The Joy of Contentment (2)
Notes
Transcript
Contentment is learned by trusting, serving, and depending upon Christ.
The story of the pilot flying over the mountain stream where he fished as a boy. “Don’t waste today longing for tomorrow!”
The Seasons for Contentment
The Seasons for Contentment
Contentment is not apathy. Paul was not satisfied with his personal walk with the Lord, but wanted to grow in grace.
Paul was satisfied with the possessions that he had in life, and the situation in which he found himself.
Paul said that he knew both how to live with little and with much.
He had learned to make a place of sorrow a source of joy.
5 How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion! 6 Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings. 7 They go from strength to strength, Every one of them appears before God in Zion.
He was content because, “the Lord is at hand” (verse 5).
The Secret of Contentment (11-12)
The Secret of Contentment (11-12)
Paul said that contentment was something he learned. It speaks of self-sufficiency. He did not lack externally, but possessed internal fortitude and strength.
The secret is that he had learned by experience to trust God and serve Him.
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
When you seek to serve the Lord and seek to benefit others then it not only brings joy to your life, but you lay aside expectations.
When your focus is on serving then it cannot be on yourself. Joy is the result! This is why Paul could be content whether he was free or imprisoned. Either way, he was the servant of Christ!
But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Contentment is found as we follow Christ’s example in service to others.
The Source of Contentment (13)
The Source of Contentment (13)
The Empowerment of Christ.
Paul’s self-sufficiency is really Christ-sufficiency. Christ is all He needs!
Contentment is lived out as we are empowered by Christ from within. It is the overflow of our relationship to Him.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: The Secret of Contentment (Philippians 4:10–23)
“It is not by trusting my own faithfulness, but by looking away to the Faithful One!” - Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret
God will empower us in our moment of need.
16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
