WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.080 I'll read our sermon text for us today. 00:00:09.419 --> 00:00:11.620 Believing what God says about his own word. 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:15.359 In 1 Timothy, that the word of God is spirit-breathed. 00:00:16.219 --> 00:00:18.719 In Hebrews 4, we're told that the word of God is living, 00:00:19.240 --> 00:00:21.000 it's powerful, it's piercing. 00:00:21.980 --> 00:00:23.920 Hebrews 6 tells us that the word of God 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:26.080 is the sword of the spirit. 00:00:26.620 --> 00:00:28.760 If you receive God's word as he says it is, 00:00:28.760 --> 00:00:30.740 then at the end I'll say this is the word of God. 00:00:31.120 --> 00:00:32.939 You can respond, thanks be to God. 00:00:34.920 --> 00:00:40.560 Our passage for today is Philippians chapter 4, 10 through 13. 00:00:54.680 --> 00:00:56.880 Philippians chapter 4, 10 through 13. 00:00:58.759 --> 00:01:01.439 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, 00:01:01.439 --> 00:01:06.079 that now at last your care for me has flourished again. 00:01:06.939 --> 00:01:09.939 Though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:13.459 Not that I speak in regard to need, 00:01:14.000 --> 00:01:19.400 for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. 00:01:19.400 --> 00:01:22.960 I know how to be abased. 00:01:22.960 --> 00:01:25.560 And I know how to abound. 00:01:27.020 --> 00:01:29.860 Everywhere and in all things, 00:01:30.080 --> 00:01:33.880 I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, 00:01:34.480 --> 00:01:37.120 both to abound and to suffer need. 00:01:38.100 --> 00:01:42.880 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 00:01:43.520 --> 00:01:45.939 This is the word of God for the people of God. 00:01:45.939 --> 00:01:47.859 Thanks be to God. 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:48.859 You may be seated. 00:01:57.620 --> 00:02:00.500 Isaiah 40 reminds us that the grass withers, 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:01.519 the flower fades, 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:04.920 but the word of the Lord stands forever. 00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:09.020 In Luke 1, the angel Gabriel, 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:14.099 he pronounces that no word from God 00:02:14.099 --> 00:02:16.000 shall be void of power. 00:02:17.020 --> 00:02:18.659 May it be so for his glory. 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:20.460 Let's pray. 00:02:20.460 --> 00:02:31.879 Lord, I ask that your Holy Spirit will shine the light of your glory 00:02:31.879 --> 00:02:34.260 onto your people through your word. 00:02:35.200 --> 00:02:36.960 I pray that as the preacher today, 00:02:37.219 --> 00:02:38.560 I won't get in the way. 00:02:39.480 --> 00:02:40.920 I pray that you will help me. 00:02:42.040 --> 00:02:45.060 And I pray, Lord, that you'll protect me, 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:49.060 that the enemy won't accuse me of my own lack of contentment, 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:51.420 the weakness of my own vessel, 00:02:52.140 --> 00:02:54.140 how much I still have to learn. 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:58.060 But Lord, I pray that this testimony that Paul has given 00:02:58.060 --> 00:02:59.479 by the inspiration of the Spirit 00:02:59.479 --> 00:03:00.560 will be an encouragement 00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:04.280 to each one that you have brought here by your providence, 00:03:04.979 --> 00:03:07.719 that we will not leave this place the same, 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:09.300 that you will change us, 00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:13.099 transform us more and more to be like Jesus Christ, 00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:14.699 our Redeemer and our Lord. 00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:16.840 For your glory and for our good we ask. 00:03:17.340 --> 00:03:17.719 Amen. 00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:17.879 Amen. 00:03:19.060 --> 00:03:19.120 Amen. 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:19.479 Amen. 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:19.699 Amen. 00:03:19.699 --> 00:03:19.840 Amen. 00:03:19.840 --> 00:03:19.979 Amen. 00:03:19.979 --> 00:03:20.240 Amen. 00:03:22.800 --> 00:03:28.300 Contentment has many benefits that health professionals have observed. 00:03:29.740 --> 00:03:35.240 Reduced stress, lowered anxiety, enhanced gratitude, 00:03:36.099 --> 00:03:37.319 improved relationships. 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:48.299 emotions like envy resentment and an outlook like pessimism are replaced by satisfaction 00:03:48.299 --> 00:03:59.000 peace and an optimistic outlook on life yet most people the vast majority of people are not content 00:03:59.000 --> 00:04:08.759 over 400 years ago a saved sinner a pastor named jeremiah burroughs gave this illustration that 00:04:08.759 --> 00:04:14.319 to me just put me right there you know the northern part of england those those grassy hills 00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:20.000 as they go into scotland he said you picture a child or a group of children they're on one hill 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:25.139 and they look over to the next hill and they see a cloud hovering right above it and they think if 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:28.980 we can just run to the top of that hill we'll be in the clouds we'll be able to touch the clouds 00:04:28.980 --> 00:04:34.200 so they go and as soon as they climb up to the top of the next hill the clouds are just as far away 00:04:34.200 --> 00:04:42.420 as they were on the previous hill for this reason he described christian contentment even among 00:04:42.420 --> 00:04:50.840 believers as a rare jewel we should all be seeking it when we find it it is so precious christian 00:04:50.840 --> 00:04:58.600 contentment the reason it's so rare is because contentment is an art that requires careful study 00:04:58.600 --> 00:05:08.600 and ongoing practice throughout a lifetime it wasn't until his very final years that the apostle paul 00:05:08.600 --> 00:05:14.879 as his cup is being poured out the last grains of sand falling through the hourglass 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:24.900 he says in verse 11 of the passage we just read i have learned in whatever state i am to be content 00:05:24.899 --> 00:05:34.319 what a testimony paul's writing to a greek audience likely many roman retired soldiers who have had 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:42.060 this classical greco-roman education and paul is very quick to clarify he's not talking about 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:49.599 some stoic detachment which would be similar to what we have today with like a buddhist emptying of 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:58.580 yourself paul says this contentment that i have learned it's not by my own strength at all but it's 00:05:58.580 --> 00:06:05.240 through christ who strengthens me so beloved congregation of our lord jesus christ 00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:14.840 my objective today is to show you six encouraging truths from paul's testimony in these three verses 00:06:14.839 --> 00:06:22.699 three or four verses of why you and i can be content why you and i can be content number one 00:06:22.699 --> 00:06:31.599 when you and i are weak christ shows his care for you through his church when you and i are weak 00:06:31.599 --> 00:06:37.899 that's when we're most prone to discouragement isn't it and and to not be content we're so weak 00:06:37.899 --> 00:06:45.060 everything's messed up my soul's stirring and in those moments he shows us his care through fellow 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:51.319 believers in big and small ways i bet you could think back on the last month or maybe even today 00:06:51.319 --> 00:06:55.659 how the lord has brought you strength through a fellow believer 00:06:55.659 --> 00:07:03.799 if roman prisoners didn't get outside care they would go without food without a blanket even 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:14.259 and certainly without company hungry cold lonely vulnerable to the enemy's attacks 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:18.900 hardest circumstances to learn contentment 00:07:18.900 --> 00:07:27.920 yet in verse 10 paul says i rejoiced in the lord greatly the lord was with him all the time 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:33.180 and now when this encouragement arrived he's rejoicing in the lord the lord's right there with him all 00:07:33.180 --> 00:07:41.980 along that now at last it's been a while like this at last your care for me has flourished again 00:07:41.980 --> 00:07:52.879 that phrase to flourish again it's an agricultural term it's used to describe a plant that's sprouting 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:58.560 or being renewed again so the buds are showing up that's a sign that there's fruit and life inside this 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:05.920 plant and that's how paul describes the care of the philippian church what great encouragement to him 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:10.560 now you notice he's not he's not excited about the financial gift 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:17.240 he's rejoicing in the lord about their care their relationship their love 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:23.720 paul does not treasure their money he treasures them 00:08:23.720 --> 00:08:28.439 if you take your eyes down to verse 19 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:37.940 paul says my god encouraging them now in return my god shall supply all your need 00:08:37.940 --> 00:08:46.880 according to his riches in glory by christ jesus see the point that he wants to make regarding their 00:08:46.880 --> 00:08:53.720 financial gift is that it comes from god it's my god who shall supply all of your needs and all of my 00:08:53.720 --> 00:08:58.480 needs from his abounding riches through christ 00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:06.920 jeremiah burroughs pointed out that christian friends are to you and me but a conduit like a pipe 00:09:06.920 --> 00:09:09.340 that's going to carry water to me 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:17.740 god uses christian friends to convey his goodness and his gifts to his people 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:26.500 our friends conveyed the gifts of god to us because it's god who first loved us we love because he first 00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:30.539 loved us and gave himself god the son for us 00:09:30.539 --> 00:09:41.539 in john chapter 13 verse 35 this is the love flowing from god through his church jesus says 00:09:41.539 --> 00:09:47.480 this way the world will know you are my disciples by your love for one another 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:56.320 the world will know you belong to me because my love from god whose supplies are endless 00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:59.200 flow through my people to one another 00:09:59.200 --> 00:10:06.340 so christian when you receive even a small gift from one of god's people 00:10:06.340 --> 00:10:12.140 you're receiving a gift from god the creator of all 00:10:12.140 --> 00:10:19.400 the christian can truly enjoy even the smallest little gift 00:10:19.399 --> 00:10:26.600 as burroughs put it because that's like a token on this earth and this life of the love of god for me 00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:34.439 picture a couple of little kids even from among our congregation and one spends several hours making a 00:10:34.439 --> 00:10:41.779 a little string bracelet for the other and then that friend receives this little bracelet and they're going to wear it for 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:48.840 weeks not because it's expensive but they treat it as if it's pure gold it's because of who it's from it's from their friend 00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:59.759 so when christians are sharing in this gift giving and this love one to another it's a token from god himself we ought to receive it and cherish it that way 00:10:59.759 --> 00:11:08.060 when we are weak and i know many of us are weak i'm weak these days too 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:20.459 but when we are weak christ uses the care of his church to strengthen his people so receive the care from one another as god's love for you 00:11:20.459 --> 00:11:24.419 and continue being generous and showing that kind of care one for another 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:33.019 number two when you can't see the care of others christ is your strength still 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:44.039 when you can't see the care of christ through his people which is all the more good reason to feel discontent isn't it 00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:47.399 christ is your strength still 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:54.159 well you notice in verse 10 how paul says now at last your care for me has flourished again 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:58.500 though you surely did care but you lacked opportunity 00:11:58.500 --> 00:12:09.079 paul is sitting there in prison in rome not seeing this gift that's traveling slowly for months from 00:12:09.079 --> 00:12:15.000 philippi to reach him he can't see it god knows it's it's in root he knows the philippians have not 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:19.500 forgotten him he knows that they're praying for paul paul can't see it right now 00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:30.519 there's a time when it feels maybe like it's dry i'm not i'm not being fed by god i'm not being fed by 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:33.600 god's people what do i do where do i turn 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:43.820 paul's testimony here is that he rejoiced in christ christ was his strength still christ has proved that 00:12:43.820 --> 00:12:49.399 when he's in abundance with friends christ is with them when he can't see the love of god through the 00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:56.459 people of god christ is his strength still and in those times when it feels like we're not receiving 00:12:56.459 --> 00:13:03.500 the love from fellow christians that we expect or hoped for and it's right that we would feel that way 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:12.059 that we turn to the source himself jeremiah has pointed out jeremiah burroughs pointed out you are 00:13:12.059 --> 00:13:19.220 thirsty and needy because it feels to you like that pipe has been cut off and god says to me come to 00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:30.220 the fountain and drink immediately if you'll notice in verse 15 philippians 4 15 paul tells this church 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:37.360 in philippi that they were the only ones who had given him any support he received the gift from you 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:44.600 only we know paul is calling out the sins of the church in rome that are seeking vain glory 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:52.540 and yet he says christ is my strength paul was forgotten by these other churches that he had 00:13:52.540 --> 00:13:59.460 planted now being neglected by those same people paul did not see the care of others but he still thought 00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:11.019 the best of them look at verse 10 again paul says surely you did care the lord taught him to think the 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:18.720 best of the church in philippi they just lacked opportunity christ was his strength even then 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:27.220 if you're feeling forgotten or abandoned maybe you feel like you have no friend by your side 00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:37.379 you can learn this kind of strength from christ himself because christ was abandoned no friend by his 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:45.399 side forgotten by those he had discipled and this is why there's no one besides christ himself who can 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:51.580 teach a christian like paul this kind of strength and christ can teach this to you and me as well 00:14:51.580 --> 00:15:00.580 the lord jesus had to hold on to this promise in god's word in psalm 22 that god the father 00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:08.160 does not despise the affliction of his son nor does he hide his face from him when jesus cried out 00:15:08.160 --> 00:15:18.800 even from the cross all alone psalm 22 verse 24 says the father heard him the father was near the son 00:15:18.800 --> 00:15:26.460 and christ learned even that level of obedience and humiliation because you and i can't come up with 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:34.440 that on our own he has to be our strength his active obedience had to secure that strength for us so he 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:42.680 can now teach us that when you don't feel the care of others god is your strength still he hears your cry 00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:48.540 and he wants you to trust him trust his timing he will provide 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:57.099 number three when your needs are great christ himself comes close to train you in this art of 00:15:57.099 --> 00:16:05.480 contentment it is when your needs are great that christ himself comes near to train you in the art of 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:14.919 contentment in verse 11 paul says not that i speak in regard to need for i have learned in whatever state i am 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:18.879 to be content he says i have learned 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:23.899 this term refers to being initiated 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:30.899 maybe you've started a new job or a new position and you get a you get to learn the ropes you go to a 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:36.240 new school you need to be initiated into how to survive and how to get by here paul says i've been 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:44.039 initiated by christ himself in the school of contentment in order to learn how to swim you're going to have to 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:49.620 get wet in order to learn contentment we're going to have to feel severe need 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:56.899 to be content it means to be sufficiently supplied 00:16:56.899 --> 00:17:06.000 sufficiently supplied jeremiah burroughs defined contentment for christians this way that sweet 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:18.940 inward quiet gracious frame of spirit that joyfully submits to god you trust god's wise fatherly provision for you 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:28.660 in every condition another person said that contentment is when your soul is even with your circumstances 00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:30.640 christian life is even with your soul is even with your soul is even with your soul is even with your soul 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:35.140 in the school of contentment 00:17:35.140 --> 00:17:38.600 luke 9 58 tells us that christ 00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:42.420 as the people expected him to be this conquering 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:46.200 military figure he reminded them that foxes have holes 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:49.240 and birds of the air have nests but the son of man 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:51.759 has nowhere to lay his head 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:54.660 and when jesus was tempted by satan 00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:59.759 In Matthew 4, 4, he quoted scripture back to Satan. 00:18:00.800 --> 00:18:03.380 He said, man does not live by bread alone, 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:07.160 but from every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. 00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:09.880 God is the supply. 00:18:11.040 --> 00:18:13.680 God is the one who is all sufficient. 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:20.940 It's from the fullness of God that Christ in the flesh knew contentment. 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:27.279 John 1, 16 reminds us that from his fullness, 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:33.100 the fullness of Jesus Christ, we have received grace upon grace. 00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:39.940 We just sang this wonderful song that suffering, anguish, 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:45.200 despised and rejected, bearing our sins, my redeemer is he. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:50.880 Hands that healed nations stretched out on a tree, 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:54.080 and took the nails for me. 00:18:58.279 --> 00:19:04.600 Christ secured the contentment by living a life of love for God 00:19:04.600 --> 00:19:07.279 and love for man that we need. 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:11.740 We can't have contentment unless we are united to him, 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:14.519 fully satisfied in love with God, 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:18.619 which settles our soul, and it turns into that love, 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:22.379 self-sacrificing, generous love toward our neighbors. 00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:25.279 When we are in great need, 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:29.799 Christ himself comes close because he's the only one who can, 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:37.399 and he trains you in this wonderful upside-down art of contentment in this world. 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:40.879 He does that when we're most in need. 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:45.240 You think of a person making an instrument out of metal. 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:48.680 In order to shape this instrument into something useful, 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:50.680 what do you have to do to this piece of metal first? 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:55.240 You have to heat it up, get it really hot in the furnace, 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.700 and then pound it. 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.620 Pound it into its shape. 00:19:58.619 --> 00:20:02.559 The Lord Jesus became that. 00:20:02.679 --> 00:20:04.319 He put himself in the hottest furnace, 00:20:04.859 --> 00:20:09.419 and he let the Father shape him for us 00:20:09.419 --> 00:20:12.259 so that he could turn around and graciously train us 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:14.439 and initiate us into being content, 00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:16.819 into living in his fullness. 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:22.379 Number four, when Christ is your strength, 00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:26.119 you learn contentment from being brought low. 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:28.459 When Christ is your strength, 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:31.819 you learn contentment from being brought low. 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:34.479 In verse 12, Paul gives this testimony. 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:37.959 I know how to be abased. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:41.939 Brought down, made low. 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:46.819 It refers to loss of reputation, 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:51.479 rights, standing, or security. 00:20:52.939 --> 00:20:55.000 And in Paul's case, all of the above. 00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:58.099 Paul was an elite intellectual, 00:20:58.879 --> 00:21:00.259 now a fool. 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:02.619 He was a born citizen, 00:21:03.479 --> 00:21:06.379 now a death row criminal. 00:21:07.439 --> 00:21:10.299 He was popular, now forgotten. 00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:13.699 Powerful, now he's weak. 00:21:17.479 --> 00:21:19.639 You learn from Christ 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:22.459 how to be satisfied in God 00:21:22.459 --> 00:21:24.359 even when you are abased. 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:30.059 Some of you have suffered such pain. 00:21:31.219 --> 00:21:34.619 Some of you are facing the biggest reasons in life 00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:35.639 to feel anxious. 00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:41.599 The world says, 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:44.659 see, here's proof that God doesn't love you. 00:21:44.660 --> 00:21:49.700 For some of you on the other side of that, 00:21:49.800 --> 00:21:51.300 you're bearing testimony like Paul. 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.880 I've been abased. 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.900 And I can tell you, 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:57.240 God is love still. 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.279 And this is a mystery. 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:01.820 It's definitely a mystery to the world 00:22:01.820 --> 00:22:03.220 and it's a mystery to Christians. 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:07.120 But this is the faithfulness of God to his people. 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:12.739 Christ has taught you the answer to this great mystery. 00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:16.079 The Spirit has shown the great love of God 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:18.239 for you in Christ. 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:23.059 And you can say now with Paul in 2 Corinthians 6.10, 00:22:23.179 --> 00:22:24.039 having nothing, 00:22:24.679 --> 00:22:26.539 yet possessing everything. 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:29.980 Because God teaches you contentment 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:32.500 when you bring those cares, 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.319 those concerns, 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.180 those fears, 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:36.139 that pain to him 00:22:36.139 --> 00:22:37.980 over and over again. 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:40.240 You open up your heart 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:42.019 and you set it before God 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:43.220 once again. 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:45.119 When we're abased, 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:45.960 we have to do that. 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:47.119 There's nowhere else to go. 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:50.719 When Paul was abased, 00:22:51.719 --> 00:22:52.839 he prayed, 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:55.119 opened up his heart, 00:22:55.439 --> 00:22:56.399 brought it before God. 00:22:57.879 --> 00:23:00.779 And listen to the response from the Lord 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:03.239 in 2 Corinthians 12.9 and 10. 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.739 Jesus Christ said to Paul, 00:23:06.159 --> 00:23:08.079 My grace is sufficient for you, 00:23:08.459 --> 00:23:11.839 for my power is made perfect in weakness. 00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:14.039 And Paul now tells the church, 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:16.879 Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly 00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:18.180 of my weakness, 00:23:18.580 --> 00:23:19.700 of my abasement, 00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:22.080 so that the power of Christ 00:23:22.080 --> 00:23:23.840 may rest upon me. 00:23:24.520 --> 00:23:25.940 For the sake of Christ, then, 00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:28.260 I am content with weakness, 00:23:28.860 --> 00:23:30.300 insults, hardships, 00:23:30.840 --> 00:23:32.900 persecutions, and calamities. 00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:36.260 For when I am weak on my own, 00:23:36.540 --> 00:23:39.100 then I am strong in Christ. 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:44.300 Think about what a gift this is 00:23:44.300 --> 00:23:46.080 for believers on this earth. 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:49.680 Think of what we would be without Christ 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:52.040 in these hardest of times. 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:55.560 When a proud, unrepentant sinner 00:23:55.560 --> 00:23:57.340 suffers a little bit in this life, 00:23:58.180 --> 00:24:00.420 we need to view that 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:01.380 in the light of eternity. 00:24:03.300 --> 00:24:05.180 That's really a small tasting 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:06.540 of the eternal judgment 00:24:06.540 --> 00:24:09.160 a proud, unrepentant sinner 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:11.020 will face for all eternity in hell. 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:14.539 But when we as Christians suffer 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.660 in this life, 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:18.940 we view ourselves in the light 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.819 of the Holy God. 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.660 Instead of asking, 00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:24.059 why do I have to bear this cross? 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:27.000 Christ graciously teaches us, 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:30.940 why isn't my cross as great 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.980 as I deserve it to be? 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:35.360 Christ is the only source 00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:37.079 of such strength. 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:41.360 Jesus fulfilled Isaiah 50, verse 6, 00:24:41.860 --> 00:24:43.000 when he gave his back 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:44.299 to those who struck him 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:45.660 and his cheeks 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:47.960 to those who plucked out his beard. 00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:50.620 Jesus was mocked and jeered, 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:52.220 ridiculed and spat upon. 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:54.799 He was taunted and tempted. 00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.539 He was abased. 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:03.960 But Jesus never sinned against God, 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.860 even in that humiliation. 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:10.640 Jesus had his gaze set firmly, 00:25:11.100 --> 00:25:12.900 like Flint on the mission 00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:14.120 his father gave him to do. 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.480 Jeremiah Burroughs said that 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:19.759 one drop of the sweetness of heaven 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:21.420 is enough to take away 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:22.320 all the bitterness 00:25:22.320 --> 00:25:25.019 of the afflictions of this world. 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:28.680 And Jesus knew the sweetness of heaven, 00:25:29.340 --> 00:25:30.600 not just for himself, 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:32.580 but for those he was dying to save. 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:34.600 And that sweetness 00:25:34.600 --> 00:25:37.240 made all of the torments of the cross 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:39.420 a joy for him to bear 00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:41.000 so that you could enjoy 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:42.980 the sweetness of heaven with him. 00:25:45.300 --> 00:25:48.200 Jesus Christ knew no sin 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:51.060 because he was the most content, 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:53.560 soul that has ever walked this earth. 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:57.600 Burroughs again said that temptations 00:25:57.600 --> 00:26:01.300 can't enter into a content heart. 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:04.680 It would be like a wasp, 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:07.940 tiny little wasp trying to fly into 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:09.880 and penetrate a massive boulder. 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:12.920 When your heart is content in Christ, 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:15.480 temptations have no place to get in. 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:19.160 So when Christ is your strength, 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:20.380 you learn contentment 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:22.700 even from being brought low. 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:24.779 And you pray, 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:28.759 Lord, may I know how to be abased 00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:29.660 like Jesus, 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.140 like Paul, 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.500 trusting in your promises 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.220 and your word. 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:36.059 Luke 14, 11, 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:37.660 that he who humbles himself 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.480 will be exalted. 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:40.279 I know this is true 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:42.160 because Christ humbled himself 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:44.860 and the Father has highly exalted him. 00:26:46.300 --> 00:26:47.120 Number five, 00:26:47.120 --> 00:26:48.680 when your soul knows Christ, 00:26:49.080 --> 00:26:50.980 you are more content in him 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:53.759 than in worldly abundance. 00:26:54.300 --> 00:26:56.660 When your soul knows Christ, 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:59.180 you and I are more content in him 00:26:59.180 --> 00:27:01.440 than in worldly abundance. 00:27:02.800 --> 00:27:03.720 Abundance, kids, 00:27:03.800 --> 00:27:04.860 it means when you have more 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:05.640 than what you need. 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:08.620 But you're not content in those things, 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:10.740 you're more content in Christ himself. 00:27:11.800 --> 00:27:12.740 Look at verse 12. 00:27:13.080 --> 00:27:13.420 Paul says, 00:27:13.520 --> 00:27:15.640 I also know how to abound. 00:27:16.360 --> 00:27:18.280 Everywhere and in all things 00:27:18.280 --> 00:27:20.080 I have learned both to be full 00:27:20.080 --> 00:27:21.900 and to be hungry, 00:27:22.520 --> 00:27:23.620 both to abound 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:25.840 and to suffer need. 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:30.380 When we are suffering, 00:27:30.540 --> 00:27:31.259 when we are abased, 00:27:31.340 --> 00:27:32.420 when we're humiliated, 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:35.320 it almost always drives us to Christ. 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:38.180 But when we are in abundance, 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:41.180 we can easily fall into 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:42.940 a spiritual slumber. 00:27:43.580 --> 00:27:44.740 We let down our guard. 00:27:45.280 --> 00:27:47.080 We're even more prone to temptations, 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:48.440 finding their way into our hearts. 00:27:49.300 --> 00:27:50.580 So abundance may be 00:27:50.580 --> 00:27:53.200 a higher level of a course 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:54.440 you've got to learn from Christ, 00:27:54.600 --> 00:27:56.220 even than a basement itself. 00:27:57.820 --> 00:27:59.940 Paul learned how to abound from Christ. 00:28:01.600 --> 00:28:03.720 Think about how Christ secured 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:06.299 that ability to be content in abundance. 00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:08.779 Think of how Christ 00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:11.860 left the abundance of heaven 00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:14.940 as eternal God the Son. 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:17.740 He joyfully obeyed his Father's will 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:19.259 so that he could merit 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:21.079 on our behalf. 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:23.140 He lacks nothing, 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:24.460 but we need to know this, 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:26.100 how to be content in abundance 00:28:26.100 --> 00:28:28.140 and not be attached to those things. 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:30.500 As an old verse put it, 00:28:30.780 --> 00:28:31.940 a wise content 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:34.080 his even soul secured 00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:37.020 by want not shaken, 00:28:37.400 --> 00:28:39.620 nor by wealth allured. 00:28:40.520 --> 00:28:41.740 Christ was not attached 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:43.400 to his heavenly glory, 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:46.259 the manifestation of his essence. 00:28:47.620 --> 00:28:49.759 He joyfully stripped himself 00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:50.680 of every comfort, 00:28:50.860 --> 00:28:51.440 every honor, 00:28:51.580 --> 00:28:52.360 every privilege 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:54.599 to become a slave, 00:28:55.339 --> 00:28:56.139 Philippians 2, 00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:59.439 and to die a shameful death 00:28:59.439 --> 00:29:00.199 for you and me. 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:02.579 So he's the one 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:03.419 who can train us 00:29:03.419 --> 00:29:04.819 on how to abound 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:06.519 and not attach our soul 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:08.079 to these gifts. 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:11.819 when a lover of this world 00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:12.679 has some abundance 00:29:12.679 --> 00:29:13.559 in this life, 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:15.500 that's all they have, 00:29:15.939 --> 00:29:18.019 and they live in constant paranoia 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:20.079 of losing what they have. 00:29:20.899 --> 00:29:21.879 But when a Christian 00:29:21.879 --> 00:29:23.919 has even a small thing 00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:25.220 in this life, 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:26.759 it is a deposit 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:28.720 of the full reward, 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.819 the great treasure 00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:31.099 that Christ has secured 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:32.599 and has stored up for them 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:33.679 in heaven. 00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:36.579 When your soul knows Christ, 00:29:36.679 --> 00:29:37.679 you are more content 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.600 in him 00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:40.940 than in worldly abundance. 00:29:43.340 --> 00:29:46.160 Well, the sixth encouraging truth 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.160 from Paul's testimony, 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.560 the last one for today, 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:50.940 is that when Christ dwells in you, 00:29:51.560 --> 00:29:52.720 he is the strength 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:56.580 that holds your soul contained. 00:29:57.660 --> 00:30:00.000 When Christ dwells in you, 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:02.640 he is the strength 00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:05.600 that holds your soul contained. 00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:08.500 In verse 13, 00:30:08.659 --> 00:30:09.119 Paul says, 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:11.240 I can do all things 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:12.459 through Christ 00:30:12.459 --> 00:30:13.919 who strengthens me. 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.480 Literally, 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:18.879 this very famous quote 00:30:18.879 --> 00:30:20.579 is this, 00:30:21.399 --> 00:30:22.059 in all, 00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:24.959 I am being made strong 00:30:24.959 --> 00:30:27.439 in the one empowering me, 00:30:27.719 --> 00:30:28.059 Christ. 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:30.119 In other words, 00:30:30.459 --> 00:30:31.119 Paul is saying, 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:31.899 in all, 00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:31.919 in all, 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:34.899 in all that God will have me endure 00:30:34.899 --> 00:30:36.099 in this broken world, 00:30:36.979 --> 00:30:39.399 I am being made strong 00:30:39.399 --> 00:30:41.979 in the one empowering me, 00:30:42.339 --> 00:30:42.699 Christ. 00:30:44.379 --> 00:30:45.959 Being made strong. 00:30:47.639 --> 00:30:48.159 Paul says, 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.539 I am being made able, 00:30:49.939 --> 00:30:51.259 becoming more powerful 00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:51.959 to prevail, 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:54.099 being made able 00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:55.139 to overcome 00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:57.080 all. 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:00.580 The word content, 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:02.060 which is the theme 00:31:02.060 --> 00:31:02.920 of this passage, 00:31:03.840 --> 00:31:05.580 content means held 00:31:05.580 --> 00:31:07.060 or contained 00:31:07.060 --> 00:31:07.960 within the limits. 00:31:09.100 --> 00:31:10.700 You think of the contents 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.500 of a can 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.360 or something like that. 00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.620 That's what it means, 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.420 to be content. 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:18.840 Your longings 00:31:18.840 --> 00:31:20.980 of your soul 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:22.160 are contained 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:23.560 within the bounds 00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:24.559 God designed. 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:28.059 What is the strength 00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:28.659 that holds 00:31:28.659 --> 00:31:29.399 those desires 00:31:29.399 --> 00:31:30.139 of your soul 00:31:30.139 --> 00:31:31.000 contained? 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:33.960 It has to be Christ. 00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:35.179 His strength 00:31:35.179 --> 00:31:36.779 holding your soul 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:39.919 in its proper place. 00:31:41.139 --> 00:31:42.079 When Christ 00:31:42.079 --> 00:31:43.079 dwells in you, 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.339 he's at the very 00:31:44.339 --> 00:31:45.419 center of your being, 00:31:46.079 --> 00:31:46.759 the very core 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.460 of your essence. 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:49.639 It's Christ inside you 00:31:49.639 --> 00:31:50.859 like this powerful 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:52.099 magnetic force 00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:53.539 pulling your soul. 00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:55.179 Keeping it together. 00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:56.619 Not letting your 00:31:56.619 --> 00:31:58.779 desires spill over 00:31:58.779 --> 00:31:59.779 and reach beyond 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:00.419 the bounds 00:32:00.419 --> 00:32:01.519 that God has 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.379 designed for you. 00:32:04.159 --> 00:32:05.039 Philippians 3 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:07.359 verses 7 and 8 00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:08.000 tell us that 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:10.440 it's the surpassing 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.440 worth of knowing 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:12.799 Christ Jesus, 00:32:13.119 --> 00:32:13.720 my Lord. 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.200 That's my 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:15.579 overriding ambition, 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.179 says Paul. 00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:17.700 It's to gain Christ. 00:32:18.379 --> 00:32:18.919 See, it's this 00:32:18.919 --> 00:32:20.259 love for Christ 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:21.099 at the core 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:21.759 of my being, 00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:23.139 Him dwelling in me, 00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:24.100 that holds me 00:32:24.100 --> 00:32:24.540 together 00:32:24.540 --> 00:32:25.700 and makes me 00:32:25.700 --> 00:32:26.240 satisfied. 00:32:30.100 --> 00:32:30.940 If you'll look 00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:32.100 at verse 7 00:32:32.100 --> 00:32:33.680 as we saw last week, 00:32:34.640 --> 00:32:35.460 you find that 00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.300 verse 7, 00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:37.340 the peace of God. 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.280 Put your finger 00:32:38.280 --> 00:32:38.700 on that. 00:32:39.820 --> 00:32:40.700 And then you'll look 00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:41.640 at verse 9 again. 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:42.740 We saw this last week 00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:43.180 as well. 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.880 The God of peace. 00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:44.940 peace. 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.880 It's only by grace 00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:49.800 that you and I 00:32:49.800 --> 00:32:50.520 can experience 00:32:50.520 --> 00:32:51.680 the peace of God. 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:54.480 And once you've 00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:55.200 experienced this 00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:57.360 peace from God 00:32:57.360 --> 00:32:58.700 by grace, 00:32:59.220 --> 00:33:00.340 you won't settle 00:33:00.340 --> 00:33:01.400 for just the peace. 00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:02.920 You want the God 00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:03.680 of peace Himself. 00:33:05.020 --> 00:33:05.700 You want more, 00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:06.720 not just the peace, 00:33:06.800 --> 00:33:07.640 but you want God. 00:33:08.360 --> 00:33:09.180 That's what your soul 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:09.840 now wants. 00:33:10.400 --> 00:33:11.140 More and more 00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:11.520 and more. 00:33:14.100 --> 00:33:15.100 Because our souls 00:33:15.100 --> 00:33:15.920 are not made 00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:16.960 for anything else 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:17.680 in this world, 00:33:18.360 --> 00:33:19.800 we will not find 00:33:19.800 --> 00:33:20.380 contentment. 00:33:20.600 --> 00:33:21.460 No one will find 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.420 true contentment 00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:23.660 until their soul 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:25.180 knows the God 00:33:25.180 --> 00:33:25.860 of peace. 00:33:28.100 --> 00:33:29.060 Jeremiah Burroughs 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:31.139 says to the church, 00:33:31.419 --> 00:33:31.940 my brethren, 00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:33.539 the reason why 00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.539 you do not have 00:33:34.539 --> 00:33:35.759 contentment in the 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:36.700 things of this world 00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:37.960 is not that you 00:33:37.960 --> 00:33:38.619 do not have 00:33:38.619 --> 00:33:39.460 enough of them. 00:33:40.220 --> 00:33:40.899 What's the reason 00:33:40.899 --> 00:33:41.119 then? 00:33:42.379 --> 00:33:43.200 The reason, 00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:43.659 he says, 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:44.960 is that these things 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:46.440 are not proportional 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:48.240 to that immortal 00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:49.679 soul of yours 00:33:49.679 --> 00:33:50.960 that it is capable 00:33:50.960 --> 00:33:52.119 of God Himself. 00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:54.359 Your soul 00:33:54.359 --> 00:33:55.619 is immortal 00:33:55.619 --> 00:33:56.559 and your soul 00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.240 is capable 00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:58.339 of fellowship 00:33:58.339 --> 00:33:59.359 with God Himself. 00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:01.019 That's why 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:02.259 nothing short 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:03.339 of God Himself 00:34:03.339 --> 00:34:04.279 will satisfy 00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:05.480 the longings 00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:06.099 of our soul. 00:34:06.619 --> 00:34:07.000 That's why 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:08.119 there's no contentment 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:09.960 outside of God 00:34:09.960 --> 00:34:10.779 through Christ. 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.699 So Paul, 00:34:13.400 --> 00:34:14.179 verse 13, 00:34:14.360 --> 00:34:15.059 in all, 00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:16.920 I am being made 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:17.519 strong 00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:18.799 in the one 00:34:18.799 --> 00:34:20.059 empowering me, 00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:20.920 Jesus Christ. 00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:23.039 It's God's Spirit 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:23.980 with us 00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:25.799 giving us 00:34:25.799 --> 00:34:26.799 Christ's 00:34:26.800 --> 00:34:27.800 own strength. 00:34:30.560 --> 00:34:31.640 I thought of how 00:34:31.640 --> 00:34:32.539 this church 00:34:32.539 --> 00:34:33.200 in Philippi 00:34:33.200 --> 00:34:34.440 got to witness 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:34.980 firsthand 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:36.100 that Paul 00:34:36.100 --> 00:34:36.760 isn't just 00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:37.860 saying these words, 00:34:38.220 --> 00:34:39.000 he's lived it. 00:34:40.120 --> 00:34:40.440 You remember 00:34:40.440 --> 00:34:41.420 the Philippian jailer 00:34:41.420 --> 00:34:42.100 and his entire 00:34:42.100 --> 00:34:42.560 household? 00:34:42.780 --> 00:34:43.480 Surely some of them 00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:44.140 are still part 00:34:44.140 --> 00:34:44.980 of this church 00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:45.620 in Philippi 00:34:45.620 --> 00:34:46.240 years later. 00:34:47.080 --> 00:34:47.760 They've seen 00:34:47.760 --> 00:34:48.460 this contentment 00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.200 on display. 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:51.320 Paul and Silas, 00:34:51.720 --> 00:34:53.039 we read in Acts 16, 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:53.579 25. 00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:55.059 It was midnight 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:57.059 and these 00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:57.599 missionaries 00:34:57.599 --> 00:34:58.320 were praying 00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:58.980 and singing 00:34:58.980 --> 00:35:00.019 hymns to God. 00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:01.400 This is while 00:35:01.400 --> 00:35:01.900 their backs 00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:02.500 are open 00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:03.059 and bleeding 00:35:03.059 --> 00:35:04.800 and they're 00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:05.340 in stocks 00:35:05.340 --> 00:35:06.320 chained up 00:35:06.320 --> 00:35:08.380 and the other 00:35:08.380 --> 00:35:08.820 prisoners 00:35:08.820 --> 00:35:09.619 were listening 00:35:09.619 --> 00:35:10.219 to them. 00:35:12.099 --> 00:35:12.480 Wouldn't you 00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:12.940 be listening 00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:13.559 if you saw 00:35:13.559 --> 00:35:14.099 two men 00:35:14.099 --> 00:35:14.940 in that condition 00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:15.539 physically 00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:17.320 singing, 00:35:18.460 --> 00:35:19.039 praising their 00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:19.440 God 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:20.500 and praying 00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:21.119 out loud 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:22.880 for all to hear? 00:35:23.759 --> 00:35:24.639 That's the picture 00:35:24.639 --> 00:35:25.440 of contentment. 00:35:27.279 --> 00:35:28.139 I was thinking 00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:29.019 about all of the 00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:29.679 songs we sang 00:35:29.679 --> 00:35:30.339 today would have 00:35:30.339 --> 00:35:31.199 been a wonderful 00:35:31.199 --> 00:35:31.719 witness. 00:35:32.219 --> 00:35:33.059 If any one of us 00:35:33.059 --> 00:35:33.819 were to be arrested, 00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:34.639 we could sing 00:35:34.639 --> 00:35:35.299 any one of these 00:35:35.299 --> 00:35:36.019 five songs 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:36.940 and the Lord 00:35:36.940 --> 00:35:37.599 can minister 00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:38.900 and we can pray 00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:39.539 as we prayed 00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:40.279 before the service 00:35:40.279 --> 00:35:41.299 today and the Lord 00:35:41.299 --> 00:35:41.920 will use that 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:42.699 to draw others 00:35:42.699 --> 00:35:44.139 because it's 00:35:44.139 --> 00:35:44.779 his ministry 00:35:44.779 --> 00:35:45.440 in the life 00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:46.039 of a Christian. 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:47.619 So we don't 00:35:47.619 --> 00:35:48.039 need to know 00:35:48.039 --> 00:35:48.900 what were the hymns 00:35:48.900 --> 00:35:49.880 that Paul and Silas 00:35:49.880 --> 00:35:50.460 were singing 00:35:50.460 --> 00:35:51.380 because they're 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:52.199 singing the truth 00:35:52.199 --> 00:35:52.860 of the gospel 00:35:52.860 --> 00:35:54.340 of Jesus Christ. 00:35:55.800 --> 00:35:56.579 I do know 00:35:56.579 --> 00:35:57.420 that Paul 00:35:57.420 --> 00:35:58.000 being a Jew 00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:58.900 and being a Pharisee 00:35:58.900 --> 00:35:59.500 of Pharisees, 00:35:59.579 --> 00:36:00.000 he would have 00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:00.940 kept all of the 00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:01.340 festivals 00:36:01.340 --> 00:36:02.559 and approached 00:36:02.559 --> 00:36:03.099 the temple 00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:04.079 and approached 00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:05.000 the hill 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:05.579 of Zion 00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:06.500 where you 00:36:06.500 --> 00:36:07.619 as God's people 00:36:07.619 --> 00:36:08.460 would go to be 00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:09.159 in his presence 00:36:09.159 --> 00:36:10.480 and you would have 00:36:10.480 --> 00:36:11.119 sung what you 00:36:11.119 --> 00:36:11.960 were supposed to sing 00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:13.000 as you ascend 00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:13.720 these hills 00:36:13.720 --> 00:36:14.800 toward Jerusalem. 00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:16.380 These were special 00:36:16.380 --> 00:36:17.659 psalms in the Psalter 00:36:17.659 --> 00:36:18.920 called the Songs 00:36:18.920 --> 00:36:20.139 of Ascent. 00:36:20.460 --> 00:36:22.300 And of those 00:36:22.300 --> 00:36:23.019 Songs of Ascent 00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:23.519 one of them 00:36:23.519 --> 00:36:24.619 is about contentment. 00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:26.380 Psalm 131. 00:36:28.380 --> 00:36:29.139 This would have 00:36:29.139 --> 00:36:29.699 been a familiar 00:36:29.699 --> 00:36:30.280 psalm 00:36:30.280 --> 00:36:31.659 to the church 00:36:31.659 --> 00:36:32.260 and to Paul. 00:36:34.260 --> 00:36:35.659 I have soothed 00:36:35.659 --> 00:36:36.720 and calmed 00:36:36.720 --> 00:36:37.500 my soul. 00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.599 Now my soul 00:36:39.599 --> 00:36:40.559 is content 00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:41.740 at rest. 00:36:44.240 --> 00:36:45.199 Hope now 00:36:45.199 --> 00:36:46.079 in the Lord 00:36:46.079 --> 00:36:47.619 from this time 00:36:47.619 --> 00:36:48.099 forth 00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:49.219 and forever 00:36:49.219 --> 00:36:49.239 and forever 00:36:49.239 --> 00:36:49.539 more. 00:36:51.460 --> 00:36:52.380 Because God 00:36:52.380 --> 00:36:52.920 himself 00:36:52.920 --> 00:36:54.199 is training 00:36:54.199 --> 00:36:54.940 all those 00:36:54.940 --> 00:36:55.739 that he saved. 00:36:56.339 --> 00:36:56.839 You and I 00:36:56.839 --> 00:36:58.059 we learn to 00:36:58.059 --> 00:36:58.460 treasure 00:36:58.460 --> 00:36:59.440 God 00:36:59.440 --> 00:37:00.519 with us 00:37:00.519 --> 00:37:01.679 more and more. 00:37:03.380 --> 00:37:04.440 And as Christ 00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:05.880 trains us 00:37:05.880 --> 00:37:07.159 Reformed Heritage 00:37:07.159 --> 00:37:07.519 Church 00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:08.380 we can be 00:37:08.380 --> 00:37:09.480 the most 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:10.759 content people 00:37:10.759 --> 00:37:12.119 on planet earth 00:37:12.119 --> 00:37:13.199 for the glory 00:37:13.199 --> 00:37:13.659 of God 00:37:13.659 --> 00:37:14.659 and for our 00:37:14.659 --> 00:37:14.900 good. 00:37:15.779 --> 00:37:16.299 Let's pray 00:37:16.299 --> 00:37:16.960 for his help 00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:17.699 to do this 00:37:17.699 --> 00:37:18.099 in us 00:37:18.099 --> 00:37:18.839 in our lives. 00:37:20.359 --> 00:37:20.799 Father 00:37:20.799 --> 00:37:21.239 thank you 00:37:21.239 --> 00:37:22.279 for your word. 00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:22.920 Thank you 00:37:22.920 --> 00:37:23.719 for this testimony. 00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:26.319 We thank you 00:37:26.319 --> 00:37:26.519 Lord 00:37:26.519 --> 00:37:27.059 for Jesus 00:37:27.059 --> 00:37:27.599 Christ 00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:29.599 who came 00:37:29.599 --> 00:37:30.239 and secured 00:37:30.239 --> 00:37:31.099 the contentment 00:37:31.099 --> 00:37:31.699 the access 00:37:31.699 --> 00:37:32.480 to the presence 00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:33.039 of God 00:37:33.039 --> 00:37:34.679 the only source 00:37:34.679 --> 00:37:35.179 of true 00:37:35.179 --> 00:37:35.920 peace 00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:37.319 and true joy. 00:37:37.320 --> 00:37:38.720 please teach us 00:37:38.720 --> 00:37:39.660 to rejoice 00:37:39.660 --> 00:37:40.440 in the Lord 00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:40.920 always 00:37:40.920 --> 00:37:41.780 because Christ 00:37:41.780 --> 00:37:42.640 himself 00:37:42.640 --> 00:37:43.960 is our strength. 00:37:44.580 --> 00:37:44.820 Amen. 00:37:44.820 --> 00:37:44.920 Amen. 00:37:44.920 --> 00:37:44.960 Amen. 00:37:44.960 --> 00:37:44.980 Amen.