(Philippians 4:4-13)
A. Contentment is LEARNED (Matthew 11:28-30) “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
B. We LEARN to be content by following Jesus’ steps (1 Peter 2:18-25) “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again: when he suffered, he threatened not: but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: By whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the shepherd and bishop of your souls. ”
A. We can be content in ANY situation
1. Jesus was content to be in submission to the Father (Philippians 2:1-8)
2. Paul was content in his sufferings (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
B. God EXPECTS us to be content (1 Timothy 6:6-8) “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (Hebrews 13:5-6) “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he that said, ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’ So that we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.’ “
A. We can do NOTHING without Jesus (John 15:1-5) “I am the vine, ye are the branches: he That abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
A. We can LEARN to be content
B. We can learn to be content in any state (situation)
C. We can ONLY learn to be content IN Christ
1. Obey the Gospel (H-B-R-C-B)
2. Follow the Example of Jesus
3. Trust in him