Contentment.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] All right, go ahead and have a seat. [0:02] Welcome to Village Church. [0:03] If this is your first time here, my name’s Steve. [0:05] I’m one of the pastors here at Village Church. [0:07] And as always, I’m thankful and grateful [0:09] to see each and every one of you.

[0:11] If you have your Bibles, [0:12] go ahead and open them to Philippians chapter four. [0:14] We’re gonna be starting in verse 10 this morning. [0:17] This is the final week of our Philippians series. [0:20] But before we get into that, [0:22] I do want to let you know that next Sunday,

[0:26] we’re going to be having our first preview service [0:29] for our Chester campus. [0:30] And so that doesn’t change anything here [0:32] for tomorrow morning. [0:33] But next Sunday, if you live in the Chester area [0:36] or if you know anyone that does live in the Chester area,

[0:39] make sure to give them an invite card. [0:41] Make sure to invite them that next Sunday morning at 10 a.m. [0:45] in Salem Church Middle School, [0:46] we will be having our first preview service. [0:49] We’re gonna do one this month, [0:50] we’re gonna do one next month,

[0:52] and then it’s going to be every week, [0:54] September 9th and following [0:56] that we’re gonna have a campus in Chester. [0:58] We’re very excited about the doors [1:00] that God has opened up there, [1:01] the doors that He continues to open there,

[1:03] and the possibilities of furthering His mission in Chester. [1:08] Specifically for those who are part of our church [1:11] who live in the Chester area, [1:12] who are going to have a much easier way [1:15] of making invite to people [1:17] as we’re going to have a location right by their house.

[1:20] And we’re gonna use wonderful technology to pull that off. [1:23] It’s called the automobile. [1:25] So in Philippians chapter four, [1:29] the apostle Paul is bringing this wonderful letter [1:33] to a close. [1:35] I have this tough thing that every book I preach through

[1:38] becomes my favorite book of the Bible. [1:40] And so right now, the book of Philippians [1:43] is my favorite book of the Bible. [1:45] Simply because I’ve known this, [1:48] but as you kind of study at a deeper level, [1:51] you become more aware of all of the intricacies

[1:54] of each book. [1:56] And in this book, the apostle gives us [1:59] such amazing doctrine, such amazing theology of who God is. [2:05] But then He’s very quick for us to make the connections [2:08] really in a way that you don’t necessarily find [2:12] as specific of an application throughout scripture

[2:14] as to how we live out these deep fundamental truths [2:19] of who Jesus is. [2:21] And then more than that, [2:22] who Jesus is for us through faith. [2:25] And the impact that faith should be having in your lives. [2:30] Last week, we delved into the topic of anxiety

[2:35] as we saw in verse six of chapter four that said, [2:38] do not be anxious about anything. [2:39] Really a tough passage for many. [2:43] A kind of stinging indictment on our culture [2:46] and even on many of us in the way that we deal [2:50] with anxiety in our lives.

[2:53] That God wants us to trust Him for our future [2:58] rather than our fears about our future. [3:02] Because that’s really what anxiety is. [3:04] It’s an indictment on the value system [3:07] of how you are dealing with your hopes [3:10] of what the next five minutes, the next 15 minutes,

[3:13] the next day, the next year, the next five years of your life. [3:16] And are you overwhelmed by what’s going on [3:19] just in the material world around you [3:21] of possible failures, of possible fears [3:25] of what may happen tomorrow? [3:27] Or are you overwhelmed by the value system

[3:30] of the kingdom of God that Jesus has made promises [3:34] about the future that are sure? [3:36] And that when you trust Him with your future, [3:40] when you trust the value system [3:42] that He wants to build in your life through faith, [3:46] you will not be anxious about anything the apostle tells us.

[3:53] And God never gives us a command [3:55] that He will not also empower us to obey. [3:58] Did you know that? [4:00] That God is not so mean in a sense. [4:05] He’s not so arbitrary. [4:08] That He would throw a command out there to you

[4:10] that He will not also give you the strength for you to obey. [4:14] And so for many of you, if you walk away condemned [4:18] from a command like that, you walk away needlessly condemned [4:22] because it is through faith that the Father, [4:25] when He gives you a command, He also promises [4:27] that if you will obey Him,

[4:29] He will give you the strength to obey Him. [4:34] And so this week, as we turn to the end of Philippians, [4:39] we’re going to find some interesting thing [4:41] where God tells us to trust Him [4:44] more than we trust our circumstances. [4:47] Because He wants to talk about the topic of contentment

[4:50] and what we base our contentment on. [4:54] Contentment is a difficult thing [4:55] because the Bible doesn’t just say be content. [5:00] Because there are many things [5:02] that you could base your contentment on

[5:07] that will not get you any closer to Jesus, [5:11] that will not give you any more faith in Jesus, [5:13] that will actually drive you far away from faith. [5:17] Because many of you are building [5:19] the keys for contentment in your life [5:21] on circumstances that you are currently in

[5:24] or circumstances that you hope to enter into. [5:27] And when you base your contentment [5:29] on the circumstances that are having in your life, [5:31] first those circumstances are fleeting. [5:34] And so your contentment may be short lived [5:36] before you need another circumstance

[5:38] to arise to bring you contentment. [5:40] So it’s faulty. [5:43] But also God has called you to base your contentment [5:47] on the truth of who He is [5:49] and on the life that He wants you to enter into. [5:52] And so He wants you to build your contentment

[5:54] on only that which will give you more faith in Jesus, [5:58] only that which will grow you as a disciple of Jesus, [6:02] only that which will be eternal in value. [6:07] And so in Philippians chapter four, [6:09] the apostle Paul, I want you to understand, [6:11] is writing from imprisonment.

[6:15] He’s writing from a circumstance [6:17] where his rights have been, in a sense, revoked. [6:22] From a situation where he is under guard [6:25] almost all the time. [6:28] From a situation that, quite frankly, [6:32] will end in his execution.

[6:33] Paul will not live past his present circumstances. [6:39] Yet he’s going to write to the church at Philippi [6:42] and question their contentment [6:45] because he’s fully content in the situation that he’s in. [6:49] One that most of us would say is a situation [6:51] that is impossible to be content in.

[6:55] And here’s what the apostle writes starting in verse 10. [6:59] He says, I rejoiced in the Lord. [7:00] There it is again, don’t miss that. [7:02] He continuously comes back to this key theme [7:05] of rejoicing in the Lord. [7:06] You cannot hope to have a life worth living

[7:12] without rejoicing in the Lord. [7:14] He said, I rejoiced in the Lord greatly [7:16] that now at length you have revived your concern for me. [7:21] You were indeed concerned for me, [7:23] but you had no opportunity. [7:25] Not that I am speaking of being in need,

[7:27] for I have learned in whatever situation I am [7:32] to be content. [7:35] I know how to be brought low. [7:37] I know how to abound. [7:40] In any and every circumstance, [7:42] I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger,

[7:48] abundance and need. [7:50] I can do all things through him who strengthens me. [7:55] Yet it was kind of you to share in my trouble. [7:58] And you Philippians yourselves know [8:00] that in the beginning of the gospel, [8:03] when I left Macedonia, no church entered

[8:05] into partnership with me in giving and receiving [8:08] except you only. [8:09] Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help [8:12] for my needs once and again. [8:14] Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit [8:18] that increases to your credit.

[8:20] I have received full payment and more. [8:23] I am well supplied. [8:24] Having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, [8:27] a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable [8:30] and pleasing to God. [8:32] And my God will supply every need of yours,

[8:38] according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. [8:42] To our God and Father be glory forever and ever, amen. [8:46] Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. [8:48] The brothers who are with me, greet you. [8:50] All the saints greet you, [8:52] especially those of Caesar’s household.

[8:55] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. [9:01] Number one, I want you to understand [9:02] that contentment is a discipline, not a circumstance. [9:07] Contentment is a discipline, not a circumstance. [9:12] That’s not how you’re living.

[9:15] I want you to understand that.

[9:18] For you to be able to grasp what the apostle Paul [9:22] is talking about when he said, [9:24] I have found in any situation that I’m in, [9:28] in any circumstance of life, how to be content. [9:34] That’s a bold statement. [9:37] But I want you to understand what you’re dealing with

[9:39] with the apostle Paul is not someone who can say that word [9:42] and then you question whether or not he actually knows [9:45] what he’s talking about. [9:47] He’s, oh, he hasn’t had it as hard as I have. [9:49] He’s had it pretty hard. [9:52] The apostle Paul has been persecuted at every level

[9:55] you could be persecuted at. [9:56] He’s lost everything that you could ever lose. [9:59] And he writes a statement, he’s there, [10:00] oh, I know how to be hungry. [10:02] No, he’s a guy that knew how to be hungry. [10:06] Elsewhere in the scripture, you find out

[10:07] that there were days and days where the apostle would go [10:10] without anything to eat.

[10:13] He’d been stoned and left for dead. [10:16] Not the present day stoned, the archaic stoned, [10:20] where they actually throw rocks at you. [10:23] Some of you are like, I’d be content too. [10:25] Not with this kind of stoned, all right? [10:27] This isn’t Colorado.

[10:31] Calm down.

[10:36] They stoned him and they thought he was dead [10:37] so they left him and he survived miraculously, [10:41] got up, walked back in, kept preaching.

[10:45] He’d been beaten with lashes. [10:48] Now he’s imprisoned. [10:52] Shipwrecked at sea, bitten by snakes. [10:55] I mean, the apostle’s got a life.

[11:00] And so he’s a man that when he says, [11:02] I found whatever situation I’m in, how to be content, [11:05] he’s not lying because he’s been in all of the situations. [11:10] He’s endured all of the circumstances. [11:13] But most of you, your contentment is based on [11:17] if I could only.

[11:21] Your contentment is based on when I get this, [11:25] when I finish this, when I receive this, [11:29] when I get rid of this, when I gain this, [11:34] when I lose this. [11:37] That is what you are basing your contentment on [11:40] and that is why you are not content.

[11:46] Have you ever wondered why you’re so miserable?

[11:52] Have you ever wondered why other people are happy [11:56] about the same thing that you’re miserable about?

[12:00] Have you ever wondered why another person [12:02] can go through a situation [12:03] and have a completely different reaction than you have [12:05] because yours is overwhelmed by the negative [12:07] and theirs is overwhelmed by the positive?

[12:14] Friend, I want you to understand [12:16] that there is a key to contentment [12:18] that you are missing out on when you base [12:20] all of your contentment in whatever situation [12:22] and circumstance that you are in. [12:23] I mean, I want you to imagine

[12:25] what is the worst possible news [12:27] that you could receive today.

[12:32] What’s the bottom line of this is the worst news [12:35] I could receive, this is the worst thing that could happen, [12:39] this is the thing that I have spent my life [12:41] avoiding enduring and if I were to have to endure it, [12:45] I would lose everything and be miserable.

[12:49] It’s gonna be different for many of you. [12:52] The same thing that could make you miserable [12:54] may not make me miserable [12:55] and the same thing that will make me miserable [12:56] might not make you miserable. [12:57] The same thing that would cause me to despair

[12:59] isn’t necessarily going to cause you to despair. [13:01] Life is subjective in that, [13:02] our reactions are subjective in that. [13:05] But whatever that thing is, [13:08] what you need to understand is that the apostle is saying [13:11] that there is a way to live,

[13:13] there is a faith to have, [13:15] there is a life to build [13:17] in which you could receive the worst news, [13:20] you could face the worst circumstance, [13:22] you could have the worst diagnosis, [13:24] you could have the worst news

[13:26] about someone else’s diagnosis, [13:27] you could be completely rejected [13:29] by the people that you want to accept you the most [13:32] and you could go through that [13:34] and be completely content the entire time it’s going on. [13:41] The entire path.

[13:44] And so we are not dealing with some mystical [13:47] out of body type of contentment [13:49] that’s up in the spiritual hoo-ha realm.

[13:53] We’re talking about real life situations [13:57] where your lack of contentment in life [14:01] is directly connected to how weak your faith is. [14:06] Show me someone that is discontent [14:08] and I will show you someone [14:10] who does not have real faith in Jesus Christ.

[14:15] So this is where the rubber meets the road. [14:16] This is where it stops being about thou shalt not [14:19] and starts being about what are you living for.

[14:24] Because many of you are basing your faith [14:26] on what you’ve avoided.

[14:29] But the apostle is saying, what are you actually living for? [14:32] What are you actually living out?

[14:36] See, he’s coming at it from an ethic [14:38] that Jesus is better than anything. [14:43] See, circumstances should not dictate your contentment. [14:47] Jesus should dictate your contentment. [14:50] The power of rising above your circumstances [14:54] is only available really through faith in Jesus.

[14:58] That’s what Christians believe. [14:59] So if you’re a Christian, that’s what you say you believe. [15:03] So my question is, why do you not actually live out [15:07] what you believe?

[15:11] Because this is not some extra bonus level of Christianity. [15:15] This is just what Christianity is. [15:19] It is a belief that the promises of Jesus are sure. [15:23] The promises of Jesus are unshakable. [15:26] The promises of Jesus are true [15:28] and they are truer than everything else.

[15:34] That’s just what Christianity is. [15:36] And the apostle is saying, if you believe that, [15:40] you will be content. [15:42] Again, my question, why are you not content then?

[15:46] It’s because you don’t really have a life worth living.

[15:51] A life worth living is one that is content [15:53] in every situation. [15:56] Because a life worth living believes [15:58] the gospel is actually true. [16:00] This is the continuing theme throughout Philippians. [16:03] Look at what he says in verse 10.

[16:08] I said this is important a few minutes ago, [16:10] but he returns to this theme of rejoicing in the Lord [16:12] and then he says something that seems to have [16:14] absolutely nothing to do with rejoicing in the Lord. [16:15] Do you ever get irritated when the Bible does that?

[16:19] It seems to have two messages and one sentence [16:21] and you can’t decipher what the actual code [16:24] is going on here. [16:26] He’s talking about rejoicing in the Lord [16:27] and he’s like, I’m really glad you guys are my friends.

[16:31] So what does one have to do with the other? [16:33] Because that’s the key to Paul’s contentment. [16:36] The key to Paul’s contentment is that he looked [16:38] at every aspect of his life. [16:41] He looked at every attribute of what he was doing, [16:44] of how he was living, yes, of who he was partnering with.

[16:49] And then he connected the dots and he said, [16:52] how does this cause me to rejoice in the Lord?

[16:59] Is that why the scripture is so helpful? [17:01] Because the apostle goes to how his partnership [17:04] with the church in Philippi could cause him [17:09] to rejoice in the Lord. [17:11] He connects rejoicing in the Lord [17:12] to absolutely everything in his life.

[17:15] But the question that you need to know [17:17] to how to live your life is how does rejoicing in the Lord [17:20] have anything to do with a church being concerned [17:23] about his well-being? [17:26] The concern that they had for him was rooted [17:30] in the community that they shared, why?

[17:33] Because of a shared faith in the gospel. [17:37] Because the partnership furthered the cause of the gospel. [17:42] And because of that, Paul rejoiced [17:44] because that is only available through the Lord.

[17:49] Many of you are getting up every morning [17:51] making 100 decisions and never asking [17:54] one important question about your decisions. [17:57] How is this connected to rejoicing in the Lord?

[18:03] Sometimes you even do what on paper is a good thing. [18:09] But you miss out on the blessing of it, [18:11] you miss out on the contentment of the situation [18:14] because you just do a good thing [18:16] and that thing terminates on itself. [18:18] You do not say, how does this cause me

[18:20] to rejoice in the Lord?

[18:24] You do not have a well-thought out life. [18:28] You do not say, in this decision [18:31] that I’m making about today, tomorrow, [18:34] the next five years, about my future,

[18:38] how will this lead to me rejoicing in the Lord? [18:43] You don’t ask that question.

[18:46] And so you don’t receive the contentment. [18:50] The apostle is teaching us a very valuable lesson [18:54] that we need to grow in how we think [18:58] about our faith in Jesus. [19:00] This is not just static facts [19:03] that we throw up on a board so we know

[19:06] that we, on paper, believe the right things. [19:08] These are things we must apply to our lives [19:10] and we must have the discipline to grow in these things. [19:14] You must start somewhere if you hope [19:16] to be content about anything. [19:19] You need to have the discipline to grow.

[19:21] In Luke 9, Jesus says this. [19:24] He says, what does it profit a man [19:25] if he gains the whole world and loses [19:27] or forfeits himself? [19:29] See, Jesus is laying down a very important [19:31] inventory question about your life.

[19:34] What good is any gain in this life [19:38] if it does not cause you to rejoice in the Lord? [19:42] See, because there is a way to go through life [19:44] and not face any of it with faith. [19:48] And when you do that, you may gain much [19:51] where this world is concerned,

[19:52] but Jesus is saying you will lose everything [19:56] where eternity is concerned. [19:57] You will lose everything where your faith is concerned. [20:01] And so your focus should not be on gaining [20:04] the world system, but instead your focus [20:07] should be how can I gain faith?

[20:10] How can I grow faith? [20:12] How can I build a life where everything that I do, [20:16] everything that I look at, every decision that I make, [20:19] every direction that I go, every direction [20:22] that I take other people with me, [20:25] it can all be traced back to I do this

[20:28] because of my faith in Jesus.

[20:31] And some of you may say, can you do that with everything? [20:33] I sure hope you can. [20:36] And so should you. [20:38] But the reason that you’re saying, [20:39] I don’t think you can do that with everything [20:40] is because you’re not doing it with anything.

[20:43] And when you’re not doing it with anything, [20:45] how can you ever have a vision [20:46] for how you can do it with everything? [20:49] That’s why you must have a vision to grow in this. [20:52] You see, Paul had gained Jesus. [20:56] And because of gaining Jesus,

[20:58] he knew he could never lose himself.

[21:02] Are you ever afraid that you’re gonna lose yourself?

[21:05] Are you ever afraid that you’re gonna do something [21:07] and you’re gonna forfeit your own soul somehow? [21:09] That you’re gonna do something, [21:10] you’re gonna lose everything that you have? [21:12] You’re gonna do something, you’re gonna lose everything [21:14] of value in your life?

[21:15] You’re gonna make a decision. [21:16] And man, all the pressure’s on you. [21:17] If you’re an adult, you should be making [21:19] these types of decisions. [21:21] Where if, in this decision, [21:23] it makes or breaks my family.

[21:27] With this decision, with this responsibility, [21:30] I carry the weight of more lives than just mine. [21:33] Have you ever faced something like that? [21:35] And it’s crippling, isn’t it? [21:38] Because you imagine facing things like that [21:40] and say, regardless of how it turns out,

[21:42] I’ll never lose myself. [21:44] Regardless of how it turns out, [21:45] I will never lose that which I really value. [21:48] It doesn’t make the situation any less important. [21:51] It doesn’t make stewardship of those situations [21:54] any less vital.

[21:55] But what it does is it gives you a clear mindedness [21:57] that you know that the sun does not rise or set on you [22:01] because if you have Christ, [22:03] you can never truly lose anything of real value [22:06] because you will never lose Christ. [22:08] You will never lose his promises.

[22:10] You will never lose him. [22:12] And that is completely freeing about the future [22:15] because some of you are stuck in the past [22:17] because you’re afraid to risk anything [22:20] to build the future that God wants you [22:22] to build with your life

[22:23] because the weight is on your shoulder. [22:25] But what the apostle had done [22:27] is he had a faith in his life [22:29] where he was not afraid to risk. [22:32] He was not afraid to step into the future [22:34] that God had designed

[22:36] because he knew that even if this decision doesn’t work out, [22:39] I cannot lose God. [22:43] And if I don’t lose God, I haven’t lost my future.

[22:49] He knew how to be content in any situation.

[22:57] What are you holding on to [22:59] that God wants to free you from the burden? [23:03] He wants to free you from the worry. [23:05] He wants to free you from the stress, [23:09] but you must have faith to move forward to experience it.

[23:15] Some of you are sitting still. [23:17] You’re not content. [23:19] You’re completely discontented [23:22] and you’re completely overwhelmed [23:23] by the situations of your life. [23:25] And God is saying for you to experience real freedom,

[23:28] you must trust him enough to move forward.

[23:35] You have to grow in that.

[23:39] You can’t just do that. [23:42] Did you know that? [23:43] Because sometimes I think, [23:44] and this is kind of the fault of preachers sometimes [23:46] is that we get excited. [23:47] And we start talking about the future

[23:49] and you’re just like, man, let’s charge hell with an M16. [23:53] All right, let’s do something crazy. [23:55] I’m gonna quit my job tonight. [23:57] I never said that. [23:59] All right. [24:00] And so you walk out and you do something

[24:02] and you’re like, well, I’m still not content.

[24:06] And that’s because it takes a lot of building [24:08] to get where Paul was. [24:10] It takes this thing that I’ve seen in our culture [24:14] and in our day and age that is so difficult [24:16] because we require less and less of it [24:19] to live comfortable lives in this age.

[24:21] It’s called discipline.

[24:24] It’s called habit, rhythm of life. [24:27] And the apostle is trying to get us to build a discipline [24:31] so that we can do this on a consistent basis. [24:34] You see, for many of you, [24:36] you will not give yourself time to grow. [24:39] You want to do one thing at one point

[24:42] and everything works out after you do one thing. [24:45] And when it doesn’t work out the way you want it to, [24:47] when you did that one thing, you gave up.

[24:52] I mean, many of you one time went [24:55] to a cycling class at a gym [24:58] and you didn’t know how hard it was [25:00] to stand up and pedal at the same time. [25:02] I went through that. [25:04] And I’m gonna talk about Pastor James for a minute.

[25:06] It was a few years ago.

[25:09] It’s probably, I don’t even know why I’m telling this story [25:11] because it’s embarrassing about me. [25:13] We went to a spin class. [25:15] It was like 6 a.m. [25:17] And I’m wide awake by six, he’s not. [25:19] And so we went in and we’re like,

[25:22] I’ve ridden a bike before.

[25:24] It’s a big deal. [25:26] Within five minutes, I was in tears. [25:30] And then she said, now stand up on your bike and pedal. [25:34] And I said, you can’t do that. [25:37] It’s not going, my muscles are not listening anymore. [25:42] So by the end of the class, I thought I was going to die.

[25:46] And so we walked out. [25:49] But the key is sometimes you will do something like that [25:51] in your life and you will say, man, that was really difficult. [25:54] I’m never going back. [25:56] I’m never trying that again because it was hard. [26:00] And when because of a one time thing that was hard,

[26:04] you never go back, you miss out on the blessing [26:07] of setting a rhythm in your life, [26:09] of growing in a discipline in your life, [26:12] of getting fit in a way in your life [26:14] that if you were to continue to go back [26:17] over and over and over, exhibit faith after faith

[26:21] after faith, it isn’t that the situation [26:23] is going to get easier. [26:25] It’s that you will build the stamina in your faith [26:29] to continue to grow. [26:30] And then you can look back and you say, [26:32] that which I thought was impossible

[26:34] is now the most expedient thing I can do with my life. [26:39] Because now I have a life worth living. [26:42] Because now I’m experiencing the presence of God [26:45] in ways that I never thought. [26:46] It doesn’t give you an easy life. [26:49] It will give you a harder life.

[26:50] But what it will do is it will prepare you [26:52] to face difficulty with faith [26:54] that if you had not built it over time, [26:57] you would not have had it when you needed it. [27:00] The problem is that you don’t understand [27:02] that faith is only valuable when you need to use it.

[27:06] And God wants you to keep entering into environments [27:08] where you need faith.

[27:12] But because one time, this one thing happened [27:14] with this one scenario, you’re afraid to go back. [27:18] God wants you to conquer your fear with real faith. [27:20] You see, Paul turns situations of despair [27:23] into times of worship. [27:25] Paul turns situations of despair into times of worship.

[27:31] See, Paul’s ethic is seen in 1 Corinthians 15 58, [27:35] where he says, therefore, my beloved brothers, [27:37] be steadfast, immovable, always abounding [27:40] in the work of the Lord, knowing [27:43] that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. [27:48] You see, he was immovable because of the focus

[27:51] that he had with faith.

[27:55] Number two, contentment is rooted in faithful mission. [28:00] Contentment is rooted in faithful mission. [28:05] You see, godly contentment requires a life of faith. [28:09] It does. [28:10] But it might be said, and I know there’s some of you [28:12] in here, I’m content and I’m not following Jesus.

[28:18] So what do I need a different type of contentment for [28:20] if I already have it? [28:21] You see, that may be true, but I want you to understand [28:25] that the ends of that contentment is death.

[28:29] The ends of contentment without Christ is condemnation. [28:33] The contentment that Paul is talking about here [28:36] leads to life, and the Bible is filled with stories [28:40] of people that sought contentment apart from God, [28:43] and many thought they had found it, [28:45] but the ends of their lives, though,

[28:48] is nothing but death and condemnation and loss, [28:53] because that’s not real contentment. [28:56] That’s not the type of contentment that God [28:58] designs you to have. [29:00] He is rooting his contentment in that which leads [29:03] to life and eternity with the joy of God.

[29:07] That is why he is rooting unpleasant circumstances [29:11] in contentment. [29:13] Because contentment outside of God is dictated [29:16] by the pleasure of any given circumstances. [29:20] It’s not dictated by that, rather.

[29:23] See, you’re just going from situation to situation [29:25] looking for contentment. [29:26] What if you could have the same thing [29:27] across all circumstances? [29:30] Because some of you are desperate about the circumstances [29:33] of your life rather than being desperate

[29:35] for the presence of the work of God.

[29:39] You are desperate because, God, I need you to get me [29:43] out of this circumstance, or you are desperate [29:46] because you’re saying, God, I need you to get me [29:48] into this type of circumstance, [29:50] and that is what rules your life. [29:51] That is the vision that’s overwhelming you,

[29:54] but the Father says, don’t be desperate for that. [29:57] Be desperate for me.

[30:00] When was the last time you were desperate [30:03] to experience the presence of God?

[30:07] When was the last time you were desperate [30:10] to experience a move of God? [30:12] And I’m not saying a move of God [30:14] that alleviates a circumstance. [30:16] I’m just saying a move of God that grows you closer [30:20] in relationship to Him.

[30:23] See, that reveals the level of life [30:26] that you’re actually living. [30:27] What are you more desperate about, [30:30] your circumstances or your God? [30:33] Or are your circumstances actually your God? [30:36] See, you need the contentment that’s only found

[30:39] in the life that Paul was living, [30:40] and that is a life of pursuing faithful gospel mission. [30:45] You see, to build this life, [30:46] you must determine to follow Jesus, [30:49] and you must be unbending in that determination. [30:53] I mean, look at what he says in Philippians 413.

[30:55] This is an interesting text, [30:56] because almost everybody knows this text, [30:59] and almost everybody massacres [31:00] what this text actually means. [31:03] You see, baseball players, Philippians 413s, [31:06] and my bill always reminded me of Jesus.

[31:07] I’m gonna hit home runs for the Lord. [31:10] I can hit home runs for Jesus. [31:12] Now, I do believe Jesus Christ could hit a curve ball. [31:15] Don’t get me wrong, [31:17] but that has nothing to do [31:18] with the apostles talking about here.

[31:20] I’m gonna get that raise. [31:21] I can do all things through Christ’s teaching. [31:23] It’s not what he’s talking about here. [31:25] Notice that everything that you want to envision [31:27] God doing in your life makes your circumstances [31:30] more comfortable for you,

[31:31] so you won’t have to experience any bad things.

[31:35] So that you can be the champion, [31:36] so that you can be the focus, [31:37] so that you can be the hero, [31:39] so that you can have what you want all the time. [31:43] See, in Philippians 413, [31:44] what the apostles are actually talking about

[31:46] is he’s saying, I can endure the hardest of situations [31:50] because I’ve got a savior who endured [31:53] the hardest of situations and rose from the dead. [31:56] I can do this. [31:58] I can endure imprisonment. [32:00] What’s my imprisonment based on?

[32:02] My imprisonment is based on that I wanted to live a life [32:05] where I furthered the proclamation [32:07] of the good news of Jesus Christ, [32:09] where I told more and more and more people, [32:11] and I told so many people that I was changing cultures. [32:16] I’ve been run out of towns because I changed their cultures.

[32:20] I was in Jerusalem, [32:21] and I was seeking to change the culture for Christ, [32:26] and now I’m in prison in Rome. [32:31] Far away from home, [32:33] but I’m changing a culture for Christ.

[32:38] I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

[32:45] He’s saying, I can live for Jesus [32:49] because Jesus is gonna strengthen me to live for Jesus.

[32:54] See, your definition of all things is really important.

[33:00] Because most of the time, your all things [33:05] aren’t the same all things that are Jesus’s all things.

[33:10] Because this definition of all things, [33:13] if it’s not about Jesus, [33:14] it’s not what he’s gonna strengthen you to do. [33:18] Most of your all things are just your base selfish desires. [33:22] See, what happens when you are seeking to grow [33:25] as a disciple and seeking obedience,

[33:27] and circumstances arise that discourage you [33:31] while you’re seeking that, because that’s going to happen. [33:34] This is what this text is all about.

[33:39] If it inspires you to do a great thing [33:42] with what you’re doing, fantastic. [33:44] But understand that in that, [33:46] there needs to be a rootedness in rejoicing in the Lord [33:49] to the things that you are pursuing. [33:52] Do they connect?

[33:53] Do they go back? [33:54] Do they root you into the promises [33:57] that God has actually made? [33:59] See, because choosing one thing [34:01] is always choosing against something else. [34:07] Always.

[34:08] And some of you, you are building a life [34:10] where every choice that you make [34:13] takes you further and further from the contentment [34:16] that God wants to give you, [34:18] but then you have the audacity to blame God [34:22] for your bad decisions.

[34:26] You’re not content, [34:28] but it’s because you’re making bad decisions. [34:31] And then you have the audacity to try to hold God [34:34] responsible for the bad decisions that you made [34:37] over a course of 20 years.

[34:42] It’s audacious. [34:44] Own your life. [34:48] Own it. [34:50] It’s like when your dog takes a dump on the carpet.

[34:55] I mean, really, dog lovers out there, [34:57] that’s the moment where you question your dog loving.

[35:02] And what do you do? [35:03] You don’t go to the dog and be like, [35:05] can you explain to me whose fault this was? [35:09] Could you help me understand who, [35:11] and I know you did it, but maybe it wasn’t your fault. [35:16] Maybe it was my fault.

[35:18] Am I to blame? [35:19] No, that’s not how you go to the dog. [35:22] You put your executioner’s mask on. [35:25] You grab the sickle, all right? [35:27] And you’re like, the reaper’s coming, Rover.

[35:32] And you’re like, just doing all sorts of abusive things, [35:35] and it’s like, man, I didn’t know you were capable [35:37] of such abuse.

[35:41] See, so often in our lives, we do wrong things, [35:44] and our refusal to own the poor decisions, [35:48] our refusal to own the unwise, [35:51] is going to prevent us from growing in Jesus Christ. [35:55] If you would just own your life, [36:00] that is a potential moment where you could repent

[36:03] to something better, [36:05] where you could repent to real growth. [36:08] But so long as you’re the victim, [36:11] you will never see one bit of spiritual growth [36:13] in your life. [36:15] You need to be content to pursue faith.

[36:18] You need to be content to own your life [36:21] and follow Jesus and make decisions [36:23] that are really spirit-filled decisions. [36:25] See, the fear should be contentment without mission. [36:30] The fear shouldn’t be living the mission of Jesus [36:34] and losing the contentment that I have

[36:36] and the value system of this world. [36:38] If you are content and the work of Jesus [36:40] is not active in your life, [36:41] then what is your faith all about? [36:45] See, the apostle casts this amazing vision for life [36:48] in 2 Corinthians 2, 14.

[36:50] He says, thanks be to God, who in Christ Jesus [36:52] always leads us in triumphal procession, [36:55] and through us spreads the fragrance [36:57] of the knowledge of him everywhere. [36:59] I mean, all of your accomplishments should point to Jesus. [37:02] All of your partnerships should point to Christ.

[37:05] All of your commitments should point to Christ. [37:07] All of your disappointments should point to Christ. [37:09] All of your pain should point to Christ. [37:11] God has called you, note this, [37:13] into a triumphal procession through this life

[37:21] that seeks to show where he is in each and every moment, [37:28] each and every decision, each and every circumstance, [37:31] each and every commitment, each and every discipline. [37:34] But what does he promise?

[37:37] It will be triumph.

[37:40] No matter what you’re going through, [37:41] it will end in triumph.

[37:46] How do you do that? [37:48] Well, it’s always about trusting the work of Jesus. [37:51] See, he furthers the thought from 2, 14 [37:54] in 2 Corinthians 9, 8. [37:56] He says, God is able. [37:57] Did you know that?

[37:59] One of the most important attributes of God [38:01] that you can form a faith in is the ability of God. [38:05] And the Bible says it over and over again, [38:08] in many different ways. [38:10] God is able. [38:11] He’s able in this situation to make all of your

[38:13] all grace abound to you, not just some grace, all grace, [38:18] so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, [38:24] that seems to be a bit of an inclusive sentence.

[38:29] You may abound in what? [38:32] Every good work. [38:35] God wants you to do something with your life. [38:38] He wants you to do something with your faith. [38:41] So if you are brought low, praise be to God. [38:47] If you have abundance, praise be to God.

[38:52] See, that’s why it’s, the gospel’s amazing for all cultures. [38:57] The gospel’s amazing for all economic classes.

[39:01] The gospel’s amazing in any situation. [39:04] Because if you are struggling to make ends meet, [39:07] praise be to God, he is going to use this struggle [39:10] to make me more like Christ. [39:13] Or if you have never known a day of hunger, [39:17] you have never known a day of want,

[39:19] you have never known a day of struggle,

[39:24] you can say, thanks be to God. [39:27] All glory to him, and you’re like, oh, that may be easy. [39:29] No, it’s not. [39:30] Because the Father has a different path, [39:32] the Father then wants to teach you a valuable lesson [39:35] of how not to depend on your wealth to define you,

[39:38] but rather how to steward your wealth for his glory. [39:43] There is no such thing as ease in following Jesus. [39:48] In no class, in no system is it easy. [39:51] But understand that contentment number three, [39:53] it requires trust in the Lord. [39:56] It requires trust in the Lord.

[40:01] You cannot get away from that. [40:04] You cannot get away from that key element [40:06] that the apostle in imprisonment. [40:12] I love the way that this text ends.

[40:16] He looks to them, and he says, I am so thankful [40:19] that you guys have partnered with me [40:20] over the course of so many years. [40:22] Did you know that you were the first church [40:23] to partner with me? [40:25] Y’all sent in support letters to some churches,

[40:27] and they were laughing at me. [40:29] They’re saying, I’m not gonna give you a dime. [40:30] But you, you supported me. [40:33] You, you helped me. [40:34] You, you sponsored this move of God through this people. [40:40] And he says, it was kind of you, but not that I need it.

[40:45] I’m thankful for it, but it doesn’t define me. [40:48] I’m thankful for the gain. [40:50] I’m thankful for the comfort. [40:51] I’m thankful that it’s a little bit easier. [40:53] I’m thankful that I’m able to afford [40:55] a little bit better transportation.

[40:56] I’m thankful that I’m able to do this [40:58] because of your partnership, [40:59] but that is not what defines who I am. [41:02] Because in verse 17, I do not seek the gift, [41:05] but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. [41:10] See there, Paul is talking about gain.

[41:13] We think about everything with the gospel about loss, [41:15] but the apostle here, he’s saying [41:17] that I’m not seeking the gain of material wealth, [41:21] but when I get it, do you know what I use it for? [41:26] Gospel fruit. [41:27] I invest it in the gospel.

[41:29] He says, I’ve received full payment and more. [41:34] I’m well supplied. [41:35] Having received from Epaphroditus [41:36] the gifts that you sent, a fragrant offering, [41:38] a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God, [41:41] and my God will supply every need of yours.

[41:45] Wait a second.

[41:48] Paul is imprisoned, and he looks around at a situation. [41:52] He’s like, I can’t go where I want. [41:58] I can’t do whatever I want. [42:01] I don’t even have authority to dictate my freedom. [42:04] I don’t have the authority to dictate tomorrow. [42:06] Somebody else is gonna tell me

[42:07] what my tomorrow’s gonna look like. [42:08] Somebody else is gonna tell me [42:09] where I can go, what I can do, [42:11] and ultimately we know that the end of this [42:13] is Paul ended up getting executed.

[42:17] But he looks at a church filled with free people,

[42:23] and he says, guys, I am free. [42:27] You know, in the southern way of saying it, [42:29] I’m living high on the hog.

[42:33] I’ve got everything I need. [42:36] I’ve got everything I could ever want.

[42:40] And don’t worry, God’ll be as good to you [42:43] as he’s been to me.

[42:47] He’s imprisoned, they are free, [42:49] and he’s trying to help them be content.

[42:56] He says, verse 19, my God will supply [42:58] every need of yours according to his riches.

[43:06] And where are those riches found? [43:08] Christ Jesus.

[43:11] The apostle looks to this church and he says, [43:16] you could learn from me.

[43:20] See, in Proverbs 3, 5, and 6, [43:22] the wise one wrote and said, [43:24] trust in the Lord with all your heart. [43:27] And you say, I want that.

[43:31] And you can only have it when you refuse [43:33] to lean into your own understanding.

[43:36] So many of you, the struggle that you have is [43:39] is that you trust in the Lord, [43:41] and then you lean into your own understanding. [43:44] Here’s what you need to understand, [43:45] then you don’t trust in the Lord. [43:48] The moment that you lean into your own understanding is

[43:51] that you are not going to grow in your trust in God. [43:56] Often what we need to propel us into the next chapter [43:59] of our lives for God’s glory is different than what we want. [44:05] And that’s why he will supply your needs [44:08] according to his riches. [44:10] He will define the need that needs to be supplied,

[44:13] and you must trust God enough to trust that. [44:16] But when you lean into your own understanding, [44:19] contentment goes out the window, [44:21] because you don’t trust God with what you need. [44:24] You just trust God with what you think you need.

[44:29] Often our prayers are more like, [44:30] God, if you will give me what I want, [44:33] I will follow you with faith. [44:36] No, you won’t.

[44:39] You will just want another toy.

[44:43] You will just want another moment of relief. [44:47] Faith is not driven by what we want. [44:51] Faith is driven by the trust that God knows what we need, [44:56] and we move and we go and we invest with the faith [44:59] that if the moment is based on who Jesus is,

[45:08] then I will take the outcome, [45:09] even if it’s not what I expect, [45:11] because I trust that God will use whatever outcome [45:15] to grow me in his glory, even if it’s painful,

[45:21] even if it’s hard. [45:23] Why? [45:25] Because I’m not leaning into my own understanding. [45:28] I’m striving to build a life [45:30] where I trust God’s understanding.

[45:34] You have to break through to that [45:35] if you want a life worth living. [45:37] Friend, do you trust the Lord?

[45:41] Does your life reflect it? [45:43] Do your reactions proclaim it? [45:47] Paul had everything he needed, and he was in prison. [45:51] Paul wasn’t praying, God, if you’ll get me out of this one, [45:53] I’ll love you a little bit more. [45:56] God, if you’ll get me out of this one,

[45:57] I will volunteer one more time a month.

[46:02] Paul looked around and he said, [46:03] I’ve got everything I need, [46:04] use me Lord for whatever you want. [46:07] According to his riches and Christ Jesus, [46:11] such an important line, [46:13] because it goes back to the issue of values.

[46:16] What do you define as riches, [46:19] and what did Paul define as riches here? [46:22] See, Paul was in prison awaiting execution, [46:24] but he’s content because he’s got everything he needs [46:27] because God would be glorified. [46:29] He was certain of that.

[46:31] Are you certain that God is being glorified [46:33] through the decisions that you’re making right now [46:35] and the life that you’re living right now? [46:37] The attitude that you have right now. [46:39] Is God getting glory out of that? [46:41] See, because Paul was sure that God was getting glory

[46:43] out of what he was doing.

[46:46] Can you say that with certainty? [46:47] If you can’t say that with certainty, [46:48] that’s why you’re not content. [46:50] Every single one of you is looking and investing [46:53] in hopes that you will have a life worth living. [46:57] That’s what you all hope for.

[47:01] But the message that you need to understand [47:02] from Philippians is that the only life worth living [47:05] is one that is found in Jesus Christ. [47:08] It is only found in trusting God with everything.

[47:14] Rise above your circumstances.

[47:19] Rise above them.

[47:23] Some of you are perpetually disappointed.

[47:28] If you were really honest, [47:30] you’re just disappointed with your life.

[47:33] You’re disappointed in what you got, [47:35] you’re disappointed in what you’re getting, [47:37] you’re disappointed with the path, [47:38] you’re disappointed with where tomorrow’s looking. [47:41] You are disappointed in everything [47:44] that you’ve built so far.

[47:46] Friend, rise above that disappointment. [47:49] Trust in the Lord and you will begin [47:52] to build a life worth living. [47:56] And you will have contentment [47:58] in the middle of God’s mission field.

[48:03] Jesus is worth more than anything [48:04] that this world can give you. [48:07] He is. [48:09] But it is only when you truly believe that [48:13] that you will have everything you need.

[48:17] As we go to our time of response,

[48:22] where we proclaim the Lord’s death through communion,

[48:28] contentment’s tough because sometimes [48:30] when you think you’re content, [48:32] you wake up the next morning only to feel [48:34] completely different than you did the night before. [48:37] And what seemed good doesn’t seem good anymore. [48:39] What seemed satisfying now is quite bland.

[48:45] And that’s why it requires faith. [48:48] That’s why it requires that you build trust [48:50] over a long season in your life, [48:53] where you invest and you steward over a long season [48:57] to say I trust the Lord and I’m going to not lean [49:00] into my own understanding, but because I believe the gospel,

[49:03] I believe he is wiser, I believe he is holier, [49:06] I believe he is better.

[49:11] And I’m going to invest.

[49:13] I’m going to invest in what matters, [49:15] I’m going to invest in what endures, [49:16] and the only things that matter [49:18] and the only things that endure [49:20] are the things that are done to further the mission [49:23] of Jesus in this world to make him known.

[49:26] That is what Paul had tapped into with his life.

[49:31] Jesus, his body was broken, his blood was shed.

[49:38] So that he could redeem you from your sin. [49:41] He paid the penalty, the ultimate price, [49:44] and then he calls you and says come, believe in me, [49:49] and then go and live a life of resurrection [49:51] because he had the power over death.

[49:55] And so this morning, if you’re not a follower of Jesus, [49:59] instead of reflecting in communion, [50:00] I’m going to ask you to put your faith in Jesus. [50:03] I’m going to ask you to turn from your sin. [50:04] I’m going to ask you to trust [50:06] that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior,

[50:08] that he’s your Lord and Savior. [50:10] If that’s you, slip out into the foyer [50:12] where someone can pray with you and talk to you. [50:15] But for those of you that are in here [50:17] and you are followers of Jesus, [50:20] when was the last time you felt real contentment?

[50:24] When was the last time you trusted [50:26] that Jesus truly was enough? [50:28] When was the last time your contentment [50:31] was not driven by how you felt [50:33] when you woke up that morning?

[50:37] That’s the life that God wants you to have, [50:39] one in which your contentment is rock solid. [50:41] He wouldn’t call you to it [50:42] if he didn’t want to empower you to have it.

[50:46] If you’re a follower of Jesus, [50:47] the tables around this room are open. [50:49] Come, eat and drink, [50:50] and then go build a life of contentment in the Lord. [50:56] When you are ready, come.