21
May '20
The Key to Contentment
21
May '20
Text: Philippians 4:1-11
“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil 4:11).(“content” – Greek word – autarkes- means independent of external circumstances)
Introduction: Why are so many people unhappy? Discontented? Are you CONTENT? Satisfied? How can we get to a place of contentment? While in prison chained to a Roman guard, Paul is given by God (3) KEYS to CONTENTMENT that the Philippian believers needed, and we do as well.
1. Have we discovered we can’t CHANGE PEOPLE, only God can? (Phil 4:1-3)
” Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved….stand fast in the Lord…I beseech Euodias, and Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.”
• Philippian’s division
• God’s provision
” Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved….stand fast in the Lord…I beseech Euodias, and Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.”
• Philippian’s division
• God’s provision
2. Have you discovered that you can’t fix all of your PROBLEMS, but you can Win the War of Worry? (Phil 4:4-7)
“Rejoice in the Lord always….Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known unto God. And the peace of God, that passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
(“Careful” – full of care, “Keep”- garrison – guard)
• Remember reasons to rejoice
• Practice prayer as a priority – the cure for care = prayer
“Rejoice in the Lord always….Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known unto God. And the peace of God, that passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
(“Careful” – full of care, “Keep”- garrison – guard)
• Remember reasons to rejoice
• Practice prayer as a priority – the cure for care = prayer
3. Have you discovered that you can’t help when your emotions run away, but you can bring your THOUGHTS under CONTROL? (Phil 4:8)
” Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, ….honest, …just, …pure, …lovely, …good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
• Fear, Negative thoughts, Bad attitude
• Faith, Positive, Good attitude
” Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, ….honest, …just, …pure, …lovely, …good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
• Fear, Negative thoughts, Bad attitude
• Faith, Positive, Good attitude
Conclusion: What a prescription for our modern day ills! This worry-free pill needs to be taken daily…. sometimes by the minute. Winning the war over worry, trying to change people, and thinking negative thoughts, all weigh us down. But praise the Lord, He gives us keys to unlock the door to CONTENTMENT!
“Hand me the keys.”
Love y’all,
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
18
May '20
There’s Hope in Jesus
18
May '20
Text: Titus 1, 2, 3
Introduction: Are you feeling lonely? Empty? Stressed? Depressed? Unhappy? Is there really HOPE in the Lord? Paul instructs Titus. There are (3) reasons to have “HOPE in JESUS!”
1. Because God gave the Greatest Gift of all, JESUS, there’s HOPE for You! (Titus 3:3)
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish; disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts, and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another…” Who me? Yes, me!
• Bad news – bad decisions, sin addicts
• Bad news – bad decisions, sin addicts
” But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.” (Titus 3:4)
• Good news – Jesus
• Good news – Jesus
2. Because God does not lie, but keeps His PROMISES – There’s HOPE! (Titus 1:2)
“In hope of eternal life, which God; that cannot lie, promised before the world began.”
• Eternal Life – no lie
• Abundant Life – no lie
• Eternal Life – no lie
• Abundant Life – no lie
3. Because of God’s PROMISE to send His SON AGAIN, there’s HOPE! (Titus 2:11-14)
” Looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of our great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” ( v. 13)
• Look up
• Look out
” Looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of our great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” ( v. 13)
• Look up
• Look out
Conclusion: Billy Graham shared this verse with Steve McQueen before he died…. “In the hope of eternal life, which God that can not lie, promised…” (Titus 1:2). Although he was worn out with guilt, this Scripture seemed to bring HOPE to his heart when nothing else would.
Aren’t you glad “There’s Hope in Jesus”!
Love y’all,
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese