Finding True Contentment Through Gratitude and Trials
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor acknowledging the spirit of worship and gratitude present in the congregation. He shares personal experiences of the past couple of weeks, including running around the country for conferences and battling a sinus infection. Despite the challenges faced, the pastor expresses frustration at not being able to give 100% and compares it to a quarterback trying to throw with a broken arm. However, the pastor reveals that the subject of contentment from Philippians chapter 4 has been on their heart.
The pastor then focuses on the concept of contentment and how it can be learned through trials and hardships. He references the apostle Paul as an example, highlighting the numerous challenges and sufferings Paul endured throughout his life. From being beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and facing various perils, Paul experienced immense suffering. However, despite all of this, Paul learned the secret of contentment. The pastor emphasizes that contentment is not just a learned behavior but also a secret formula. He reveals three sources from which contentment can be found, with the first being a wellspring of gratitude and thankfulness.
The pastor then discusses the concept of spiritual contentment and how it does not happen accidentally or naturally. He uses the analogy of a river to illustrate this idea, explaining that while we may be floating along happily in the river of contentment, there are obstacles that hinder our journey and cause discontentment. These obstacles are compared to rocks in the river. The first obstacle mentioned is the rock of location, emphasizing that contentment is not determined by where we are.
The pastor discusses the destructive nature of comparison and how it leads to discontentment. Comparison is closely related to covetousness, envy, and jealousy, none of which bring any good. Comparing ourselves to others either makes us feel superior or inferior, neither of which honors God. Comparison robs us of joy and steals our confidence. The pastor emphasizes that contentment is not determined by our circumstances, what we do, or what we have. Instead, contentment is a learned behavior that requires going through the fires of discontentment.
The pastor concludes by emphasizing the importance of finding peace and letting go of any burdens or worries. The congregation is encouraged to release whatever is weighing them down and allow God to give them a content heart. The pastor leads the congregation in singing a chorus that reinforces this message, reminding them to lift their hands in praise and surrender all that they have to God.
Key Takeaways:
- Contentment is not just a learned behavior but also a secret formula. It can be found through a wellspring of gratitude and thankfulness. This is evident in the life of the apostle Paul who, despite immense suffering, learned the secret of contentment. [49:33]
- Contentment is not determined by where we are. The pastor uses the analogy of a river to illustrate this idea, explaining that while we may be floating along happily in the river of contentment, there are obstacles that hinder our journey and cause discontentment. [52:45]
- Comparison is a destructive behavior that leads to discontentment. It is closely related to covetousness, envy, and jealousy, none of which bring any good. Comparison robs us of joy and steals our confidence. [56:12]
- Contentment is a learned behavior that requires going through the fires of discontentment. It is not determined by our circumstances, what we do, or what we have. Instead, it is about having the right mindset in every situation. [59:30]
- The importance of finding peace and letting go of any burdens or worries is emphasized. The congregation is encouraged to release whatever is weighing them down and allow God to give them a content heart. This is a crucial step towards achieving true contentment. [1:03:15]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
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1. Philippians 4:11-12: "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."
2. 2 Corinthians 11:24-27: "From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."
3. Ecclesiastes 6:9: "Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Philippians 4:11-12 reveal about the Apostle Paul's attitude towards his circumstances?
2. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, what are some of the hardships that Paul endured?
3. What does Ecclesiastes 6:9 suggest about the nature of desire and contentment?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul's attitude in Philippians 4:11-12 challenge our understanding of contentment?
2. What can we learn from Paul's experiences in 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 about finding contentment amidst suffering?
3. How does Ecclesiastes 6:9 relate to the idea of contentment being independent of our circumstances?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt discontent. How might applying Paul's attitude from Philippians 4:11-12 have changed your perspective?
2. Can you identify a current hardship in your life? How can you apply Paul's experiences from 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 to find contentment amidst this challenge?
3. Think of a desire you have that is currently unfulfilled. How can the wisdom from Ecclesiastes 6:9 help you find contentment in the present moment, rather than in the fulfillment of this desire?
4. What is one practical step you can take this week to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness, as a source of contentment?
5. Identify a person or situation where you often find yourself making comparisons. How can you consciously choose contentment over comparison in this scenario?
Devotional
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Day 1: The Secret Formula of Contentment
Contentment is not merely a learned behavior, but a secret formula that can be discovered through a wellspring of gratitude and thankfulness. This truth is exemplified in the life of the apostle Paul who, despite enduring immense suffering, discovered the secret of contentment. [49:33]
1 Timothy 6:6-7 - "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent hardship you faced. How can you cultivate a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness in the midst of this challenge?
Day 2: The River of Contentment
Contentment is not determined by our location or circumstances. Just as a river may have obstacles that hinder its flow, our journey towards contentment may also face obstacles. However, these obstacles do not define our contentment. [52:45]
Hebrews 13:5 - "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
Reflection: What are some obstacles in your life that are hindering your journey towards contentment? How can you overcome these obstacles?
Day 3: The Destructive Nature of Comparison
Comparison is a destructive behavior that leads to discontentment. It is closely related to covetousness, envy, and jealousy, none of which bring any good. Comparison robs us of joy and steals our confidence. [56:12]
Galatians 6:4 - "Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent instance where you found yourself comparing to others. How can you shift your focus from comparison to gratitude?
Day 4: The Fires of Discontentment
Contentment is a learned behavior that requires going through the fires of discontentment. It is not determined by our circumstances, what we do, or what we have. Instead, it is about having the right mindset in every situation. [59:30]
James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are experiencing discontentment? How can you change your mindset to find contentment in this situation?
Day 5: The Peace of Letting Go
The importance of finding peace and letting go of any burdens or worries is emphasized. We are encouraged to release whatever is weighing us down and allow God to give us a content heart. This is a crucial step towards achieving true contentment. [1:03:15]
Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Reflection: What burdens are you currently carrying? How can you surrender these burdens to God and find peace in Him?
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Quotes
"Contentment is not determined by what you have, contentment is not determined by where you are... contentment is not determined by what you do... because we love to compare, don't we?" ([01:00:31])
"Comparison to others will either make you feel Superior or inferior and neither one of those things honors God because compar will rob you of your joy and it will steal your confidence contentment is not determined by what you do kill the comparisons in your life." ([01:03:05])
"Contentment is not a spiritual gift, it's a learned behavior. We have to learn the discipline of contentment...in order to really learn how to be content, what did Paul say in verse 11 not that I speak in regard to need for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content." ([01:03:50])
"Thankfulness is an action before it's an attitude... gratitude does not happen with the fulfillment of what you want but in the realization of what you already have." #!!01:11:47!!#
"The river of contentment is not found or determined by where you are, it's not determined by what you have, it's not determined by what you do, but rather it's a learned behavior that is fed by three contributing sources: gratitude, joy, and peace." #!!01:17:44!!#
"True contentment is only found when your life is flowing with so much gratitude, so much joy, and so much peace that your highest ambition is to walk in Christ daily, to know Christ more deeply, and to be entirely his at his disposal in and through every aspect of your life." #!!01:19:40!!#
"Thankfulness is what feeds this River of contentment and just like contentment is a behavior that needs to be learned gratitude is a discipline that needs to be cultivated." #!!01:09:19!!#
"Gratitude is the Roundup that will kill the weeds of discontent in your life... gratitude will literally make you a healthy person... the brain cannot respond to anxiety and gratitude at the same time." #!!01:10:36!!#
"What the world needs to see more than anything is a bunch of contented Christians who find their hope their Joy their life their Love In Christ and Christ Alone... let the God of all peace bring you contentment." #!!01:21:27!!#
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