Philippians 4

In a recent gallup poll, it was found that 83% of Americans were some-what satisfied with their lives. IF you know how these polls normally are given. They start with a choice of not satisfied, somewhat satisfied, satisfied, and very satisfied. There were 4 elements that were overall very satisfied. 66% of people were very satisfied with their family life, 63% current housing, 53% their education and 51% of where they live.

Income, standard of living, leisure time and personal health were all on the lower end of the poll

Why would 83% of americans find that they are not satified with their lives?

The gallup poll gives this answer

“Americans’ latest depressed satisfaction with their household income and standard of living likely reflects the toll inflation has taken over the past year. The pandemic also may have affected people’s physical or mental health, their job and their family life.”

(https://news.gallup.com/poll/470888/americans-largely-satisfied-personal-life.aspx)

Im sure if we recreated this poll here in near New Holland, the answers would be close to the same as this poll.

For the Christian, Paul in the book of Philippians is reminding them that their joy is not in what is happening around them but their joy is to be found in Christ.

As we have seen over the past three weeks……

MP: Through our justification, saintification and future glorification, the Christian can have peace and contentment in Christ.

Christ-centered peace

Prayer

Matthew 6:24–34 ESV

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

discipline

God’s peace resides in those who have ordered their lives in accordance with God’s will.

Christ-centered contentment

Christ centered contentment isn't seen through a self sufficiency because of Christ. Rather it is a sole reliance on Christ, knowing that his needs will be met.

Contentment comes from knowing that Christ is enough.

4:12 (neither riches of poverty declined the contentment that he had)

Christ and his relation to Christ is all that mattered

Contentment comes from a dependence on Christ for strength (4:13)

He who began a good work in you, will see it to completion

Paradoxical Paul

Strong when he was weak

self-sufficient when he was dependent

Dependence on the Lord for every need.

Contentment comes from cultivating blessings for the Kingdom sake (4:14-20)

Paul’s understanding of their financial gifts were not for him but for the gospel sake. Their gifts would supply his needs in taking the gospel to make new saints (21-23) “especially those of Caesar’s household”