Sermon Notes 11-11-07

Today’s Scripture is Philippians 4:11-13 “Living A Life of Joy”
“The Secret of Contentment”

Read Phil 4:11-13
What does “content under the circumstances” mean to you?
What is the secret of contentment?
How can you be content when all around you everything is falling?
How is contentment different from apathy, laziness, or complacency?

Examples: Prov 10:4, Luke 2:49

How to be Content
I. Avoid comparisons
What is the danger of comparing ourselves to others?
Read Corinthians 4:18 What does Paul mean by this?

II. Myths of Happiness
I must be liked by everyone to be happy
I must have what others have to be happy
Having more than I have will make me happy
Read I Tim 6:6-8 What’s wrong with kind of thinking?

III. Learn to Adjust to Change
Why do you think it is so hard to change our attitudes?
Positive thinking – Matt 12:34, Psalms 19:14
Pray for what can be changed – Verses 6-7
Accept what cannot be changed – Verse 12
Keep your focus positive – Verse 8

IV. Accept Christ’s Power
II Corinthians 12:9
How do you see God’s grace at work in your life?

V. Allow for Christ’s Provision
Phil 4:18-19 “my God will richly fill your every need…”
Contentment means my happiness is not dependent upon circumstances

Promise – God will meet all my needs Matthew 6:31-33
Premise – if I put Him first in my life Prov 3:9-10