Posts in the Sermon Prep: Contentment series
- This Week’s Sermon Will Be on Contentment
- Contentment and Gratitude
- Paul’s Writings on Contentment
- Solomon vs. Paul: gratitude, simplicity, the present, and meaning
- The Secret of Contentment
Well kids, it’s time once again for Doug to take his bi-monthly vacation (this time I think he’s going BASE jumping in the West Andes) and that means I need to come up with something to preach on. In fine Addison Road tradition, you all, of course, will be doing the actual work for me.
I have a theme. Contentment.
I have a premise (two, actually). First, that being discontent is a malicious mindset that robs our lives of both joy and peace. The destructive power of discontentment is underestimated by many. Second, contentment is the fruit of gratitude, and gratitude is a function of humility.
My primary text is going to be Philippians, and I’m using it as a lens to look back at Ecclesiastes (has any better text on contentment ever been written? Sheesh!).
So … hit it! Give me everything you’ve got on contentment. I won’t be satisfied until I have all of your ideas!
Next in series: Contentment and Gratitude
the ben 1:19 am on 21 July 2008 Permalink
is discontent necessarily so malicious? perhaps not something to latch on to, but at times a useful litmus test for issues that require attention….
just thinking out loud, please disregard until after i read Epictetus again.
aly hawkins 7:44 am on 21 July 2008 Permalink
I’ve been thinking about this a lot in the past year. I agree with your premises if you’re talking about contentment with one’s circumstances. In fact, I think that if we practice gratefulness (which leads to humility), we regain the ability to be delighted and surprised by our blessings. It’s very hard to be jaded and cynical when you’re startled by how beautiful the world is.
On the other hand, I think a certain amount of discontent with oneself is a necessary precursor to change. I’m not talking about wallowing in self-loathing or anything (just try to be surprised by beauty in that state of mind); I’m talking about a recognition that my character flaws play a part in the state of my relationships. If I want those to be the best they can be, I can’t rest on my laurels, content to let other people change to suit me.
michael lee 9:15 am on 21 July 2008 Permalink
I’m talking about the discontentment of Solomon, who was unable to enjoy the good things God had given him because he was unable to find contentment in them. In fact, this was the first part of the message that I wrote:
Chad 11:54 am on 21 July 2008 Permalink
Is this the weekend I’m leading worship for you?
:)
michael lee 1:33 pm on 21 July 2008 Permalink
yes.
Doug 2:55 pm on 21 July 2008 Permalink
Make sure we have someone ready to push “Record” that week. I will want to hear this when I return.
Chad 3:58 pm on 21 July 2008 Permalink
Who needs a calendar when you have Addy?
the ben 6:14 pm on 21 July 2008 Permalink
ok guys, you almost sucked me into this whole “bible and philosophy and mike writes a sermon” bit. that’s great but when are we playing cards. i’m just saying…
michael lee 6:49 pm on 21 July 2008 Permalink
What’s the problem, Ben, are you discontent with the lack of card playing in your life?
Dave 8:58 pm on 21 July 2008 Permalink
content–The Greek, literally expresses “independent of others, and having sufficiency in one’s self.” But Christianity has raised the term above the haughty self-sufficiency of the heathen Stoic to the contentment of the Christian, whose sufficiency is not in self, but in God
To come into relationship with God and be satisfied with the path that you travel together.(?)
the ben 5:10 am on 22 July 2008 Permalink
well played mike. looking forward to the final version.
Leonard 9:46 am on 22 July 2008 Permalink
Phil. 4:13 is the key. When Christ is the well of strength contentment reigns. That is why Paul could say he learned the secret. he did not draw his strength from his circumstances, his abundance, his successes… His weaknesses, his want did not deplete his strength either. His strength came from a much deeper, unchanging well, Jesus Christ.
Philippians tone is evedence of the well from which Paul drew. It’s message is about that well and the resulting JOY is the fruit of drawing from that well. Have fun Michael.
michael lee 10:00 am on 22 July 2008 Permalink
Leonard, there’s one thing I’ll add to that, which is that gratitude places us in proper mental relationship to Chris, and allows us to receive that contentment.
In that whole passage, it’s the “in plenty” that catches me up short. I like Paul’s insinuation that there is a secret to being content in the midst of abundance, and that contentment is not the natural fruit of having plenty.
Ryan 10:24 am on 22 July 2008 Permalink
who is Chris?
michael lee 10:31 am on 22 July 2008 Permalink
The engineer at Eldorado. He is the source of all contentment.
Ryan 10:37 am on 22 July 2008 Permalink
I will make sure that I am full of gratitude when I go to meet him then
michael lee 12:02 pm on 22 July 2008 Permalink
You better, or he will shoot lazer beams out of his eyes, and your body will be consumed in a raging fire of metal guitar riffs. He’s that awesome.
Ryan 12:10 pm on 22 July 2008 Permalink
And even in the midst of my body being consumed in the raging fire… I shall be content. I hope this illustration makes your sermon cut.
michael lee 1:26 pm on 22 July 2008 Permalink
How can it not? I’ve already done a pencil drawing of it!
the ben 8:58 pm on 22 July 2008 Permalink
he even recorded the audio of said pencil hitting paper.
Leonard 4:25 pm on 23 July 2008 Permalink
I hope you are satisfied with the message.