How Christ Teaches Contentment – Part 1

Transcript

How Christ Teaches Contentment

Christ teaches. We learn. Even the great apostle Paul had to learn contentment regarding
physical needs.
Phil. 4:11 “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content…”
In regards to his physical “thorn in the flesh”
“I am well content with weaknesses…for Christ’s sake…” II Cor. 12:10
I Timothy 6:6 “…godliness actually is a means of great gain when
accompanied by contentment.”
Hebrews 13:5 Paul says, “Make sure that your character is free from the
love of money, being content with what you have…”

Lesson #1: Self-denial
The ABC’s of self-denial happen at the cross.
Luke 9:23 “…If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and
take up his cross daily and follow me.”
No one every denied himself as much as Christ.
Self-denial softens our heart.
Those full of themselves and hardened by self-love make a lot of noise.
The self-denying Christian yields to God’s hand and makes no noise.
Self-denial acknowledges:
I am nothing. Eph. 2:1 “And you were DEAD in your…sin.”
I deserve WORSE that nothing. Not merely ceasing to exist, but hell.
In myself, I am worse than an empty vessel. My vessel contains my flesh.
Eph. 4:22 “…the old self, which is being corrupted…”
I can do nothing good in God’s eyes apart from Christ.
John 15:5 “…apart from Me you can do nothing.”
The godly can be happy at all times for the circumstances that suit God’s end.

Lesson #2: Recognize true nourishment
Isaiah 55:2a “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your
wages for what does not satisfy?”
Do not look to the things of the world to cure your discontent.

Lesson #3: Live for what is truly necessary
Know the difference between “necessary” and “optional.”
Be preoccupied with the weightier things of eternity.

Lesson #4: Understand my relationship to this world where God has placed me
I Peter 2:11 refers to believers: “… I urge you as aliens and strangers…”
OT saints understood this:
Hebrews 11:13 “…they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”
Psalm 119:19 “I am a stranger in the earth...”

Lesson #5: Understand and accept that God brings into our lives what is suited for our condition

Lesson #6: Recognize the burden of prosperous outward conditions
A rose has its prickles. Let’s believe what God says.
I Tim. 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
Prosperity is hard to give it up.
Matt. 19:23 “…it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Luke 18:22,23 “ ‘One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.”
Those who have more from the Lord also have more to be accountable for before
Him. Luke 16:11 “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of
unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?”

Lesson #7: It is dreadful evil to be given up to one’s desires
Do I consider it a great vexation not to get what I want? Do I really want God to give in to me?
Psalm 81:11, 12 “But my people did not listen so My voice, and Israel did
not obey Me. So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, to walk
in their own devices.”
Psalm 73:28 “The nearness of God is my good.”
If I have the Lord and His favor, I am content with His provisions for me.

Lesson #8: Christ teaches the right knowledge of God’s providence
It is universal.
Isaiah 14:27 “For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it?
And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?”
God will not alter His providence because of my discontent.
God has an infinite variety in His works of providence and these all work together in an orderly manner.
I may be crossed in one detail. I can be content because I know God is using this detail to accomplish all His good providences.
As we are acquainted with God and His ways, we are encouraged and content.
God’s ordinary course for His people is that they be afflicted.
I Peter 4:12,13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal”
When God intends the greatest mercies for His people, He usually first
brings them into very low conditions. Joseph, David, Christ, me
God turns the greatest evil into the greatest good.
We know what God is up to. Let us be content in His ways with us.

March 21, 2017 | Carrie Smith