THE DISCIPLINE OF CONTENTMENT
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.
Sermon Title: THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION CONTINUES
Scripture References: LUKE 12:13-34
The Bible teaches and encourages the spiritual discipline of contentment. Contentment is the positive assurance that God has supplied one’s needs resulting in freedom from unnecessary desire. To be content is to be at peace with who one is and what one has.
Desire is a normal part of the human experience and the desire for more isn’t wrong. When desire turns to sin like greed or coveting, pulls us away from God, or hurts others then it's wrong and needs to be corrected.
There can be a healthy or holy discontent, such as the desire to do something about starvation in the world or the number of people who don’t know what Jesus has done for them. Those aren’t bad forms of discontentment. In this message, I want to focus on the more obvious, how to live content and guard against unhealthy discontentment.
Luke 12:13-34 NLT
This parable shows that a rich relationship with God is more important than our physical possessions and wealth.
Jesus then turns and teaches his disciples to not worry about the little or big things, but to give their attention to seeking first His kingdom.
Store up treasures in heaven by living content and being generous with what you do have.
Wherever your treasure is there your heart will be also. Whatever you talk about the most is closest to your heart. This is how you know someone's heart…
Discontentment
Unfortunately, discontentment is part of being a human - Proverbs 27:20 “Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied.” Before the fall in the garden we had desire. After the fall we have an unquenchable appetite for more.
Genesis 3. Guarding our desires has been an issue for mankind since the garden...The devil enticed Eve with greed to search out the tree that was forbidden when he planted the idea of what it would offer them. They had everything they needed but one tree. Greed is going after one more tree instead of being content with the 99 you already have!
In Genesis 11 the descendants of Noah were rapidly growing in Babylonia. The people desired a name for themselves so they constructed a tower that would “reach to the heavens.” At the heart of the issue were pride, self-sufficiency, and self-worship.
The Israelites were guilty of not being satisfied with God as their king and longed for one of their own so they could be like other nations around them (1 Samuel 8:5-9; 19-20).
The Israelites were greedy idolaters in the sense that they put other gods before and beside the One True God (Jeremiah 10:1-8; 11:13).
Some downfalls of discontentment
Identity crisis in our world. Not content with who we are so some try to change themselves.
Comparison, coveting and taking from others
Financial Debt
Drug addiction, Drunkenness, and Gluttony
The greatest downfall of all, neglecting and replacing God as we pursue more in this world.
On the other hand, there is contentment…
Contentment - This is what contentment looks like…
Proverbs 30:7-9 O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.
Psalms 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
The blessings of contentment.
A content heart is secure in one’s identity from God.
A content heart doesn't compare and instead celebrates others
A content heart makes a loyal spouse not looking anywhere else.
A content heart makes a good steward of finances
A content heart finds joy in fellowship with others and simple things in life.
A content heart doesn't need substances or excess.
Cultivate Contentment
We can cultivate contentment or discontentment if we're not careful.
There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less. G.K. Chesterton
Philippians 4:10-14 Paul learned to be content. Paul found his strength and ability to be happy in all circumstances because he knew who and what he had in Christ. When it was hard to get by he found peace and satisfaction with little because he had the treasure of Christ. When he had a lot he had peace and satisfaction not in the abundance of possessions but in his gratitude for Christ. This is directing and disciplining your desires by remembering Christ is all you need, He is enough in all circumstances.
How do we cultivate contentment?
Direct your heart’s desires toward God.
Seek God first. Seek first the kingdom of God. There's a reason we do this first, so our hearts will be full of God and our desires will be content and easier to guard. Put God last in this order and there's little chance you'll be able to direct and discipline your insatiable desire for more.
Fill your heart with God. God is the more your heart is searching for. Dwell and focus on God, His Word, do His will, be with those he has put in your life, help the community around you come to know God, appreciate what you have…etc.
Think outwardly here. Jesus offers all this freely and yet our world doesn't know. Our world is struggling to be content and finding the things they chase are empty promises in vain, all for nothing. Let us be moved to go, so all may know God’s love and follow Jesus.
Discipline and guard your heart’s desires for God
We have to guard our hearts and be careful what we plant and cultivate in them because the craving for gratification grows as we feed our desires.
Psalms 119:37 NLT Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.
1 Timothy 6:6-12 NLT
Hebrews 13:5 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Practice gratitude
I tie gratitude and contentment together because if we have an attitude of gratitude we are usually content with what we have. If we are content we are typically grateful for what we have.
Take an inventory of what and who you have in life and give thanks to God and then spend time with them.
Tip for parents before shopping this Christmas. Do a room or toy room cleaning and take inventory with your kids what they already have and encourage them to enjoy it.
Practice giving
Instead of wanting more or seeking to get, practice giving. Practice giving to the church and others with your kids. Let them be a part of bringing your 10% tithes and any offerings you do above that to the church.
Practice generosity to those in need or bless those that serve you.
Practice denial
Say no to the flesh more often. Deny what the flesh wants..
Enjoy who is with you and what you have.
Deny distractions that keep you from having quality time with your loved ones and God.
The secret to contentment is once you believe and experience Jesus as the greatest treasure in the world your soul finds rest and satisfaction. For in a relationship with Christ, we find true love, joy, peace, certainty, security, and eternity.
John 6:67-69 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”
I have never known anyone to accept Christ and later regret it. -Billy Graham
Discussion
What did God use in this sermon to speak to your heart or situation?
What scripture stuck out to you and why?
What are some downfalls if we have an unhealthy discontent in our hearts?
How does knowing and having Jesus make us content?
What are the blessings of contentment?
How do we cultivate a healthy contentment?
What should we ask God for in our prayer time to help us apply this message?
The most important decision you will ever make!
If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!