I've Learned to Be Content

Uncertain-The Church During Difficult Times Series   •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Even in the worst of seasons, we will find contentment in Christ and not in our circumstances.

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Introduction

I would like to talk to you today from the topic “I’ve Learned to be Content.”
“I’ve Learned to be Content”
Paul uses the word “content” in verse 11.
This word speaks of “being satisfied with what one has, regardless of how small it might be.
Are you a contented person? Are you satisfied with your lot in life?
If you are, then you possess great treasure,
1 Timothy 6:6 KJV 1900
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Someone has said that contentment “softens our privations, sweetens our provisions, and makes a cottage as fair as a castle.”
We live in a world of discontented people!
You might be saved and have much in this world and still not be content.
Rather than living lives of grateful contentment, our lives are often filled with complaining.
We “whine, pine and recline.”
We complain when children are noisy, instead of being thankful that they are healthy, happy and in right mind.
We complain about our home when thousands have no home.
We gripe about work when many have no jobs.
We fuss about our cars when many have never seen a car.
Why? We have never learned the secret of contentment!
Benjamin Franklin said, “Contentment makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor.
Proverbs 13:7 KJV 1900
7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
There is a secret to satisfaction and Paul knew all about it.
Look at his words:
I have learned”, v. 11, this word means “to gain knowledge”.
I know”, v. 12, this word means “to understand, to make a discovery”.
I am instructed”, v. 12, this phrase means “to be initiated”.
He knows the secrets and he shares them with you in these verses. Here are the secrets.

I. v. 10,12 SECRET #1: REJOICE IN YOUR SUBSTANCE

Philippians 4:10 KJV 1900
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Philippians 4:12 KJV 1900
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
1 Timothy 6:7–8 KJV 1900
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Be satisfied with what you have!
God knows your needs.
Paul had needs
2 Timothy 4:13 KJV 1900
13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
Paul – Snored, sneezed, scratched; got cold and hungry.
All have material needs – food, shelter, clothing, etc.
4. God knows!
Matthew 6:32 KJV 1900
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
God will meet our needs in unusual ways. (Ill. Blessing to be saved!)
He may send it directly – Ill. Elijah and the ravens, 1 Kings 17. He could send it from Heaven like He did the Manna, but He often chooses to use us, so that we can get a blessing too, Ill. Widow of Zarepath – 1 Kings 17.
He may meet our need through others vs. 10 - The Philippians gift to Paul. Had been 10 years, but they sent to his needs. Had lacked opportunity, but when time came, they gave. Ill. “flourished again” - “To bloom again” – Ill. Like flowers in the spring after long, cold winter. Got Paul on heart and acted. What prompted them? God did! (Note: When God lays something on your heart, do it! When you have an opportunity to do good, take it!
Galatians 6:10 KJV 1900
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
5. Regardless of what God provides, rejoice in it, V. 12;
Hebrews 13:5 KJV 1900
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Sometimes, it is harder to handle a lot than it is a little! (Ill. What does it take to satisfy you? Gadgets, cars, recreation, clothes, keeping up with neighbors, etc. Ill. Many not content to keep up with Joneses, want to be the Joneses!)
Instead of complaining about what you lack, how about praising Him for what you have? (bread and water: “All this and Jesus too!”) (Ill. “I know how to be abased and to abound…” – Do we?)

II. v. 11 SECRET #2: REST IN YOUR SITUATION

Philippians 4:11 KJV 1900
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
(Ill. Paul a contented man. In jail, not fretting or fuming. In difficult situation, but content.
What does it mean to be contented?)
Not Self-Satisfaction – We should never settle for less than our best.
We can be ambitious and still be right with God.
Should not be satisfied to be an office boy when could be President;
to make C’s when could make A’s;
to play 3rd string when could be All-American;
to be mere Christian when could shake the world for God. (Ill. D.L. Moody; Ill. Charles Spurgeon)
A holy discontent – Phil. 2:12; 3:14.
Not Self-Sufficiency – “to be enough in one’s self
Stuff you hear from motivational speakers; smile and be happy preachers. You can do anything you want, just put your mind to it.
Moved by nothing outside themselves. Completely independent of all things and people. Need nothing and no one. Not church, God, or Bible. Eliminate all emotion.
It Is Self-Surrender – Word made Christian.
Means “to be self-contained; to have all needed within.” Used to describe a city or country that needed no imports. They had all they needed to sustain life.
This is the essence of God-Dependence. The Christian has hidden resources
John 4:14 KJV 1900
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
This allows us to ACCEPT our situation.
ADAPT to our situation – Adversity proves Jesus to be true riches; plenty proves Jesus to be greater than riches.
APPROPRIATE our situation. Every event in life becomes and opportunity to make Jesus known, Ill. Paul
Philippians 1:12–13 KJV 1900
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

III. v. 13 SECRET #3: REALIZE YOUR STRENGTH

Philippians 4:13 KJV 1900
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Paul does not say “I can’t” – That is the language of PESSIMISM.
Paul does not say “I can” – That is the language of PRESUMPTION.
Paul, you’ve gone too far now!
People say, “I can run my own life! I do not need God, the church or the Bible. I am the captain of my own soul and the master of own fate.
Take Christ out of Christian and what do you have? IAN = “I am nothing
I can…through Christ” – That is the language of POWER.
This is dynamic contentment; this is dynamic Christian life.
This is victory over every temptation;
grace for every trouble;
strength for every task.
What are “all things?
Means all things in v. 12!
Jesus gives power to face life’s adversities.
He gives the power to cope.
He gives the power to enjoy contentment regardless of the circumstances,
Philippians 4:6–7 KJV 1900
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
He gives the power to face anything that comes your way with true contentment.
strengthens me” – “infuses His strength into my life.” Ill. Pres. Tense!
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