Class Lesson September 15, 2019

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

Life is filled with stages—and no matter the stage we’re in, we seem eager to jump to the next one.

• 
  We couldn’t wait to get to high school, but once we were there, we couldn’t wait to graduate.                                                                                                                                                             
• We couldn’t wait to get to college, but it didn’t take long before we were eager to move to a career in “the real world.”                                                                                                                                       
• We couldn’t wait to get married, but once we arrived, we began wanting to grow that family.                                                                                                                                                                        
• We landed the job we wanted, but before long, we set our sights on another job, another position, or even retirement.

For most of us, each stage offers some degree of contentment, but we still have a yearning. Our hearts are hungry for more. If we’re not careful, our hearts can live in discontentment.

The apostle Paul knew what it was to live a life of highs and lows, to have much and to be in need. As situations in his life changed, his contentment did not. In Philippians 4, Paul gave us the “secret” to being content regardless of our current situation. 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Philippians 4:10-14

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

It’s a great boost to our faith when God takes care of us in a way that can only be explained by the work of God. We aren’t the same when we see Him provide and no one else can get the credit. Paul knew well what it meant to move forward in faith and see God provide through a community of believers. In this passage, Paul wrote to express his appreciation for the financial support he received from the Philippians.

Some time had passed since the last time the Philippians were able to help Paul. They cared for him and what he was doing, but they “had no opportunity to show it” (v. 10). Perhaps they weren’t aware of a need, or Paul didn’t have a need. We don’t know. We do know that, when the opportunity arose, they certainly stepped in.

Although this gift came from the Philippians, Paul knew very well that they were only the deliverers of God’s provision. He knew the mighty hand of God was behind this provision. Paul “rejoiced greatly in the Lord” (v. 10). His thanks was to the One who was behind the gift and Who moved the church to care and provide.

Even as Paul thanked them for their concern for him, he let them know he would be fine with or without a gift. The apostle Paul was no stranger to the trials of life that could have easily caused discontentment in his heart. He had been imprisoned, whipped five times with thirty-nine lashes, beaten with rods three times, and faced death and multiple dangers (2 Cor. 11:24-27). Paul often went without food and he knew what it was like to sleep in the cold, yet he could say, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (v. 11). Paul wasn’t exempt from pain and the trials of this life just because he was a faithful servant; in fact, it seems that his hardships were due to his faithfulness.

The secret to Paul’s contentment? “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (v. 13). Whether he was well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need, Paul found his strength and contentment in Christ.

Paul was writing specifically of his ability to be content in all circumstances. In order to achieve contentment, he needed to depend on Christ for his strength. The strength to rest in God and be fully satisfied came from Him.

It is unfortunate how many people take this passage out of context. Athletes like to quote verse 13 as if it was written to help them make a free throw in basketball or a triple play in baseball. People like to quote it before job interviews or daunting tasks. While we should certainly seek God and depend on Him in all circumstances, the point of this verse is that, however our circumstances turn out, we can be content because of Christ.

Philippians 4:15-18

15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Paul expressed gratitude for the way the Philippian church supported him. In fact, it was the only church in Macedonia that supported him. He was grateful they believed in God’s call on his life and contributed to the cause of spreading the gospel. This is a reminder that our churches should be leading the charge in supporting missionaries and church planters who have forsaken all for the great cause of spreading the gospel. Each church planter and missionary should be able to echo the words Paul wrote: “You sent me aid more than once when I was in need” (v. 16).

Through Paul’s ministry, he had spread the gospel and helped start many churches, but only Philippi reciprocated and supported him when he needed it. Paul mentioned this fact without a hint of complaint. He focused on thanksgiving for what was done instead of complaining about what was not done.

We are blessed to be a blessing in return. God has not only given to us so that we may be provided for, but He wants us to have the opportunity to be a provision for others. The American dream is to accumulate, while the gospel of Christ compels us to receive and give. We should all live as missionaries on this earth with a desire to spread the message of Christ, understanding that all we have is for Him and the advancement of His gospel. In the end, we will stand before our Father, and we will be held accountable for how we lived our lives. We must be careful that we don’t get caught up in accumulating and forget to support the cause of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20).

To save is wise. To be a good steward is biblical. But to accumulate to the point of neglecting the spread of the gospel is ungodly. Live so that you leave a legacy of being a blessing to many!

Philippians 4:19-20

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

“And my God will meet all your needs.” What a promise! The Philippians had helped Paul in his time of need. They supported him and sacrificed much. They gave out of a heart of generosity and a love for the gospel. They could do so freely because God would take care of them. Living with simplicity rests in the truth that God takes care of us. 

That wonderful promise gets even more wonderful when we see that God supplies what we need “according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (v. 19). Sometimes we might approach the throne of God and forget Who we are approaching: the Creator of the universe. The One who owns it all. The One who lacks absolutely nothing. Our God is not poor, in debt, or low on resources. His resources are unlimited—so we can rest in the truth that, when God provides, He provides abundantly!

This is not the false promise often proclaimed in the “prosperity gospel.” We can’t just name whatever we want and claim it. That indeed is a false gospel. God is not a genie who is here to answer all our commands, flood our accounts with money, and fill our homes with every possession we desire. God could certainly do that with His unlimited resources, but our contentment comes through resting in Him, not in an abundance of stuff.

Living a life of simplicity rests in this truth. While we might acknowledge that truth, our human nature always wants more. We often don’t just pray for our needs; we seek after our wants. Having all our material desires met won’t make us any happier or more content, even though our sin nature will try to convince us otherwise.

God will meet our needs—and He will often do it in unexpected ways. We trust Him to provide in His timing and in the way that is best for us.

I have been praying for my atheist father to receive Christ as his Lord and Savior but it hasn’t happened—yet. I’ve asked and prayed, but no answer. Why? My only conclusion is that God knows best. He knows when to give me what I need and how to supply it. I will simply choose to trust that God knows how to supply my every need.

LIVE IT OUT

A life of simplicity finds contentment in Christ alone. How can you live out that truth? Consider the following applications:

• Choose Contentment. Evaluate your heart for signs of discontentment. Ask yourself: Am I trusting in money more than in Jesus? Do money and possessions bring me more joy than Jesus? Can I really say, “Christ is all I need”?

• Choose to Trust. Make a daily decision not to allow circumstances to determine how content you will be in this life. Memorize Philippians 4:12-13 to remind you simply to trust Christ for all things: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

• Choose to Give. Give of your time, talent, or treasures. Sometimes the cure for discontentment is to give to others. Find those with needs and give to them. Let God use you as His answer to their prayers.

Regardless of what stage of life you’re in, you’ll find plenty of reasons to be discontented. Thankfully Jesus gives us a path to true contentment in Him.

Hope to see everyone on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan

Teacher Notes:

Billy Graham says this about our faith:

If faith is not rooted in the truth of God's Word, it has no power. It will wither like a plant out of the soil. Power comes from the source of faith, and that is in Christ Jesus the Lord. The Bible says, "Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God" (1 Corinthians 2:5). How do we get that power? When we humble ourselves before God, He gives us the gift of faith to believe. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

The Bible teaches that faith is the only approach that we have to God. Faith is belief in someone greater than ourselves and it is Jesus Christ and Him alone. No one has sins forgiven, no one goes to Heaven; no one has assurance of peace and contentment, until we exhibit faith in Jesus Christ. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

What does this mean? It means that we are convinced that Jesus is who He claims to be -- God in human flesh, sent to save us from our sins.

"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

3. The Key to Contentment – Its all wrapped up in Christ!

Contentment – It might be the most elusive of all Christian virtues, except for perhaps humility.

Discontentment vs. Contentment

Are we naturally content? 

I am not naturally content. In my fallen nature I am naturally discontent. I am not content because I am always playing out in my mind what Paul Tripp calls the “if only” life: If only I made as much as I did before, I’d be content, if only I had the perks that I had before, if only I had that job, if only…if only! 

Why is contentment so important and why is it so elusive? 

It is important first to understand how sinful discontentment is. Some would argue that the 10th commandment forbids discontentment — covetousness. Why? Because:

• Discontentment is a mistrust of God. Contentment is trusting God implicitly. Thus, discontent is the opposite of faith.
• Discontentment amounts to complaining against God’s plan. In my desire to be sovereign, I think my plan for me is better. As Paul Tripp well puts it, “I love me and have a wonderful plan for my life.”
• Discontentment exhibits a desire to be sovereign. See No. 2. Like Adam and Eve, we desire to taste of the tree that will transform us into sovereign kings.
• Discontentment covets something God has not been pleased to give us. He gave us His Son; therefore, can we not trust him for the trivial things? (Rom. 8:32)
• Discontentment communicates that God has made a mistake. My present circumstances are wrong and they should be otherwise. I will only be content when they change to suit my desires.

In our self-idolatry, we tend to think that a change in circumstances will bring us joy and contentment. For us, the grass is always greener unless we learn to find our contentment in something that is transcendent and eternal.

Paul struggled with discontentment too:

In Philippians 4, he tells us that he had “learned the secret” of being content in any and every circumstance. Let’s read 

Philippians 4:10-14

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

Why is Paul writing to the Philippian church?

Paul was writing to give thanks to the Philippian church for their gifts of support while he was in prison. In 1 Corinthians 9:11-18, Paul wrote that he didn’t accept gifts from the Corinthian church because he didn’t want to be accused of preaching only to get money. But Paul maintained that it was a church’s responsibility to support God’s ministers (1 Corinthians 9:14). He accepted the Philippians’ gift because they gave it willingly and because he was in need.

And then Paul begins to explain what true contentment is.

Think About: What does true contentment look like in your life? 

Think About: When have you felt peace in the middle of a chaotic situation? 

How would you explain that the source of true contentment is having a personal relationship with Christ?

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances”, he goes on to say that it’s a secret that he has learned. What’s the secret? 

It is found in Phil. 4:13, a verse we typically deploy to make Christians seem like Popeye with Christ as the spinach, a people who can accomplish literally anything their minds can perceive (a New Age concept) because of Christ: “I can do all things through him (Christ) who strengthens me.” Actually, Paul’s words, when properly understood, are far more expansive than the quasi-prosperity interpretation of that verse: Because of Christ, we can accomplish contentment no matter what circumstances a day brings into our lives. 

Paul had learned that the secret was to draw on the power of Christ for strength. 

To be content is to accept one’s lot in life even when it is less than desirable, and then to use the circumstance in the best possible way to fulfill life’s purpose. Contentment is an attitude, a frame of mind, an expression of the heart. However, it is not natural to most of us, not even the likes of Paul; it is learned. “For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself” (CSB).

Are you in a situation right now where you have great needs? 

• Learn to rely on God’s promises and Christ’s power to help you be content.
• If you always want more, ask God to remove that desire and teach you contentment in every circumstance. 
• He will supply all your needs, but in a way that He knows is best for you.

Paul was content because he could see life from God’s point of view.

• He focused on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt he should have.
• Paul had his priorities straight, and he was grateful for everything God had given him.
• Paul had detached himself from the nonessentials so he could concentrate on the eternal.
• One mark of maturity in Christ is that the mature know how to depend on the Lord in every situation of life, not only in those for which they assume they need help. The mature believer acknowledges the strength and provision of God.

Often the desire for more is really a longing to fill an empty place in a person’s life.

To what are you drawn when you fill empty inside? How can you find true contentment?

• The answer lies in your perspective, your priorities, and your source of power.

Paul’s reliance on Christ is similar to the way some elements of the natural order are dependent on resources that may not be readily seen by the natural eye. 

• Trees send their roots down into the earth to draw up water and minerals. 
• Rivers have their sources in the snow-capped mountains. 
• The most important part of a tree is the part you cannot see, the root system, and the most important part of the Christian’s life is the part only God sees. Unless we draw upon the deep resources of God by faith, we fail against the pressures of life. Paul depended on the power of Christ at work in his life. ‘I can—through Christ!’ was Paul’s motto, and it can be our motto too.”

It’s a great boost to our faith when God takes care of us in a way that can only be explained by the work of God. We aren’t the same when we see Him provide and no one else can get the credit. 

What are some lasting truths from Philippians 4:10-14?

• God uses the compassion and actions of believers as a way of providing for others.
• Godly contentment is not a product of our circumstances but our union with Christ.

Someone read Philippians 4:15-19

Philippians 4:15-19

15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

How can contentment lead toward a generous spirit?

• Paul expressed gratitude for the way the Philippian church supported him. In fact, it was the only church in Macedonia that supported him. He was grateful they believed in God’s call on his life and contributed to the cause of spreading the gospel.
• We are blessed to be a blessing in return. God has not only given to us so that we may be provided for, but He wants us to have the opportunity to be a provision for others. The American dream is to accumulate, while the gospel of Christ compels us to receive and give.
• We should all live as missionaries on this earth with a desire to spread the message of Christ, understanding that all we have is for Him and the advancement of His gospel. In the end, we will stand before our Father, and we will be held accountable for how we lived our lives. We must be careful that we don’t get caught up in accumulating and forget to support the cause of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20).

How do we distinguish between responsible saving and ungenerous hoarding?

• To save is wise. To be a good steward is biblical. But to accumulate to the point of neglecting the spread of the gospel is ungodly. Live so that you leave a legacy of being a blessing to many!

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

• “And my God will meet all your needs.” What a promise! The Philippians had helped Paul in his time of need. They supported him and sacrificed much. They gave out of a heart of generosity and a love for the gospel. They could do so freely because God would take care of them. Living with simplicity rests in the truth that God takes care of us.
• We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we need on earth he will always supply, even if it is the courage to face death as Paul did. We must remember the difference between our wants and needs. By trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting his provision and power to live for him.

What are some lasting truths from Philippians 4:15-19?

• As believers, we are to look for opportunities to reach out to brothers and sisters in need.
• The concept of giving is rooted in the gospel beginning with the truth that God gave His Son.
• When we discover the grace of giving, we will find the joy of living.
• We lay up treasures in heaven when we give freely to build God’s kingdom.
• Giving to others in the spirit of Christ is worship to God.
• God will meet our needs.
• God’s supply of heavenly riches is inexhaustible.
• We have access to God and His blessing through Jesus Christ alone.

Live It Out

Paul’s message in these verses reminds us that contentment is not a product of what or how much we possess; it comes through a relationship with Christ. Our giving to benefit others is not so much a sacrifice on our part as it is an investment in the things of God. Furthermore, our giving is an expression of worship to Him. We can freely give to others because we have confidence that God will provide for our every need according to His glorious supply. Reflecting on such truth ought to bring us joy. In turn, joy in the Lord ought to make us content. After all, what could be better than that?

• Choose Contentment. Evaluate your heart for signs of discontentment. Ask yourself: Am I trusting in money more than in Jesus? Do money and possessions bring me more joy than Jesus? Can I really say, “Christ is all I need”?
• Choose to Trust. Make a daily decision not to allow circumstances to determine how content you will be in this life. Memorize Philippians 4:12-13 to remind you simply to trust Christ for all things: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
• Choose to Give. Give of your time, talent, or treasures. Sometimes the cure for discontentment is to give to others. Find those with needs and give to them. Let God use you as His answer to their prayers.

Regardless of where you are in life, you’ll find plenty of reasons to be discontented. Thankfully Jesus gives us a path to true contentment in Him.

The Key to Contentment

It’s all wrapped up in Christ!