Sunday Sermon

The Secret of Contentment Dave Shaner July 4, 2004

Introduction: God cares about your heart and how you give.  A cheerful spirit is a necessary part of any pleasing offering.  Giving is a learned thing.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  - II Corinthians 9:7

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been 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 everything through him who gives me strength.  - Philippians 4:10-13

Learning the Secret of Contentment:

I. ______________ God as the Source of All Your Blessings.

A. Ingratitude, in the Bible, is a major sin.

1. Romans 1:21

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

2. II Timothy 3:2

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy

B. Enjoy your prosperity with thanksgiving to God.

1. I Timothy 4:4

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving

2. Ephesians 5:20

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. I Thessalonians 5:18

give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

4. Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

II. ______________ Your View of Essentials.

A. I Timothy 6:6-8

But 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.

B. 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."

III. ______________ with the Truly Poor.

A. Be on guard against the temptation to look down on others.

B. I Timothy 6:17-19

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

C. Blessings come into the church when we minister to the poor:

1. We become more aware of our prosperity - more grateful.

2. We stay focused on what really matters.

3. We become aware of what real riches are.

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?  - James 2:5

IV. ______________ What True Riches Really Are.

A. His blood purchased things for us that money could never buy.

B. Ephesians 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

C. Ephesians 3:8

Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ

D. Hebrews 10:32-35

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

Conclusion: A cheerful heart is always a grateful heart.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.  - II Corinthians 8:9

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