The Age of Discontent - RJ
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
The Age of Discontent
The Age of Discontent
Let my heart want for nothing, but you, but you.
The next decade the Church will become very attractive because of its stability.
Paul was content. How content are you?
Shopping memes
The accumulation of “things” is often a medication to alleviate the pressure of a discontent heart.
Shopping memes
Boxing Day sale email “last days” on the 5th Jan!
Discontent with lives - the comparison between social media (false reality)
Discontent with job
Discontent with house, car, furniture
Discontent with spouse, children, gender etc etc
Discontent with holidays
Celebraties & Rich are still discontent....so its deeper than having things
Being discontent is not always negative..it can drive you to make change…but if you find yourself trying to fill the whole of discontent in a negative way, you’re going to end up in trouble.
1 Timothy 6:6-
Paul had something to say about that as he instructed Timothy:
6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Good stewardship begins with the condition of your heart.
Paul was content. How content are you?
We aren’t content to live within our means, so we go into debt to live just a little bit better than we can afford, but then suffer anxiety from the pressure of paying all our bills.
The accumulation of “things” is often a medication to alleviate the pressure of a discontent heart.
The accumulation of “things” is often a medication to alleviate the pressure of a discontent heart.
Take an axe to the root
Disclaimer: NOT ALL DEBT is BAD
I’ve only ever overcome bad debt, by self reflection & discipline & wisdom
The more I have learnt to become content, the more blessed I have been! Contentment allows God to bless you..striving is you trying to take control.
Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, contentment is the realisation of what you already have.
Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, contentment is the realisation of what you already have.
Lady wisdom
Both call out and both come with a consequence.
Bad debt ties you up, you can’t make decisions, you can’t move forward quickly. You can’t help others.
Do you want to be free to be in 2020 and this next decade?
1. DEAL WITH THE ROOT ISSUES
What have I had to ask myself?
Are you discontent? whats going on in your heart?
Are you comparing your life to others?
What’s causing overspend, retail therapy?
Who’s the source of your life? Do I doubt God’s ability to bless me?
Do you dwell too much on the past or too much on the future?
2. LEARN TO BE CONTENT
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:10-13
Contentment doesnt come naturally, its learnt - Babies when another baby comes into the room with another toy.
12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
Philipians
Contentment is a Christian grace that grows over time. It does not come quickly, easily or naturally. Paul says “I have LEARNED to be content”
Paul said “I know where my needs have been met and I will not move
Not many of us can make a big change immediately and it’s proven that small changes over time become habit.
Not many of us can make a big change immediately and it’s proven that small changes over time become habit. IT TAKES DISCIPLINE!
I have had to speak to my self..train myself…ask the hard questions....book (muscle memory over time)
Working with God in reducing debt means He does what His word says when you obey Him, but you have practical measures that only you can implement.
3. HAVE FAITH, BUT ALSO BE PRACTICAL
Have Faith that God knows what you need and where you are at. Contentment is knowing God is at work along side you. As you step out in faith and make changes, he meets you there..sometimes in a miraculous way.
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. 25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
God First in ALL things
4-
Give - its intrinsic to a believer..its who we are. Dont stop giving. Generaous hearts are content
Pray - Ask for what you need or would like to have
Wait - Dont jump the gun - have faith that God is going to bless you
Work on your debt practically. Faith alone is not enough.
Godliness first
