July 2, 2006
"Discovering the Stability of Contentment"
God's Not Finished With You Yet—Part 11
Philippians 4:10-23
Question: Are you a thermometer or a thermostat?
Discovering the secret of contentment:
1. Contentment involves believing in God's perfect timing.
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
—Philippians 4:10
"Life is not a series of accidents, it is a series of appointments."
—Warren Wiersbe
When things don't work out in life and you have to change your plans, remember, your plan B may well be God's plan A.
2. Contentment involves believing in God's available power.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
—Philippians 4:11-13
The person is poor who fails to share materially!
The church is poor who fails to share materially!
3. Contentment involves believing in God's promise.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:19
The Philippian church's giving was viewed as:
A. Renewed concern
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
—Philippians 4:10
B. An investment
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.
—Philippians 4:14-17
C. A sacrifice
I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
—Philippians 4:18
Spiritual sacrifice:
- The sacrifice of our bodies—Romans 12:1 (Holy and pleasing)
- The sacrifice of praise—Hebrews 13:15 (Pleased)
- The sacrifice of sharing—Hebrews 13:16 (Pleased)
- The sacrifice of lost people—Romans 15:16 (Pure and pleasing)
Spiritual reward:
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:19
Every sacrifice is small compared to the rich supply from which God draws to repay. Nothing purifies us more than sharing resources and trusting God to meet your needs.
—John Maxwell
Lifework
"God's Not Finished With You Yet"
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started
- Is contentment a positive or negative concept to you? In what sense is it positive? In what sense is it negative?
- When are you most content? What is your contentment dependent upon? What most quickly steals your contentment?
Digging Deeper: Read Philippians 4:10-23
- What were Paul's circumstances as he writes this letter? What great joy does Paul have because of the Philippians?
- How did Paul learn contentment? What events might you point to in Paul's life where contentment was learned?
- In this passage, does Paul seem egotistical and independent, dependent and grateful, reliant on self, reliant on others, or reliant on God? What was Paul's main source of providing for his own needs? (Acts 18:3)
- What did the church at Philippi do for Paul that no other church did for Paul? What motivated these believers? (Great wealth? Proximity? Love? Other?)
- How does Paul see the help the church at Philippi extended him? What does Paul believe God will do for the Philippians?
- What is significant about Paul's closing greeting to the Christian's at Philippi? What good is grace in the spirit?
Applying It To My Life
- How is Paul's attitude toward giving and receiving able to help you be a better giver? A better receiver?
- What have you received in your life from someone else that was also from the hand of God?
- What is one thing from this book that has most impacted your life? How will you apply that truth to your life? Share this important application with a trusted friend so that they can pray with you.