Post on 26-Aug-2020
The Secret to
Contentment in
Every Circumstance
Philippians 4:10-13
The Secret to Contentment…
• Our attitude is vastly more important than our circumstances.
• Biblical joy isn’t an emotion.
• It isn’t based on circumstances.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Joy doesn’t ebb and flow, because it’s anchored in the steadfast immutability of God.
• True joy is found in having the proper perspective, not in having ideal circumstances.
The Secret to Contentment…
• We all determine our focus.
• And, that focus will greatly impact our attitude toward our circumstances.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Philippians 4:10-13—10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
The Secret to Contentment…
• 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Joy is the main theme of Philippians.
• Philippians 1:3-5—3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Paul was referencing a financial gift.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Philippians 4:15-18—15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
The Secret to Contentment…
• 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Notice how Paul never directly thanks the Philippians in either passage.
• Philippians 1:3—I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
• Philippians 4:10—I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me…
The Secret to Contentment…
• Paul didn’t want his thanks to be interpreted as a request for more money.
• Philippians 4:11—Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
• Philippians 4:17—Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Paul also didn’t flatter the Philippians.
• He simply stated that he thanked the Lord for what they had done, and that their actions had brought him great joy.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Paul also avoided the pitfall of complete silence.
• He wanted to express his gratitude toward the Philippians.
• But, he also wanted to do it in a humble Christ-centered fashion.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Philippians 4:10—I rejoiced in the Lord greatly…
• The word “greatly” comes from the Greek word megalōs (me-gäʹ-lōs).
• It comes from the root word megas (meʹ-gäs).
The Secret to Contentment…
• We get our English word “mega” from the Greek megas (meʹ-gäs).
• Paul was mega (or super) joyful for the Philippians and their partnership with him in the gospel.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Philippians 4:10—I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
• The Philippians gave whenever they had the opportunity to do so.
The Secret to Contentment…
• The Philippian Church was very poor.
• 2 Corinthians 8:1-2—1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
The Secret to Contentment…
• 2 Corinthians 8:3-4—3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—
The Secret to Contentment…
• 2 Corinthians 8:3-4—3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—
The Secret to Contentment…
• The Philippians gave to Paul, and to others, generously, unselfishly, and self-sacrificially.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Philippians 4:11-13—11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The Secret to Contentment…
• 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
• Philippians 4:17—17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Paul wanted the Philippians to understand that he didn’t need their support, nor was he soliciting more donations.
• God gives us the means and desire to support people who do His work.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Philippians 4:11—…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
• Contentment is one the keys to having joy.
• It’s impossible to have true joy, if you lack contentment.
• Joy isn’t based on our circumstances.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Philippians 4:12—I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Contentment is a demonstration that we trust in God and His sovereign provision in our lives.
• Contentment breeds joy.
• Discontentment robs us of our joy.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Philippians 4:11-13—11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The Secret to Contentment…
• There are three steps to good exegetical Bible study: observation, interpretation, and application.
• Philippians 4:12—I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Philippians 4:12-13—I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. [Because,] I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Philippians 4:13—For all things I have strength, in Christ’s strengthening me; (YLT)
• This verse is more about having the power to endure, rather than the ability to accomplish.
The Secret to Contentment…
• Philippians 4:13—For all things I have strength, in Christ’s strengthening me; (YLT)
• This verse is more about having the power to endure, rather than the ability to accomplish.