Elements City Church
Joy Full - The Secret of Contentment - Philippians 4:10-20
As the Apostle Paul closes out this letter to the church in Philippi. He reemphasizes his gratefulness and a deep thank you to a people that is very special to him. He zeroes in a secret and a promise. He’s wanting them to know that they can experience this secret of contentment as well. And they can also live with a growing confidence in the promise of God’s provision as they grow in their generosity, gratitude and reliance upon Jesus.
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
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https://share.fluro.io/form/6329f633da0feb00250cbd5fContentment is the state of being happy and satisfied.
Contentment isn’t an excited kind of happy, it’s more like a peaceful ease of mind. It’s being satisfied with what you have..
REMEMBER WHERE PAUL IS…
Paul had to learn this because contentment is not a natural human response.
The word content in Greek means “self-sufficient” and independent of others.
Paul used this term to indicate his independence of everything but Christ - since Christ was the sole source of Paul’s life (1:21; 4:13).
Contentment isn’t an excited kind of happy, it’s more like a peaceful ease of mind. It’s being satisfied with what you have..
REMEMBER WHERE PAUL IS…
Paul had to learn this because contentment is not a natural human response.
The word content in Greek means “self-sufficient” and independent of others.
Paul used this term to indicate his independence of everything but Christ - since Christ was the sole source of Paul’s life (1:21; 4:13).
“Secret of Contentment”
One biblical scholar Eugene Peterson translates it as “I have learned the recipe for happiness” — it’s not circumstantial; it’s an anchored soul in Christ!
Paul is highlighting the secret = contentment isn’t found in our circumstances…this is where people get sideways.
Lack of freedom or lack of goods was not critical for Paul’s contentment or joy. His contentment came from inward self-sufficiency IN CHRIST - not from outward circumstances.
So much of our vantage point in life is so often anchored to our circumstances…
-Paul is saying the secret is found when we shift our focus off our circumstances and onto OUR CHRIST!
Truth:
* contentment is to be found IN CHRIST, no matter what circumstances you find yourself in -- it’s IN HIM where I find my empowerment for life and living…
The secret to true contentment is not in WHAT you have, but in WHO has you.
One biblical scholar Eugene Peterson translates it as “I have learned the recipe for happiness” — it’s not circumstantial; it’s an anchored soul in Christ!
Paul is highlighting the secret = contentment isn’t found in our circumstances…this is where people get sideways.
Lack of freedom or lack of goods was not critical for Paul’s contentment or joy. His contentment came from inward self-sufficiency IN CHRIST - not from outward circumstances.
So much of our vantage point in life is so often anchored to our circumstances…
-Paul is saying the secret is found when we shift our focus off our circumstances and onto OUR CHRIST!
Truth:
* contentment is to be found IN CHRIST, no matter what circumstances you find yourself in -- it’s IN HIM where I find my empowerment for life and living…
The secret to true contentment is not in WHAT you have, but in WHO has you.
*one of Paul's favorite statements about our identity in Christ = we are IN CHRISTand we are hidden in Christ -- everything that Christ has -- we have! In fact the phrase IN CHRIST is a pauline statement all over the N.T. books he authored…
The expressions “in Christ,” “in the Lord,” and “in him” occur 164 times in the letters of Paul alone, and they are indispensable to an understanding of our faith…
The expressions “in Christ,” “in the Lord,” and “in him” occur 164 times in the letters of Paul alone, and they are indispensable to an understanding of our faith…
Paul had complete confidence that, no matter what the circumstance, Christ would give him the strength to meet it. His grace is sufficient!
God does not grant us superhuman ability - nor every resource we wish for. As we contend for the faith, we will face troubles, pressures, and trials. But we do not need to worry about being given more than we can handle; Christ will supply resource/His sufficient grace to complete what he asks us to do.
He’s with us, He’s for us, He’s empowering us…
God does not grant us superhuman ability - nor every resource we wish for. As we contend for the faith, we will face troubles, pressures, and trials. But we do not need to worry about being given more than we can handle; Christ will supply resource/His sufficient grace to complete what he asks us to do.
He’s with us, He’s for us, He’s empowering us…
Paul was so grateful for their support and help!
Paul focused on what their good works on his behalf were benefiting them in heaven. One translation puts it as: “the fruit that abounds to your account” - The financial language showed the Philippians that their gifts to Paul were investments that paid dividends or accumulated interest (“profit”) that would be credited to their heavenly account.
There is no human need that God is unable to meet—
Christ’s grace is sufficient for every need (2 Corinthians 12:9).
==Yet he often sends “vertical” help through people helping one another on the “horizontal” level.
Paul says: giving/generosity benefits the giver - as well as the receiver
In context of this section - the Apostle Paul is eluding to a truth hinted at all throughout the Scriptures:
Growing generosity and gratitude will cultivate your heart so that contentment can be more of your experience
The word reward in Greek is a banking term that literally means "accumulated interest." God pays interest. (see Hebrews 6:10 also)
The Bible says when you give even a cup of cold water in Jesus' name, it's written down. Each time you're generous with your family, friends, church, and God’s mission in the world, it's recorded -- and it's rewarded.
Your generosity is a kingdom investment, and the bank of heaven pays interest…
Philippians 4:19 "My God will supply all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Paul focused on what their good works on his behalf were benefiting them in heaven. One translation puts it as: “the fruit that abounds to your account” - The financial language showed the Philippians that their gifts to Paul were investments that paid dividends or accumulated interest (“profit”) that would be credited to their heavenly account.
There is no human need that God is unable to meet—
Christ’s grace is sufficient for every need (2 Corinthians 12:9).
==Yet he often sends “vertical” help through people helping one another on the “horizontal” level.
Paul says: giving/generosity benefits the giver - as well as the receiver
In context of this section - the Apostle Paul is eluding to a truth hinted at all throughout the Scriptures:
Growing generosity and gratitude will cultivate your heart so that contentment can be more of your experience
The word reward in Greek is a banking term that literally means "accumulated interest." God pays interest. (see Hebrews 6:10 also)
The Bible says when you give even a cup of cold water in Jesus' name, it's written down. Each time you're generous with your family, friends, church, and God’s mission in the world, it's recorded -- and it's rewarded.
Your generosity is a kingdom investment, and the bank of heaven pays interest…
Philippians 4:19 "My God will supply all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Challenge for next weekend:
Read Philippians this week - all 4 chapters
What’s the one verse or group of verses that God is nudging you to dwell on, pray into, think about more, memorize for you in this season?
Read Philippians this week - all 4 chapters
What’s the one verse or group of verses that God is nudging you to dwell on, pray into, think about more, memorize for you in this season?
We are grateful for your financial partnership!
Thank you for giving your tithes and offerings. They enable us to be the church, and they help fuel the mission of Elements City Church. Our capacity to function as a church on a daily basis is directly impacted by your support, and we are so grateful for it! You can give online at the link below, or through the Elements City Church app.
http://elementscitychurch.org/giveAren't you glad you came to church tonight?!
There's power when we gather together to worship in song and in the Word! We pray tonight has been a blessing to you as you start your week.
Join us next Sunday as we finish our Joy Full series.
Check out the Elements up to stay up to date on upcoming events, including:
- Next Saturday -- Dudes Day on Sept 28th @ Top Golf
- Chili Cook-off potluck October 20th
There's power when we gather together to worship in song and in the Word! We pray tonight has been a blessing to you as you start your week.
Join us next Sunday as we finish our Joy Full series.
Check out the Elements up to stay up to date on upcoming events, including:
- Next Saturday -- Dudes Day on Sept 28th @ Top Golf
- Chili Cook-off potluck October 20th