Real Joy: Continue Being Content

Real Joy: Continue Being Content
Philippians 4:10-13

Faith Sheet

Transformation Verse - Jesus said, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."   John 8:31-32 

Main Points: Learning to affirm others and seeing God use us to cultivate greater contentment in others is powerful. Learning to be content is a life long process. We are hopefully more content today in Christ than we were. Finally, living daily with confidence in Christ and in His promises is for every believer.

    #1- Reviewing this past Sunday

Real Joy: Continue Being Content
Philippians 4:10-13

1. Read Philippians 4:10-13. Discuss with someone.
2. Why is our emotional state important? (Prov. 15:13)
3. A friend says to you, “I’m not happy anymore.” What is being   said?
4. Discuss contentment with someone. Where do you struggle?
5. How confident are you “in Christ”? What areas keep you from being an “overwhelming conqueror”? (Romans 8:37)

 # 2- Preparing for next Sunday

Real Joy: Continue Being Generous
Philippians 4:14-19

1. Read Philippians 4:14-19.
2. In what tangible way did the Philippians serve Paul while he was in prison? (14)
3. Why was this gift from them so important for the prisoner? Why was it important for the church? (15-18)
4. What is God’s promise to all who follow Him in serving and in giving for the advancement of His Kingdom? (19)
5. Discuss with someone how God might simplify your lifestyle or lead you to sacrifice something so that someone else could know and mature in Christ.
6. If you have children, ask them what their views of financial giving are. What are they learning from you? Are you communicating why you give? Pray with someone in order to cultivate a generous spirit.

Real Joy: Continue Being Content
Philippians 4:10-13

Jeremiah Burroughs - “Contentment…inward, quiet…spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.”

Sinclair Ferguson - “Contentment is the direct fruit of having no higher ambition than to belong to the Lord at His disposal.”

Tullian Tchividjian - “…beneath every sin is the failure to believe everything I need, I already possess in Christ.”

Tim Keller - “If grace has really changed our hearts, we don’t ultimately care if life goes the way we want it, as long as we have Him.”

 “Contentment” - Being satisfied with Christ and His agenda.

I. Learn to affirm the family.

1. Begin with prayer
2. Listen
3. Eat
4. Serve
5. Story  

II. Learn to be content.                       

John Stott - “Contentment is the secret of inward peace. It remembers the stark truth that we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. Life, in fact, is a pilgrimage from one moment of nakedness to another…

So we should travel light and live simply...”

1. Address pride and sinful cravings. (Luke 6:45)  

2. Pray for the Lord to convince. (Luke 9:37)

3. Walk with others. (Luke 11:1)

III. Learn to live with confidence.