The Spiritual Secret of Contentment

Contentment, Friendship & Finances

Make the spiritual secret of contentment a goal in your life.

The key to contentment is realizing that God has given you
all you need to remain victorious in Christ.

NJB 1 Corinthians 15:57 Thank God, then, for giving us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.

NLT 2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume.

ESV 1 John 5:4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith.

The ability to live above our circumstances comes from Christ’s power flowing through us.

NIV 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

NIV Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Believe you can do all things through Christ. (4:15-17)

Identify the good things people do around you and thank them.

NIV Philippians 1:4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

NIV Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Trust that Father God will meet all of your needs.

Paul emphasizes the loving care of God the Father for His children. He will meet all your needs (material and spiritual) as you present them to Him. He will meet them in Christ Jesus. Only in union with Christ, and in His fellowship can we experience God’s provision. Romans 8:28, 31-39


Philippians 4:10-23
By David Bielby
Final Message in Philippians
This outline is adapted from the Full Life Study Bible notes on Philippians 4

5 Resolutions for navigating stress well-Philippians 4:2-9

“Five resolutions for navigating stress well”
Never give up the Christian walk
Philippians 4:2-9
David Bielby November 13, 2005



Summary of Philippians first three chapters:
A) Put the gospel first
B) Adopt Jesus’ death as the test of your outlook
C) Emulate worthy Christian leaders

Runner theme from last week….a marathon runner who presses on to the goal…which is to experience Jesus. Our life goal, the Vineyard’s vision, and each of our lives is to be focused on this one thing….to experience Jesus. As we run, we may grow weary, and so Paul gives a cluster of ‘exhortations’ or encouraging statements to help us endure to the end…to help us press on.

Final message in Philippians can be summed up with the phrase: Never give up the Christian walk.
A) Handling stress in relationships 4:2-9
B) Friendship & gifts 4:10-23


Philippians 4:2-9 rests on Philippians 4:1. So it can really be seen as a passage about how our standing in Christ looks & feels.

Today’s focus is on Philippians 4:2-9: Stress in relationships:Navigating stress well.

Part of God’s goal in this passage is to reiterate things already said in a way that births hope, perseverance & endurance for the weary. Like a marathon runner, we can keep running even when it hurts…even when things are difficult…if we recognize where the battle lies.

Spiritual warfare comes at us most often through people around us.
Jesus example (Peter & Judas Iscariot). We fight the devil when we struggle for unity with other true believers around us. Precious stone (Diamond) illustration.

Resolve to pursue Like-Mindedness with other true believers.
4:2-3 A) Absence of fighting. B) Presence of harmony & good will C) Humility 2:5

Resolve to always rejoice in the Lord. 4:4
Resolve to be known for gentleness. 4:5
Resolve not to be anxious for anything, but to pray instead. 4:6-7
Resolve to think holy thoughts. 4:8-9

Outline modified from Basics for Believers by D.A.Carson

Life's Goal is Jesus

The goal of life is Jesus
Sermon Notes
The ABC’s of Philippians 3:12 to 4:1
David Bielby November 6, 2005


Introduction: Saul’s conversion story Acts 9:1-19

A) Yearn to grow in knowing Jesus: Phil 3:10-16

B) Yearn for Jesus’ return: Phil 3:17-21

C) Remember that you stand against the world, the devil’s schemes and your own sinful flesh by four keys (Philippians 4:1):


1) Reject the Pharisees way (Philippians 3:1-11)
2) Follow Paul’s way (Philippians 3:1-11)
3) Yearn to grow in knowing Jesus (Philippians 3:10-16)

Why can’t we have a church where some people think once saved always saved, and some people think sanctification is fully possible now and yet still love one another?

4) Yearn for Jesus’ return (Philippians 3:17-21)

The theme of eschatology (end of this age and the return of Jesus) runs through Paul’s writings. Here it is in Philippians again! It has been an inference or direct reference in every single paragraph of Philippians. It is a theme also in Ephesians as well as Romans. So I am praying about taking the congregation through a study of the book of Revelation in 2006. Join me in praying about this. Does our trust in what the bible says about the future affect our daily living for Jesus now? Paul keeps hammering the concept home. Here we have it again in Philippians 3:17-21.

The illustration of a runner: Keep running towards Jesus