The Secret to Contentment

Pray

Conventional wisdom says that good things come to those who wait. That axiom rarely applies, however, to the drudgery of domestic air travel as most people go through the modern air travel system. Phil Stringer, however, is not like most people.

Stringer travels for work quite often. So, when his early morning flight from Oklahoma City to his hometown of Charlotte experienced a maintenance-related flight delay, he took it in stride, relocating from the gate to a nearby Starbucks.

But then the delays continued, dragging on throughout the day. Eventually he outlasted the staff at the airport Starbucks, who had to kick him out so they could close. When he finally heard the boarding call, however, he was confused.

Stringer said in an interview, "I had thought that everyone had boarded, and I was late, because no one was there But [the gate agent] was like, 'No, honey, you're the only one left.'" Everyone else, fed up with the lengthy delays, had sought other options.

The airline, however, could not simply cancel the flight, because the plane, and its cargo were needed in Charlotte. So, after being unceremoniously summoned from their nearby hotel, the crew of four flight attendants went through their normal routine, despite having only one passenger. Stringer spent the two-and-a-half-hour flight laughing and joking with them, quite bemused by the novelty of the situation.

He captured his unique scenario with a video and uploaded it to TikTok, where it went viral with over eleven million likes. Stringer said, "We were like, look, we can either be negative about the situation and make a bad situation worse by our attitude. Or we can be positive, lighthearted, and try and make something of this and at least just have fun."

Stringer made some good friends that day, and made plans to see the group of attendants in their home base of Dallas the next time he comes through. He also heard from many people on social media who were encouraged to keep a positive attitude when their plans go sideways.

We hear this story this morning, and many of you can relate with being delayed from your flight going from one place to the next… and most if not all of us can relate with Driving, and being struck in traffic, or behind a train… Which by the way has anyone else ever noticed, that trains around here love to camp out in the middle of the train track? and literally stop. (Train track)

But here’s the question, in the midst of bad, what is our response? Many of you, as of late, can relatewith difficulties in life… Circumstances, challenges, that (understandable so) are frustrating. People being harsh, situations not going as they should… a host of things… and the quest is How do we respond?

If you have your bibles, turn with me to Philippians 4. And as you’re turning there, we’re going to look just for this one week. At the secret to contentment… Next week, mothers’ day, the week after (romans…)

The secret to Contentment. Contentment 1. Begins with Rejoicing. 2. Is not based on circumstances 3.Comes from trusting the Lord.

1. Contentment begins with rejoicing

Philippians 4:4-13 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

As we stop and consider the scripture here’s what we find. We find this morning a man by the name of Paul. formerly Saul of Tarsus. Who would write to the young Philippian church. Someone between A.D 60 and A.D 62, during Paul’s first imprisonment. What’s interesting too, is Paul while he’s writing this letter is in a roman prison, he’s enduring hardship, and suffering… and he writes to this church in Philippi (of which he is the founder) and this church is also facing persecution of their own. And he writes to encourage them. In the midst of their trials… and one of these keys, is the secret to contentment.

And as he writes to the church he fills them in on the secret to contentement. -13 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (and what’s the answer? What’s the secret?) 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

As we discuss contentment, I want to do, 2 things… I want to consider 1. What contentment is first. And next explain 2. Where contentment takes place.

From a definition standpoint vs 11 explains: 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

That word content, appears only here in the New Testament, And by definition this word: autarkēs means: 1. Sufficient for one's self, strong enough or possessing enough to need no aid or support 2. independent of external circumstances or 3. content with one's lot, with one's means.

Dictionary : 1. a state of satisfaction. Or 2. In a state of peaceful happiness.

And so, if we consider this idea of being satisfied, or finding a sense of peaceful happiness… Where does it begin? We have to look to Christ.

You see in the midst of persecution, hardship, torture, and imprisonment… we find that Paul still finds this contentment… This inward reality. Apart from the external, and outside forces… and he does so by rejoicing in the Lord.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

You see, when we talk about contentment it begins with putting our minds on things of the Lord and his nature… if you want contentment, this sort of Peaceful happiness, this morning (or self-sufficiency) it doesn’t begin with you… it begins with him.

I came across this story this week that explains the following: Writer Tom Friends of The New York Times asked coach Jimmy Johnson what he told his players before leading the Dallas Cowboys onto the field for the 1993 Super Bowl.

"I told them that if I laid a two-by-four across the floor, everybody there would walk across it and not fall, because our focus would be on walking the length of that board. But if I put that same board 10 stories high between two buildings, only a few would make it, because the focus would be on falling."

Johnson told his players not to focus on the crowd, the media, or the possibility of falling, but to focus on each play of the game as if it were a good practice session. The Cowboys won the game 52-7.

You see guys, I don’t know about you… but I’m really good at focusing on falling. It’s easy to do… I’m really good at focusing on the negatives… on what could be… but for each of us this morning, we don’t have to be anxious. We don’t have to worry… we can focus our attention on the Lord. We can focus on his provision. On his blessings. On His son.

We can rejoice in him this morning… 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Friends, are we doing that this morning? The first secret to contentment is keeping our eyes on Christ.

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Church what are our eyes on today? God has called us to Joy.

2. Contentment is not based on circumstances

Phil 4:10-13 continues:

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

We stop and consider this scripture, and Paul circles back around to this idea of rejoicing. He says 10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

Just to give some context. This Philippian church, (which Paul had founded 10 years before) had previously supported Paul in a great way. as Paul had left the Philippi church and traveled to Thessalonica, and Berea and other cities... This church did a wonderful job at supporting him financially.

Then for whatever reason, and we’re not told specifically why, but this church stopped supporting him. Until here in verse 10. Paul again writes: 10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. And Paul is thanking them for their gift here, and support...

But here’s the main key, his joy, his contentment, is not tethered to their gift. In fact, he goes on to say in verse 11 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

You see here’s the key for us this morning. Paul had it bad. I mean, we talk about persecution and hardship for the sake of the gospel… He knew exactly what that was like. He gave up, his life, as a reputable religious leader, with all it’s prestige and financial benefits… all for the sake of spreading the gospel.

2 Cor 11:25-25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

He knew what it was like to endure hardship. And yet, here’s the key, it didn’t matter what his materialistic conditions were from one moment to the next. And by the way, we’re not talking about if he was driving a tesla or an old Plymouth reliant K. No, we’re talking about extreme conditions, imprisonment, rejection, beatings, a host of all kinds of tragedy… and yet, in all of them. Through his experiences, he found a sense of contentment.

So much so, that in vs 12 he explains: 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

And what is the key… 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

You see church, contentment in life, is not tethered to what you have… its not about what type of house you live in, it’s not about what type of car you drive, or any materialistics matters… Contentment is found in Christ.

In Dangers, Toils & Snares, John Ortberg writes:

When we take our children to the shrine of the Golden Arches, they always lust for the meal that comes with a cheap little prize, a combination christened, in a moment of marketing genius, the Happy Meal. You're not just buying fries, McNuggets, and a dinosaur stamp; you're buying happiness. Their advertisements have convinced my children they have a little McDonald-shaped vacuum in their souls: "Our hearts are restless till they find their rest in a happy meal."

I try to buy off the kids sometimes. I tell them to order only the food and I'll give them a quarter to buy a little toy on their own. But the cry goes up, "I want a Happy Meal." All over the restaurant, people crane their necks to look at the tight-fisted, penny-pinching cheapskate of a parent who would deny a child the meal of great joy.

The problem with the Happy Meal is that the happy wears off, and they need a new fix. No child discovers lasting happiness in just one: "Remember that Happy Meal? What great joy I found there!"

Happy Meals bring happiness only to McDonalds. You ever wonder why Ronald McDonald wears that grin? One billion Happy Meals sold each year in over 100 countries, that's why.

When you get older, you don't get any smarter; your happy meals just get more expensive.

Friends, are we content this morning… the secret is found in Christ that gives us strength.

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

3. Contentment comes from trusting the Lord.

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

As we wrap up this morning. We see Paul closing out of his letter. And he continues to remark on the Philippians devotion and giving to the ministry.

He writes: 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only.

So again, he continues to commend them for their contributions and devotion. But then towards the end of this letter, he wraps up with an important, but subtle remark.

He explains vs 19: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

You see here’s the point. When we discuss the key, the secret to contentment this morning… it starts with

1. Rejoicing in the Lord. It starts with putting our minds on things above. On things of the Father.

2. We see also that it comes down to finding strength from God. and realizing, it’s not about our circumstances.

3. Finally, we put our trust in God.

Paul says: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

May not be always everything you want. May not be the new house, with the new pool… and if it is, that’s fine too. But he will always provide everything you need.

Matthew 6:31-33 tells us: 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Church, your father Knows what you need. Your job is to trust in Him.

· Rejoice in the Lord.

· Draw strength from him

· Trust Him today…

As we spend time in prayer and spend time in his word… as we think on him… he will give us contentment, even in the midst of despair and difficulty. Because he is Good.

Going to call the elders up at this time.

And as they come forward, this being the first Sunday of the month is our time to celebrate communion.

And as they come forward, I go back to this area of need.

You see the truth Is, is that God the Father, knew, that we his children needed redemption. We in of ourselves, apart from God, were hopeless. We were sinned, corrupted, evil, vile… And God saw the condition of man, he saw the wickedness that was in this world and new that we Needed a savior.

And so, in response, this savior couldn’t be just anyone. No, he would send his only son for us. The spotless lamb that was slain.