He won't fail you. God can do anything but fail. [00:36:22]

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