The Virtue of Contentment

Notes: Father's Day Message "The Virtue of Contentment"
Pastor Ricky Ryan
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Philippians 4:11–13
Music: Phil Wickham

We live in a world that majors in discontentment. Media is doing their job to make you discontent.

Philippians 4:9-13 NKJV
[9] The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. [10] But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. [11] Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: [12] I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Paul asks the different churches to follow his example of contentment.

Paul learned the secret of contentment.

Philippians 4:12 NKJV
[12] I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Paul was stoned, and left for dead in Lystra. In Philipi he was beaten with sticks. He's been beaten and jailed over and over again.

Paul didn't let what he didn't have keep him from what he did have...the love of Christ Jesus.

Paul was not a very good poster boy for the prosperity movement.

Contentment is natural wealth, riches is artificial poverty. - Socrates

Prosperity may be a bigger obstacle to contentment than poverty.

Paul knew affluence on the island of Malta - Acts 28

Philippians 4:13 NKJV
[13] I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

It has nothing to do with personal achievement or personal gain.

This verse about having the strength to get above the struggles of life.

God gives us the power to be content.

1. Don't focus in on what you don't have; focus in on what you do have.

2. Don't compare what you do have with what other people have.

3. Be thankful for what you do have.

4. Learn to live with unmet needs.

Sometimes it's really good to deny yourself.

Learn to get by with what God has provided you.

5. Don't lose sight of the things that will really make you happy.

Godliness with contentment is great gain.