I know how to get by
Preaching Outline on Philippians 4:12 – “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in every way and in all things I am instructed, both to abound and to hunger, both to abound and to suffer need.”
Introduction to Philippians 4:12
The Christian life is not a bed of roses. It is a journey with ups and downs, moments of plenty and scarcity, days of victory and trials. Here, the apostle Paul teaches us something that seems simple at first glance, but is profoundly transformative: balance.
When Paul says “I know”, he’s not talking about something superficial or theoretical. He is saying: “I have learned this in practice”. This knowledge does not come from books or human experiences, but from the operation of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who teaches us how to deal with adversity and the good moments in life, shaping our character and bringing us closer to God.
Development
I know what it takes…
Let’s be honest: who here likes being in need? Who here enjoys running out of money at the end of the month, without food in the fridge or a solution to their problems? Nobody, right? For the natural man, need is suffocating, desperate. It takes away sleep, brings anxiety and can even lead to despair. But for God’s servant, need has a different meaning.
Paul says: “I know how to be in need.” He’s not denying pain or pretending that everything is fine when it’s not. He is saying that he has learned to see need as an opportunity to seek God even more deeply. When we’re at rock bottom, we realize that there’s only one direction to look: up. And that’s when God reveals himself in a special way.
But beware: this learning is not automatic. It’s not like learning to ride a bike, where you fall off a few times and that’s it. No! Learning to be in need is a lesson from the Holy Spirit, who teaches us to depend 100% on God. It’s like Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: “When I am weak, then I am strong.” In weakness, we discover that God’s power is manifested.
So the next time you feel like you’re going through a difficult situation, remember: God is there with you, ready to teach you something new. And this experience will bring you even closer to Him.
I know how to have abundance…
Now let’s talk about the other side of the coin: abundance. Ah, abundance! Who doesn’t want to live in a phase of bonanza, with everything going well, money left over, good health and peace in the heart? Sounds great, right? But beware! Abundance can be just as dangerous as need.
Why is that? Because it’s very easy to forget about God when everything is going well. How many times do we see people who, as soon as they start to prosper, stop going to church, stop praying and turn away from the Lord? The Bible is full of examples of this. Remember King Solomon? He started out with wisdom and intimacy with God, but then, in his abundance, he turned away and followed other gods.
That’s why the Holy Spirit has a precious lesson to teach us in abundance: use this time to grow spiritually. If everything is going well, use it to serve better, to invest in the Kingdom of God, to help others and to strengthen yourself in the faith. As Jesus said: “Work while it is day, for the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4).
Abundance shouldn’t be a reason to relax, but to dedicate yourself even more to the Lord. Use this period to build solid foundations in your spiritual life, because the good times don’t last forever. One day, things may change and you’ll need what you’ve learned during this time of plenty to face what lies ahead.
Conclusion of Philippians 4:12
Paul concludes this verse by showing that he had an incredible balance. He knew how to deal with both lack and excess. He neither lost himself in difficulties nor deluded himself with achievements. And the secret to this? It was God’s constant presence in his life.
For us, this is the lesson: if in need we persevere, seeking God with all our heart, and in abundance we grow in the knowledge of the Lord, using everything we have to glorify Him, then we will be able to maintain the balance that Paul mentions.
May we learn, like Paul, to depend on God in all circumstances. May we know how to go through difficulties without losing faith and how to experience blessings without losing focus. In the end, what matters is not the circumstances, but our relationship with God in the midst of them.
What’s up, brothers? Let’s learn from Paul and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us to stand firm, no matter what life brings? May God bless us on this journey!
Preaching Outline on Philippians 4:12 – “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in every way and in all things I am instructed, both to abound and to hunger, both to abound and to suffer need.”
More Preaching Outlines
- The Servant’s Balance | In every way and in all things I am instructed – Phil 1:6
- They have taken away my Lord – John 20:13
- The natural man does not accept submission – Philemon 10-12
- Daniel 12:13 – Go to the end…
