The Natterings of Nateau

G'day everyone. Last Sunday (10/12/06), I preached for the first time in church, on Philippians 4:10-13. Here, for your viewing pleasure and welcome critique, is the sermon I gave:

Called to Contentedness

Philippians 4:10-13

When Paul wrote Philippians Chapter 4, not only was he showing how grateful he was for the gifts that the Philippians had sent him, but he was also letting them know that he wasn’t waiting for gifts from people.

Paul wanted to let the Philippians know that his trust in getting what he needed came from the Lord, and that as such, he had learnt to be content in every situation.

Today’s idea of contentment really isn’t contentment. Marketing and advertising geniuses tell us, “buy the newest of everything!” only to bring out a new model a few months later, and say the same thing.

Lottery and gambling organizations tempt us with delicious images of what we can do with the winnings. A new car, nice house anyone?

The problem with wanting more and more significant things in life, or those which manifest as such, is that we can never, ever be satisfied.

The Bible’s definition of contentment is thus:

Contentment is satisfaction coming from our confidence in God that allows us to joyfully celebrate life.

I confess that it does seem silly for me to preach on contentment! I’m always looking for new things to make me content. I tell you, I’ve looked all over the place for lasting joy and contentment, and I haven’t found it in the world! But, I have found it in Jesus!

There are three simple ideas when it comes to being content:

Contentment is a Learned Idea

Contentment doesn’t come easily for us. Paul says he had to ‘learn to be content’. Our human nature has us:

Comparing ourselves with others
Always wanting more than we have – Adam and Eve
To interpret another person’s good fortune as being at the expense of our own
Complaining

We don’t need to teach ourselves these things! They are natural to us.
Attaining contentment is not something we can just wake up with one day; it has to happen progressively.

We can however learn new things in order to be content. A new perspective, a new attitude and a deepened faith in God. We can’t buy these things, they need to be developed.

Contentment is not about Possessions or Circumstances

There’s a man called Steve Brown, who once told the story of a discontented king. He couldn’t rest, sleep or think, he was so anxious. So one of his very wise and ancient advisors told him to find a contented man in his kingdom. “Wear his shirt for a day and a night and you will be contented”, the wise man said. So the king sent out his servants with the instruction of finding a contented man, and procuring his shirt. A few weeks went by before the king’s servants came back. “Well, did you find a contented man? Where is his shirt?” asked the king. “Oh, we did find a contented man, sire, and he didn’t have a shirt…”

So, contentment is not about what you have. It’s an attitude, as Paul reminded Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:6-11:

Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. [1 Timothy 6:6-11 (NIV)]

Paul gives Timothy some good advice. We start with nothing and we end with nothing, so contentment means living with satisfaction in the Lord, day by day.

Paul also warns Timothy about wanting ‘stuff’, as dangerous stuff can happen when we desire possessions and circumstances in order to feel content. We’re left open to temptation, and we might even compromise our own values and principles to get what we want. As a result, there is a potential for our desires to dictate our values, rather than the other way around. And if we let our values be defined by what we ourselves want to get, we become discontent and drift away from God.

But let’s be honest. In this world of fast cars, nice houses and fast food ads, it’s hard to be content when things are tough. There’s this little thing we get called jealousy when we see what others have and think they’re doing better than ourselves.

It’s hard to be content when we’re:

Ridiculed
Falsely accused
Ill or injured, and the doctor’s results don’t look good
Left out of a job promotion we felt we deserved
Suddenly forced to change our plans
Faced with loss
Loosing contact with loved ones
Not financially secure

So, it’s hard to feel content when life doesn’t go how you want it to.

However, I feel it’s harder to feel content when things are going well. When we’re having a rough time, we dig deeper in our faith, and hold onto friends and loved ones closer.

When we’re in times of plenty, we get lazy and become tied to our possessions. I’d like to end this point with Proverbs 30:7-9:

“I ask you, O God, to let me have two things before I die: keep me from lying, and let me be neither rich nor poor. So give me only as much as food as I need. If I have more, I might say that I do not need you. But if I am poor, I might steal and bring disgrace on my God” – [Proverbs 30:7-9 (GNB)]

Contentment comes from Learning to Appreciate What you Have in Christ

The greatest contentment we can have is to understand that Jesus died to take away our sins. We can’t even comprehend just how significant the sacrificial death of Jesus is.

Discontent comes from the feeling that we have been deprived of something, or that we deserve different things than what we receive.

When we really consider what we truly “deserve” and compare it to what we have actually received in Christ, then we can say that nothing else matters other than having Christ.

The contentment we feel is entwined in a relationship with Christ. Paul says, “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” Paul is reflecting that he has joy in every situation he encounters, whether it’s good or bad because of the strength he finds in Christ.

I’m reminded of Psalm 73:

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. [Psalm 73:25-26]”

Contentment in God’s Grace

So, our contentment is grounded in our relationship with Christ. No matter what happens, we’re living a better life than we really deserve. We really deserve eternal punishment, but we have been given eternal life in Jesus. We should be excluded from God’s presence, but we are called to be His people! Do you understand this treasure? Nothing, absolutely nothing else compares to what we’ve received from God. Because of God’s grace, we are indeed the richest, most content people!

Contentment in the Providence of God

We draw contentment from knowing that God has control. God isn’t this external ‘thing’ that pops down to earth every so often to do a miracle so we keep believing in Him; He’s personal, and He cares deeply for us, and leads our lives like a skilled artist.

I’m reminded of the song, Above All. We don’t always see what God has in mind, but He keeps sculpting and smoothing, until He creates in us a beautiful item.

As the clay, we might often feel that the strokes laid on us are harsh, even though they are ultimately intended to make us more beautiful to the Lord.

We need to find contentment in God in every situation, both good and bad, because we trust in the hand that holds the sculptor’s tools. Paul believed that he was able to bless others because of the help God had given him in all times.

Contentment in the Promises of God

Let’s think about some of the things God has promised us if we follow Jesus:

1. God has prepared each of us a place in Heaven
2. He will never leave us or forsake us; we never have to face a battle alone.
3. He will provide for our needs.
4. He will guide us into the truth. When we need guidance, we know that God will lead the way.
5. The things He will do in our lives will far exceed our imagination. So we don’t trust what we see, we trust God!

We find contentment in God’s promise to look after us. No matter what the circumstance is, the promise still holds. God will protect, defend, guide and strengthen those who are willing to follow Him.

Conclusion

If I may, I’d like to give you some ideas for how you and I can live contentedly.

First, we should understand that we need to be completely present in the present. What does that mean? We need to realize that we mustn’t focus on how or what something could have turned out like, or how it will turn out, but we need to be looking at what’s enjoyable right now. We will become more and more content when we live each day for what it is, not what it might be, or what it once was.

Some ways we can apply the idea of just focusing on today can be appreciating the home we live in now. Instead of wanting the “new and improved” model of everything, be thankful for the way the “old and deficient” thing does the job. Stop thinking of what the moment could be, and just enjoy the moment for what it is.

Secondly, we should understand that the things we’ve been given are tools designed to help with a certain purpose. Coveting, or wanting what another person has, makes us selfish. We build up a vast number of possessions for ourselves, because we believe we need a lot of things in order to make ourselves happy. The person who is truly content is generous and willing to share because they understand that contentment comes from honouring God.

Lastly, contentment grows when we grow to love Christ more. Far too many people believe that happiness, fulfillment, and satisfaction come from power, possessions, promotions and pleasure. But these are dead-end streets. There is only one road called Contentment, and it goes through Jesus.

So, what must you do to receive contentment? Turn to Jesus. Receive the grace that He so freely gives and trust that in your daily lives, He’s providing for you. As you look to Jesus, “the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace”. When that happens, you will truly begin to enjoy the “moments of life”. You can leave the worries about tomorrow with the Lord, and know that every one of the situations you encounter in life, both pleasant and painful, are lessons learnt in God’s gentle classroom. And if you learn in God’s classroom, you will be content!

Thanks for reading it! Peace out, dudeskis!