So here's a new segment on this book/guide thing! This is just my notes from Bible Study on Sundays that I want to share. We are right now going over the characteristics we should be implementing in our lives. I have more I can upload as we have been doing this for months but today's was about contentment. Sorry that I'm not uploading the Sermon Notes. There hasn't been one that really stuck out to me but I will soon :)
Contentment
Contentment is the attitude of accepting whatever God provides, and being happy with it. It does not seek for gratification what is not needed, and does not seek happiness in the shallow things of life. When you are more concerned with how others are doing than how you are doing, you will be on the right track.
Discontent, stress, selfishness, and unhappiness are opposites. Selfish people are never content, because they place too many barriers of desires that can never be gratified. Contentment cannot become rooted in you if you harbor distrust and stresss, as the focus will be on your situation, and not who you are in Christ. Being discontent will prevent the work of God in your heart and your will.
Here are some positive examples from the Scripture
Philippians 2:13
God works in you. Listen and just obey Him. The current may be strong but calm down and just follow Him.
1 Timothy 6:6-8
We don't need much to be content. The Bible says that with only food and clothing we will be content. Note that shelter isn't one of them. Jesus never had a house to put over his head but God always provided-staying at other people's houses and all.
2 Timothy 4:16-18
Even in jail, Paul focused on God and his calling that God gave him. He trusted that he could finish for God. Content on being focused on God.
Here are negative examples from the Scripture
1 Samuel 13:6-14
He feels rushed-Saul is extremely impatient and so disobeyed God. Saul shows worry, disobedience, and impatient-NOT what we look for when we want to be content.
Proverbs 18:1
Being selfish does not bring contentment. It defiles all contentment-people are not content will bring out selfishness.
Luke 10:38-40
Mary-content in Jesus
Martha-focused on many things (not necessarily bad things) but she was distracted.
In this illustration, Mary is more content because she is with Jesus. Are you content right now? Are you focusing on Jesus like Mary or are you like Marth?
Define contentment...
1) Following God's will and reminding/continuing your identity in Christ
2) Being focused in Christ
3) Thankful God will provide (1 Tim.) He provides the basics-not about other things, it only comes from one-God.
4) Not dwelling on bitterness (like Paul. He was praising God even when he was in jail!)
5) Not being selfish
6) When God is working in you. When God is in control
Reflection questions...
1) Are you content, yes or no. Explain your answer in your head (self evalutation)
2) When have you been most filled with contentment?
3) How does not being content affect our relationship with God?
There was a story that my pastor told us during today's sermon...
There was a fisherman who was done catching enough fish for the day and was docking. A rich business man came up and asked him why was he already back.
The fisherman replied, "I caught all the fishes I need for today.
The business man scrunches his face. "Why don't you keep on catching fish so you can make more money?"
The fishman answers, "What would I do with the extra money?"
The buiness man replies. "You can buy more better equipment for fishing or even hire a crew to do the work for you. Then you can rest and do things that makes you happy."
The fisherman simply replies. "What does it look like I'm doing?"
The business man didn't know true contentment. He was so blinded by his worldly riches and what the world thought of what "happiness" and contentment meant. He was following cheap imitations. You don't think you can do it? Well Obama once said "Yes, we can!" NO. He's wrong. It should be "Yes, He can!" God can do anything so rely on Him. If you give an excuse that you can't hear Him. It's you that's wrong not Him. Evaluate yourself today.
Another example Pastor David showed was...
He pulled out a red gardening glove. He waves it around and the empty glove flops in his hand, uselessly and without power. The glove represents us.
Now he puts his hand into the glove. With his hands he can do things like clean up a garden or...beat someone up (he jokes around a lot). The hand represents the Holy Spirit.
Once the hand goes in the glove, it can do many things. We can't do anything by our own will and our own strength like the floppy glove but when we have the Holy Spirit, the hand, working in us, we can do so much more things and be used. Nothing fulfils us like God does.
Seek gratification and contentment right now. It's yours to keep anyways.
Shinning Star Community Church
Falls Church, Virginia
In[2]Him Youth Ministry 2012
