September 12, 2021 – Christian Education Sunday Text: Philippians 4:10-13
Dear Friends in Christ,
Martin Luther wrote: “How rich a God our God is! He gives enough, but we don’t notice it. He gave the whole world to Adam, but this was nothing in Adams’ eyes; he was concerned about one tree and had to ask why God had forbidden him to eat of it.”
Do we recognize ourselves in these words? We are given so much but we tend to focus on what we don’t have. We can be awfully spoiled. God our Father would probably like to sit us in a corner but He continues to bless us. The beauty of God’s Word today on this Christian Education Sunday.
“WHY IS CONTENTMENT SO ELUSIVE?”
Philippians is a missionary thank you-letter. Paul writes, “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me.” (v. 10a) Paul was close to this congregation. He and Silas had started this church after release from prison. Now as he writes encouragement to them he is in prison again. This time in Rome.
Again our text, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Astounding. Paul is confined and he is lifting up the Philippians. Have you ever been in prison? Have you ever been in a prison? In my years of ministry I have been in three different prisons, three types of security, two different people. Two visits were less than an hour. One was twenty minutes. When I was in there I didn’t look around and think, “I could be content here.” That’s foolish talk. So how does Paul do it?
We labor and sacrifice so much for this world. Everything we gain at each stage of life goes away. People in the closing stages of life reminisce about their childhood. They talk about jobs, and children and vacations and where they lived. They get nostalgic about goals met and friends gained and the high and low moments of living. One thing is certain – in that closing stage of life – if one is given the time – without Christ all that’s left is the reminiscing. It is all going to pass away…forever. The Greek word for content is translated “self-sufficient.” Therein lies the danger. If we live as if everything is from our hand or our hard work or our inner strength then we have lost our way. We fall into the abyss.
Paul was content because he belonged to Jesus. He knew his daily bread came from the gracious hand of his Savior. His will is done in our lives regardless of this world. “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” And the only way we can that is if we can say with Paul . . .
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (v. 13) How does He strengthen us? Here’s an answer from God’s Word: “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:4-6)
You can either look forward to your last moments on earth getting chatty about things that were and never will be again – or – you can look forward to the fact that your sin is forgiven, you have eternal life and you will be raised to Christ in unending comfort and joy. Christ strengthens us in every way through His Word.
It has been stated: “Those who are chosen in Christ are the special objects of God’s providence and loving care. They have the promise that He will never leave them nor forsake them. He will supply their needs, not simply out His glorious riches, as a millionaire throws coins to a beggar, but richly and daily in accord with the all-surpassing riches of the One to whom the whole universe belongs.”
Why is contentment so elusive? Because we listen to other voices than the One who created us. You can’t positive away your moments of conflict with others, or the tragedies of life, or take away that last breath which opens entrance into eternity. You can listen to a lot of voices or you can listen to Jesus: “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (Jn. 14:3)
Today is about the Word. Confidence in the Word. The Word in the flesh. “I am content, my Jesus ever lives.”
Amen.