Joy under Confinement
Philippians Series
“The Joy of Contentment”
Philippians 4:10-23
November 23, 2014
Today is our last sermon from the book of Philippians. Since we
started this journey, we have discovered that the major theme for this
letter is “joy.” We learned how to have joy in others and how to be a joy
to others. How to have joy during a crisis and in the midst of the battle;
joy in understanding your cause and joy as you press on; and as you
press on, don’t fret because you will lose your joy if you do. So the theme
from Philippians is what? “Joy!”
As we come to our text today you should not be surprised to
discover that Paul is informing us about the joy of contentment.
“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived
your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked
opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in
whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means,
and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I
have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having
abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who
strengthens me.
Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the
gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of
giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a
gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek
for the profit which increases to your account.
But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I
am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have
sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And
my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ
Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me
greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” (Phil 4:10-23NASU)
In a USA Today survey revealed that 53% of the American people
felt like their life was dull and boring. According to “Action America” we are
number one in both highest per capita income and in the number of people
who are discontent with life and pessimistic about the future. We are
number one in riches and number one most discontented people.
Paul writes, “I have learned to be content in whatever
circumstances I am.” What was Paul’s circumstance? I feel it is safe to say
lousy! He was in prison, he was broke, his health was deteriorating, many
of his friends had deserted him and yet he says, "I’m content." How could
he say that? What’s his secret? Well, let’s begin by defining contentment
from Paul. His perspective would say that: Contentment is: maintaining
your spiritual balance independent of circumstances. In other words,
contentment is not dependent on the situation around you. It is not
dependent on what you have or encounter in this life.
Isn’t that what Paul says? "..content in any and every situation."
That makes the most important question: How do we get his kind of
contentment? How do we enjoy a truly satisfied life? Let’s look at three
principles from this passage that will help us see what it takes to have
contentment in any and every situation, to have that internal peace in the
midst of external chaos.
I.
Contentment is an acquired trait.
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in
whatever circumstances I am.”
Contentment is not something that you get in a onetime thing. So
many people today, maybe you, have a misconception of what
contentment is. There is a huge difference between contentment and
happiness. How many of you have thought, said or heard, “If only I had
….I would be happy? Contentment and happiness is not the same thing.
Here are three phrases that represent myths that people have
bought into making them think contentment can come quickly: 1) "I must
have what others have to be happy." Ever heard your kids say, "But
Dad/Mom, everybody has one." This thinking is the myth behind all fads
and fashion crazes. Even as adults we can get caught up thinking, if we
just had what they had, we’d be happy.
2) "I must be liked by everyone to be happy." This is the myth
behind popularity. It says that contentment will come immediately upon
everyone being pleased with me. But that is impossible. Bill Cosby was
once asked the key to success and he said, “I don’t know the key to
success but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” If Jesus
couldn’t please everyone, do you think you can do something Jesus can’t?
If you are looking for everyone’s approval to make you happy, you are
doomed to discontentment.
3) If I have more, I’ll be more happy." That’s the old myth of behind
possessions. John D. Rockefeller was once asked, "How much more
would it take to make you happy?" To which he replied, "Just a little more."
“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who
loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. When good things
increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to
their owners except to look on?” (Eccl 5:10-11NASU)
Have any of you experienced this? The more you make the more
you want. How about the more stuff you buy and have the more stuff you
want? If more produced contentment then the richest people would be the
most content, but that is not the case.
Contentment is a choice and God wants you to be content. Not
only does He want you to be content, He expects it.
“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when
accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world,
so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering,
with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into
temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which
plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all
sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith
and pierced themselves with many grief’s.” (1 Tim 6:6-10NASU)
It was Jesus who said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the
whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for
his soul?” (Matt 16:26NASU)
“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money,
being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER
DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU." (Heb. 13:5NASU)
Living the Christian life means we learn and today God is telling
us to learn to be content with what you have and in all circumstance.
Contentment is an acquired trait. Contentment is also. . .
II.
Adjusting to the circumstances.
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how
to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the
secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and
suffering need.”
Now there is no doubt that life has many ups and downs and like
Paul we must be flexible. We must be willing and able to go with the flow
sort of speak. Adjusting is what Paul is talking about here. Let me ask you
a question. Do you get upset when you plan out something and it doesn’t
go the way you want?
Let me share with you just three things that hinder us or causes
us problem in adjusting to our circumstances.
The first is stop comparing yourself to others. If you want a sure
formula for being constantly miserable in your life, you just make a habit
of comparing yourself with those around you. Because there is always
somebody better or someone who has more, there is always someone.
The second is to stop being controlled by your circumstances.
Most disgruntled people blame their sour attitude on unfortunate
circumstances. Listen; God does not want you to just cope with your
circumstances - he wants you to learn to be content even though your
circumstances are not ideal.
The third is this, stop complaining and start praising. You’ve all
heard the old saying, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” There
is no doubt that all of us have been or will be in situations we don’t care
for and there is nothing wrong with telling the Lord you don’t like it, but
don’t keep complaining about it.
In a book written by Richard Foster, he says, "When you wake up
in the morning do you thank God for the night’s sleep or do you complain
that you have to get up so early?" Foster suggests if you can’t sleep than
get up and walk around and thank God that you can walk. Or walk by your
children’s bedrooms and thank God they are asleep. We must cultivate a
spirit of thanksgiving and it is not easy in this ungrateful, critical society.”
Do you remember that just a couple of chapters back Paul
wrote, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” (Phil. 2:14NASU)
Contentment is an acquired trait and it consists of being flexible,
adjusting to circumstances. But the real secret to being content is that. . .
III.
Contentment is being anchored in Christ.
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Paul is simply saying that it is in Christ that we will find the power
needed to have joy in contentment if we will stop being self-sufficient and
become Christ dependent.
Sometimes without even realizing we think, or least act like, "If I
work hard enough or if I can achieve success in life, then I’ll be content."
You know what I hear people, even Christian people, say all the time and
what I have been guilty of saying too? "I don’t really want to be rich. I just
want to have enough to pay my bills and not have to worry all the time. I
want to take a trip once in a while and not have to be so concerned about
the finances or have all this pressure." We’re kind of like the fellow who
was asked, "Would you like to be poor and happy or rich and miserable?"
He thought for a moment and said, "I would rather be semi-rich and
moderately depressed."
When you completely submit your will to Jesus Christ, when you
make Him the Lord of your life, when you place your ultimate confidence
in Him then He supplies the strength. There are three attitude changes
that gradually take place that produce contentment.
The first thing is this; People matter more than things. The people
that Paul ministered to meant more to him that the things he had. Do
people mean more to you?
The second thing is; as you mature in Christ, the spirit matter more
than flesh. Here’s a news flash; your body is going to change. It doesn’t
matter how much you don’t want that to happen, it’s going to. Now, I
believe we should take care of ourselves, but the more you mature in
Christ the more your spiritual well-being matters more than the physical.
The third thing is this, as you mature eternity matter more than
time. When Paul wrote these verses in Philippians. he realized that he may
never get out of prison but he was still content. Because he realized there
was something beyond the grave. As you mature in Christ this world will
means less and less.
Conclusion; contentment is a learned trait. It is adjusting to situations in
life and genuine contentment is found only in the person of Jesus Christ.
“For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances . . .I can do
all things through Him who strengthens me. . . And my God will supply all
your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our
God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.