The Secret of Being Content

Transition

Philippians 4:10–13 CSB

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians is essentially a “Thank you letter” to the church of Philippi.

Paul is finishing this letter with final thank you

Philippians 4:10 The Philippians and Paul had a bond, a friendship. Paul is thanking them for that friendship. We are going to discuss this more in depth next week.

Paul says there was no need for a gift even though he is thankful

Thanking your mom for a gift, a meal, a kind gesture, but reminding her that there is no need.

Paul goes on to tell us why there is no need

Paul reveals to us “The Secret of Contentment”.

Lollipops at the bank, one was not enough

Our world teaches us to be discontent. “Be more, have more, work more, more, more, more”

The Secret of Contentment is Learned (v. 11)

Paul says in v. 11 that he had to learn to be content

This did not come to him over night

Contentment was a process for Paul

Often times learning to be content comes from being discontent.

In order for anything to grow there must be some discomfort.

To grow muscle you must first tear and shred the existing muscle.

To grow a tree the grown must be broken for the roots to take hold. As the tree grows so the ground breaks

Salvation is immediate. Sanctification is a process.

Paul’s conversion in Acts 9 was immediate

Romans 7:15 Paul acknowledges the battle of flesh and sin.

Paul clearly belongs to Christ while writing this letter but the process of sanctification is still occuring.

You will not walk away from this message today being fully content

The secret of contentment is learned.

The Secret of Contentment is Independent of Circumstances (v.12)

Paul was in prison *Acts 27:42,44

Paul was stoned *Acts 14:19

When Paul was writing to the church in Corinth he said this “...we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless, we labor working with our hands.” 1 Cor. 4:11-13

Paul new the lows when he says he knows how to do with little

If our contentment is found in our circumstances we do not have true contentment

Anybody every bought a new truck/boat/toy? How long does the new contentment wear off? That’s with good circumstances

How hard is it to be content on the other side? When things are bad? Have you ever prayed “Lord just get me through this circumstance!” because of your discontent?

Paul will tell us that the secret to being content has nothing to do with our circumstances.

The contentment we felt when Riley passed

The only way we could know the secret to contentment in that time was Jesus Christ.

The Secret of Contentment is Jesus Christ (v. 13)

We quote this verse many times. During difficult times, during scary circumstances, before sporting events.

The kid who tried to dunk on a ten foot goal.

Paul writes these words not so the Philippians will think in a way that they can dunk a basketball or get over certain obstacles but so they would understand when Jesus Christ is your strength the outcome of the football game, the outcome of your current situation, the outcome of the daunting circumstance does not matter!

If I have Jesus Christ as my strength, if I have repented of my sins and trust in Him, should I live a lazy life full of content?

Once you have Jesus as your source of strength then life begins.

Salvation is not the end point but the beginning.

Remember we must continue to learn about this secret, Jesus!

When you personally know Jesus you personally pursue Jesus

Conclusion

You may have came to church this morning with some discontentment.

You may be in a place of need right now.

I want to end with this

John 4:13-14

This lady was at a well getting water when Jesus came up asking her for a drink

There were some cultural differences between Jesus and this lady which led her to be shocked that he would even talk to her

But Jesus then offered her water. Not from the well that they were drinking from but living water. Jesus was offering her salvation.

Jesus said when who ever drinks this water (the well water) will be thirsty again but if you drink the living water you will never be thirsty again.

Maybe today you have been going to the same well of satisfaction but you never leave content. You keep going back to same places looking for contentment.

You will not find it there.

The secret to contentment is Jesus Christ.