Title: Contentment is Found in Christ Alone Meta: What is contentment? Contentment is being fully satisfied in our soul, it is an idea of complete sufficiency. It is used in reference to God, in His self sufficiency and needing nothing. You could say it is coming to a state of being that is independent of external circumstances. In other words, it is being unmoved by external circumstances and situations because of the soul satisfaction within us; a state of soul satisfaction and sufficiency that circumstances, neither positive nor negative, can impact. This type of contentment is found in Christ alone and maintained by His power at work in us. Tags: content,satisfied,cares,life,believer,Christian,Philippians 4:11-13 1 00:00:01,596 --> 00:00:08,742 It is a privilege to be among the redeemed of God. 2 00:00:08,742 --> 00:00:10,296 Thank you, Mack, last night, 3 00:00:10,296 --> 00:00:11,784 for that sermon brother. 4 00:00:11,784 --> 00:00:13,658 It was so edifying. 5 00:00:13,658 --> 00:00:16,370 I know that, for all of us, 6 00:00:16,370 --> 00:00:18,489 we don't want to be just hearers of that. 7 00:00:18,489 --> 00:00:19,691 We want to be doers. 8 00:00:19,691 --> 00:00:22,007 And I pray that each of us takes 9 00:00:22,007 --> 00:00:25,066 that responsibility that we saw we have 10 00:00:25,066 --> 00:00:29,261 in maintaining the unity in the local church. 11 00:00:29,261 --> 00:00:32,023 Mack loves the local church 12 00:00:32,023 --> 00:00:35,280 because Mack loves Jesus Christ. 13 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:39,102 If we love Jesus Christ, we love the local church. 14 00:00:39,102 --> 00:00:46,172 Let's open our Bibles to Philippians 4. 15 00:00:46,172 --> 00:00:49,623 It's a privilege to be here - as you're turning... 16 00:00:49,623 --> 00:00:52,086 to share in fellowship, 17 00:00:52,086 --> 00:00:53,588 to meet new brother and sisters 18 00:00:53,588 --> 00:00:55,236 literally from all over the world, 19 00:00:55,236 --> 00:00:57,461 to hear encouraging testimonies. 20 00:00:57,461 --> 00:01:00,717 We've already heard some. 21 00:01:00,717 --> 00:01:03,178 Let's pray for God's grace upon the Word 22 00:01:03,178 --> 00:01:07,315 and over that warning here. 23 00:01:07,315 --> 00:01:11,854 Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we come. 24 00:01:11,854 --> 00:01:15,277 God, we dare not come in any other name. 25 00:01:15,277 --> 00:01:21,723 We do not come on our own righteousness, but His. 26 00:01:21,723 --> 00:01:23,720 Thank You, Father. 27 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:27,094 Thank You for grace towards us. 28 00:01:27,094 --> 00:01:28,773 God, I thought earlier today, 29 00:01:28,773 --> 00:01:32,841 where would I be on a Friday afternoon 30 00:01:32,841 --> 00:01:36,899 apart from Your grace? 31 00:01:36,899 --> 00:01:40,340 Praise You, Father. 32 00:01:40,340 --> 00:01:42,463 Help us now. 33 00:01:42,463 --> 00:01:45,151 Do grant to us the Spirit of revelation and wisdom 34 00:01:45,151 --> 00:01:47,666 in the knowledge of Him. 35 00:01:47,666 --> 00:01:49,813 Open up Your Word to us. 36 00:01:49,813 --> 00:01:52,690 We ask this in the name of Jesus, 37 00:01:52,690 --> 00:01:54,266 Amen. 38 00:01:54,266 --> 00:01:56,420 I'm going to read verses 10-20, 39 00:01:56,420 --> 00:02:00,538 and we'll focus on verse 11-13. 40 00:02:00,538 --> 00:02:03,191 "I rejoice in the Lord greatly, 41 00:02:03,191 --> 00:02:06,867 that now at length, you have revived your concern for me. 42 00:02:06,867 --> 00:02:08,475 You were indeed concerned for me, 43 00:02:08,475 --> 00:02:10,554 but you had no opportunity. 44 00:02:10,554 --> 00:02:13,159 Not that I'm speaking of being in need. 45 00:02:13,159 --> 00:02:17,247 For I've learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 46 00:02:17,247 --> 00:02:20,485 I know how to be brought low. 47 00:02:20,485 --> 00:02:23,083 I know how to abound 48 00:02:23,083 --> 00:02:25,113 in any and every circumstance. 49 00:02:25,113 --> 00:02:28,012 I've learned the secret of facing plenty, 50 00:02:28,012 --> 00:02:30,870 and hunger, and abundance, and need. 51 00:02:30,870 --> 00:02:35,534 I can do all things through Christ - through Him who strengthens me. 52 00:02:35,534 --> 00:02:38,352 Yet it was kind of you to share in my trouble. 53 00:02:38,352 --> 00:02:40,153 And you Philippians yourselves know 54 00:02:40,153 --> 00:02:41,901 that in the beginning of the Gospel 55 00:02:41,901 --> 00:02:43,581 when I left Macedonia, 56 00:02:43,581 --> 00:02:46,486 no church entered into partnership with me 57 00:02:46,486 --> 00:02:49,634 in giving and receiving, except you only. 58 00:02:49,634 --> 00:02:53,303 Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs, 59 00:02:53,303 --> 00:02:55,099 and once again, 60 00:02:55,099 --> 00:02:57,165 not that I seek the gift, 61 00:02:57,165 --> 00:03:00,487 but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 62 00:03:00,487 --> 00:03:02,914 I have received full payment and more. 63 00:03:02,914 --> 00:03:04,093 I am well supplied, 64 00:03:04,093 --> 00:03:07,463 having received from Epaphradites the gifts you sent. 65 00:03:07,463 --> 00:03:09,515 A fragrant offering. 66 00:03:09,515 --> 00:03:12,555 A sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 67 00:03:12,555 --> 00:03:15,931 And my God will supply every need of yours 68 00:03:15,931 --> 00:03:19,507 according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 69 00:03:19,507 --> 00:03:22,933 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever, 70 00:03:22,933 --> 00:03:25,806 Amen." 71 00:03:25,806 --> 00:03:28,318 Paul's closing his letter to the church at Philippi. 72 00:03:28,318 --> 00:03:30,038 He's thanking them for their gift, 73 00:03:30,038 --> 00:03:34,552 for standing with him. 74 00:03:34,552 --> 00:03:37,210 He let's them know he's not asking for more. 75 00:03:37,210 --> 00:03:40,747 In fact, he lets them know he does not need more. 76 00:03:40,747 --> 00:03:42,864 And then he uses the opportunity 77 00:03:42,864 --> 00:03:44,553 to teach them something that Paul 78 00:03:44,553 --> 00:03:47,517 obviously believes is very important. 79 00:03:47,517 --> 00:03:50,752 He wants to teach them about contentment. 80 00:03:50,752 --> 00:03:53,193 And that will be our focus this morning. 81 00:03:53,193 --> 00:03:54,735 I say it's important to Paul, 82 00:03:54,735 --> 00:03:57,129 not only because he teaches it here, 83 00:03:57,129 --> 00:03:59,449 but he teaches it in his other letters as well. 84 00:03:59,449 --> 00:04:02,019 I'm sure we're all familiar when he writes to Timothy 85 00:04:02,019 --> 00:04:05,557 in 1 Timothy 6 about the false teachers 86 00:04:05,557 --> 00:04:08,408 who looked to godliness as a means for gain; 87 00:04:08,408 --> 00:04:10,568 for personal profit. 88 00:04:10,568 --> 00:04:14,004 And he says, "godliness with contentment is great gain. 89 00:04:14,004 --> 00:04:16,273 For we brought nothing into the world, 90 00:04:16,273 --> 00:04:18,453 and we can take nothing out of the world. 91 00:04:18,453 --> 00:04:20,091 But if we have food and clothing, 92 00:04:20,091 --> 00:04:22,311 with these we shall be content." 93 00:04:22,311 --> 00:04:26,903 Also the church of Corinth in 2 Corinthians 12 as well. 94 00:04:26,903 --> 00:04:29,151 After praying for the thorn to be removed, 95 00:04:29,151 --> 00:04:30,678 he speaks and says, 96 00:04:30,678 --> 00:04:32,615 "My grace is sufficient for you." 97 00:04:32,615 --> 00:04:34,448 Speaking of the Lord. 98 00:04:34,448 --> 00:04:37,929 "For my power is made perfect in weakness." 99 00:04:37,929 --> 00:04:40,431 Paul says, "therefore, I boast all the more gladly 100 00:04:40,431 --> 00:04:41,592 in my weakness, 101 00:04:41,592 --> 00:04:44,338 so the power of Christ may rest upon me. 102 00:04:44,338 --> 00:04:45,970 For the sake of Christ then, 103 00:04:45,970 --> 00:04:47,876 I am content with weakness, 104 00:04:47,876 --> 00:04:50,540 insults, hardships, 105 00:04:50,540 --> 00:04:53,540 persecutions, and calamities, 106 00:04:53,540 --> 00:04:57,528 for when I am weak, then I am strong." 107 00:04:57,528 --> 00:04:59,319 It's an important subject to Paul. 108 00:04:59,319 --> 00:05:01,504 And we know Paul, being under the inspiration 109 00:05:01,504 --> 00:05:02,987 of the Holy Spirit, 110 00:05:02,987 --> 00:05:06,857 this is an important subject to our Lord. 111 00:05:06,857 --> 00:05:12,238 Our contentment is important to the Lord. 112 00:05:12,238 --> 00:05:14,344 So what is contentment? 113 00:05:14,344 --> 00:05:19,189 Contentment is being fully satisfied in our soul. 114 00:05:19,189 --> 00:05:22,673 It is an idea of complete sufficiency. 115 00:05:22,673 --> 00:05:24,089 It's used in reference to God 116 00:05:24,089 --> 00:05:25,783 and His self-sufficiency, 117 00:05:25,783 --> 00:05:27,652 needing nothing. 118 00:05:27,652 --> 00:05:30,394 You could say it's coming to a state of being 119 00:05:30,394 --> 00:05:34,836 that is independent of external circumstances. 120 00:05:34,836 --> 00:05:37,311 In other words, it's being unmoved by 121 00:05:37,311 --> 00:05:39,749 external circumstances and situations 122 00:05:39,749 --> 00:05:44,756 because of the soul satisfaction in us. 123 00:05:44,756 --> 00:05:50,276 A state of soul satisfaction and sufficiency 124 00:05:50,276 --> 00:05:51,936 that circumstances - 125 00:05:51,936 --> 00:05:55,181 neither positive nor negative - 126 00:05:55,181 --> 00:06:00,056 can impact. 127 00:06:00,056 --> 00:06:06,922 Beloved, everyone in here is seeking contentment. 128 00:06:06,922 --> 00:06:10,531 And so I'm going to ask right now, 129 00:06:10,531 --> 00:06:16,180 are you content? 130 00:06:16,180 --> 00:06:19,590 Are you content? 131 00:06:19,590 --> 00:06:23,670 We said that our contentment's important to the Lord. 132 00:06:23,670 --> 00:06:25,042 You may think at first, 133 00:06:25,042 --> 00:06:28,145 well, that sounds kind of man-centered, doesn't it? 134 00:06:28,145 --> 00:06:29,908 And if Paul or the Lord were speaking 135 00:06:29,908 --> 00:06:32,105 about contentment in and of itself, 136 00:06:32,105 --> 00:06:33,981 as an end to itself, 137 00:06:33,981 --> 00:06:37,237 that would be man-centered. 138 00:06:37,237 --> 00:06:39,792 So we have to ask, 139 00:06:39,792 --> 00:06:43,922 where is Paul pointing us to for contentment? 140 00:06:43,922 --> 00:06:46,472 Because that's the critical piece. 141 00:06:46,472 --> 00:06:48,458 Everyone in here is seeking contentment 142 00:06:48,458 --> 00:06:50,554 even right now. 143 00:06:50,554 --> 00:06:52,105 The question we have to ask 144 00:06:52,105 --> 00:06:56,541 is what is our source, or what is the object 145 00:06:56,541 --> 00:06:58,204 of our contentment. 146 00:06:58,204 --> 00:07:00,866 And that's really the question we'll be asking 147 00:07:00,866 --> 00:07:03,395 through the text today. 148 00:07:03,395 --> 00:07:05,749 I went back through the whole book of Philippians 149 00:07:05,749 --> 00:07:07,569 as I studied through this. 150 00:07:07,569 --> 00:07:12,021 I just noted key passages in various chapters. 151 00:07:12,021 --> 00:07:13,329 Let me read them to you 152 00:07:13,329 --> 00:07:17,297 and see if you can come to a common theme 153 00:07:17,297 --> 00:07:20,141 where Paul is pointing the church of Philippi 154 00:07:20,141 --> 00:07:25,292 and us today for our all-sufficiency and contentment. 155 00:07:25,292 --> 00:07:30,390 Where is Paul pointing us for soul satisfaction? 156 00:07:30,390 --> 00:07:32,438 Just listen to these verses. 157 00:07:32,438 --> 00:07:35,458 Chapter 1:21 158 00:07:35,458 --> 00:07:41,240 "To live is Christ. To die is gain." 159 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:45,661 Life for Paul is Christ. 160 00:07:45,661 --> 00:07:51,749 And death is gain because it's more of Christ. 161 00:07:51,749 --> 00:07:53,183 Chapter 1:27 162 00:07:53,183 --> 00:07:59,154 "Let your manner of life be worthy of the Gospel of Christ." 163 00:07:59,154 --> 00:08:01,709 In other words, live in light of the Gospel of Christ 164 00:08:01,709 --> 00:08:05,179 and live your life, church, in such a way 165 00:08:05,179 --> 00:08:08,952 that you magnify Jesus Christ. 166 00:08:08,952 --> 00:08:10,439 Chapter 1:29 167 00:08:10,439 --> 00:08:11,413 Listen to this. 168 00:08:11,413 --> 00:08:13,731 "For it has been granted to you..." 169 00:08:13,731 --> 00:08:15,880 A grace given to you. 170 00:08:15,880 --> 00:08:18,084 "...that for the sake of Christ, 171 00:08:18,084 --> 00:08:20,055 you should not only believe in Him, 172 00:08:20,055 --> 00:08:23,836 but also suffer for Him." 173 00:08:23,836 --> 00:08:25,681 Look at the kindness of God, 174 00:08:25,681 --> 00:08:26,914 Paul is saying. 175 00:08:26,914 --> 00:08:30,372 You get to suffer for Christ. 176 00:08:30,372 --> 00:08:33,864 Paul is so captivated at the worth of Jesus Christ 177 00:08:33,864 --> 00:08:36,193 that he sees it might be encouragement 178 00:08:36,193 --> 00:08:38,646 and compelling to the church to say, 179 00:08:38,646 --> 00:08:45,041 you've been graced to suffer for His name's sake. 180 00:08:45,041 --> 00:08:49,464 And maybe the ultimate text of Philippians 181 00:08:49,464 --> 00:08:52,225 where Paul points us to where our contentment should lie 182 00:08:52,225 --> 00:08:55,666 is chapter 3:7-8. 183 00:08:55,666 --> 00:08:57,629 "Whatever gain I had, 184 00:08:57,629 --> 00:09:02,072 I count it as loss for the sake of Christ. 185 00:09:02,072 --> 00:09:09,440 Indeed I count all things as loss." 186 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:10,880 Why? 187 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:16,578 "Because of the surpassing worth 188 00:09:16,578 --> 00:09:24,062 of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." 189 00:09:24,062 --> 00:09:26,326 Chapter 3:14 190 00:09:26,326 --> 00:09:29,479 He says, "I press on toward the goal 191 00:09:29,479 --> 00:09:34,387 for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." 192 00:09:34,387 --> 00:09:36,213 What's Paul's goal? 193 00:09:36,213 --> 00:09:38,612 Christlikeness. 194 00:09:38,612 --> 00:09:43,168 What's the treasure? What's the prize at the end? 195 00:09:43,168 --> 00:09:45,971 Christ. 196 00:09:45,971 --> 00:09:48,781 Finally in chapter 3:20. 197 00:09:48,781 --> 00:09:52,390 "Our citizenship is in heaven. 198 00:09:52,390 --> 00:09:55,209 And from it we await a Savior, 199 00:09:55,209 --> 00:09:59,577 the Lord Jesus Christ." 200 00:09:59,577 --> 00:10:01,464 What is life to Paul? 201 00:10:01,464 --> 00:10:03,137 What is his treasure? 202 00:10:03,137 --> 00:10:04,809 What is his goal? 203 00:10:04,809 --> 00:10:06,386 What is his prize? 204 00:10:06,386 --> 00:10:08,024 What is his identity? 205 00:10:08,024 --> 00:10:09,483 What is he looking to? 206 00:10:09,483 --> 00:10:11,637 What has he found that makes him 207 00:10:11,637 --> 00:10:13,969 count all things as loss? 208 00:10:13,969 --> 00:10:17,603 What is Paul's sufficiency? 209 00:10:17,603 --> 00:10:20,370 What is Paul's contentment? 210 00:10:20,370 --> 00:10:24,202 It's Jesus. 211 00:10:24,202 --> 00:10:29,337 And here's the heavier part, I think, for all of us. 212 00:10:29,337 --> 00:10:32,001 It's Jesus alone. 213 00:10:32,001 --> 00:10:33,397 Listen, if you're born again, 214 00:10:33,397 --> 00:10:34,984 and I say Jesus Christ is life, 215 00:10:34,984 --> 00:10:37,103 you go, "Amen!" 216 00:10:37,103 --> 00:10:40,115 Amen. We agree with that. 217 00:10:40,115 --> 00:10:43,473 Jesus Christ is contentment; all sufficiency. 218 00:10:43,473 --> 00:10:47,134 You say amen, but is He really? 219 00:10:47,134 --> 00:10:48,509 Practically? 220 00:10:48,509 --> 00:10:55,851 Day in and day out? 221 00:10:55,851 --> 00:10:57,925 As we look at contentment today, 222 00:10:57,925 --> 00:11:02,023 we're going to be looking at the object of contentment. 223 00:11:02,023 --> 00:11:05,215 What is the object of contentment? 224 00:11:05,215 --> 00:11:08,201 So when we talk about the sufficiency of Jesus Christ 225 00:11:08,201 --> 00:11:09,937 in our contentment, 226 00:11:09,937 --> 00:11:11,421 I don't want you to hear, 227 00:11:11,421 --> 00:11:14,149 OK, Jesus Christ is sufficient. He's the object. 228 00:11:14,149 --> 00:11:17,539 So, I've got Jesus, now I just kind of sit back and relax, 229 00:11:17,539 --> 00:11:19,280 because I've got Jesus 230 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:22,436 and He's the source of all contentment. 231 00:11:22,436 --> 00:11:25,333 But rather, there's a fight for us. 232 00:11:25,333 --> 00:11:27,146 And here's the fight. 233 00:11:27,146 --> 00:11:28,989 The fight is to make sure 234 00:11:28,989 --> 00:11:33,440 Jesus Christ alone is truly the object of your contentment. 235 00:11:33,440 --> 00:11:34,695 The fight is to make sure 236 00:11:34,695 --> 00:11:38,542 that you don't allow Jesus Christ plus something else. 237 00:11:38,542 --> 00:11:40,607 I think this is where it's going to get us. 238 00:11:40,607 --> 00:11:46,970 Plus something else to be the source of our contentment. 239 00:11:46,970 --> 00:11:50,185 And then it's the diligent pursuit of Christ. 240 00:11:50,185 --> 00:11:52,260 Because once you come to the realization, 241 00:11:52,260 --> 00:11:56,203 Jesus Christ alone is the source of my contentment, 242 00:11:56,203 --> 00:11:59,623 once you learn that secret like Paul does, 243 00:11:59,623 --> 00:12:01,047 then you just keep going 244 00:12:01,047 --> 00:12:04,115 deeper and deeper and deeper into Christ, 245 00:12:04,115 --> 00:12:06,334 and you become more content 246 00:12:06,334 --> 00:12:10,080 and more content and more content. 247 00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:16,141 And I'm going to show you how God's glorified through that. 248 00:12:16,141 --> 00:12:19,649 Paul has come to learn sufficiency 249 00:12:19,649 --> 00:12:22,071 and contentment and soul satisfaction 250 00:12:22,071 --> 00:12:25,183 are found in Jesus Christ alone. 251 00:12:25,183 --> 00:12:26,793 How has Paul learned in that 252 00:12:26,793 --> 00:12:31,997 whatever situation he was in to be content? 253 00:12:31,997 --> 00:12:34,836 Because, beloved, contentment - 254 00:12:34,836 --> 00:12:38,245 being fully satisfied in your soul - 255 00:12:38,245 --> 00:12:44,202 is not found in any situation or circumstance. 256 00:12:44,202 --> 00:12:49,176 It's found in a Person. 257 00:12:49,176 --> 00:12:52,608 It's found in Christ alone. 258 00:12:52,608 --> 00:12:56,329 Jesus is more than our Savior 259 00:12:56,329 --> 00:13:01,141 from sin and the wrath we deserve because of sin. 260 00:13:01,141 --> 00:13:02,898 Not minimizing that. 261 00:13:02,898 --> 00:13:05,583 But Jesus is more than a Savior from sin 262 00:13:05,583 --> 00:13:07,757 or the wrath we deserve because of sin; 263 00:13:07,757 --> 00:13:10,514 Jesus is a Savior unto Himself 264 00:13:10,514 --> 00:13:13,909 and He is the daily, practical Savior, 265 00:13:13,909 --> 00:13:22,868 every moment of every day. 266 00:13:22,868 --> 00:13:24,547 So let me ask again, 267 00:13:24,547 --> 00:13:27,935 are you content? 268 00:13:27,935 --> 00:13:30,403 Are you living in contentment? 269 00:13:30,403 --> 00:13:33,540 And if the answer is no, and you're a Christian this morning, 270 00:13:33,540 --> 00:13:35,983 I can tell you this, 271 00:13:35,983 --> 00:13:38,901 it's because you're not looking to Jesus alone 272 00:13:38,901 --> 00:13:41,416 for your contentment. 273 00:13:41,416 --> 00:13:42,631 If you're a Christian, 274 00:13:42,631 --> 00:13:44,667 and you say yes, I need Jesus, 275 00:13:44,667 --> 00:13:48,159 but the issue is sufficiency. 276 00:13:48,159 --> 00:13:51,600 Not sufficiency to save us from the penalty of sin. 277 00:13:51,600 --> 00:13:53,047 We affirm that. 278 00:13:53,047 --> 00:13:54,407 We stand for that. 279 00:13:54,407 --> 00:13:56,670 We defend that. 280 00:13:56,670 --> 00:13:59,609 It's sufficiency for contentment, 281 00:13:59,609 --> 00:14:01,506 for soul satisfaction, 282 00:14:01,506 --> 00:14:03,721 in every moment of every day, 283 00:14:03,721 --> 00:14:09,091 and in every single circumstance. 284 00:14:09,091 --> 00:14:11,697 Paul thought he had everything, 285 00:14:11,697 --> 00:14:16,451 and then he was awakened to Jesus. 286 00:14:16,451 --> 00:14:18,178 And he said my own morality, 287 00:14:18,178 --> 00:14:20,348 my personal piety, 288 00:14:20,348 --> 00:14:22,392 all my achievements, all my success, 289 00:14:22,392 --> 00:14:24,079 all my heritage - it's rubbish. 290 00:14:24,079 --> 00:14:26,878 It's empty. 291 00:14:26,878 --> 00:14:33,195 It can't save him, and it can't satisfy him. 292 00:14:33,195 --> 00:14:34,642 I mentioned to you before that 293 00:14:34,642 --> 00:14:36,616 our contentment is important to the Lord, 294 00:14:36,616 --> 00:14:39,829 and let me show you why it's so important. 295 00:14:39,829 --> 00:14:43,905 Where we each look daily, 296 00:14:43,905 --> 00:14:45,501 where we look daily, 297 00:14:45,501 --> 00:14:46,996 moment by moment, 298 00:14:46,996 --> 00:14:48,498 for our contentment - 299 00:14:48,498 --> 00:14:50,093 wherever we are looking 300 00:14:50,093 --> 00:14:52,580 begins to be magnified through our life 301 00:14:52,580 --> 00:14:53,915 and glorified. 302 00:14:53,915 --> 00:14:58,279 It is made much of. 303 00:14:58,279 --> 00:15:03,268 We ought to all know when Dr. Piper says, 304 00:15:03,268 --> 00:15:07,672 God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. 305 00:15:07,672 --> 00:15:09,551 That's what he's saying. 306 00:15:09,551 --> 00:15:12,933 Where you look for soul satisfaction 307 00:15:12,933 --> 00:15:15,661 inevitably, you begin to make much of 308 00:15:15,661 --> 00:15:19,087 and you begin to glorify by the life that you live 309 00:15:19,087 --> 00:15:21,798 and by what you say in light of that. 310 00:15:21,798 --> 00:15:26,342 Contentment in Christ alone is important to God for each of us, 311 00:15:26,342 --> 00:15:29,816 because when we are contented and satisfied 312 00:15:29,816 --> 00:15:32,358 in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ, 313 00:15:32,358 --> 00:15:34,790 day by day, moment by moment, 314 00:15:34,790 --> 00:15:38,367 then Jesus Christ is magnified and glorified 315 00:15:38,367 --> 00:15:39,745 through our lives. 316 00:15:39,745 --> 00:15:43,823 Your lives actually begin to preach sermons 317 00:15:43,823 --> 00:15:46,585 when you are rested and contented 318 00:15:46,585 --> 00:15:52,002 and joyful in Jesus Christ alone. 319 00:15:52,002 --> 00:15:54,058 Verse 11. 320 00:15:54,058 --> 00:15:56,181 "Not that I'm speaking of being in need, 321 00:15:56,181 --> 00:15:59,859 for I have learned in whatever situation I am, 322 00:15:59,859 --> 00:16:02,205 to be content." 323 00:16:02,205 --> 00:16:05,357 Whatever situation is, 324 00:16:05,357 --> 00:16:11,936 Paul says he's learned to be content. 325 00:16:11,936 --> 00:16:14,021 Jeremiah Burroughs in his book 326 00:16:14,021 --> 00:16:16,857 "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment," 327 00:16:16,857 --> 00:16:22,893 says we learn this in the school of Christ. 328 00:16:22,893 --> 00:16:24,857 Whatever... in other words, 329 00:16:24,857 --> 00:16:27,981 there's no situation where we should not be 330 00:16:27,981 --> 00:16:32,017 soul satisfied in Jesus. 331 00:16:32,017 --> 00:16:33,835 If any of us are tempted to say, 332 00:16:33,835 --> 00:16:38,376 listen preacher, you don't know my situation, 333 00:16:38,376 --> 00:16:42,089 and if you did, you would not hold contentment 334 00:16:42,089 --> 00:16:44,635 right now out in front of me; 335 00:16:44,635 --> 00:16:46,241 soul satisfaction; 336 00:16:46,241 --> 00:16:48,253 you wouldn't hold that out in front of me, 337 00:16:48,253 --> 00:16:50,456 if you knew the situation that was going on 338 00:16:50,456 --> 00:16:51,980 in my life. 339 00:16:51,980 --> 00:16:53,640 You would not put that out there. 340 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:58,237 But let me remind you who's writing this to us. 341 00:16:58,237 --> 00:17:04,151 Have you read 2 Corinthians 11? 342 00:17:04,151 --> 00:17:05,534 This man is saying, 343 00:17:05,534 --> 00:17:09,828 whatever the situation is, I've learned to be content. 344 00:17:09,828 --> 00:17:12,190 Don't think your situation's unique, 345 00:17:12,190 --> 00:17:13,798 and don't think that contentment 346 00:17:13,798 --> 00:17:15,615 found in Jesus Christ alone, 347 00:17:15,615 --> 00:17:17,766 can't allow you to have true joy 348 00:17:17,766 --> 00:17:22,873 and contentment in the midst of the circumstance. 349 00:17:22,873 --> 00:17:25,428 Here's why Paul learned it. 350 00:17:25,428 --> 00:17:27,270 If contentment is in Jesus Christ, 351 00:17:27,270 --> 00:17:30,445 and Jesus Christ alone is sufficient, 352 00:17:30,445 --> 00:17:33,528 and we're looking to Him for contentment, 353 00:17:33,528 --> 00:17:35,345 then we are an unmoved people 354 00:17:35,345 --> 00:17:40,447 by circumstances and situations. 355 00:17:40,447 --> 00:17:43,546 So here's a tell - you ready? 356 00:17:43,546 --> 00:17:46,830 If you're moved in contentment - 357 00:17:46,830 --> 00:17:54,087 soul satisfaction, joy - by circumstances, 358 00:17:54,087 --> 00:17:59,766 then you're not looking to Jesus Christ alone 359 00:17:59,766 --> 00:18:03,870 for contentment. 360 00:18:03,870 --> 00:18:05,920 Here's another tell. 361 00:18:05,920 --> 00:18:09,729 Do you murmur? 362 00:18:09,729 --> 00:18:12,638 Do you complain? 363 00:18:12,638 --> 00:18:14,352 Murmuring and complaining 364 00:18:14,352 --> 00:18:19,940 is just the fruit of a discontented heart. 365 00:18:19,940 --> 00:18:22,000 You say you don't know my circumstance. 366 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:24,252 But circumstances don't determine contentment, 367 00:18:24,252 --> 00:18:26,328 Jesus Christ does. 368 00:18:26,328 --> 00:18:29,105 So what are we doing when we're murmuring and complaining? 369 00:18:29,105 --> 00:18:32,999 We're revealing, OK, I'm looking to Jesus for contentment, 370 00:18:32,999 --> 00:18:34,941 plus this. 371 00:18:34,941 --> 00:18:36,717 And because I don't have this, 372 00:18:36,717 --> 00:18:38,014 I begin to murmur. 373 00:18:38,014 --> 00:18:39,999 And what you're saying when you do that - 374 00:18:39,999 --> 00:18:41,968 here's where the glory of God is robbed - 375 00:18:41,968 --> 00:18:43,923 what you're saying when you do that is: 376 00:18:43,923 --> 00:18:47,444 Jesus, You alone are not sufficient. 377 00:18:47,444 --> 00:18:50,582 Yes, I need You, but I need this too. 378 00:18:50,582 --> 00:19:00,233 And then I have contentment. 379 00:19:00,233 --> 00:19:02,532 Jesus is magnified or glorified 380 00:19:02,532 --> 00:19:05,705 on the negative situation not impacting our contentment, 381 00:19:05,705 --> 00:19:07,395 and He's magnified and glorified 382 00:19:07,395 --> 00:19:12,249 in the positive situations not impacting our contentment. 383 00:19:12,249 --> 00:19:15,957 Look at verse 12. 384 00:19:15,957 --> 00:19:18,156 Paul knows how to be brought low. 385 00:19:18,156 --> 00:19:22,913 He says, "I know how to be brought low." 386 00:19:22,913 --> 00:19:28,729 And I would point back to 2 Corinthians 11 again. 387 00:19:28,729 --> 00:19:31,431 All that Paul endured, 388 00:19:31,431 --> 00:19:34,682 he was brought low in. 389 00:19:34,682 --> 00:19:37,454 So for us, when the floor drops out 390 00:19:37,454 --> 00:19:38,675 from underneath us, 391 00:19:38,675 --> 00:19:42,620 does our contentment just slide with it? 392 00:19:42,620 --> 00:19:46,718 Think of the things he wrote in there. 393 00:19:46,718 --> 00:19:53,250 Three times lost at sea. 394 00:19:53,250 --> 00:19:55,025 Can you get a picture with me? 395 00:19:55,025 --> 00:19:57,594 Literally, what Paul is telling us, 396 00:19:57,594 --> 00:20:00,502 is as he's floating at night in the sea 397 00:20:00,502 --> 00:20:03,751 not knowing if he's going to go under for the last time, 398 00:20:03,751 --> 00:20:06,549 he's saying, I can be content 399 00:20:06,549 --> 00:20:10,929 in that very circumstance right there. 400 00:20:10,929 --> 00:20:13,795 Why could he be content there? 401 00:20:13,795 --> 00:20:16,282 Because contentment is not a circumstantial 402 00:20:16,282 --> 00:20:18,643 or situational thing for Paul. 403 00:20:18,643 --> 00:20:20,288 It's in a Person. 404 00:20:20,288 --> 00:20:21,608 And if he goes under, 405 00:20:21,608 --> 00:20:23,485 and takes the last breath, 406 00:20:23,485 --> 00:20:28,619 he's just getting more of what already has his heart. 407 00:20:28,619 --> 00:20:30,986 How many of us have believed the lie 408 00:20:30,986 --> 00:20:33,899 that, well, I can't really have true contentment right now 409 00:20:33,899 --> 00:20:35,633 because of the circumstance. 410 00:20:35,633 --> 00:20:40,440 Do you think after the fifth time of being beaten with rods, 411 00:20:40,440 --> 00:20:41,908 and Paul says right there, 412 00:20:41,908 --> 00:20:44,524 I had contentment. 413 00:20:44,524 --> 00:20:45,805 Did it hurt? 414 00:20:45,805 --> 00:20:47,898 Yes. 415 00:20:47,898 --> 00:20:48,804 Did he weep? 416 00:20:48,804 --> 00:20:52,138 I would imagine so. 417 00:20:52,138 --> 00:20:53,680 Was he content? 418 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:55,531 Yeah. 419 00:21:07,261 --> 00:21:10,216 Although we may not verbalize this. 420 00:21:10,216 --> 00:21:12,250 What we're really saying when we look 421 00:21:12,250 --> 00:21:14,122 to circumstances for contentment again 422 00:21:14,122 --> 00:21:22,258 is that Jesus Christ is not sufficient. 423 00:21:22,258 --> 00:21:26,383 So let's search our hearts together right now. 424 00:21:26,383 --> 00:21:31,231 What is the brought low in my life 425 00:21:31,231 --> 00:21:33,261 that I thought if God would just 426 00:21:33,261 --> 00:21:36,497 remove this low, 427 00:21:36,497 --> 00:21:42,356 my soul would be satisfied? 428 00:21:42,356 --> 00:21:45,466 Maybe it's your health. 429 00:21:45,466 --> 00:21:47,974 Chronic sickness. 430 00:21:47,974 --> 00:21:49,677 We have a number in our assembly 431 00:21:49,677 --> 00:21:53,796 that have chronic sickness. 432 00:21:53,796 --> 00:21:55,421 Maybe we've thought, 433 00:21:55,421 --> 00:21:58,470 if the sickness would just go away, 434 00:21:58,470 --> 00:22:04,299 then I'd be content. 435 00:22:04,299 --> 00:22:05,840 If God would just remove this, 436 00:22:05,840 --> 00:22:07,203 I'd be content. 437 00:22:07,203 --> 00:22:09,063 Let me translate that for you, 438 00:22:09,063 --> 00:22:11,337 what that really says: 439 00:22:11,337 --> 00:22:16,751 Jesus Christ plus good health equals contentment. 440 00:22:16,751 --> 00:22:20,002 That's not true. 441 00:22:20,002 --> 00:22:24,140 That's not true. 442 00:22:24,140 --> 00:22:28,909 There's a lady in our assembly who has stage 4 cancer. 443 00:22:28,909 --> 00:22:32,926 She will die very soon 444 00:22:32,926 --> 00:22:38,110 unless God sovereignly heals her. 445 00:22:38,110 --> 00:22:40,822 And I'll go visit her and talk with her, 446 00:22:40,822 --> 00:22:43,894 and correspond back and forth with her. 447 00:22:43,894 --> 00:22:45,331 And I pray before I go, 448 00:22:45,331 --> 00:22:49,540 God, just give me something to encourage her from Your Word. 449 00:22:49,540 --> 00:22:52,045 And I'll go meet with this lady 450 00:22:52,045 --> 00:22:54,891 who is now experiencing the pain of the cancer; 451 00:22:54,891 --> 00:22:58,057 struggling to eat, struggling to breathe, 452 00:22:58,057 --> 00:23:01,529 struggling to walk. 453 00:23:01,529 --> 00:23:07,077 And I'll sit with her and begin to talk with her. 454 00:23:07,077 --> 00:23:10,178 And you know what comes out of her voice? 455 00:23:10,178 --> 00:23:13,629 Joy. 456 00:23:13,629 --> 00:23:16,844 Utter joy. 457 00:23:16,844 --> 00:23:18,771 Now, she's hurting. She's struggling. 458 00:23:18,771 --> 00:23:20,563 She's thinking about her husband. 459 00:23:20,563 --> 00:23:22,709 She's not in the assembly - 460 00:23:22,709 --> 00:23:26,817 she hasn't been in months now. 461 00:23:26,817 --> 00:23:28,262 And as I look at her, 462 00:23:28,262 --> 00:23:32,300 here's an example of someone 463 00:23:32,300 --> 00:23:35,702 whose circumstance is calling for discontentment 464 00:23:35,702 --> 00:23:37,318 in every area. 465 00:23:37,318 --> 00:23:38,748 And when I go meet with her, 466 00:23:38,748 --> 00:23:42,397 I leave those meetings every single time 467 00:23:42,397 --> 00:23:45,060 so encouraged, so built up, 468 00:23:45,060 --> 00:23:46,841 because here's an example before me 469 00:23:46,841 --> 00:23:50,636 of someone who is in great pain, 470 00:23:50,636 --> 00:23:54,204 many circumstantial and situational struggles, 471 00:23:54,204 --> 00:23:57,159 but she's demonstrating what we're learning right here. 472 00:23:57,159 --> 00:24:00,629 Contentment is not found in circumstance or situation, 473 00:24:00,629 --> 00:24:02,475 it is found in a Person: 474 00:24:02,475 --> 00:24:05,023 Jesus Christ. 475 00:24:05,023 --> 00:24:12,939 It is so encouraging to go over there. 476 00:24:12,939 --> 00:24:15,969 And beloved, it's not a mask she puts on. 477 00:24:15,969 --> 00:24:17,640 It's not as though she's saying, 478 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:18,484 you know what? 479 00:24:18,484 --> 00:24:20,882 I know I'm supposed to be joyful right now, 480 00:24:20,882 --> 00:24:22,081 so let me put on a smile 481 00:24:22,081 --> 00:24:24,190 and pretend like everything's OK. 482 00:24:24,190 --> 00:24:25,477 It's not that. 483 00:24:25,477 --> 00:24:26,966 It's in the midst of pain 484 00:24:26,966 --> 00:24:28,637 and grimacing in the face 485 00:24:28,637 --> 00:24:36,115 and hurt that she speaks of her Savior. 486 00:24:36,115 --> 00:24:39,289 Paul says I know how to abound. 487 00:24:39,289 --> 00:24:42,904 So not only is Jesus Christ glorified 488 00:24:42,904 --> 00:24:45,988 when we are brought low, 489 00:24:45,988 --> 00:24:48,257 and yet we are still satisfied in Him, 490 00:24:48,257 --> 00:24:51,376 but when we are abounding 491 00:24:51,376 --> 00:24:56,599 and our contentment remains in Him. 492 00:24:56,599 --> 00:25:00,873 I was in sales for about 15 years in real estate, 493 00:25:00,873 --> 00:25:05,174 and it was an extremely competitive environment. 494 00:25:05,174 --> 00:25:06,968 And the Lord graced me in it 495 00:25:06,968 --> 00:25:09,917 in that I did very well. 496 00:25:09,917 --> 00:25:13,517 And there were moments when 497 00:25:13,517 --> 00:25:15,403 winning the award each month, 498 00:25:15,403 --> 00:25:18,787 or cashing your check each month, 499 00:25:18,787 --> 00:25:23,031 became the source of joy. 500 00:25:23,031 --> 00:25:25,744 And I can distinctly remember, 501 00:25:25,744 --> 00:25:27,493 when the Lord dealt with me 502 00:25:27,493 --> 00:25:29,972 in regards to my contentment 503 00:25:29,972 --> 00:25:31,359 when I was abounding, 504 00:25:31,359 --> 00:25:35,549 not being in those things, but in Jesus Christ alone. 505 00:25:35,549 --> 00:25:37,403 And when He turned my heart away from 506 00:25:37,403 --> 00:25:40,418 those things to Jesus. 507 00:25:40,418 --> 00:25:42,936 I can remember getting checks that were bigger 508 00:25:42,936 --> 00:25:45,079 than any check I'd ever received in my life, 509 00:25:45,079 --> 00:25:47,720 and I couldn't even care less. 510 00:25:47,720 --> 00:25:49,288 It meant nothing to me anymore. 511 00:25:49,288 --> 00:25:50,621 I would just set it aside. 512 00:25:50,621 --> 00:25:52,553 I didn't even care at all. 513 00:25:52,553 --> 00:25:54,530 We would get an award for selling things, 514 00:25:54,530 --> 00:25:55,770 and it just meant nothing. 515 00:25:55,770 --> 00:25:57,380 It was so empty to me. 516 00:25:57,380 --> 00:25:58,169 Why? 517 00:25:58,169 --> 00:26:00,720 There was something greater 518 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:04,789 than these things could offer. 519 00:26:04,789 --> 00:26:07,103 Next Paul says, "In any and every circumstance, 520 00:26:07,103 --> 00:26:09,708 I've learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, 521 00:26:09,708 --> 00:26:12,410 abundance and need." 522 00:26:12,410 --> 00:26:13,924 In any and every circumstance, 523 00:26:13,924 --> 00:26:16,814 Paul had learned the secret of contentment. 524 00:26:16,814 --> 00:26:18,480 Beloved, there is no circumstance 525 00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:20,710 in which the Christian looking to Christ 526 00:26:20,710 --> 00:26:25,758 can't be content in Him alone. 527 00:26:25,758 --> 00:26:28,036 So I thought now, we should stop and say, 528 00:26:28,036 --> 00:26:32,269 OK, what plus Jesus have I put 529 00:26:32,269 --> 00:26:35,359 in my equation for contentment? 530 00:26:35,359 --> 00:26:37,534 And I'll just think about some of the things 531 00:26:37,534 --> 00:26:40,999 I speak with some of the saints in the assembly about. 532 00:26:40,999 --> 00:26:43,165 Here's a good way to ask it 533 00:26:43,165 --> 00:26:45,535 in your own heart. 534 00:26:45,535 --> 00:26:50,007 Everything would be OK if... 535 00:26:50,007 --> 00:26:51,955 what? 536 00:26:51,955 --> 00:26:54,406 What comes to your mind in that? 537 00:26:54,406 --> 00:26:55,564 Everything would be OK. 538 00:26:55,564 --> 00:26:57,094 I'd have soul satisfaction - 539 00:26:57,094 --> 00:27:01,315 I've got Jesus, but everything would be OK, if... 540 00:27:01,315 --> 00:27:04,021 This. 541 00:27:04,021 --> 00:27:10,602 Everything would be OK if I was married. 542 00:27:10,602 --> 00:27:12,340 Or if you are married, 543 00:27:12,340 --> 00:27:14,407 everything would be OK if my husband 544 00:27:14,407 --> 00:27:18,380 would just lead me like those other men lead their wives. 545 00:27:18,380 --> 00:27:20,228 Everything with be OK with me 546 00:27:20,228 --> 00:27:22,203 if my wife would just be submissive 547 00:27:22,203 --> 00:27:27,154 like some of those other wives. 548 00:27:27,154 --> 00:27:28,245 How about this? 549 00:27:28,245 --> 00:27:31,171 We spoke about unity in our church. 550 00:27:31,171 --> 00:27:37,016 Everything would be OK if Charles Leiter was my pastor. 551 00:27:37,016 --> 00:27:38,722 It'd be great. 552 00:27:38,722 --> 00:27:41,591 Or if the people in my congregation 553 00:27:41,591 --> 00:27:44,250 were like those people at the Fellowship Conference. 554 00:27:44,250 --> 00:27:45,870 Just so zealous for the Lord. 555 00:27:45,870 --> 00:27:47,577 Everything would be OK in my life 556 00:27:47,577 --> 00:27:55,909 if I could just have a fellowship like that. 557 00:27:55,909 --> 00:27:59,149 You know what all of those say? 558 00:27:59,149 --> 00:28:08,290 Jesus isn't enough. 559 00:28:08,290 --> 00:28:10,286 Beloved, it is not wrong 560 00:28:10,286 --> 00:28:13,789 to want to be married. 561 00:28:13,789 --> 00:28:15,996 Next month, I'll be married for twenty years, 562 00:28:15,996 --> 00:28:21,134 and I'm so thankful for my wife. 563 00:28:21,134 --> 00:28:24,936 It's not wrong for you to want your spouse to grow, 564 00:28:24,936 --> 00:28:28,923 become more Christlike. 565 00:28:28,923 --> 00:28:32,125 It's not wrong for you to want to have health. 566 00:28:32,125 --> 00:28:34,054 That's not wrong. 567 00:28:34,054 --> 00:28:38,041 It's not wrong for you to want your church to grow. 568 00:28:38,041 --> 00:28:43,159 It's not wrong for you to want your pastors to grow. 569 00:28:43,159 --> 00:28:48,892 You should enjoy those things. 570 00:28:48,892 --> 00:28:52,980 But let me tell you this, 571 00:28:52,980 --> 00:28:59,239 Christ is the full substance of only what those things can point to. 572 00:28:59,239 --> 00:29:01,093 Do you realize that? 573 00:29:01,093 --> 00:29:03,621 You say, I love coming to the Fellowship Conference! 574 00:29:03,621 --> 00:29:04,908 It's like heaven on earth. 575 00:29:04,908 --> 00:29:05,987 Let me tell you this. 576 00:29:05,987 --> 00:29:09,585 Christ is better. 577 00:29:09,585 --> 00:29:12,847 I want to be married. I want to enjoy companionship. 578 00:29:12,847 --> 00:29:15,592 Amen. That's a blessing from the Lord. 579 00:29:15,592 --> 00:29:16,965 But I want you to know this: 580 00:29:16,965 --> 00:29:22,049 Christ is better than that. 581 00:29:22,049 --> 00:29:23,047 I want health. 582 00:29:23,047 --> 00:29:24,598 I want this body to be restored. 583 00:29:24,598 --> 00:29:25,603 Let me tell you this: 584 00:29:25,603 --> 00:29:26,975 Christ is better. 585 00:29:26,975 --> 00:29:29,258 Those things should be enjoyed. 586 00:29:29,258 --> 00:29:30,747 Health should be enjoyed. 587 00:29:30,747 --> 00:29:32,781 Marriage or singleness should be enjoyed. 588 00:29:32,781 --> 00:29:34,535 The fellowship of the church, 589 00:29:34,535 --> 00:29:36,335 your pastors should be enjoyed. 590 00:29:36,335 --> 00:29:39,778 But those things all point you to something greater. 591 00:29:39,778 --> 00:29:41,594 It's the Giver of all of those things. 592 00:29:41,594 --> 00:29:44,366 It's the fulfillment of what all those things 593 00:29:44,366 --> 00:29:45,946 could never be. 594 00:29:45,946 --> 00:29:49,953 It's Jesus Christ. 595 00:29:49,953 --> 00:29:52,166 I'm convinced most of us are miserable 596 00:29:52,166 --> 00:29:53,363 if we're honest. 597 00:29:53,363 --> 00:29:55,559 And it's because we're looking to something 598 00:29:55,559 --> 00:29:58,837 that can never give you what you're looking for. 599 00:29:58,837 --> 00:30:00,586 You're looking horizontally 600 00:30:00,586 --> 00:30:08,066 for what can only be found vertically in Jesus Christ. 601 00:30:08,066 --> 00:30:12,033 It's not wrong to want those things. 602 00:30:12,033 --> 00:30:16,490 But it's wrong to not be content if you don't have them. 603 00:30:16,490 --> 00:30:22,310 Because it says, "Jesus, You're not enough for me." 604 00:30:22,310 --> 00:30:24,100 Can I tell you what else happens 605 00:30:24,100 --> 00:30:25,822 when you add something else to your 606 00:30:25,822 --> 00:30:33,914 contentment equation with Jesus? 607 00:30:33,914 --> 00:30:38,561 I'm just convicted here, because I've done this. 608 00:30:38,561 --> 00:30:40,548 When you add something else 609 00:30:40,548 --> 00:30:43,271 to soul satisfaction as 610 00:30:43,271 --> 00:30:47,001 Jesus plus - and you put something else in there. 611 00:30:47,001 --> 00:30:48,552 Not that we think we do that, 612 00:30:48,552 --> 00:30:50,930 we just do it by living. 613 00:30:50,930 --> 00:30:51,875 Here's what you do, 614 00:30:51,875 --> 00:30:55,647 and I want you to see why it's not only robbing God of His glory, 615 00:30:55,647 --> 00:31:00,908 why it's the reason that you're miserable today maybe. 616 00:31:00,908 --> 00:31:03,837 But I want you to see how it impacts other people too. 617 00:31:03,837 --> 00:31:04,743 You ready? 618 00:31:04,743 --> 00:31:06,395 Let's take the single thing, ok? 619 00:31:06,395 --> 00:31:09,147 I'm single and I want to be married. 620 00:31:09,147 --> 00:31:11,628 That's a good desire. 621 00:31:11,628 --> 00:31:13,425 And I say I love Jesus. 622 00:31:13,425 --> 00:31:14,666 He's the source of my joy. 623 00:31:14,666 --> 00:31:16,784 But in all honestly, practically lived out, 624 00:31:16,784 --> 00:31:20,353 it's really Jesus plus marriage is what's going to make me content. 625 00:31:20,353 --> 00:31:23,129 Let me show you what we do in that. 626 00:31:23,129 --> 00:31:26,892 You put unrealistic expectations 627 00:31:26,892 --> 00:31:29,448 on those things. 628 00:31:29,448 --> 00:31:34,803 Because you ask of them what they can never deliver. 629 00:31:34,803 --> 00:31:36,520 Here's what you're doing in that. 630 00:31:36,520 --> 00:31:38,560 You're asking that future husband 631 00:31:38,560 --> 00:31:45,568 or future wife to be your Savior. 632 00:31:45,568 --> 00:31:49,204 You ask your church to be your Savior. 633 00:31:49,204 --> 00:31:51,158 Your pastor to be your Savior. 634 00:31:51,158 --> 00:31:52,687 Your health to be your Savior. 635 00:31:52,687 --> 00:32:01,245 Money to be your Savior. 636 00:32:01,245 --> 00:32:03,411 You're asking them to bring you contentment, 637 00:32:03,411 --> 00:32:10,096 and beloved, only Christ brings contentment. 638 00:32:10,096 --> 00:32:12,193 Whenever I preach, 639 00:32:12,193 --> 00:32:14,549 one of the things I ask of the Lord every time 640 00:32:14,549 --> 00:32:18,420 is I say Lord, I want understanding of the text, 641 00:32:18,420 --> 00:32:20,505 but I want you to do a work in my heart 642 00:32:20,505 --> 00:32:22,705 with this text before I preach it. 643 00:32:22,705 --> 00:32:24,825 I don't want it to be for them. 644 00:32:24,825 --> 00:32:27,824 I want it to be for me. 645 00:32:27,824 --> 00:32:35,428 So if I can be transparent, 646 00:32:35,428 --> 00:32:37,413 where I was looking for contentment 647 00:32:37,413 --> 00:32:40,848 is in pastoral ministry. 648 00:32:40,848 --> 00:32:43,047 And it's very easy for me to justify that 649 00:32:43,047 --> 00:32:47,006 because it seems godly. 650 00:32:47,006 --> 00:32:50,221 But what I began to realize is this: 651 00:32:50,221 --> 00:32:57,177 I'm not content unless things in the church are going well. 652 00:32:57,177 --> 00:33:03,840 I'm not content unless I preach a good sermon. 653 00:33:03,840 --> 00:33:07,218 And what I do in that is I begin to put 654 00:33:07,218 --> 00:33:10,255 unrealistic expectations on ministry 655 00:33:10,255 --> 00:33:12,952 because I begin to look at pastoral ministry 656 00:33:12,952 --> 00:33:15,423 for the source of contentment and joy. 657 00:33:15,423 --> 00:33:17,739 And then I begin to pursue it, 658 00:33:17,739 --> 00:33:19,801 at such a violent pace, 659 00:33:19,801 --> 00:33:22,096 because we're all seeking contentment. 660 00:33:22,096 --> 00:33:25,725 So I'm pursuing ministry for my contentment, 661 00:33:25,725 --> 00:33:27,463 which is only found in Christ, 662 00:33:27,463 --> 00:33:30,293 but in doing so, I'm pushing so hard into it, 663 00:33:30,293 --> 00:33:34,721 I begin to ignore the other responsibilities around me. 664 00:33:34,721 --> 00:33:37,932 Like my wife and my kids. 665 00:33:37,932 --> 00:33:39,421 And when it doesn't deliver, 666 00:33:39,421 --> 00:33:44,814 I become upset. 667 00:33:44,814 --> 00:33:48,834 You know what the sign for me in that was? 668 00:33:48,834 --> 00:33:58,603 I'm losing my joy in pastoral ministry. 669 00:33:58,603 --> 00:34:01,571 So I've repented of that, 670 00:34:01,571 --> 00:34:02,895 or let me say this, 671 00:34:02,895 --> 00:34:06,936 I'm repenting of that. 672 00:34:06,936 --> 00:34:08,666 Because you see I can't approach 673 00:34:08,666 --> 00:34:10,574 pastoral ministry right until 674 00:34:10,574 --> 00:34:12,897 my contentment is in the right place. 675 00:34:12,897 --> 00:34:15,176 And once my contentment is in the right place, 676 00:34:15,176 --> 00:34:17,999 it doesn't mean I'm indifferent towards the church; 677 00:34:17,999 --> 00:34:24,496 it means now, I'm so sufficiently satisfied in Jesus, 678 00:34:24,496 --> 00:34:27,431 I can come without expectation for me 679 00:34:27,431 --> 00:34:30,740 in any of these things anymore. 680 00:34:30,740 --> 00:34:35,962 Contentment in Jesus is so liberating. 681 00:34:35,962 --> 00:34:40,621 It's glorious. 682 00:34:40,621 --> 00:34:43,352 We all want contentment. 683 00:34:43,352 --> 00:34:46,332 So whatever you're looking to for it, 684 00:34:46,332 --> 00:34:47,805 you begin to chase it. 685 00:34:47,805 --> 00:34:50,065 And again, you can hurt others around you 686 00:34:50,065 --> 00:34:53,294 as you put unrealistic expectations on them 687 00:34:53,294 --> 00:34:57,375 that they can never deliver. 688 00:34:57,375 --> 00:34:59,247 And most importantly, beloved, 689 00:34:59,247 --> 00:35:02,014 we rob God of glory 690 00:35:02,014 --> 00:35:05,840 when we do these things. 691 00:35:05,840 --> 00:35:07,707 I began to ask myself this question. 692 00:35:07,707 --> 00:35:11,421 What is my identity really? 693 00:35:11,421 --> 00:35:14,565 Is my identity a pastor? 694 00:35:14,565 --> 00:35:17,836 Or Jesus? 695 00:35:17,836 --> 00:35:20,487 You say aren't you called to be a pastor? 696 00:35:20,487 --> 00:35:23,988 I am called to be a pastor. 697 00:35:23,988 --> 00:35:26,895 But my identity is Jesus. 698 00:35:26,895 --> 00:35:28,838 And unless my identity is Jesus, 699 00:35:28,838 --> 00:35:31,517 I won't be a good pastor. 700 00:35:31,517 --> 00:35:33,623 I'll be seeking from ministry, 701 00:35:33,623 --> 00:35:43,514 what can only be found in Jesus Christ. 702 00:35:43,514 --> 00:35:50,339 So when Christ is our contentment, 703 00:35:50,339 --> 00:35:54,250 and we realize it's not found in anything but Him, 704 00:35:54,250 --> 00:35:59,219 then you can boast in things like weaknesses. 705 00:35:59,219 --> 00:36:03,031 You can boast in insults and hardships. 706 00:36:03,031 --> 00:36:05,244 Like when hardships come in the church, 707 00:36:05,244 --> 00:36:06,758 it's not that I'm indifferent, 708 00:36:06,758 --> 00:36:08,747 but if my contentment is found in Christ, 709 00:36:08,747 --> 00:36:11,838 I won't go down with the hardships. 710 00:36:11,838 --> 00:36:13,326 I'll weep over them. 711 00:36:13,326 --> 00:36:14,869 I'll pray over them. 712 00:36:14,869 --> 00:36:18,352 But if I'm sufficient in Jesus, 713 00:36:18,352 --> 00:36:21,293 then I don't go down with the ship, 714 00:36:21,293 --> 00:36:25,926 with the insults, with the hardships. 715 00:36:25,926 --> 00:36:28,367 We want God to be glorified. 716 00:36:28,367 --> 00:36:30,864 So you may ask, OK, I want God to be glorified. 717 00:36:30,864 --> 00:36:32,974 I see that practically, 718 00:36:32,974 --> 00:36:34,475 on a real daily basis, 719 00:36:34,475 --> 00:36:36,844 I'm putting so many other things in this equation 720 00:36:36,844 --> 00:36:39,007 for contentment besides Jesus. 721 00:36:39,007 --> 00:36:41,405 How do I not do that? 722 00:36:41,405 --> 00:36:43,313 How do I live in this world 723 00:36:43,313 --> 00:36:45,886 which is daily thrusting everything at me 724 00:36:45,886 --> 00:36:47,897 as a source of my contentment? 725 00:36:47,897 --> 00:36:50,518 Telling me that Christ alone is not it? 726 00:36:50,518 --> 00:36:52,930 How do I glorify God in this? 727 00:36:52,930 --> 00:36:56,193 How do I find that joy that Jesus wants me to have? 728 00:36:56,193 --> 00:36:58,778 How do I not put these unrealistic expectations 729 00:36:58,778 --> 00:37:01,403 and create idols out of everything around me 730 00:37:01,403 --> 00:37:03,649 as I seek them for the source of contentment 731 00:37:03,649 --> 00:37:05,710 rather than Jesus alone? 732 00:37:05,710 --> 00:37:10,212 And here's the greatest news in the world: 733 00:37:10,212 --> 00:37:14,874 Jesus Christ is not only the source of our contentment. 734 00:37:14,874 --> 00:37:19,305 He is the means of being contented. 735 00:37:19,305 --> 00:37:22,349 And that's what verse 13 tells us. 736 00:37:22,349 --> 00:37:24,140 "I can do all things through Christ - 737 00:37:24,140 --> 00:37:27,510 through Him who strengthens me." 738 00:37:27,510 --> 00:37:29,745 Jesus Christ is the source alone 739 00:37:29,745 --> 00:37:31,501 of soul satisfying contentment, 740 00:37:31,501 --> 00:37:33,071 but not only that, 741 00:37:33,071 --> 00:37:35,512 He is the means of that, 742 00:37:35,512 --> 00:37:37,751 because He strengthens me 743 00:37:37,751 --> 00:37:39,588 to see Him and view Him 744 00:37:39,588 --> 00:37:43,087 for the sufficient Savior that He is. 745 00:37:43,087 --> 00:37:45,801 How do I face plenty, hunger, and abundance, 746 00:37:45,801 --> 00:37:48,685 and need and still find contentment in Christ alone? 747 00:37:48,685 --> 00:37:51,805 Through Christ's power working in me. 748 00:37:51,805 --> 00:37:55,803 You say well, what does that look like? 749 00:37:55,803 --> 00:37:58,051 How does He do this? 750 00:37:58,051 --> 00:38:00,032 Well, this is a faith issue isn't it? 751 00:38:00,032 --> 00:38:01,853 I think doctrinally, if I pushed out 752 00:38:01,853 --> 00:38:03,385 a statement right now and said 753 00:38:03,385 --> 00:38:04,766 Jesus Christ is contentment; 754 00:38:04,766 --> 00:38:06,499 is all sufficient for contentment, 755 00:38:06,499 --> 00:38:09,468 we'd all sign the doctrinal statement. 756 00:38:09,468 --> 00:38:12,361 Yeah, He is, but this is a practical, 757 00:38:12,361 --> 00:38:14,679 moment by moment faith issue. 758 00:38:14,679 --> 00:38:16,748 That when something else is put before you 759 00:38:16,748 --> 00:38:18,967 that's not innately wrong, 760 00:38:18,967 --> 00:38:21,590 can be a gift of the Lord, 761 00:38:21,590 --> 00:38:24,029 but is not to be the source of your contentment, 762 00:38:24,029 --> 00:38:27,293 we are tempted to not believe in the sufficiency of Jesus 763 00:38:27,293 --> 00:38:30,028 and begin to look to this other thing. 764 00:38:30,028 --> 00:38:31,729 How does He help us in that? 765 00:38:31,729 --> 00:38:35,510 How does He strengthen me in the middle of that? 766 00:38:35,510 --> 00:38:39,113 He does it through providence. 767 00:38:39,113 --> 00:38:42,631 Where you begin to put all of your hope in something 768 00:38:42,631 --> 00:38:48,573 and in love, he removes that. 769 00:38:48,573 --> 00:38:52,685 Because He's drawing you unto Himself. 770 00:38:52,685 --> 00:38:54,977 He does it through the building up of faith. 771 00:38:54,977 --> 00:38:58,481 By helping you learn that Jesus Christ is the all-sufficient Savior 772 00:38:58,481 --> 00:39:00,377 and the source of all true contentment. 773 00:39:00,377 --> 00:39:02,067 How though? 774 00:39:02,067 --> 00:39:04,307 He does that through the ministry of the Word 775 00:39:04,307 --> 00:39:07,548 and by the power of the Spirit. 776 00:39:07,548 --> 00:39:10,154 He grants to us the Spirit of revelation and wisdom 777 00:39:10,154 --> 00:39:11,899 in the knowledge of Him. 778 00:39:11,899 --> 00:39:14,055 He shows us the emptiness of temporal things 779 00:39:14,055 --> 00:39:15,858 being the source of our contentment. 780 00:39:15,858 --> 00:39:17,183 Because they fade away, 781 00:39:17,183 --> 00:39:18,952 and they actually point to Him. 782 00:39:18,952 --> 00:39:21,475 And He shows us that in Him 783 00:39:21,475 --> 00:39:25,575 is this eternal, sufficient contentment. 784 00:39:25,575 --> 00:39:28,783 And that's where it's to be found. 785 00:39:28,783 --> 00:39:30,143 He shows us who He is. 786 00:39:30,143 --> 00:39:31,893 He shows us what He accomplished. 787 00:39:31,893 --> 00:39:34,463 And He shows us what we are in Him. 788 00:39:34,463 --> 00:39:37,126 That in Jesus Christ, we have every spiritual blessing 789 00:39:37,126 --> 00:39:40,506 in the heavenly places - now. 790 00:39:40,506 --> 00:39:43,581 He does that through the Word, through the Spirit. 791 00:39:43,581 --> 00:39:45,455 What hope do you and I have in a world 792 00:39:45,455 --> 00:39:47,365 that's constantly vying for our hearts? 793 00:39:47,365 --> 00:39:49,801 Continually telling us we can't find contentment 794 00:39:49,801 --> 00:39:52,650 without this or that? 795 00:39:52,650 --> 00:39:55,815 We have an all-sufficient Savior, 796 00:39:55,815 --> 00:39:58,745 Who is the source, the object of our contentment, 797 00:39:58,745 --> 00:40:00,054 and more than that, 798 00:40:00,054 --> 00:40:02,616 He provides the power to keep our eyes 799 00:40:02,616 --> 00:40:07,251 fixated upon Him as the source of our contentment alone. 800 00:40:07,251 --> 00:40:10,287 My prayer for all of us and especially me is 801 00:40:10,287 --> 00:40:15,459 that the Lord would expose in my heart 802 00:40:15,459 --> 00:40:20,484 anything I'm looking to for contentment other than Him. 803 00:40:20,484 --> 00:40:24,324 That the Lord may draw us into deeper communion with Him 804 00:40:24,324 --> 00:40:27,452 and greater revelation, 805 00:40:27,452 --> 00:40:31,377 that He is the all-sufficient Savior. 806 00:40:31,377 --> 00:40:33,694 Yes, from sin and the wrath of God. 807 00:40:33,694 --> 00:40:37,084 But daily, practically in our lives, 808 00:40:37,084 --> 00:40:40,044 for soul satisfaction. 809 00:40:40,044 --> 00:40:41,959 That He would bring us to this place 810 00:40:41,959 --> 00:40:49,195 where we would realize this: 811 00:40:49,195 --> 00:40:54,336 If I have everything except Jesus, 812 00:40:54,336 --> 00:40:57,571 I have nothing. 813 00:40:57,571 --> 00:41:00,983 And if I have nothing but Jesus, 814 00:41:00,983 --> 00:41:04,401 I've got everything. 815 00:41:04,401 --> 00:41:08,022 Beloved, that's what He's bringing us to. 816 00:41:08,022 --> 00:41:11,402 Because when you're satisfied in Jesus Christ alone 817 00:41:11,402 --> 00:41:15,588 as the all-sufficient source of your contentment, 818 00:41:15,588 --> 00:41:20,679 He is glorified in you and through you. 819 00:41:20,679 --> 00:41:30,513 Let's pray to that end. 820 00:41:30,513 --> 00:41:34,236 Father, I thank You in the name of Jesus 821 00:41:34,236 --> 00:41:39,433 that You deal with us in grace. 822 00:41:39,433 --> 00:41:44,872 God, the idolatry in our hearts is unbelievable. 823 00:41:44,872 --> 00:41:47,278 Thank You for forgiveness of sin 824 00:41:47,278 --> 00:41:50,137 through confession in Jesus. 825 00:41:50,137 --> 00:41:54,385 Thank You for deliverance from the power of sin. 826 00:41:54,385 --> 00:41:58,516 Thank You that we have seen and tasted, Lord. 827 00:41:58,516 --> 00:42:03,272 God, our desire is Your glory. 828 00:42:03,272 --> 00:42:09,798 And Your glory is magnified when we are satisfied in Jesus. 829 00:42:09,798 --> 00:42:12,663 So Lord, bring us to that place, 830 00:42:12,663 --> 00:42:15,787 of Christ alone contentment, 831 00:42:15,787 --> 00:42:20,804 and weed out everything that we are looking to 832 00:42:20,804 --> 00:42:22,787 other than Jesus. 833 00:42:22,787 --> 00:42:26,151 That we would truly find the fullness of joy 834 00:42:26,151 --> 00:42:29,482 and You would receive the glory You are due. 835 00:42:29,482 --> 00:42:31,506 We ask this in the name of Jesus, 836 00:42:31,506 --> 00:42:32,971 Amen.