Being Content
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Thermometer or thermostat?
Thermometer or thermostat?
Are you are thermometer or a thermostat?
A thermometer records the temperature around it
A thermostat regulates the surrounding and changes it when needed.
A thermometer has no power
A thermostat has the power
So are you a thermometer or a thermostat?
Paul was a thermostat and today we will look at how he was, the power that was in him making him a thermostat. That same power that can work in us whereas we can be a thermostat and not just a thermometer.
Some proofs that Paul offers up
Not a victim to circumstances but over them (Php4:11, 4:13)
He did not have to “have”; to be pampered, to be content (Php4:18)
Paul found his contentment in the spiritual resources abundantly supplied by God through Christ Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Contentment is not complacency
The complacent believer is not concerned about others, while the contented Christian wants to share his blessings (so, thermometer or thermostat).
Contentment does not keep us from trouble, trials, tribulations, from the spiritual battles and even sometime physical battles of this world, but it is the abiding, everlasting, peace, joy that that we learn to be content with whatever the circumstance we are in (Php4:11)
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
Notice the word “learned” We learn to be content as we mature in Christ. We learn to be content as we face various trials and tribulations and we learn to count them a joy.
In our passage Paul shows us three spiritual resources that make us adequate and give us contentment.
The providence of God (Php4:10)
The power of God (Php4:11-13)
The promise of God (Php4:14-20)
I. Providence of God
I. Providence of God
Our sufficiency is not found in ourselves, it is found in the providence of go. In His providence we find the provision we need to properly face this world and its demands.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
In this day when the world turns to science more and more and more is revealed by science people are not speaking, hearing, believing in the providence of God as they once were. Eventhough science proves God. God’s providence has always been made known, even when man did not want to see it.
(below for handout, not to be said)
God’s providence has always been made known (Rom1:18-21)
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
May we remember also that it is by God’s providence all things are held together (Col1:17)
17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
God’s providence is the working of God in all circumstances or to arrange circumstances and situations for His purpose.
God’s providence working in, through Joseph (Gen37-50; Gen45:5, 50:20)
(summarize story of Joseph)
Sold by brothers for 20 shekels of silver (Gen37:28)
Sold to Potiphar (Gen39:1)
Imprisoned (Gen39:19)
Empowered (Gen41:38-41)
Used by God
5 “Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
and add to that
20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.
In the N.T. we see this type of Godly providence
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
God’s providence for Paul was proven by the Philippians concern for him, their love for him, when it was so needed. They had been concerned but lacked ability (opportunity) to help.
Where as in our society today we have the opportunity but oftentimes lack the concern or willingness to help. May we not be like this, may this not be said of us.
Life is not a series of accidents or happenstances, life is a series of divine provision by God to guide us (Psm32:8)
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
The providence of God is a great source of contentment
II. Power of God
II. Power of God
Not complaining, but contemplating and sharing with others the power of God is the source of his contentment. His happiness, his joy is not found in circumstances but in the power of God in his life.
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
We run to God when the wheels are falling off. When there is tragedy or turmoil, we have learned that God is there, God is listening, God is providing, but God and His power work in us in all circumstances.
We need to be careful and we need to run to God in our prosperity as much as in our adversity. For prosperity has done more damage to believers than adversity has. Think of (Rev3:17)
17 ‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
It was through the trials, the tribulations that Paul experienced that he learned the secret of contentment, by the way, you see, you read, should have and should share with others.
The secret of contentment is found in Christ Jesus (Php4:13)
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
IT was the power of God, in Christ, that gave Paul spiritual contentment.
Interesting how some versions put it.
13 Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
J.B. Phillips says “I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me.”
Just one more
The Living Bible: “I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.”
So we can do all things, make it through all things, you are ready for all things and are helped in all things through Christ Jesus!
For we are nothing without Him, just as Jesus taught in Jn15:1ff Jn15:5)
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
Oh I have to give just one more verse translation, or interpretation if you like.
Amplified Bible: “I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency.”
The providence of God and the power of God are two spiritual resources on which we can draw what is needed to face life in this world, but wait, there is more.
III. Promise of God
III. Promise of God
God’s promised provision comes through the Philippians to Paul and he is quick to give thanks.
14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;
16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
From the winter of lack, to the spring of abundance the Philippians share with Paul in the time of his affliction. - - - we may all go through dry, cold seasons where there is not much we are able to do. It does not mean we are dead, but we have to have the hope of the spring time when new life comes about and we then are able to grow and share.
Paul was abandoned by all but them (PHp4:15). They invested in Paul, and Paul's desire was not the gift but the blessings that would be given to them because of the gift (Php4:17)
They gave physically, the Lord gave spiritually in return. You can bet that if you have not seen the return, the dividend yet, the Lord has not forgotten, the blessings are coming, in one form or another, at one time or another.
Paul thanks them for their sacrifice (Php4:18)
Yes, we may not have sacrifices like the O.T. but they were a shadow of the sacrifices we give today.
They are spiritual sacrifices (1Pt2:5; Rom12:1-2)
5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
What the church at Philippi was doing was offering up a spiritual sacrifice that was acceptable to God!
1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
I know we may look at these verses often, but is there such a thing is looking at the word too much? NO there is not!
Living, holy, acceptable sacrifices to God, why? So that we may prove the will of God, that which is good, acceptable and perfect.
We offer the sacrifice of praise (Heb13:15)
15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
We offer the sacrifice in good works (Heb13:16)
16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
So the Philippians were offering a good and acceptable sacrifice because it is the promise of God to always provide, and the Philippians were the tool God used to provide to Paul.
May we know that our sacrifices can offer, can lead, lost souls to come to Christ (Rom15:16)
16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Paul gave credit to the Philippians and the glory to God for he knew it was God working in them and through them, just as God can work in us and through us.
Let me draw an interesting comparison between Php4:18-19
18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Paul could easily say in other words
You met my need; God will meet all your needs
You gave from your poverty; God will give from His riches in glory
Does God not meet all our needs? Maybe not our wants, or as some people say greeds, but does meet our needs.
When the child of God, living in the will of God, serving for the glory of God, to that child will every need be met.
Hudson Taylor put it like this.
“When God’s work is done in God’s way for God’s glory, it will not lack for God’s supply.”
Contentment comes from adequate resources. Our adequate resources draw frm within for that is where Christ dwells in the believer. It is found in the providence of God, the power of God and the promises of God. These resources make us adequately equipped for life in this world and in preparation for the next. These resources make us self-sufficient in the sufficiency of Christ
(insert encouragement slide)
Be sufficient in Christ, be content in Christ, be sharing the availability of true contentment with others.