Finding Contentment in Christ

Introduction: As we continue with our worship of the Lord this morning through the study of His word, I want to invite you to turn with me to Philippians 4:10-23 as we finish our study of this book.

Hear the Word of the Lord this morning... 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. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit (Php 4:10–23).

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As we think about this passage, before we dive into what God is saying here to us through this text, let’s pause to pray together.

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Let’s pray together.

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Body:

As Americans, we have this ideal picture in our minds of what life should look like. We think that as long as we have a good job, plenty of money, a nice house, two kids, and a white fenced-in yard, then everything is going to be ok. We are going to be good. We have made it. We are living the dream.

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Social media has not helped with this either. Before social media, the only people that we could compare ourselves to were our neighbors and family members. We didn’t care how people in California were living life… or in Florida.... or wherever…because I did not know how life was for them. You see, as long as I was doing better than those I was close to… then I was achieving the dream… or at least making progress.

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But now, with social media.... that has been a game-changer. I get to see everyone’s “BEST LIFE NOW” moments! I get to see their houses, their meals, their cars, their kids, their successes....and when we do.... guess what? We get jealous. Look at all of these people! Look at what they are able to do. Look at what they are able to drive. Look at where they are able to live. Look at how they decorate their house. Look at what their kids are doing. Look at how their kids are doing. Why can’t I have that God?

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You see, we are programmed to think that with more stuff… or with better stuff.... we achieve the dream. As Americans, we have been told to pursue, “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” which we have taken to mean to keep chasing the dream. We are only chasing our God-given rights! Or so that is what we have been told.

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But you see, this passage of Scripture flies in the face of that kind of thinking. What if we were never created to crave stuff? What if we were never designed to find our contentment in the things of this world? Because, truth be told, we all know that the things of this world never satisfy our hearts. Those who have.... Well, they always want more. And those who do not have, wish that they did have…and when they get it.... They want more. This is why 97% of those who win the Lottery end of worse off than they were before.

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So, what is the Answer then?

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How Are We to Find Contentment?

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This is where Paul turns to as he ends out this letter. He begins talking about this secret that he has learned in this life. And as we are going to see, this is a secret that transcends all throughout the letter. It is what ties everything together.

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Look at the text with me. Let’s start by looking down at verses 10-11.

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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 (Php 4:10–11).

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Paul starts off here by letting the church know that he has yet once again, see the word there again, rejoiced in the Lord because of them. We see Paul doing this throughout the letter. Paul was a man of joy. He was one who did not let his circumstances get him down. And why is he joyful? It is because the church was able to revive their concern for him. It was not that the church had grown not to be concerned for him. It wasn’t that they stopped caring for him in any kind of way. That certainly was not the case. But as Paul says here… they did not have the opportunity. It wasn’t that they couldn't help Paul out… but for whatever reason.... They just were not able to meet His needs before this point.

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But notice what he says next. “Not that I am speaking of being in need...” Paul is saying here that even though he is in prison… he is not saying this in such a way as to shame them into getting him stuff. He is saying… I do not have a need right now. Why doesn’t he have a need? Keep reading… “For I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”

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Do you see it? This is what we are seeking. We are seeking to be content. Isn’t that what you want out of life? Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to say... “I don’t need anything. I’m good. I’m content.”? Could you imagine what life could be like for you if you were able to get to this point in your heart? Can you imagine the peace that you would feel? Can you imagine the freedom that you could have?

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What is even more amazing here is what Paul says next. Look at verse 12.

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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 (Php 4:12).

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Typically, when we think about contentment, we think of terms of being in need or want. We think in terms of not having enough.... and that is partly because we think that if we only had more, we would be ok.... but notice what Paul is saying here. The secret that he has learned.... and this a type of learning that comes through experience and not just hearing about it. Paul is not saying here… I read this book once.... “The 10 ways to be content.” and now I am good. That is not what he means. What he means is that he has gone through some stuff, and he has learned it because he personally went through it. Look at the circumstances that he describes here though. He knows how to be brought low and to abound. He knows the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. In fact, Paul even says “In any and every circumstance...” Nothing is excluded from that statement. No matter what Paul is facing in life. It did not matter if he did not have two nickels to rub together or a million dollars sitting in the bank… not that was possible at that time.... but you get the idea.

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There was something that Paul had learned that no matter what… he could be content. He knew how to handle a lot and not be all big-headed about it… and he knew how to deal with very little... even to the point of being hungry.

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What Is the Secret?

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13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Php 4:13).

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Other translations read, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

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The point is one and the same.

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The Secret that Paul has learned through his experience is not to try harder. To keep his head up. To work longer hours. To save wiser. To buy the next thing that the world says that he needs. It wasn't keeping up with the Jones. It wasn’t for Paul to flex all that he had so he could show all of his buddies.

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The secret that Paul learned was a complete and total dependence upon Christ. Paul learned to trust Christ. Paul learned that he could rely on Christ to take care of him. Paul learned to be a man who walked by faith in the Son of God who loved Him and gave his life for him. That is what Paul has learned. He has learned that no matter what is going on in his life… he had one aim…and that was to trust Christ for everything.

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So, let’s go back to the question we asked earlier.... How Are We to Find Contentment?

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We Find Our Contentment in Christ.

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OOOO, that all of us would learn this secret in this life. I want this for my own life. OOO how much doubt, fear, worry, anxiety, pain, and suffering would be taken off of my mind if I would only learn this secret in my own life. To know that I can do ALL things through Christ would be a blessing. I pray that I may learn this secret and that the church may learn this secret. Can you imagine what life could be like if we made this our Aim? What would that do for you and your life if you learned to be content in Christ?

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It wouldn’t matter anymore what you are driving… what house you had.... what clothing you were wearing.... what and where you were eating. Those things are trivial compared to knowing Christ. Contentment is about knowing Christ and enjoying Him.

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I want you to notice too about this verse. This verse, Phil. 4:13 is probably one of the most misapplied verses in our context. People take this to mean so many different things. You see guys put this on their faces before football games, basketball games… UFC fights… as if “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” means anything that you are setting out to do… Christ will give you the power to do it....and that is not the context here. Verses have meaning and that meaning has to be confined to their context. Paul is talking about having the strength to face any circumstance in terms of contentment… not having the power to win every game that you play in life. The goal is for us to learn to rest in Christ!!! To know that having Him is enough. He is all that we need.

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After going down a little rabbit trail, so to speak, Paul picks up where he left off in verse 10 by talking about how the church has revived their concern for him. Look down at verses 14-15

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14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only (Php 4:14–15)

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Although Paul had learned the secret of being content in Christ no matter what situation he faced, he sure was happy that the Philippians cared enough to share in his trouble with him. Not only was this true at this very moment, but in fact that had been their MO ever since they came to know Jesus Christ as Lord. The Philippians had a reputation for being a very generous church. Paul even goes so far as to even say that when he left that region, they were the only church that entered into a partnership with him. They became a “sponsoring church” so to speak for the apostle Paul.

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In fact, go ahead and look down at verse 16.

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16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again (Php 4:16).

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It wasn’t even that the Philippians cared about Paul's ministry only when he was around them… they took care of him when he was off traveling preaching the Gospel to other people.

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Listen to how Paul describes this church to the church at Corinth...

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7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So, I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. (2 Co 11:7–9).

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This church was burdened for supplying the needs of Paul so that he could go and spend as much time as he could to get the Gospel to people and build up the saints. They had a healthy view of partaking in the mission of God.

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This is what we try to do at Berean with our offerings. What you give to the church goes to support getting the Gospel to lost people and building up the saints in the church. This is what we got to celebrate last weekend when we had our missions conference. We got to hear stories about how God is working in other parts of the world through the missionaries that we support.

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But it is not just the missionaries who are doing this work. Because of your giving, we are able to do ministry here in Sciotoville. Because we give, it gives us as a church the ability to have the resources that are needed for effective ministry. It also allows us to free up people, such as Phil and me, to be able to devote more time to ministry so that we can get the Gospel to people and build up the saints of the church. We want to make it our Aim to give our lives to that ministry.

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What I want us to see from these verses is that...

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It Takes a Team for Effective Ministry

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We are in this game together. It is not about one person or one group of people doing all of the work. Everyone has a part to play. And we all contribute to the work by giving faithfully unto the Lord.

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But there is something about giving that we have to see here as well. Look down at verses 17-20 with me.

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17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God (Php 4:17–18).

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Paul is not speaking this way to the church so as to make them feel more obligated to give. That is not what he is doing here. But what he is doing is reminding them of God’s economy. Paul has received their gift from Epaphroditus. He is well-supplied. What Paul is doing though is seeking the fruit that increases to your credit… this is like interest that grows on a bank account.

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When people give to the work of God, they can rest assured that God is going to take care of them. Now, I do not mean, as the prosperity gospel would have you believe, that as long as you give then God will make you rich and wealthy. Too many people have bought into that lie. It is not like, you give God $100.00, and He is obligated to give you $ 1 million. That is not what we are saying. Paul is not saying that. Paul himself had just talked about being in need and learning to be content in Christ, knowing that Christ will take care of you. Instead, though what we see is this...continue reading with me.

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19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen (Php 4:19–20).

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From these verses, we learn two really important truths

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All Giving Is to Be Done as an Offering unto God.

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Don't lose sight of this even when it comes to your own offerings. When you give money… you are not giving money just to the church. It is not about paying your dues to be in the club. It is not about checking off that box so that God is pleased with you. It is not about you being able to have more of a say in the church. Your offerings need to be done in an act of Worship unto God. He has so graciously given to you, and in return, you give back to Him what is rightfully His.

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The second thing that I want you to see from these verses is...

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God Will Provide for You Out of His Riches.

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Far too often people think that they are not able to give because they cannot afford to do it. It is too risky. How will I ever make it? I want you to notice in this passage what happens when we give unto God…as a sacrifice. It is not easy. It is hard to let go… and especially money. Money has this strange way of holding our hearts. That is why Jesus says that we cannot serve two masters. We would be devoted to one and hate the other. We cannot serve both God and money. But, when we trust God over Money, God promises to supply our needs.

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Paul says a similar thing in his letter to the Corinthians- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

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6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 He who supplies seed to the Sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (2 Co 9:6–15).

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God knows how to take care of his children. We do not need to fear or worry when we are walking in obedience to Christ. We have to learn to be content in Christ and trust Him more than what the world says is valuable. God will supply our “needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. Paul ends with this praise to God that all of us should focus on...

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To God Be the Glory Forever and Ever.

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To close out the letter, here really quick, look down at verses 21-23 with me.

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21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit (Php 4:21–23).

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There are three simple truths that I want us to see from these 3 verses

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There Is a Closeness in the Family of God.

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The Gospel Will Reach Even the Unreachable.

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We Are Dependent upon the Grace of Christ.

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Conclusion:

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As we think about everything that we have learned from the book of Philippians, there is just a whole lot to take in. God’s word has so much to say to us about so many different things that we need to hear in life. God knows us so well.

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If I had to boil the whole message of Philippians down into one Over All Main Idea, it would be this:

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To Live a Life of Joy, We Must Focus on Christ.

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Everything that Paul talks about in this section, and really every section in this book revolves around that one central idea. This hits the longing of every human heart. We want Joy. We Want Peace. We want satisfaction.

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The Key to Joy Is to Trust in Christ for All Things.

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In way of application of our text today, I want to encourage you to ask yourself these questions:

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What Am I Seeking to Find Contentment?

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What Would It Take for Me to Learn the Secret of Being Content?

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How Will My Life Look Different If I Find Contentment in Christ?

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Am I Giving Sacrificially to the Work of the Ministry?

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Do I Trust God to Supply All of My Needs?

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Do I Live Like Ministry Is a Team Sport?

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Am I Trusting Christ for All Things?

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I know those are a lot of questions to be asking this morning. I get that. These are some of the questions that I have been asking myself as I am trying to make some adjustments in my own life. It is scary sometimes to do these things. But do you know what, at the end of the day I have to ask myself, Who Do I Trust? Do I Trust Me or God?

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God Calls Us to a Life of Faith.

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Will you trust Him Today? - What might God be calling you to do?

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I have talked a lot about trusting Christ to take care of you and to find Joy in Him, but maybe you do not even know how to do that. Let me start by saying, if you have never given your life to Christ, that is your first step. I want you to understand, and I love you too much not to tell you, that you are a broken person…we all are. We have rebelled against God and trusted in other things to bring us joy. We have ignored God and His ways. We looked at God’s laws and spate in His face by breaking every one of them. But, God in His love for us came and died on the Cross for you. Jesus Christ came and took the wrath of God 2000 years ago, was killed, buried, and three days later He rose again defeating sin and death. Now he commands every one of us to repent, turn away from our sins and trust in Him for forgiveness and peace with God. That means saying to God, you are sorry for your sins…owning up to it. Admitted you have wronged Him. Coming clean to God about what you have done. And then telling God that you believe that Jesus died for you and rose again to give you new life. And then trusting Jesus. When you do that, God gives you new life. You are forgiven and free.

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For those of you who have trusted in Christ, but this passage revealed some areas in which you might struggle with… like it did me… I want to invite you this morning to surrender to Christ. Whatever He is calling you to do. I invite you to come.

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As we get ready to sing this last song together, if there is anyone who needs to give their life to the Lord, I invite you to come…and if there is anyone who just needs to come and do business with the Lord… I invite you to come.

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Let’s Pray Together.