So g n o L Our Contentment Philippians

So … g n o L Our Contentment Philippians 4: 10 -20 Page 1830

Baby Picture of ….

Welcome ….

Where We Began: l l Philippi seems to be a growing congregation that is given a message of encouragement and the encouragement focuses on the work of Christ in their lives and their need to remain connected to him. They need, and we need, to remember that we are In Christ and In Vernon. We also need to remember that we are called to let our light shine.

Where Have We Been? l As we walked in their sandals: l We talked about our call, l Our thanks, l Our example, l Our evidence, l Our confidence, l Our command, l Our thoughts, l the source of Our Contentment as Partners in the Gospel.

Last Week: • Last week the sermon focused on a specific area where we need to stand firm in the guidance of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. • We were thinking about thought!

Notice the Plural Nature: • • Our call, Our thanks, Our example, Our evidence, Our confidence, Our command, Our thoughts, and Our Contentment. We have these together because of Jesus and the shared work of the kingdom.

A Different View: l Commercialized Christmas? l Too many people focus on the gifts to give and receive rather than Jesus coming as Emmanuel. l Would we be honest and agree that we also have some things to learn about choosing contentment over worry, greed, and frustration?

The Cost of Christmas Contentment: l I had a plan! l Do you want to guess what the average amount Canadian’s spend at Christmas? l Canadians will spend an average of CA$1, 593 for the 2019 holiday season, slightly up from CA$1, 563 (or 1. 9 percent) in 2018…

This Week: l This week the sermon focuses on Philippians 4: 10 -20 (Page 1830) and the topic of contentment. What we find out from Paul is that our contentment is in Jesus.

Textual Background: l l Paul is in prison and the congregation in Philippi has been taking care of him. As he closes the letter, he thanks them for the gifts and he reminds, or teaches them and us, that contentment is something learned because it is a change of perspective.

Learning Contentment: l l The message of contentment is a message that is needed in our society today. We have rampant materialism and a constant quest for more so how is it that we can learn to be content?

Choosing Contentment: l The truth is that many people are not content with the work they are doing because the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. They are dissatisfied even when their circumstances are favorable. l An ancient Persian Legend…

Have you ever felt like that? l. A kind of buyer’s remorse, or regret from not being content and reaching out for things that did not satisfy? l In Opportunities, choices, or relationships… l Satan loves to keep us unsettled and malcontent.

Contentment: l One part of learning contentment is to learn how to accept things that come your way without fighting and complaining about things that are beyond your control or power to change. l One already wet does not feel the rain. Turkish Proverb

Contentment: l l l Since the house is on fire, let us warm ourselves. Italian Proverb A contented man is the one who enjoys the scenery along the detours. Contentment is the philosopher's stone that turns all it touches into gold. Proverb

Contentment: l l l Contentment consists not in great wealth but in few wants. Epictetus (C. 55 -C. 135) It is the last quote that I think best fits what Paul is trying to say in today’s passage. Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have.

Philippians 4: 10 -20 (Page 1830) : l I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Philippians 4: 10 -20 l … 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4: 10 -20 l Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; …

Philippians 4: 10 -20 l … 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.

Philippians 4: 10 -20 l 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Digging Deeper: l l Did you catch it? Did you catch how to be content in everything? I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

About Contentment: l l l It is something that you learn which means it is something that can be taught. It is not relative to physical circumstance or possessions. There is a secret to contentment, and it is not found within ourselves.

About Contentment: l The secret for contentment is revealed IN CHRIST because he gives us the strength to switch our focus from the flesh to the spirit.

Reflective Questions for Application: l l l Who is teaching you about contentment? What is your standard for contentment? Who is learning contentment from you? What have you learned from the hardest parts of your life that you may not have learned through any other way? How do you handle your material possessions, and what can you teach this Christmas?

Reflective Questions for Application: l l How important are your possessions to you? What would you miss the most in your life if it was gone…relationships! What have you learned about contentment as you look at the life of Jesus? How is your view of contentment skewed and what, in particular, gets it off balance?

Reflective Questions for Application: l l How have your desires changed as Christ has entered your life? What is your greatest wish or goal in life? How thankful are you to God for the material things that he has provided? How generous are you with God’s blessings?

The Truth l Being content is one way that we can let our light shine like the lights on our trees and houses.

In Conclusion: l l Contentment is realizing that God has already given me everything I need for my present happiness. Bill Gothard Contentment is understanding that if I am not satisfied with what I have, I will never be satisfied with what I want.

Take Time: • Celebrate his willingness to take on flesh in the manger with an eye on the cross. • Let’s Conclude in Prayer.