Joy in Contentment

Living Joyfully:

Joy In Contentment:

Philippians 4:10-20

Contentment is independent from Circumstances.  It is an inside job.

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Contentment is not apathy, laziness or complacency!

Contentment is something we can Learn

Learning Contentment

1. Avoid Comparisons (11)

Don’t look Around; look Up

“as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

3 Contentment Crushing Misconceptions:

• I must have What Others Have
• I must be Liked by Everyone
• I must have More Than I Now Have

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6:6–8)

Watch out for an Obsession with Possessions

2. Adjust to Change (12)

Few things are as certain in life as the certainty of Change

3 Types of Circumstances in Life:

• Those I Can control and Do
• Those I Can control and Don’t
• Those I Cannot control

Be Flexible because some circumstances aren’t

Maintain a Sense of Humor

3. Draw on Christ’s Power (13)

Paul was not Self-Sufficient but Christ-Sufficient

The Greek word for “strengthens” is where we get our word “dynamite” or “dynamic”

Contentment does not mean you will always Like the situation you are in, but that with Christ’s power you can handle it. You are sufficient for it.  You can cope. 

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

4. Share Generously and Trust God to Meet My Needs (14-19)

“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.” (2 Corinthians 8:1–5)

• Gratitude (14)

• Commendation (15-16)

• Assurance (17-19)

How many needs?  Every/All

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” (Malachi 3:10)

5. Focus on Glorifying God (20)

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

“for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)

“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” (1 Peter 4:16)

Discontentment is a signal that Jesus Christ is not the center of my life

Making It Personal:

• Is Jesus Christ genuinely at the center of your life?

• Are you experiencing the joy of contentment right now?

• Which of the points of this message do you most need to put into practice this week? How will you do that?

• Who can you share these truths with?