The Art of Contentment (2)

1. Greetings

Good morning.

So great to be with you again today.

PAUSE :)

2. Illustration and Introduction (5 mins)

If you’ve done any sailing, 

or simply watched any of the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movies, 

you’ll know there’s a navigation system

based on longitude and latitude.

But in the 1500s,

sailors had a problem.

Latitude is set by the equator,

it's a fixed point, 

it never changes.

But longitude is different.

Longitude moves.

Is based on the Earth's rotation,

and it moves 1 degree every 4 minutes.

Ships would need to calculate Longitude using time,

but clocks in the 1500s were not very good. 

Let me explain the problem.

To calculate longitude you need to record the time the ship left port, 

and then keep an accurate record of time

throughout the journey.

And what made matters ever harder 

was that clocks at that time

 didn't fare well on the high seas.

Any storm or bad weather 

would instantly throw out the clock's time.

Navigation often felt like an impossible mission. 

The design of clocks at the time required 

some form of lubricant to keep them working, 

And as the temperature changed,

the oil would thicken or thin,

causing the clock to go out of time.

In the end, sailors would simply guess, 

they would sail by their wits, 

or simply just wing it.

This method became known as

‘Dead Reckoning’.

Maybe a good movie title?

What do you think?

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By the 1700s sailors had had enough.

They brought a petition to the British government 

in the hope of fixing the problem.

So the government put up a prize of 

(20,000) twenty thousand pounds

That’s nearly 10 million dollars in today's money.

Crazy!

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Yep, 

it was a lot of money,

but they were desperate.

Could anyone solve the problem?

Could anyone build a clock that worked well enough?

Well, it took 14 years before someone did.

Before someone worked it out.

And that person was John Harrison.

Harison was a carpenter from the North of England.

He had taken up clock-making

just a year before the government had put up the prize money.

And it's believed he’d never actually seen a real clock 

before starting to build his own.

But his invention was groundbreaking.

It was vertically frictionless,

and required no oil 

of any form.

No matter the situation,

Harrison's clock kept perfect time.

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Over the next few years

Harrison made 4 versions of his clock

which was used onboard almost all British ships

and allowed Britannia to literally Rule the Waves. 

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Harrison's final model, 

the ‘H-4’ 

was so steady,

so unflappable, 

it was said to have gained ‘contentment’.

And that is what Paul is talking about in our passage this morning.

This is the kind of life Paul is calling us to.

A life that's steady,

unflappable,

and calm.

No matter what conditions we find yourself in,

we can be content.

But I wonder 

how many of us actually live 

in this state of contentment.

How many of us are steady

unflappable,

at peace.

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If you’re like me this isn’t always the case.

More often than not I find myself saying,

“If I just had this or that,

then I’d feel contented.”

Maybe you can relate?

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“If only that illness would be healed,

then I would be content.”

“If my job was finally secure,

if that promotion I’ve been promised actually comes through.

then I would be content.”

The list goes on and on.

So what do you need to be content?

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Well, 

we’ll see in our passage this morning 

Paul's answer to that question.

But before we go any further, 

let me remind you of the text.

3. Scripture (1 min)

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.

I am not saying this because I am in need,

for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

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.

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

Philippians 4:10–13

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4. Pray

5. Contentment is Something That is Learned (6 mins)

Paul starts in verse 10 by thanking the church in Philippi 

for continuing to care for him. 

He has a long history with the church

and he is grateful for their gifts 

while he was in prisoned in Rome.

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There's so much more we can say on these open verses

but for today our focus begins in verse 11.

Over the next few verses, 

Paul wants to point out 3 things.

First, he wants to show us, 

contentment is something that is learned.

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There are many things that come naturally to us.

Breathing for instance.

The beating of our heart.

The blinking of our eyes.

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No one needs to tell us how to breathe, 

how to blink, 

how to keep our hearts beating.

Our bodies just do them.

But that's not what we find with contentment.

It doesn’t come naturally.

In fact Paul tells us,

 it's a secret to be learned.

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He says,

“...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

Philippians 4:11

Yes!

contentment needs to be learned.

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Now our natural disposition is often just the opposite.

Our natural behavior is not to be content,

but to be discontent.

To live a life of unease.

And to always be seeking the next thing.

And I don’t think that’s just me.

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To be content isn't something we can get from simply reading a book.

It’s not something we can receive through prayer.

Or even from a sermon like today.

No,

Paul tells us contentment is something to be learned.

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The Puritan, 

Jeremiah Burroughs 

calls it a ‘Rare Jewel’.

Something to be sought after,

to be pursued.

And Thomas Watson, 

another English Puritan,

 said it is ‘An Art’ to be mastered.

Something to be practiced,

to be developed.

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Watson writes,

“It is an easy thing to be wicked; 

hell will be taken without storm; 

but matters of religion must be learned.  

To cut the flesh is easy, 

but to prick a vein,

and not to cut an artery is hard.  

The trade of sin needs not to be learned, 

but the art of divine contentment

is not achieved without learning.”

Thomas Watson, The Art of Divine Contentment (1655)

So the art of contentment 

is something to be learned

to be worked at.

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Now the question I’m sure you’re all asking is “How?”

“How is contentment learned?”

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Well as we saw in the text it’s “through Christ”.

He gives us the strength to be content.

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But searching for contentment isn’t passive,

we don’t just leave it all up to Christ

and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, their work in us is fundamental,

but God’s grace enables us to do something too.

Let me give you some quick examples.

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First, we can practice gratitude in our lives.

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This can be as simple as thanking God for a new day 

when you wake up,

or being actively grateful to others when they help you,

or even keeping a journal of the different ways God is blessing you.

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Another way is to just stop buying more and more stuff.

That phone that's two years old,

keep it.

Don’t just buy a new one

just because the next flashy model has been released.

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Those shoes that are so 2024,

keep wearing them,

you probably don’t need a new pair,

even though that YouTube ad tells you you do!

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One more quick example.

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Regularly invest in other people's lives.

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Take what God has given you 

and give it away.

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God has given you gifts, time and talent,

give them away freely 

just as He has given to you.

Now,

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I’m not saying growing in contentment is all about our own effort.

Our growth is dependent on both what we do,

and what Christ does in us.

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The theological term for this is

‘Sanctification’,

or what is often just called 

‘Growing in Holiness’.

As we join with the Holy Spirit 

He works in our lives

to grow us,

to make us more like Christ.

PAUSE

So in our text this morning we see Paul had learned the art of contentment,

and he wants us to learn it too.

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6. Contentment is not based on our circumstances (10 mins)

Ok,  if contentment is first to be learned.

Secondly, Paul wants to tell us,

contentment is not based on our circumstances.

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Remember what Paul said,

“...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

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.”

Philippians 4:11–12 

Listen to what Paul is saying.

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In every circumstance,

whether he is 

“in need” 

or has “plenty”.

Whether he was

“well fed” 

or “in want".

“...in whatever situation…”

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Wow!

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But I wonder if the same could be said of us today,

that we could be content in every situation.

Let me ask you,

how often are we really content?

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If we’re honest probably less than 90% of the time.

And if we’re really honest, 

probably a lot less.

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Let me give you a quick example from my life.

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Our family moved from England to Canada ten years ago.

In the UK we weren’t rich by any stretch of the imagination

but we owned our own house,

we had a decent-sized garden, etc.

That's what you’d expect in England.

Most people lived in a family home,

most people had a garden,

most people had space.

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But that not the norm everywhere,

especially in a city like Vancouver

where everything is so insanely expensive.

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So for the first 9 years or so 

we rented 

just like so many others.

Then in the spring of last year 

we started looking at buying our own place.

As you can imagine, 

we were so excited.

Finally, a place of our own.

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I began to dream big,

I began to dream of a big family house,

a house with a garden,

lots of space,

maybe even overlooking the ocean!

PAUSE :(

But our money 

and my dreams didn’t match.

And that makes sense 

giving the cost of living in this city.

As we began to look at the money we had,

and what we could afford,

my dreams came tumbling down.

PAUSE :(

Now this would be a great time to tell you how content I was during the process 

but that wouldn’t be quite true.

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I’m embarrassed to say,

the more we looked at homes,

homes we could actually afford,

the more discontent I became.

Instead of being grateful that we could buy anything,

I started becoming more and more discontent.

PAUSE :(

Truth be told

not only was I becoming more and more discontent,

I was also becoming angry at God.

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Eventually, I got myself together.

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Well truth be told,

I got myself together 

AFTER

Sandra, my wife, gave me a good talking to!

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I realised that being able to buy anything 

in this town was a huge blessing.

And over time my attitude did changed.

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I started to become more content with what we could afford.

and more importantly,

I slowly learned to be grateful for whatever God was providing.

To cut a long story short,

we did eventually buy a lovely place to live.

And again 

I was freshly amazed at God's faithfulness to us,

even when my attitude is far from good.

PAUSE :)

In our passage this morning Paul wants to show us we can be content in all situations,

Remember 

he says in verse 12,

“I know what it is to be in need, 

and I know what it is to have plenty.”

Philippians 4:12 

PAUSE

The ESV translates the phrase

“in need” 

as “brought low”.

“I know how to be brought low…”

Says Paul

And to be ‘brought low’ can be a horrible experience.

PAUSE

Let me tell you another story.

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Horatio Spa-ford was an American lawyer 

property investor,

and a church elder in the late 1800’s.

He was married with a family,

and it could be argued

he had everything he desired.

PAUSE :(

But sadly

he was ruined financially

by The Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

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Now around this time 

he and his family 

planned to visit England.

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However at the last moment

he was delayed on business,

so his wife and four daughters 

went on ahead of him.

While crossing the Atlantic

their ship struck another vessel 

sinking the ship

and killing over 200 people

including all four of his daughters,

only his wife survived.

PAUSE :(

This was obviously devastating to him.

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Shortly afterwards,

Spa-ford made plans to join his wife in England.

And taking the same route they had sailed,

he wrote these now-famous words

and as he drew close to the place

his daughter's ship had sunk

and they had died.

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When peace like a river, 

attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, 

thou hast taught me to say

It is well, 

it is well, 

with my soul

It Is Well with My Soul,

Horatio Spafford

PAUSE

Despite all he had gone through,

He learnt the art of contentment.

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So whether we are brought low,

or are hungry, 

or in need,

God knows our situation,

and He is with us as we walk through it.

He sees you,

He feels your pain,

He knows what you're going through,

and He’s there beside you,

PAUSE :)

The writer of Hebrews would remind us,

“be content with what you have, 

because God has said, 

         “Never will I leave you; 

       never will I forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

So let us be content with what God has provided,

and when the storms of life rush in,

remember He is always with us.

PAUSE :)

Now listen, 

we talked about being brought low,

but what about having plenty?

What about being well-fed?

Surely the good stuff

is the easy stuff!

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However 

truth be told, 

we are more likely to fall into sin 

with more,

then we are with less.

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You might imagine having everything in the world would bring you happiness, 

but I know you’re smarter than that.

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So let me ask you a question.

What does Marvin Gaye, 

Jim Carrey, 

Serena Williams,

and J. K. Rowling

all have in common?

The answer may surprise you.

PAUSE

At some point they have all gone on record saying

despite their riches,

despite their fame,

at some point in their lives,

they were all deeply unhappy.

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And it’s not just a worldly problem either,

a problem for ‘non-Christians’.

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As believers we too fall into this trap,

that trap of thinking contentment comes with simply having more.

In fact,

we see this problem all throughout the Bible.

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The Israelites had God's blessing.

God had rescued them from slavery 

and parted the Red Sea for them.

He had provided food, 

and water, 

and promised them a new land,

but still, 

they were discontent.

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And even Jesus’ own disciples wanted more.

James and John

wanted the privilege of sit side by side with Christ in Heaven.

So often, what we have,

seems to be never enough.

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I truly believe 

we are more likely to stray from the path with plenty,

then with less.

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When we have lots,

we more easily forget our need for God,

forget to be grateful 

forget all He has given us.

PAUSE :)

Now,

it's important to hear what I’m not saying here.

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I’m not saying having plenty is bad.

Having a nice house,

going on amazing vacations,

eating out at fancy restaurants,

or having a successful well paid job,

these things are not bad.

No,

Not at all.

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The Bible isn’t against us having great stuff,

or being successful.

Having plenty isn’t a sin.

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However, 

being discontent.

Constantly wanting more.

And as the book of Roman says,

Loving the creation 

over the Creator is.

Now,

that’s not good.

PAUSE

So when brought low 

or abounding.

Whether in need,

or having plenty,

Paul had learned the secret of being content

in every circumstance.

And he wants the same for us.

PAUSE :)

7. Contentment is found in Christ (4 mins)

This leads us to our third and final point,

contentment is found in Christ.

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Pauls tells us,

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

Philippians 4:10–13

PAUSE

Now this verse must be one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible.

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“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me!”

“Therefore I can do all things.”

Right?

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Wrong!

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“But wait”

I hear you cry,

“The Bible clearly states it!”

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me!”

PAUSE :)

But is that really what the text is saying?

You can’t do ALL things,

whether through Christ

or not.

PAUSE

The musicians played great today,

I think we’ll all agree that, right!

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However, 

most of us can’t play that well.

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Some of us think we can, 

but we can’t.

PAUSE :)

Look at me,

I’m not the best runner, 

in fact, I'm pretty terrible at running.

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Could I win the gold medal in athletics at the Olympics?

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No!

No I can’t.

But wait, the Bible says

‘We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.’

PAUSE :)

But that’s not what Paul is saying.

Paul is not say

we can do all things.

No!

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So what is he saying?

The ‘all things’ 

is not pointing to anything we can think of,

anything we fancy.

No,

rather it is pointing to the 

‘plenty’

the ‘well-fed’ 

the ‘living with all things’.

It's pointing to the ‘in need’, 

the ‘hungry’,

and the ‘in want’.

PAUSE

That’s what Paul is saying.

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He’s saying we can be ‘in need’.

Or we can be ‘well fed’.

And through it all 

He will strengthen us.

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As we do the things He puts in front of us,

the fun, 

exciting, 

joyful things,

Or  

the hard, 

discouraging, 

painful things,

He gives us the strength to walk in them.

PAUSE :)

Jesus reminds us, 

“With man [its is] impossible, 

but with God all things are possible.” 

Matthew 19:16

PAUSE :)

So when we have plenty,

God gives us the grace,

the strength

to keep Him first in our lives.

If we have little,

He gives us the grace,

the strength 

to keep going,

to persevere,

to trust Him.

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When we do all things through Him,

He becomes our focus,

He becomes our treasure.

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When we look at all He has done for us,

the joyful things,

and the painful things,

these things fall into their proper place.

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The 3rd verse of that great hymn I mentioned earlier

 brings perspective on all that Christ has done.

It says,

My sin, 

oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, 

not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to His cross, 

and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, 

praise the Lord, 

O my soul!

PAUSE :)

Let us remember 

we’re sinners saved by grace!

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When we compare what we should have,

eternal punishment,

with what we do have,

forgiveness,

It should bring us great joy.

and that joy will lead to contentment

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Whether life is hard 

or going well,

we can know that Christ is with us.

And through His strength

our contentment will grow.

PAUSE :)

8. Conclusion (3 mins)

So as we wrap things up,

let us remember our contentment can only be found in Christ 

who strengthens us.

PAUSE :)

Also, 

contentment is not based on our circumstances.

Whether we have plenty

or are in need.

We can be content 

through God's strength

and His grace in our lives.

PAUSE :)

And finally let us remember,

contentment needs to be learned.

It takes effort on our part,

and it will take time.

PAUSE :)

And through it all,

remember the Holy Spirit is working with us,

to grow us,

to form us,

to strengthen us.

PAUSE :)

It's not just down to us!

God is at work in our lives,

forming us into the person of His son,

Jesus Christ.

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So like the ticking of the H-4 clock, 

we too can learn to live a steady,

unflustered, 

contented lives.

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We can start each day knowing He will hold us fast,

that He is everything we need.

We can remember it is well with our soul,

because Christ has died in our place.

And we can remember our biggest problem has been taken care of

our sins forgiven,

if we trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross.

PAUSE :)

And we can live grateful lives.

Expectant for God’s blessing,

but grateful for what He’s already given us.

PAUSE :)

So contentment is a ‘rare jewel’ to be discovered,

‘an art’ to be patiently learned.

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As we grow in our contentment, 

we find life begins to settle.

And whether the sea rolls 

or the wind buffets,

the smooth tick, 

tick,

tick of contentment can be ours.

PAUSE :)

As we close our time together this morning,

listen to these wise words of Mr. Charles Spurgeon

the famous Baptist preacher from the 1800’s

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God grant you 

new hearts 

and right spirits, 

a living faith 

in a living Jesus, 

and then I would say to you 

as I have said to the rest, 

in whatever state you are,

be content.

Charles Spurgeon, Contentment (1860)

Let us pray together in closing.

9. Prayer