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“ Being A Contended Christian”CD No.______Time: 5/ 2/ 2010 11 amText: Philippians 4: 6- 12 --------------------------------------------------------------------Introduction: One of the key and major attributes of a Christian, which is priceless, is contentment. However, a lot of Christians lack contentment; they are never satisfied in this walk of life. A Christian who is never satisfied is a Christian who complains. A Christian who complains and murmurs have a bad testimony. Furthermore, it bothers God to hear His children complain. 1 Corinthian 10: 9 –Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted and were destroyed of the serpents. 10 –Neither murmured ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.11-Now all of these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition. Since God puts a high premium on contentment in a Christian’s life, it would do us well to be a contended Christian.I. The Schooling Process Of Contentment V.11 –Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Paul said that he learned to be content. You are not born into God’s family being content; you learn to be content. Since Paul makes this statement about being content in whatever state that he was in, let us examine a couple of them in out text.Notice The State Of ProblemsV.12 –I know how to be abased [ to lower, bring down, humiliate], and I know how to be abound: everywhere and in all things-Amplified V.12 I know how to be abased and live humbly in straightened circumstances.-I have learned in any and all circumstances V.11 –again .Amplified: Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content( satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.The word abased means-to lower, bring down, humiliate-ACTS 16: 16-29 – Paul & Silas were stripped, beaten and thrown in jail – V. 25- And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: Paul & Silas did not whine or murmur, they prayed and praised God.Did you know that it would have been easier to whine and murmur, but Paul had learned to be content in abased [ to lower, bring down, humiliated] situations.When we learn to be content in abased situations, then that is when our light really shines.After God intervened and supernaturally open the prison doors, the jailor ends up getting saved. Etc. The State Of ProblemsNotice The State Of PlentyV. 12 –I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: [ to have plenty]everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full[ eating well] and to be hungry-A lot of Christians can handle poverty better that having plenty.1 Timothy 6: 10-For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith-This is talking about Christians who God blessed, but when they started having plenty they forgot about God.A person needs to remember where their blessing and prosperity comes from God .Illustration: Rich FarmerIf God has blessed you with what you have, you to remember and thank God for it, plus continue to live for Him and put Him first. The State Of Problems The State Of PlentyNotice The State Of PovertyV.12- I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.We find the words hungry and suffer needs.There was times when Paul went hungry and there was times when he suffered or lacked needs.Paul, however, said that he had learned to be content not only when he had plenty, but when he didn’t have any.My grandpa Sergeant who lived in Blairsville, Georgia never had any electricity or running water, but he was one of the most contented persons that I ever met.The Hayes family who used to be members at Welcome Hill Baptist Church was poor people who had raised a large family in a little 3 room house. These people were the most contented people that I ever met, and when you went to their house to visit, you sensed the atmosphere of Heaven in their house. They were always grateful and praising God for His goodness.Preachers that I know who have visited Haiti say those people who are living in poverty are always happy and singing and grateful for what they do have.I was raised in a cotton mill village and was raised poor. If I had any spending money I had to work for it starting at an early age.We didn’t have much, but we were happy because we didn’t know any better.Regardless of how much the Lord wants me to have in this walk of life; I want to be content with what I have.The Schooling Process For Contentment……………Paul said, I have learned-II. The Sign Portrayed For Contentment There is always a sign of contentment in people who are truly contended.V.6 –Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.1 Thessalonians 5: 18 –In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.You can listen to words that come out of your mouth and tell if you are contended. If negative words come out of your mouth, it is a good sign that you are not grateful. If positive words come out of your mouth, is a good sign that you are grateful.You can tell if you are really grateful and thankful, if you let the Lord know that you are appreciate of what he has done for you.When is the last time that you verbally told the Lord in prayer how grateful you are for what He has done in your life?Remember the 10 Lepers: Only one out of ten returned to thank the Lord for healing them of leprosyThe Schooling Process For ContentmentThe Sign Portrayed For ContentmentIII. The Spiritual Principles For ContentmentThere Is The Spiritual Principle Of PrayerV.6 –Be careful [ anxious] for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God.Paul said: Be careful or anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer-In order for a believer to not worry or have anxiety, there must be trust. Paul said: instead of worrying pray about everything.ILL: A worrying Christian- This Christian who was always anxious and worried was told by a Christian friend to pray about what was worrying them. This Christian said, you mean that it has come to that.Some people had rather worry than pray. Again, in order to go to God in prayer about an anxious problem, one must believe that God can answer their prayer.Praying and trusting God is one principle for being contended.There Is The Spiritual Principle Of PerceptionV. 8 –Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.Paul said: Guard what you think about. Paul gives us some good things to think about. Paul said: Think about things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and good reports.Our perception in life can cause us to be contended or discontented.Did you know that most of what we see on T.V., especially the news depresses you if you continually look and listen to it.Paul said to think on things that are of good report.I wonder how many people would watch a T.V. program if they had one that just talked about good people doing good deeds in this world.Paul was saying: guard your mind, try to think about good and positive things in this walk of life.When you are not even watching T.V. Satan will try to get you to think about negative and bad things to get you depressed.When those negative thought come in our life, we must remember that God is not putting them there since he tells us just the opposite in this verse. The Spiritual Principle Of Prayer The Spiritual Principle Of PerceptionThere Is The Spiritual Principle Of PracticingV. 9 –Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me do-Paul said: what things you have learned, do.Paul said: do what you have seen in me, do.Since Paul learned how to be content and he shares with us some principles for being content, Paul says do- put these truths in practice and do them, and you will be on your way of living a contended life.Conclusion: “Being A Contended Christian”Webster Definition- Content- happy enough with what one has or is; not desiring something more or different; satisfied-This is what the world is looking for. If you could put a price on contentment and sell it, a person would end up being the richest person in the world.So, if you are a contended person today, you are one of the richest persons on earth.This is a RARE COMMODITY, but you can be a contended person.We have learned some important principles, so Paul says,”Do them.” ................
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