Contentment In Christ

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Philippians 4:11 ESV
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Philippians 4:11 ESV
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Philippians 4:10–13 ESV
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Apostle Paul got to a place where no matter what happened, he was good.
I read that “no person can ever be happy until he/she has learned to enjoy what he has, and not worry about what he/she doesn’t have.
The prophet Elisha found contentment as he sat HUNGRY at the brook at Cherith until God made the raven reverse its scavenger nature and bring the prophet food in his time of need!
In the midst of 120,000 Midianite enemies killing and baring down on Israel, Gideon found CONTENTMENT when God said I’ll defeat that enemy with only 300 of the “right” men.
Peter found contentment imprisoned/chained between 6 guards for the bible said when the Angel came to free him, he found Peter sleep.
Contentment is not about just being okay or not complaining…Its about being satisfied in knowing that Christ has me where I am!!
1Titus 6:6 says that godliness with contentment is great gain.

House For Sale

A man became envious of his friends because they had larger and more luxurious homes. So he listed his house with a real estate firm, planning to sell it and to purchase a more impressive home. Shortly afterward, as he was reading the classified section of the newspaper, he saw an ad for a house that seemed just right. He promptly called the realtor and said, “A house described in today’s paper is exactly what I’m looking for. I would like to go through it as soon as possible!” The agent asked him several questions about it and then replied, “But sir, that’s your house your describing

Sometimes I would stay at the “W Hotel” in my business travels and on the phone, they didn’t have buttons for room service, laundry, or front desk.
They have one button that says, “Whatever Whatever”…EXPOUND Can God be Your Whatever Whatever??
They have one button that says, “Whatever Whatever”…EXPOUND Can God be Your Whatever Whatever??
Contentment is about being satisfied and full in Christ and Christ alone!
A man became envious of his friends because they had larger and more luxurious homes. So he listed his house with a real estate firm, planning to sell it and to purchase a more impressive home. Shortly afterward, as he was reading the classified section of the newspaper, he saw an ad for a house that seemed just right. He promptly called the realtor and said, “A house described in today’s paper is exactly what I’m looking for. I would like to go through it as soon as possible!” The agent asked him several questions about it and then replied, “But sir, that’s your house your describing
1Titus 6:6 says that godliness with contentment is great gain.
FCF: One in every eight Americans age 18-54 suffers from an anxiety disorder. This totals over 19 million people.
Research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health has shown that anxiety disorders are the number one mental health problem among American women and are second only to alcohol and drug abuse among men.
Research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health has shown that anxiety disorders are the number one mental health problem among American women and are second only to alcohol and drug abuse among men.
Paul’s letter to Titus suggests that there can issues with stress despite the fact that you have experienced Christ.
Chapter 4 of Phillipians is one of the great promises of relationship with God. We’re familiar with (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…but before you can do all things through Christ who can strengthen you in vs 13, you’ve got to find “contentment in Christ in vs 11.
All-Purpose Sermon Outlines 7. Going to School (Philippians 4:11b)

Elijah learned his lessons in the school of Cherith; Paul learned his in the school of Christ.

This chapter is one of great promises (for example, vv. 7, 19). No wonder Paul can express his contentment in all circumstances and situations. For him there was no “winter of our discontent” as there was for Shakespeare.

I. The pupil: “I have learned.”

Paul is writing from experience, his own personal experience of the goodness of God in hardship, privation, and persecution. He has learned or been instructed in such times to trust God and lean on Jesus. He is using a word connected with the mystery religions of his day—to be “initiated.” As the one initiated was taught the secret signs, symbols, and passwords, so Paul has been initiated into this state of contentment in all circumstances of life.

A Christian is, of course, a disciple and the word means “learner” or “pupil.” Once Paul had sat at the feet of Gamaliel, now he is a pupil of Jesus Christ. All of us must learn this lowly position, like Mary who “sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.”

II. The school: “in whatsoever state I am.”

The site of Elijah’s school, Cherith, is uncertain. Paul’s school has classrooms everywhere (“in whatsoever state”).

A. Adversity is a classroom that we must all enter at some time or other. “I know how to be abased,” writes Paul. J. B. Phillips translates it: “I know how to live when things are difficult.” Paul had the difficulty of his constant thorn in the flesh, but God’s grace was sufficient and he was made perfect through suffering. God’s refining process went on continually. So in our times of adversity—business failures, strained family relationships, illness, and all the rest of them—this is the classroom in which we learn much.

B. Anxiety is another room of learning. “Be careful for nothing,” says Paul (“don’t worry over anything whatever,” Phillips). Learn in this classroom to sing, “All your anxiety, all your care, Bring to the mercy-seat, Leave it there.”

C. Necessity is a third classroom. “Not that I speak in respect of want,” writes Paul. He knew what it was, like his Savior, to have just the bare necessities, not the luxuries, of life. God promised to supply all his needs, but not all his wants.

D. Prosperity was also a room in Paul’s school. He writes, “I know how to abound.” Prosperity, success, plenty, luxury—these bring their own special problems. An affluent society, with an abundance of money, luxuries, and leisure, is a society with mounting problems. As a hymn writer put it: “We should expect some danger nigh when we receive too much delight.”

III. The lesson Paul learned as a pupil in this school: “to be content.”

The Greek means “to be satisfied completely.” Paul is not writing of mere resignation with one’s lot but complete satisfaction because of conformity to God’s will. No wonder he wrote to Timothy: “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” William Matson echoed Paul’s words when he wrote: “O blessed life! the mind that sees, Whatever change the years may bring, A mercy still in everything, And shining through all mysteries.” John Newton was in perfect agreement: “Since all that I meet Shall work for my good, The bitter is sweet, The medicine food.”

“To be content”—that was Paul’s constant state, not his passing mood. Every day he attended Christ’s school and every day he learned from the divine teacher, the Holy Spirit, how to be content in all circumstances. The badge of Paul’s school could have been a cross with a hand grasping it and the motto, Et teneo et teneor (I both hold and am held). Nothing less can bring contentment and with it peace and rest.

All-Purpose Sermon Outlines 7. Going to School (Philippians 4:11b)

Elijah learned his lessons in the school of Cherith; Paul learned his in the school of Christ.

This chapter is one of great promises (for example, vv. 7, 19). No wonder Paul can express his contentment in all circumstances and situations. For him there was no “winter of our discontent” as there was for Shakespeare.

I. The pupil: “I have learned.”

Paul is writing from experience, his own personal experience of the goodness of God in hardship, privation, and persecution. He has learned or been instructed in such times to trust God and lean on Jesus. He is using a word connected with the mystery religions of his day—to be “initiated.” As the one initiated was taught the secret signs, symbols, and passwords, so Paul has been initiated into this state of contentment in all circumstances of life.

A Christian is, of course, a disciple and the word means “learner” or “pupil.” Once Paul had sat at the feet of Gamaliel, now he is a pupil of Jesus Christ. All of us must learn this lowly position, like Mary who “sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.”

So How do we get to that place if you’re not there this morning?

Be Willing to Be A STUDENT

Paul is writing from experience, his own personal experience of the goodness of God in hardship, privation, and persecution.
He has learned or been instructed in such times to trust God and lean on Jesus.
As the one initiated was taught the secret signs, symbols, and passwords, so Paul has been initiated into this state of contentment in all circumstances of life.
A Christian is, of course, a disciple and the word means “learner” or “pupil.”
Once Paul had sat at the feet of Gamaliel, now he is a pupil of Jesus Christ. All of us must learn this lowly position, like Mary who “sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.”
“Have Learned” = manthano = learn by experience or practice. EXPOUND.

Be Willing to Be SUSCEPTIBLE

THE LEARNING: “in whatsoever state I am.”
The site of Elijah’s school, Cherith, is uncertain. Paul’s school has classrooms everywhere (“in whatsoever state”).
When you are able to be content independent of of your situation, the enemy is going to have to fight really hard to steal your peace/joy/worship!
Paul said I know how to be abased = brought low
FCF: “I know how to live when things are difficult.”/Adversity. EXPOUND/QUESTION
Paul had the difficulty of his constant thorn in the flesh, but God’s grace was sufficient and he was made perfect through suffering.
Paul said, “I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. v.12
is another room of learning. “Be careful for nothing,” says Paul (“don’t worry over anything whatever,” Phillips). Learn in this classroom to sing, “All your anxiety, all your care, Bring to the mercy-seat, Leave it there.”
C. Necessity is a third classroom.
“Not that I speak in respect of want,” writes Paul. He knew what it was, like his Savior, to have just the bare necessities, not the luxuries, of life. God promised to supply all his needs, but not all his wants.
D. Prosperity was also a room in Paul’s school.
He writes, “I know how to abound.” Prosperity, success, plenty, luxury—these bring their own special problems. An affluent society, with an abundance of money, luxuries, and leisure, is a society with mounting problems. As a hymn writer put it: “We should expect some danger nigh when we receive too much delight.”

Willing to Be CONTENT

1 Timothy 6:5–6 ESV
5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,
Paul warned his young protigee Timothy to look out for false teachers. He says, “some being depraved of the mind and deprived of the truth, imagine that godliness is a means of gain. But Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Its one thing to come to worship/to read your bible....But its a whole another thing to be satisfied in it.
FCF: Some will seek God to just because the mortgage/lease payment is due.
FCF: Some will say Amen because it sounds appropriate.
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