Tuesday, March 27, 2012

CONTENTMENT IS LEARNED

Philippians 4:11: I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I have learned to be content.

You must realize that contentment must be learned. It doesn’t come naturally. It is learned. Contentment is not something that comes naturally. Paul said that he had to "learn to be content". Naturally, you are prone to, compare yourself with others to always want more than you have (remember Adam and Eve?) Most interpret someone else’s good fortune as coming at their expense.

No one needs to teach any of these things to you they come naturally to you. If that isn’t enough, the world provides many tools to help you to be discontent. Contentment robbers include mail-order catalogs, shopping malls, TV, magazines, and the internet. Contentment doesn’t come naturally. It must be learned. There are 3 things you must learn in order to find contentment.

II. THREE SOURCES THAT GIVE YOU CONTENTMENT


1. You must learn to trust: The overruling providence of God – Philippians 4:10: Paul’s not frustrated. He says: you just didn’t have an opportunity, which means God never made it happen. And if God didn’t make it happen, it didn’t happen. If God wanted it to happen, it would happen. It’s confidence in the providence of God. Read the story of Joseph. Nothing is an accident. These things happen according to the providence of God.

2. You must seek: The unfailing power of God – Philippians
4:11-13: you will not find contentment apart from Jesus Christ. You often emphasize the crucifixion of Jesus, forgetting the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus died, paying for your sins. He rose, to give you the strength to live the new life. John 15:1-8

3. You must believe: The unfailing promise of God – Philippians
4:14-20: Whom have you in heaven but Him? And earth has nothing you desire besides Him. Your flesh and your heart may fail, but God is the strength of your heart and your portion forever. [Psalm 73:25-26] Contentment begins to grow when you come to understand that your greatest treasure is your relationship with the Savior.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace.

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