Bible Study - Simplicity (3) - The Key to Contentment - Philippians 4:10-20 - September 15, 2019

Bible Study – Simplicity (3) – The Key to Contentment – September 15, 2019


This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Simplicity: Finding 

Contentment in a Busy Life.”


Our focus scripture is Philippians 4:10-20.


True contentment comes through CHRIST alone.


What is contentment? Is it giving up and accepting the situation or issue you are experiencing? Or is it abiding in the knowledge that you have done all you can about a situation, through prayer, and now you can rest and trust in the power and leadership of JESUS? GOD works wherever and whenever HE needs to work. There are times when it may take time before we know that GOD is at work on our request to HIM.  HE begins work according to HIS will and purpose the instant we ask but it may take earth time before we know that HE is at work. Let’s consider and read Daniel 10: 10-13:

Angelic Conflict

¹⁰ Suddenly, a hand touched me and raised me to my hands and knees. ¹¹ He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured by God. Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you.” After he said this to me, I stood trembling.

¹² “Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers. ¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia.

Things go on in the Heavenly realm of which we are not aware. Our part is to trust as we wait. We wait in contentment because we know that our FATHER has heard us and help in on the way.

The Apostle Paul knew this trusting contentment. Let’s explore!

Trusting contentment does not always mean things are going our way but we are trusting that our LORD is acting in our behalf. GOD is working to bring about HIS solution.

The Apostle Paul captures this idea in Romans 8:28:

²⁸ We know that all things work together^[m] for the good^[n] of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

GOD is in all things to bring about the best result when we seek HIM for HIS help in faith and trust HIM. Often, this is manifested as we grow Spiritually. If we break human or GOD’S laws, we may have to serve the consequence of doing so. When we speed in a traffic control area and get caught, we may have to pay a fine.

What had the Apostle Paul learned over the years of faithful service to our LORD JESUS?

Let’s read Philippians 4:10-14:

Appreciation of Support

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹² I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ¹³ I am able to do all things through Him^[b] who strengthens me. ¹⁴ Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.

Paul had invested the Gospel with the Philippians. When an investment proves to have been good, we are grateful. When fellow Christians reached out to Paul in his time of physical need, it revealed their changed lives through faith in JESUS. It reflected their hearts. It is the little things in life that encourage us as we journey through life having faith in JESUS. We look for signs of Spiritual growth in those in whom the Gospel has been invested.

The Christians in Philippi were concerned for Paul but they lacked the opportunity to show it. Why? It could be as simple as they did not know that Paul was under house arrest in Rome. But when they found this out, they responded.

When we, as Christians, see a need but lack the opportunity or resources to meet that need, pray and look for an opportunity to meet that need. Paul knew the heart of his fellow Christians and that was what was important to him. When they responded to meet his need, that was a physical sign that the Spiritual investment he had been led to make in them was still producing healthy Spiritual fruit.

Matt Crosland and his family are missionaries/Bible translators in Papua New Guinea. Matt and his wife Tiffany have seven children. Now their eldest is off to college. Since they have a child going to college and other children soon to follow, Wycliffe Bible Translators determined they needed more financial assistance each month. They are back home in the USA raising funds to support the LORD’S work in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Our LORD led Matt to invest the Gospel in those indigenous/native to PNG, as well as those who have learned the languages in PNG, to translate GOD’S Word, the Bible, into their native language. Since those indigenous to PNG already know their native language, of which there are many in PNG, this has greatly increased the translation of GOD’S Word into their language. If you would like to support Matt and Tiffany and their family and GOD’S work in PNG you may do so by giving through Wycliffe Bible Translators. They need to raise an additional $2520 per month to meet their needs therefore every $ counts toward their support. Nothing is too small to give. So, I urge you to partner with the Croslands.

https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/withtheCroslands

Matt will be speaking at our church, Morningside Baptist, 897 South Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC, October 20 at 10:45 AM in our sanctuary. All are welcome to come hear Matt. This will be during our regular Bible Study time. You are welcome to come to our regular worship service at 9:30 AM and stay to hear Matt.

The Apostle Paul reveals what he had learned over the years during his walk with JESUS. He had learned to trust GOD in all circumstances whether he had much or very little. Paul stated in verses 13 and 14:

¹³ I am able to do all things through Him^[b] who strengthens me. ¹⁴ Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.

Paul knew of GOD’s care for him both physically and Spiritually but he greatly appreciated his fellow Christians coming to his aid. Yes, even though GOD takes care of Paul, “you did well by sharing in my hardship.” As fellow Christians reach out to assist fellow Christians it is a reflection of JESUS’ love for those in need. Christians are the hands and feet of JESUS and pleasing to GOD. Physical sharing is one thing often leads to Spiritual sharing, which is eternal.

Let’s read Philippians 4:15-18:

¹⁵ And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit^[c] that is increasing to your account. ¹⁸ But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Paul was reflecting and acknowledging the times that the Philippian Christians had reached out to him with a helping hand of support and encouragement. The willingness of the Philippian Christians to support Paul, over the years, has been pleasing to GOD and emitted a fragrant pleasing odor to others but most especially their support had been pleasing to GOD.

We read in 2 Corinthians 2:15-26a:

¹⁵ For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life.

How do you Spiritually smell to others? Do you draw others to JESUS or do you repel them?

Let’s read Philippians 4:19-20:

¹⁹ And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

In whom do we trust? Paul had experienced various needs during his life of obedient service to GOD through faith in JESUS. He had found with great confidence that GOD had supplied all of his needs. How had GOD met Paul’s needs? From HIS vast storehouse. How big and well stocked is GOD’S storehouse?

GOD entrusts things both materially and Spiritually into our care to be used for others as we obediently serve our LORD JESUS.

Exude the sweet aroma of salvation as you obediently serve our LORD and Savior JESUS as you are led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Blessings!!!