The Secret of Contentment
Notes
Transcript
Handout
There is a story about a cowboy
who was driving down a dirt road,
his dog riding in back of the pickup truck,
his faithful horse in the trailer behind.
He failed to negotiate a curve
and had a terrible accident.
Sometime later,
a highway patrol officer came on the scene.
An animal lover,
he saw the horse first.
Realizing the serious nature of its injuries,
he drew his service revolver
and put the animal out of his misery.
He walked around the accident and found the dog,
also hurt critically.
He couldn't bear to hear it whine in pain,
so he ended the dog's suffering as well.
Finally
he located the cowboy –
The cowboy was thrown from the truck
And was stuck off in the weeds
He suffered multiple fractures—
"Hey, are you okay?" the cop asked.
The cowboy took one look
at the smoking revolver in the trooper's hand
and quickly replied,
"Never felt better!"
This morning we are going to continue our study of Philippians.
Our passage is chapter 2
starting with verse 14 until verse 18 (NIV),
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
so that you may become blameless and pure,
‘children of God without fault
in a warped and crooked generation.’
Then you will shine among them
like stars in the sky
as you hold firmly to the word of life.
And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ
that I did not run or labor in vain.
But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering
on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith,
I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.”
This is the Word of the Lord
On the back of your sermon notes
is a diagram for our visual learners.
It tracks the ongoing thought of Paul’s teaching
from Philippians 1:27-2:30.
Back in Philippians 1:27
he exhorts us to conduct ourselves in a manner
worthy of the gospel.
Then he tells us how-
we are to stand firm,
strive together,
without fear.
We are to live in unity
by sharing Christ’s mindset of service,
humility,
and obedience.
Now,
in our passage this morning
we are urged to do all these things
without grumbling or arguing.
A PhD named Guy Winch says,
"There's a difference between an optimistic,
a pessimist, and a chronic complainer.
An optimist sees a glass half full.
A pessimist sees a glass half empty.
A chronic complainer
sees a glass that is slightly chipped
holding water that isn't cold enough because it's tap water
and I asked for bottled water.
And wait,
there's a smudge on the rim,
which means the glass wasn't clean
and now I'm probably going to end up
with some kind of virus".
We laugh because we know that its true.
Or in words of the not so wise Homer Simpson
“It’s funny ‘Cause it’s true!”
Grumbling is perhaps
one of the most pervasive sins in our society.
In Greek
the word for “grumble”
means to mutter.
(mutter under your breath indistinct phrases)
You ever feel like that,
when your day doesn’t go well
or you face the unexpected or undesired
and you just (mutter under your breath).
Have you ever noticed that this mood spreads.
Like the Corona virus,
grumbling is highly contagious.
If you come home and (muster under your breath)
then soon your wife and children will be (mutter under your breath)…
Grumbling, however,
is extremely un attractive.
I don’t know about you
but I don’t enjoy being around someone
whose (mutter under your breath).
Moreover,
grumbling never helps.
Muttering, grumbling, and arguing,
never solves the problem.
It doesn’t provide any solutions.
It doesn’t really make you feel better
It certainly does not help others.
As I was thinking about this message,
I realized that this instruction
to not grumble…
can be applied
to each of our previous teachings on Philippians.
Share the gospel
without grumbling or arguing (Phil. 1:12; 2:14)
Conduct yourself in a manner
worthy of the gospel
without grumbling or arguing (Phil. 1:27, 2:14)
Stand firm, strive together,
without fear for the gospel
without grumbling or arguing (Phil. 1:27-30, 2:14)
Live in unity
without grumbling or arguing (Phil. 2:2, 14)
Have the same mindset as Christ
without grumbling or arguing (Phil. 2:5, 14)
Share Christ’s servant mindset
without grumbling or arguing (Phil. 2:4, 7, 14, 19-24, 25-30)
Share Christ’s mindset of humility
without grumbling or arguing (Phil. 2:3, 8, 14
Share Christ’s mindset of obedience
without grumbling or arguing (Phil. 2:8, 12, 14)
Grumbling
is an ugly expression
of an even uglier internal state of mind
and attitude of the heart.
Grumbling is ungrateful,
unkind, and self-focused.
God wants something better for us.
He wants us to put off that old self-centered,
discontented, grumbling
and to put on joy instead.
Watch this-
(play Pollyanna “Glad Game” clip https://youtu.be/1Ihxyf7A1hg
As Psalms 8:2 declares (NIV),
“Out of the mouths of babes”
or in this case the wise words of Pollyanna.
Friends,
we need to put aside our grumbling
and choose to play the “glad game.”
No matter our circumstances
we can choose joy.
Ephesians 4:22b-24 encourages us to (NIV),
“put off your old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
and to put on the new self,
created to be like God
in true righteousness and holiness.”
How do we do this?
Philippians 2:16 tells us how.
We are instructed to
“hold firmly to the word of life.” (NIV)
We put off grumbling and choose joy
by holding firmly to the word of life.
The phrase “word of life”
refers to the gospel of Christ.
The word of life is the good news
that we are deeply and sincerely
loved by God.
It is the good news
that God became one of us,
lived a sinless life,
then suffered on our behalf and died in our place
so that we can be free
from the far reaching eternal consequences
of our sinful choices.
The word of life is the good news
that our sin does not have to separate us from God
nor can it condemns us
if we simply accept Jesus’ gift of forgiveness.
The word of life is the good news
that all the followers of Christ
will spend eternity with God in heaven
where there will be no more suffering,
no more pain,
no more sorrow,
no more sin.
The word of life is the good news that even now,
we can be freed from the sin in our lives.
Jesus will be with us and will help us
find freedom from the patterns of destructive behaviors.
The word of life is the good news
that we are never alone.
The good news is that we are priceless
and dearly loved by God.
The good news
is that we can be a part of something of lasting worth
for the word of life declares
that our lives have a purpose.
We can make a difference in this world-
we can share the good news with those around us.
That is the word of life.
It is powerful,
it is life changing,
it is inspirational,
and it is the secret to contentment. (pause)
In his teaching on Philippians,
theologian John Piper explains
how holding to the word of life- or the gospel-
is the secret to contentment in four specific ways.
Number one:
1. The word of life promises
that the outcome of what we are facing is secure (Phil. 1:6; 1:23).
Pastor James DeLoach
tells this story
“I am not a connoisseur of great art,
but from time to time
a painting or picture
will really speak a clear, strong message to me.
Some time ago
I saw a picture of an old burned-out mountain shack.
All that remained
was the chimney...
the charred debris
of what had been that family's sole possession.
In front of this destroyed home
stood an old grandfather-looking man
dressed only in his underclothes
with a small boy clutching a pair of patched overalls.
It was evident
that the child was crying.
Beneath the picture
were the words which the artist felt
the old man was speaking to the boy.
They were simple words,
yet they presented a profound theology and philosophy of life.
Those words were,
"Hush child, God ain't dead!"
That vivid picture of that burned-out mountain shack,
that old man, the weeping child, and those words
"God ain't dead"
keep returning to my mind.
Instead of it being a reminder of the despair of life,
it has come to be a reminder of hope!
I need reminders
that there is hope in this world.
In the midst of all of life's troubles and failures,
I need mental pictures to remind me
that all is not lost
as long as God is alive
and in control of His world.”
A few weeks ago
we heard Daryl eloquently share his testimony,
about how God is walking with him
during his fight with cancer,
and about ways to overcome suffering.
Many of us here this morning
and watching online
are facing hardships.
If you are standing before your own version
of a burned down shack,
please know this morning
that you are not alone.
God wants to breath hope into you this morning.
Please know that no matter what you are facing
the word of life promises
that the outcome is secure.
How is the outcome secure?
In Philippians,
Paul talks about two promises that we can rely on.
The first is found back in Philippians 1 : 6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
where Paul makes this powerful statement
Verse 6 reads, (NIV)
“being confident of this,
that he who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion
until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Friends,
for those who are in Christ Jesus,
there is no pointless suffering.
God is able to take the broken,
the mind numbing,
heart rending life shattering seasons in this life
and use what Satan meant for evil-
for your good.
There is nothing God cannot redeem.
If you allow Him,
He will use the painful things in your life
to form and shape your character.
The second promise is found in Philippians 1:21 (NIV),
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
“For to me,
to live is Christ
and to die is gain.”
Then in verse 23,
Philippians 1 : 23
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
“I am torn between the two:
I desire to depart and be with Christ,
which is better by far”
Remember when we studied these verses several weeks ago,
that for followers of Christ,
death is “no longer a prison,
but a passage into God’s presence” (Clarence Hall).
Friends,
our suffering has an expiration date.
A time will come
when our toils come to an end
and we can pack up and go home.
We get to go to our real home in heaven
where there will be no more tears,
no more pain,
only everlasting joy.
A morning in 1883
found famous pastor and theologian Charles Spurgeon
sitting on a bench in Menton, France,
when a pale, emaciated woman sat down beside him.
“I am so afraid to die!” she said.
Spurgeon sat with her
in empathetic silence for a while,
then said,
“Let me tell you what will probably happen to you;
you will most likely go to bed some night,
and you will wake up in Heaven.”
She asked, “What will I find there?”
He confessed
that there are many things about heaven
that remain a mystery
then he stated,
“What we do know about heaven
is that it is in the presence of God.
Heaven is a vast museum of wonders of grace and mercy.”
Not long after,
the woman died in her sleep,
just as Spurgeon predicted.
Her husband wrote Spurgeon a letter
thanking him for comforting his wife
before her midnight passing.
Throughout the suffering and toils of this life
we hold on to Christ’s promise of Heaven
and the museum of wonders of grace and mercy we will find there.
That brings us to our second secret to condiment.
2. The word of life promises that all the pain from obedience
is fully recompensed, as Christ’s was (Phil. 2:5-11).
Last week we learned
that we are to share
in Christ’s mindset of obedience.
I would be lying to you
if I told you that obedience to Christ
was easy and painless.
It isn’t.
Salvation is free
but we are called as followers of Christ
to take up our cross daily.
What does that mean?
It means that our actions
must reflect our convictions.
It isn’t enough just to accept Christ’s forgiveness
and then go out and live our lives however we please.
Jesus has freed us from the eternal consequence of our sin.
This freedom is not
so that we can do what we want instead
it is so we can do what we must.
As followers of Christ,
Jesus gave us one command that supersedes all others.
We are to “love one another,” as He has loved us.
If we are to love like Him
we must become more like Him.
Our obedience is often costly and painful.
However,
just as Christ was rewarded for His obedience,
so will we be rewarded.
In Philippians 2:5-,
we see the price Jesus paid
for His humble sacrificial obedience.
It cost Him everything,
but we also see His reward in verses Philippians 2: 9-11 (NIV),
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Friends,
what is so amazing
is that over and over again
we are promised in the New Testament
that as followers of Christ,
we get to share in His eternal reward
Romans 8:16-17 declares (NIV),
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
Philippians 2: 15- 16
so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
3. The word of life promises that we already enjoy the inestimable treasure
of knowing Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:8).
Most people do not understand
the implications and ramifications
of KNOWING Christ.
But in Philippians 3: 7- 8
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
In Greek the word, KNOWING,
speaks of something very lofty and compelling.
Paul calls it
“the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Surpassing what?
The answer: “whatever gain I had.”
Paul had lots to boast about in terms of gain.
Before he encountered the Resurrected Jesus,
Paul had status,
reputation,
accumulated superior knowledge among his peers,
leadership . . .
all of which he
“counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”
Pastor Jim Ellif explains,
“It was a wasted status,
unfounded reputation,
wrongheaded knowledge,
and a leadership into a black hole
of misunderstood data
and religious practice.
But it was precious to him.
Why then did he give it up?
After just a moment of time,
with a vision of Christ,
on the road to Damascus he gave it up.
Be shocked by this.
Before the road to Damascus
Paul didn’t know Christ;
he hated all he knew about Christ.
And driven by that perspective,
he was pursuing in anger
those who did know Christ.
But, in a very short time,
he gave up everything he had gained in the Jewish world
for the Christ he sought to destroy.” End Quote
Why?
Only one explanation will work—
he encountered something of greater value.
Paul met Christ in a vision.
After that
he was as gentle and submissive as a newborn.
Meeting the Resurrected Jesus
was just that powerful.
It was the surpassing value
that turned everything upside down in a moment.
You may not have a Damascus road experience
exactly like what God chose to give Paul,
but the KNOWING of Christ
is just as essential.
As Ellif explains,
“The form of the revelation of Christ
is not the important thing.
KNOWING Christ is.
And Christ is made known to you
in his compelling beauty
by the Father revealing him to you.
That may come through normal cognition,
but it is supernatural
and will change everything.” End Quote
Church,
we stop grumbling and arguing
by holding onto the word of life
which promises that we already enjoy
the inestimable treasure of knowing Christ Jesus.
Our final truth this morning
is that
4. The word of life promises that all the seeming setbacks of life
are turned for the glory of the gospel (Phil. 1:12)
Friends,
all the setbacks in your life
can be used for the glory of God
and to advance the gospel.
As Paul states in Philippians 1:12 (NIV),
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,
that what has happened to me
has actually served to advance the gospel.”
Jim Elliot,
Nate Saint,
Roger Youderian,
Peter Fleming
and Ed McCully
were five men that understood God’s message
of reconciliation for all peoples.
The story of their lives
is one of determination
and sacrifice
as they took Christ’s message
of reconciliation to the tribal people of Ecuador.
These men set out to bring the good news of Jesus
to the hostile Auca tribe
near the Andes Mountains in Ecuador.
They had quite the task set before them.
The Auca Indians
were known as a violent and murderous tribe
that had virtually no contact with the outside world.
Surrounding tribes
labeled them “savages.”
So,
the endeavor of reaching the Aucas with the love of Christ
was a brave one.
After months of flights over the village,
dropping supplies and gifts
in the pursuit of friendship and trust,
the men decided to make their first ground contact.
They had a friendly encounter with three Auca Indians
but by Saturday morning
all contact with Jim, Peter, Ed, Nate, and Roger
had been lost. T
hey were later found speared to death
by the very people that they were trying to reach.
What a tragedy!
The death of these men
was keenly felt by their loved ones.
It would have been only natural
for their family members to resent and hate the Acua Indians
but instead
spurred on by the death of their husband and brother,
Elisabeth Elliot and Rachel Saint,
quickly established a home among the Auca Indians.
Rachel Saint,
who worked for Wycliffe Bible Translators,
was the older sister of Nate.
She was passionate
about taking the gospel to an unreached tribe,
especially the Aucas,
and translating the scriptures into their own language.
The tragic event of her brother’s death
didn’t deter her
but rather intensified her passion to go to them.
Rachel and Elisabeth lived with the tribe
and Rachel stayed with The Auca people
until her death and was buried there.
The women experienced first hand
the Auca lifestyle
and perfected their language skills.
They shared Jesus’ love with the Aucas
and nine years after the tragic event,
the Gospel of Mark was published in the Auca language.
Many of the men, women, and children in the tribe
trusted in Jesus as their savior.
Later,
the pastor of the tribe, Kimo (wow what a great name),
who was also one of the killers,
had the opportunity to baptize Steve & Kathy Saint,
Nate’s children.
God had used these women,
a wife and sister of the slain missionaries,
to reconcile with the Aucas
and bring them ultimate reconciliation
of Christ’s salvation.
Nate’s son, Steven confesses,
“I have never questioned God’s right
to use my father’s life.
Dad turned his life over to God as a young boy.
I have never asked for an apology
from the men who killed him,
and I have never received one.
I have never forgiven them either.
It never occurred to me
that I should forgive them for something which,
though they meant for evil,
God very clearly intended for good….
God took what five men could not keep
and exchanged it for something they can not lose.
It’s our turn now,
to make the same deal
and give our lives away!”
Church,
may I make a confession?
Preparing for this sermon was especially difficult
because it convicted me.
I confess that I grumble.
I confess that when things go wrong,
even if I don’t voice it,
inside I worry, and I fret, and I grumble.
As I worked on this sermon,
God revealed to me that by doing so,
I fail to see His hand at work in my life.
God is working church.
He is working in us and through us.
Would you bow your heads with me?
If you are wanting to be released from the burdens of grumbling,
If you want the Lord to give you the strength
to see His good at work in all things in your life.
Please say this prayer with me
You can say it out loud or in silence.
Forgive me Father
for all the times I saw the problem
instead of your solution.
Forgive me for all the times
I gossiped and griped
instead of seeing others the way you see them.
Forgive me for all the times
I muttered and complained
instead of trusting in your plan.
Forgive me for
looking at myself
instead of at you.
Help me Lord
to find contentment.
Help me
to hold firmly to the word of life.
When I want to grumble and argue
remind me that
the outcome of each and every hardship
is secure.
Remind me that
I enjoy the inestimable treasure
of knowing Christ Jesus
And remind me that
all the seeming setbacks of life
are turned for your glory
and the advancement of the gospel.
In Your name, Amen