Joyful Completion XI

Read Philippians 4:10-21

Paul discovered the great treasure of contentment.

“Contentment means being satisfied and at rest about where God has you, despite what’s happening around you. It’s not natural or automatic; it must be learned. God teaches us contentment through ups and downs of changing circumstances. He wants us to learn to depend on Him and His divine enabling no matter what.” - Dr. Tony Evans

Paul commended this church, who had been thoughtful of Paul’s ministry from the day the church was planted until his letter to them.

“You made this dry tree flourish.”

His gratitude went beyond their gift. Paul’s gratitude was toward their thoughtfulness.

“I find my contentment through Jesus Christ.

Paul learned the secret of deep peace.

“content” (autarkes) Only time in NT.

Stoics outlook. Socrates - “self-sufficient” man.

Sufficient in one’s self.

Paul’s outlook.

Paul learned to depend on Christ instead.

Paul knew how to be rich or poor.

Paul testified to the sufficiency of Christ’s strength.

“strengthened” lit. “Infuses strength into me.”

Not mechanical self-discipline. It was from his personal union with the Lord.

In every circumstance, there is power.

People treat peace and contentment like an infomercial. “What’s the secret?”

Contentment is found in Jesus Christ.

Nothing else will do.

Not even in the gifts He gives us.

We find what we are missing when we know Him.

When we can’t find our contentment in Jesus alone, everything about our life will leave us undone.

Paul told the people where to find contentment.

“The thought counts the most.”

The church was courteous to Paul and his ministry from the very beginning.

Paul traveled through this area during his 2nd and 3rd ministry journey.

The church had given to Paul several times.

2nd Missionary Journey (AD 49-51)

Lystra and Derbe > Philippi > Thessalonica

They were the only church who gave at that time.

Paul wasn’t seeking another gift. He was celebrating their generosity as a sign of their growing faith.

Churches often want to wait until a mission builds a “respectable reputation” before they lend support.

We are not to wait on others to do a good work saying, “I will do so, when others do it.” We must go forward, though alone.

“I’ve got to fill up my cup before I can fill up someone else’s” says the person staring at God with their hand over their cup.

Read verses 19-20 again.

God would fully reward their every need for their support os His servant.

The measure of God’s supply to you will be the immeasurable “riches of His grace.”