IS JESUS ENOUGH for us?

---

1 IS JESUS ENOUGH for us? Is Jesus enough for us as followers of Jesus? Our level of contentedness LONG TERM may be found in our answer to this question

Boris Becker “What is your greatest challenge in life?” Becker answered quickly. His greatest challenge, he said, was to keep from committing suicide. He said, “I had won Wimbledon twice before, once as the youngest player. I had all the material possessions I needed: money, cars, women, everything. I know that this is a cliché. It’s the old song of the movie and pop stars, who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace.”

Deion Sanders, aka “Prime Time” the most versatile athlete in sports history. In an interview with CNN reporter Nick Charles, Deion was asked why did he become a follower of Jesus? “It happened the night we won the Super Bowl. I just finished ordering my Lamborghini and I laid in bed thinking every goal I had ever sought had now been reached and yet I was emptier more than ever before.”

Why did Tiger Woods blow up his marriage by having numerous affairs? Why did Lance Armstrong use Performance Enhancing Drugs and then lie about it over and over again?

WHEN IS ENOUGH – ENOUGH??? IS JESUS ENOUGH???

PRAY BIBLE #982 Philippians 4:10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned

2 in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.

Philippians 4:10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.

INTRODUCTION Paul is always teaching, modeling, encouraging and exhorting Today Paul wants to remind them what CONTENTMENT looks like 2 weeks ago we talked about what battles for our Joy? ANXIETY/WORRY/ FEAR Today we talk about a second area that battles for our joy CONTENTMENT

This is not a rich church This was written 4 years or so before Paul wrote his letter to the church in PHILIPPI 2 Corinthians 8:1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. Yet, Paul sees the need to write about being content

3 Paul says - Thank you Now Paul talks about CONTENTMENT 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

I AM TO BE CONTENT CONTENTEDNESS

What do we mean by being content as a follower of Jesus? It is more than just being happy IT IS RESTING IN THE FACT THAT Jesus is enough Rich or poor Hungry or full Little or plenty JESUS IS ENOUGH

Tied back into Joy Finding my full and complete JOY in Jesus CONTENTEDNESS – JESUS IS ENOUGH for me Jesus becomes my filter to see everything else in my life So, where ever I may be I can find contentedness – satisfaction in Jesus He is in control He is my hope He is my peace Jesus is better than what I have or DON’T have What I have gained is temporary Jesus is eternal I am at Peace with where I am BECAUSE JESUS IS ENOUGH

4 MAYBE IT IS IMPORTANT TO FIRST ASK THE QUESTION: IS IT WRONG TO EVERY BE DISCONTENT? NO OUR HEALTH – not content with my weight, my overall health OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE – I’m not content with my lack of knowledge, the lack of intimacy, the lack of connectedness with fellow followers of Jesus OUR SENSE OF JUSTICE – I am not content with the injustice done around me OUR RELATIONSHIPS – I am not content with the state of marriage – I want to invest more – MARRIAGE RETREAT – or content with my friendships

THIS CONTENTEDNESS HAS TO DO WITH THE CIRCUMSTANCES WE FIND OURSELVES IN RIGHT NOW IN OUR HUMANNESS CONTENTMENT IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE AND WE HAVE HELP TO MAKE IT A STRUGGLE

It seems that MANY ADVERTISERS prey upon this lack of contentment we all seem to live with

They seek to convince us that we are not content and we are all too ready to be convinced we are not content UNLESS WE HAVE ____________ The lie is that I cannot be content with what I do have. Rather, I will only be content when I get what I don't already have. YOU DESERVE THIS YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO THIS THIS WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY

SUPER BOWL ADDS Look for the lie today The appeal to our discontentedness

5 JEALOUSY CAN STIR OUR DISCONTENT FACEBOOK SEEMS ONE OF THE PLACES IT HAPPENS A report came out this week about a team of German researchers Envy on Facebook: A hidden threat to users’ life satisfaction? You look at the FACEBOOK pages of others and it causes you to grow jealous and discontented with your life Their pictures Their vacations Their opportunities How many people LIKE something they do or post Birthday wishes Causes us to self-promote more Researches call this – SELF PROMOTION-ENVY CYCLE We avoid Facebook Or HIDE those people who make us jealous the most

AFFAIRS Discontented with our marriages

IS JESUS ENOUGH??? BACK TO verse 11 NOT THAT I AM SPEAKING OF BEING IN NEED Remember, Paul is writing this while he is in prison, falsely accused Under house arrest Having to cover his own expenses NOT BEING IN NEED? Really Paul???? You have great needs FOR I HAVE LEARNED It is significant that Paul had to LEARN this virtue

6 Contentment is not natural to most of us We sometimes can forget that Paul is not Jesus He was a man who grew in sanctification just like you and me He learned to be content in all situations I can learn and find JOY HE LEARNED FROM EXPERIENCE He saw God meet his need in much and little He grew in this It was not over night Learned from Vs. 4-7 Philippians 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

LIVING WITH CONTENTMENT Knowing JESUS IS ENOUGH It is an indication of SPIRITUAL MATURITY It is something we can learn to be through the work of the Gospel

7

IN WHATEVER SITUATION Here are the WHATEVER SITUATIONS 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

Notice Paul does not JUST say: When When When When

things are tough I have been poor I was hungry I was in need

He shows that the need for contentment is needed in both the good times and tough times

It seems like Paul gives 3 broad areas that we battle with CONTENTMENT

RECOGNITION & POSITION I KNOW HOW TO BE BROUGHT LOW Same verb as used with reference to Jesus in Phil. 2:8 Christ who humbled himself

Philippians 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

8 TO HUMBLED OURSELVES AND To be content with our humility Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. To be content in lifting another person up Making more of another than you make of yourself To take the back seat to another person To let another shine To give credit away

AND I KNOW HOW TO ABOUND. To receive recognition To be lifted up To take the promotion Some of us don’t know how to receive a compliment This is where some of us need to be careful It is about time Yeah, I’m pretty good You AIN’T seen nothing yet

2nd BROAD CATEGORY DAILY SUBSTANCE

FACING PLENTY To be full To fatten an animal To be fully satisfied To not have a physical need

9

AND HUNGER The growling of a stomach that has not had enough to eat 3rd BROAD CATEGORY POSSESSIONS ABUNDANCE More than enough More than what I think I need

AND NEED. To lack what I think I need

Living with little can be hard at times Angry that you don’t have Jealousy of those who have more Discouraged with God – why me? It can even breed false pride I’m more spiritual because I have less and am learning to be content with it

If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough” ― Oprah Winfrey “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” ― Socrates

10 Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you

LEARNING TO BE content in little – you will find you will always have just enough

Living with wealth can be difficult You can be corrupted by it – you need more and more of it You may not steward it well LOTTERY WINNERS Feel guilty from it – why am I better off than others Breeds arrogance - I must be doing something right or righter than they are Self-sufficiency – I don’t need God Learning to be content in plenty & not needing more IMPORTANT TO SAY - Being poor is not a statement of God's cursing NOR is wealth a statement on God’s blessing This is was a false theology of the time and of THIS TIME

We need to learn how to let others be content where they are in life Regularly hear this from you when you travel to a place where there is extreme poverty You are impressed with those who have so little yet seem to possess so much joy in life Yet at the same time – we want the poor to have more because we assume having more will make them happier That does not mean we don’t care about helping with • EDUCATION

11 • JOB TRAINING • HEALTH CARE Vs. 12 I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET Vs 11 for I have learned Barrowed Term Technical one, “to initiate into the mysteries But, it became part of the vernacular Meaning – TO LEARN A SECRET

LEARNED WHAT? THE SECRET . . . Which really isn’t a secret at all Vs. 13 is the SECRET Paul’s secret of living is available for all who would seek it

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO BEING CONTENT?

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

What Paul has learned is that HIS CONTENTMENT is found when JESUS IS ENOUGH

When Paul found his greatest pleasure in Jesus he was able to then trust that Jesus would enable him to find JOY in all situations Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. LEARNING . . . Better today than yesterday

12 Not like we will be next year

I CAN DO ALL THINGS This must be taken within the context of CONTENTMENT This is not a promise for any situation WE MIGHT CHOOSE This is about GOD INITIATED situations How God orchestrates our lives I CAN DO ALL THESE KINDS OF THINGS The WHATEVER SITUATIONS in VERSE 11 and explained further in verse 12 THROUGH HIM Through Christ HOW DO WE KNOW THAT JESUS CAN BE TRUSTED? Because Jesus without being asked by us has already provided for us our greatest need We would never have known spiritual contentment without knowing JESUS IS ENOUGH FOR US Our most important need met A need would we may not have even known we needed A death to give us life A relationship restored with God the Father through the forgiveness of our rebellion IF JESUS CAN BE TRUSTED WITH THIS GREATEST OF NEEDS THEN HE CAN BE TRUSTED WITH ALL OTHER THINGS

13 WHO STRENGTHENS ME Written in the present active Christ continues to strengthen me Not a once and done WHO IS STRENGTHENING me even NOW 1 Timothy 1:12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord . . . 2 Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

There is a partnership in this I do not sit as a passive vessel or puppet Christ strengthens me But, I must be willing to be strengthened I submit, I humble myself I admit I cannot I may EVEN admit I don’t want to and need to have my thinking tweaked It is the continued work of the Spirit in our lives

God is the gate keeper for our lives What God allows into our lives God provides the strengthening for us to endure

CONTENTEDNESS is not The Goal KNOWING JESUS IS THE GOAL Being CONTENT is the by-product of finding our fulfillment in Christ KNOWING THAT JESUS IS ENOUGH FOR US

14

THAT WE ARE . . . Right where God would have us be right now God will provide for us in this situation Provides – STRENGTH be able to live with where we are right now

IS JESUS ENOUGH . . . If you are not married yet If you don’t have kids yet You don’t have a job in your preferred field If you spouse is not you had hoped IS JESUS ENOUGH . . . If you are barely making ends meet If you don’t get accepted into the first tier grad school If you don’t have a car or a better car IS JESUS ENOUGH . . . If your health is not better If you don’t have a yard If you don’t have a bigger house 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.