I spoke on contentment at Ridgewater's Campus Ministry Center last Thursday, here's my notes. A lot of influence from this material came from Beau Hughes from the Village Church in Dallas/Fort Worth. I think it's on point. (Check his message by clicking here)
Where do you find your ultimate identity?
You may be a student. You may be single. You may have a job. These things are true about you, but they’re not ultimately who you are.
We often look at our circumstances through the lens of a reality that isn’t there. We believe lies. “The most important thing about you is what you think about when you think about God.” – AW Tozer
What does your life show about what you believe about God?
You also can’t use the opposite gender to validate your manhood or womanhood. They are not your mirror for who you really are. Men or women are not your problem. You can’t derive your value from the opposite gender. You also can’t play a role, and act how you perceive is appealing to them.
Don’t shrink back in godliness just to pursue your worldly lusts.
What's the Bible say on contentment? Paul’s letter to the Philippians differs from a lot of his other letters. It’s the most encouraging and least rebuking.
Philippians 4:10-20
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
It’s not always easy being a young adult, a student, or single…or in a dating relationship.
The Bible is counter-cultural. But we can expect that. The Bible is claiming to be the word of God (and it is), and isn’t always practical in our lives, but it is wiser than or view of what’s practical.
Back to contentment...
We’re all looking for contentment, but many of us will struggle to ever find it. A lot of us are trying to escape the Willmar/small town areas we’re from.
Marriage is great. But it’s not a savior. We can’t make it an idol. It can’t give you your ultimate identity. If you look to a spouse for your significance, you will crush that person or frustrate yourself.
Jobs are great. But they’re not a savior. Houses and cars and games and anything else are great, but they’re not a savior.
A common theme in our lives is the theme of discontentment. It’s a universal issue. We struggle with contentment not primarily due to our circumstances, but rather because of our struggle to trust God.
We struggle with trusting that God is what is best for us and does what is best for us.
Two questions: What causes discontentment? What nurtures contentment?
Contentment: The only time Paul uses this specific word is in Philippians. But similar concepts are used elsewhere. 2 Corinthians 12: Paul talks about being content in hard circumstances. 1 Timothy: Paul says there’s great gain in godliness and being content with God. Hebrews 13: Keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said I will never leave you or forsake you.
“Contentment is the direct fruit of having no higher ambition than to belong to the Lord at his disposal.” – Sinclair Ferguson
It’s trusting and submitting to God, out of love, in every condition.
In Genesis 2, we see man as intended. Fully walking with God. Fully content. And we could make the argument that the first sin and the fall of man came from discontentment with God. Peace and contentment got shattered in Genesis 3.
So what is discontentment? What’s at the source of it?
Ingratitude. Our grumbling shows how mindful we are of what we want and don’t have. It also shows our lack of thankfulness for what we do have. If you’re a believer in Christ, he has saved our souls and redeemed us. He has drawn us to him and loved us.
Thanks for Jesus
...but I’d rather have this, though.
Arrogance. We often believe we have a better plan for our lives than God does. We know better than God. We’re smarter than God. We can do a better job. We may never say that, but our actions scream it sometimes.
Lust and greed. I want more. God has provided for our deepest needs, but we want more. This can be devastating.
Entitlement. We actually believe that God owes us something. I’ve been obedient. I do good things. God hasn’t come through when I do this. God owes me.
Idolatry. The deepest reality for many of us, is that we want something more than we want God.
Can you be honest with God? Can you be open with him and admit that sometimes you try to “help” him with things you don’t think he can handle? Can you be honest enough in the areas you’re not content?
Why is discontentment devastating? It erodes our ability to worship. We can sing songs, but we won’t be worshiping. We won’t be able to receive fully from God. Often it makes us more aware of what we want but don’t have. We are incapable of being truly thankful. The discontented heart is a mess.
It’s hard to follow someone you don’t trust. It’s harder to follow someone when you’re angry at them. It hinders joyful obedience.
It robs your ability to celebrate with others. Especially when they get what we want. It makes us envious. We can’t be happy for someone else because we’re so self-absorbed. This is rooted in our own discontentment. This is toxic.
So what’s the state of your heart and how content are you right now?
What areas in your life are you discontent in? Job? Finances? Relationships?
What thing or person would make you content? If I could just have this, then I’d be content…
What are you afraid to be content about because you’re afraid that God will just leave you in that place?
Discontentment doesn’t just go away. It rolls forward if unchecked. If contentment isn’t nurtured, with help, discontentment will only follow us. Do we need to water and cultivate weeds to help them grow? How about the useful stuff in a garden? This must be our mindset with our faith and our contentment. Contentment has to be nurtured.
This happens only from the inside out. It starts with our hearts and then is acted out. Repent of our grumbling. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach us contentment. Contentment can be learned. God can teach us. There is hope. God is still at work in us. Be honest with your circle of friends so they can help you, and repent to God.
Contentment doesn’t come from a ring on a finger, or a house full of kids, or a six-figure job. If you’re discontent right now, if left unchecked, you’re almost surely going to be discontent moving forward.
The other course of action: Look to Jesus. Like Adam, Jesus was tempted. Like Adam, Jesus was in a garden, about to encounter a tree. Unlike Adam, or you and me, he doesn’t. He is our savior and our example. In that order. We see the truest contentment in the man of Jesus.
Matthew 22:36-38…Jesus quoting Deuteronomy 6 to answer people who KNEW Deuteronomy.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment...
Jesus is not a consolation prize.
Arrogance. We often believe we have a better plan for our lives than God does. We know better than God. We’re smarter than God. We can do a better job. We may never say that, but our actions scream it sometimes.
Lust and greed. I want more. God has provided for our deepest needs, but we want more. This can be devastating.
Entitlement. We actually believe that God owes us something. I’ve been obedient. I do good things. God hasn’t come through when I do this. God owes me.
Idolatry. The deepest reality for many of us, is that we want something more than we want God.
Can you be honest with God? Can you be open with him and admit that sometimes you try to “help” him with things you don’t think he can handle? Can you be honest enough in the areas you’re not content?
Why is discontentment devastating? It erodes our ability to worship. We can sing songs, but we won’t be worshiping. We won’t be able to receive fully from God. Often it makes us more aware of what we want but don’t have. We are incapable of being truly thankful. The discontented heart is a mess.
It’s hard to follow someone you don’t trust. It’s harder to follow someone when you’re angry at them. It hinders joyful obedience.
It robs your ability to celebrate with others. Especially when they get what we want. It makes us envious. We can’t be happy for someone else because we’re so self-absorbed. This is rooted in our own discontentment. This is toxic.
So what’s the state of your heart and how content are you right now?
What areas in your life are you discontent in? Job? Finances? Relationships?
What thing or person would make you content? If I could just have this, then I’d be content…
What are you afraid to be content about because you’re afraid that God will just leave you in that place?
Discontentment doesn’t just go away. It rolls forward if unchecked. If contentment isn’t nurtured, with help, discontentment will only follow us. Do we need to water and cultivate weeds to help them grow? How about the useful stuff in a garden? This must be our mindset with our faith and our contentment. Contentment has to be nurtured.
This happens only from the inside out. It starts with our hearts and then is acted out. Repent of our grumbling. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach us contentment. Contentment can be learned. God can teach us. There is hope. God is still at work in us. Be honest with your circle of friends so they can help you, and repent to God.
Contentment doesn’t come from a ring on a finger, or a house full of kids, or a six-figure job. If you’re discontent right now, if left unchecked, you’re almost surely going to be discontent moving forward.
The other course of action: Look to Jesus. Like Adam, Jesus was tempted. Like Adam, Jesus was in a garden, about to encounter a tree. Unlike Adam, or you and me, he doesn’t. He is our savior and our example. In that order. We see the truest contentment in the man of Jesus.
Matthew 22:36-38…Jesus quoting Deuteronomy 6 to answer people who KNEW Deuteronomy.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment...
Jesus is not a consolation prize.
It’s not a burden.
It’s supposed to be a delight.
Final Questions:
Where do you find your ultimate identity?
What does your life show about what you believe in God?
What is the underlying source for your discontentment?
How are you letting God nurture your contentment?
What are you afraid to be content about because you’re afraid that God will just leave you in that place?
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