{"id":181,"date":"2010-02-17T12:12:07","date_gmt":"2010-02-17T17:12:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/?p=181"},"modified":"2010-02-17T12:13:27","modified_gmt":"2010-02-17T17:13:27","slug":"content-to-be-contented","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/?p=181","title":{"rendered":"Content to be Contented"},"content":{"rendered":"

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I Timothy 6:6-11 \/ Philippians 4:11-13<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Preached Wednesday February 17, 2010<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Introduction:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>The story is told of a farmer who had lived on the same farm all his life. It was a good farm, but with the passing years, the farmer began to tire of it. He longed for a change\u2014for something \u201cbetter.\u201d Every day he found a new reason for criticizing some feature of the old place. Finally, he decided to sell, and listed the farm with a real estate broker who promptly prepared a sales advertisement. As one might expect, it emphasized all the farm\u2019s advantages: ideal location, modern equipment, healthy stock, acres of fertile ground, etc. Before placing the ad in the newspaper, the realtor called the farmer and read the copy to him for his approval. When he had finished, the farmer cried out, \u201cHold everything! I\u2019ve changed my mind. I am not going to sell. I\u2019ve been looking for a place like that all my life.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Tonight we are going to discover a great treasure from the Word of God.\u00a0 <\/span>It is not money, possessions, knowledge, or even religious pursuits. \u00a0<\/span>The treasure of which I speak is the treasure of contentment. \u00a0<\/span>God has called His beloved children to a life of peace and rest, blanketed safely within His will.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

John 14:27<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid<\/span><\/span><\/em>. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Often we miss the great comfort God has for us because we languish under the burden and distress of discontent. Tonight will discover that we must actively value, experience, and learn about contentment. I pray that God will move our hearts together as we become content to be contented.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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I.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Believers should desire contentment above material possessions.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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A.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Some wrongly equate material gain with Godliness.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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1 Timothy 6:5<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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\u00e8<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Creflo Dollar<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Well, you need to hear about money, because you ain’t gonna have no love and joy and peace until you get some money! \u2013 Creflo Dollar<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I’ll never forget the day I was lying on the bed, exhausted. My youngest daughter climbed on top of my chest and just started playing with my face. Then she looked at me and said, \u201cDaddy, I love you soooo much.\u201d Wow! I hugged that child hard, thinking, <\/span>What can I give her? Where is my wallet? Pick a card, baby. Any card. Your daddy\u2019s loaded. What do you want?<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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B.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Contentment with Godliness is Gain<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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1 Timothy 6:6<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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1.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Contentment = a resting or satisfaction of mind without disquiet.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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2.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Gain = great provision<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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3.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Seek Godliness first before anything else.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Matthew 6:33<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you<\/span><\/span><\/em>.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Contentment consists not in great wealth but in few wants.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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C.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>We will not be able to take material gain with us.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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1 Timothy 6:7<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

7 For we brought nothing into this<\/span> world, and it is<\/span> certain we can carry nothing out<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/em>1. \u00a0<\/span>The pursuit of riches brings a snare.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1 Timothy 6:9<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into<\/span> many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>2. \u00a0<\/span>The love of money is the root of all evil.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1 Timothy 6:10<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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D.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>We can be content with less. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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1 Timothy 6:8<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Content = Held within limits, quiet, not disturbed, having a mind at peace, satisfied.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The contented man is never poor, the discontented never rich.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

George Eliot (1819\u20131880<\/span>)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00e8<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>So we have made the case that we should value contentment, but how in the world can we achieve something like this? \u00a0<\/span>The Apostle Paul gives us some insight in Philippians 4:11-13<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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II.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Contentment is gained through experience.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Philippians 4:11<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith<\/span> to be content.<\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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A.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Contentment does not come naturally. \u00a0<\/span>The Apostle Paul had to learn how to be content.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

B.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>The Learning happens on purpose. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00e8<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Learn = learn by inquiry and observation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00e8<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>You need to pay attention.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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1.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>This learning is not an accident<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>This takes effort and action<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>You need to have the experiences from which to learn.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>You need to develop an eternal mindset.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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2 Corinthians 4:17-18<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and<\/span> eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are<\/span> temporal; but the things which are not seen are<\/span> eternal. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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III.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Contentment is gained through knowledge.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Philippians 4:12<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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A.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Know = to have seen or perceived.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

B.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>It is the result of the learning by inquiry and observation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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1.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Know how to be abased = made low, brought to ground level.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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1 Corinthians 4:9-13<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>10 We are<\/span> fools for Christ\u2019s sake, but ye are<\/span> wise in Christ; we are<\/span> weak, but ye are<\/span> strong; ye are<\/span> honourable, but we are<\/span> despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are<\/span> the offscouring of all things unto this day. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

2.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Know how to abound = exceed in number or measure. \u00a0<\/span>It takes effort to be content when you are abounding.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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2 Corinthians 12:7-9<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.<\/span> Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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IV.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Contentment is the result of continued instruction.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Philippians 4:12<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

12\u00a0 <\/span>I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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A.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Paul is continually instructed = Learning the secret<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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1.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>How to be full<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>How to be hungry<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>How to abound<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>How to suffer need.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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B.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>The secret of contentment is relying on an intimate relationship with Christ.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>1.\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus gives us the power to have the proper perspective.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Philippians 4:13<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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2.\u00a0 <\/span>Contentment comes as we meditate upon the stability and love we have with our Savior.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Hebrews 13:5<\/span><\/em><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

5 Let your<\/span> conversation be<\/span> without covetousness; and be<\/span> content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Conclusion:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>This evening we have learned that we must pursue contentment. \u00a0<\/span>We saw that it does not come naturally and we must learn it through a myriad of experiences. \u00a0<\/span>We must learn to keep our eyes on Jesus and let Him satisfy us in all things.\u00a0 <\/span>We have seen that contentment is a lifelong path that we must continue to travel by constantly receiving instruction that the secret is a relationship with Jesus.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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As an elderly Christian lady with arthritis sat by her front window watching the traffic go by, she said, \u201cI don\u2019t know what I\u2019d do without that traffic to keep me interested.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Later on she was moved to a room in the rear where she could no longer see the traffic from the window. She conceded, \u201cI like this better. I can watch the sweetest little children next door playing in the backyard.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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At last she was moved to the slums of the city. To a friend she said, \u201cCome and see my beautiful view\u2014my beautiful view of the sky!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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I pray that God will help us all to be content to be contented.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I Timothy 6:6-11 \/ Philippians 4:11-13 Preached Wednesday February 17, 2010 \u00a0 Introduction: \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The story is told of a farmer who had lived on the same farm all his life. It was a good farm, but with the passing years, the farmer began to tire of it. He longed for a change\u2014for something … Continue reading Content to be Contented<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-181","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-wednesday-evening-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=181"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":184,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181\/revisions\/184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=181"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}