Sermon Recap | Contentment

Philippians 4:10-14

con-tent-ment [kuh n - tent - muh nt]

1. a state of satisfaction with one's possessions, status, and situation.

Some Christians are joyless because they are discontent. How about you? Are you content? Or do you believe in your heart that you would find satisfaction if you had something more or better? That you would find joy if your status or situation improved?

In this passage we learn very clearly that Christian contentment is not connected to possessions, status, or situation. Paul says that he knows the secret of contentment in any circumstance. And he's writing this from prison...

Notice that he speaks of contentment as a secret to learn, not a muscle to exercise or a blessing bestowed tangibly by God. The battle for contentment takes place in the mind and the secret we must learn is hidden in a famous verse: Philippians 4:13.

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Mark Altrogge says this: When Paul says I can do all things through him who strengthens me, he doesn’t mean that I can play in the NBA or sing like Sting if I just believe; it means I can do all things that God calls me to do through the strength Christ supplies; I can do all things necessary to glorify God by the power of Jesus. If Christ calls me to suffer, he will strengthen me to suffer in such a way that God is glorified. If he calls me to poverty or abundance, Jesus will strengthen me to endure in such a way as to honor his Father.

In other words, contentment isn't about more or less, better or worse. It's about connection to Jesus Christ as our trust and our treasure.

If we believe that God is in control over all things, including our possessions, our status, and our situation; and that he loves us so much that He gave His Son to die for those who would trust in Him - we can be content in any circumstance.

No spouse, no job, no car, no friend, no family, no promotion will make us content if we are not content right now with Jesus Christ.

Christian contentment says "I may never have ____; but I have God. I have Jesus. I have heaven. I have a life to live. I have a great purpose to fulfill. So I am content."

Paul explains that he knows how to be content when brought low and lifted up. He knows how to be content when hungry and full. He knows how to be content with need and abundance. What's his secret? He knows that he can do all things (live anyway God ordains for His glory with contentment) through Jesus who strengthens him.

Jesus says in John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."

Contentment is not about more or less, better or worse. It's about connection to Jesus Christ, like a branch must remain connected to the vine.

So, you who are weighed down with heavy burdens and concerns. You who have very real problems. You who cannot find contentment. Remember, there is nothing that you can do apart from living in connection to Jesus.

Do you know Him? Do you trust Him? Do you treasure Him? Or are you simply looking to Him in the hope that He'll give you your real treasure (possessions, status, or situation)?

And please don't give up because this is hard and unnatural or because you don't feel like you understand how Jesus can be enough to make you content when you're in a seemingly hopeless situation.

Jesus says in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

Turn to Him in the simplicity of genuine prayer. Ask, seek, and knock. He has promised to answer, reveal, and open to you when you do.

May you find circumstance-transcending contentment in God through Jesus.