Contentment In Christ

Philippians 4:10-13

Introduction:

We are almost done with our series Joy in the Journey, our journey through the book of Philippians. Today’s title is: Contentment In Christ, and we will be in Philippians 4:10-13.

Webster’s dictionary defines content or contentment as: Feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation

Question: How often do we allow the circumstances around us—or the things of this world—to determine whether we feel truly content?

Prayer:

Read The Text:

Philippians 4:10-13

Walk Through The Text:

POINT ONE: Contentment Is Found In Gratitude

Read Verse 10

Paul doesn’t just tell the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord—he lives it out. After calling them to rejoice always, we now see him in verse 10 personally rejoicing in the Lord greatly.

Paul never doubted that the Philippians were indeed concerned for him and his well-being. He specifically says you had no opportunity. To tangibly show their concern for him. Now that he is in a Roman prison, they can provide a financial gift to him, as we will see in a few verses.

Paul has said over and over throughout this letter how much the Philippians mean to him and how he longs to be with them again. Their friendship/partnership was special, and we will see in the coming verses that Paul reiterates his true gratitude for all they have done for him.

Application: We must continue to be like the Philippian church and be generous with what God has blessed us with and be ready for more opportunities to serve and meet needs. God has just in the last several days opened some doors for our church to meet needs and He will continue to if we are obedient and generous.

POINT Two: Contentment Is Found In Every Season

Read Verse 11

What stands out here is the word learned. The Greek word for this in the original language is Manthano. It means to learn by use and practice. To be in the habit of or accustomed to. Paul did not learn this kind of contentment overnight, and neither will we.

It’s a continual seeking of the Lord and dying to ourselves daily.

Have you learned to be content with whatever situation you are in? Our society today says you need a bigger house, a newer car, the latest and greatest iPhone that just came out. Keeping up with the Joneses. Our society thrives on us thinking we don't have enough and we need more.

(That's why there are storage facilities everywhere full of stuff people have that they really don't need or don’t have room for)

When you fully surrender to God, worry loses its grip. Your trust should be in the Lord to provide all you need. We learned last week how to embrace the peace of God. Paul is continuing that thought here.

Read Verse 12

How did Paul learn the secret to contentment that he is talking about here?

Read 2 Corinthians 11:23–33 “Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.”

In any and every circumstance, Paul relied on the Lord for his provision. Even in the toughest of situations, the Lord was right there with him, and he is with you in the circumstances of your life.

Paul describes two contrasting situations:

Plenty and hunger

Abundance and need

Riding the highs and lows in life (ON OUR OWN) is absolutely exhausting

Illustration: Riding the Hulk Rollercoaster at Universal, celebrating our 5-year wedding anniversary. I was sick before the trip and still wasn’t 100% when I rode that ride. It absolutely wore me out. This life will do the same if we don't have our foundation in Jesus. If He is not our anchor, we will be tossed around by this world.

Point Three: Contentment Is Found in Dependence On Christ

Read Verse 13

The secret Paul referred to in verse 12 is confirmed here in verse 13.

Whatever the Lord calls us to, in Jesus Christ, we can do all things through Him.

One commentator said: “Whatever Christ has for you to do, He will supply the power. Whatever gift He gives you, He will give the power to exercise that gift. A gift is a manifestation of the Spirit of God in the life of the believer. As long as you function in Christ, you will have power. He certainly does not mean that he is putting into your hand unlimited power to do anything you want to do. Rather, He will give you the enablement to do all things in the context of His will for you.”

What an incredible reminder and encouragement for the Philippian church? In the midst of their suffering for Jesus, He would continue to supply all that they needed for the mission of reaching the Roman colony of Philippi for Him.

Application: Is God calling you to something you haven’t acted on yet? Remember, His call always comes with His power to complete it.

Applications:

1. Find your contentment in the Lord, not in the things of this world.

Where Do We Go From Here:

Spend the next few minutes in prayer. God may be calling you to repent. God may be calling you to draw closer to Jesus this morning if you have strayed. God may be calling you to surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and start your relationship with Him today. If you do not have a relationship with Jesus, if he truly is not your Lord and Savior, I would love to talk to you right now about how you can leave here with a relationship with Jesus Christ today!

However, God has spoken to you this morning to respond; do it!