The Secret to Contentment
March 3, 2013 Speaker: Ken Ramey
Topic: Contentment Passage: Philippians 4:10–20
- Listen
- Downloads
Sunday Service
Philippians 4:10-20
In this morning's message, Pastor Ramey teaches from Chapter 4 of Philippians so that we may see how God wants us to respond in all of the circumstances we find ourselves in. In this passage, Paul explained FIVE SECRETS TO BEING CONTENT.
1. UNDERSTAND GOD'S PROCESS (v. 11a)
Paul LEARNED to be content in all circumstances. We must develop a habit of contentment because we are not born with it. God puts trials and challenges into our lives to enable us to learn contentment through dependence on Him (James 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 11:23).
Paul LEARNED to be content in all circumstances. We must develop a habit of contentment because we are not born with it. God puts trials and challenges into our lives to enable us to learn contentment through dependence on Him (James 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 11:23).
2. EMBRACE GOD'S PROVIDENCE (vv. 11b-12)
Paul experienced the full spectrum of human experience and had experienced God's providence in the good situations as well as the trials. All situations and events are under God's full control and are brought about to fulfil His will and grow us in spiritual maturity. We are to delight in God's disposal and wisdom in all we experience.
Paul experienced the full spectrum of human experience and had experienced God's providence in the good situations as well as the trials. All situations and events are under God's full control and are brought about to fulfil His will and grow us in spiritual maturity. We are to delight in God's disposal and wisdom in all we experience.
3. RELY ON GOD'S POWER (v. 13)
Through the strength that God provides, Paul was able to accomplish all the things that God had ordained for his life. God's grace is sufficient and His power is perfected in our weakness. Indeed, our contentment is derived from God's grace and strength (John 15).
Through the strength that God provides, Paul was able to accomplish all the things that God had ordained for his life. God's grace is sufficient and His power is perfected in our weakness. Indeed, our contentment is derived from God's grace and strength (John 15).
4. FOCUS ON GOD'S PEOPLE (v. 17)
God will bless those who sacrificially serve others. Paul's focus was on the Philippians and the knowledge that the gifts he received from them represented spiritual gain on their part (Philippians 2:3-4).
God will bless those who sacrificially serve others. Paul's focus was on the Philippians and the knowledge that the gifts he received from them represented spiritual gain on their part (Philippians 2:3-4).
5. TRUST GOD'S PROVISION (vv. 18-19)
God promises to provide for all of our needs. However, He never promised to meet all of our wants. We know God sometimes fulfills our desires, and when He does, we should be thankful. But if He does not, we are also to be thankful because He knows the things that are for our good (Psalm 131). We must believe that the trials in our life are a manifestation of God's love for us.
God promises to provide for all of our needs. However, He never promised to meet all of our wants. We know God sometimes fulfills our desires, and when He does, we should be thankful. But if He does not, we are also to be thankful because He knows the things that are for our good (Psalm 131). We must believe that the trials in our life are a manifestation of God's love for us.
Ask God to help you rest in His arms like a weaned child in their mother's arms (cf. Psalm 131:2). Pray that He would help you learn to be content with what He provides for you, even when it isn't what you wanted or thought you needed.