“The Sacrament Of The Present Moment”
Part 2, “Contentment In The Present Moment”
Philippians 4:4-13
Part 2, “Contentment In The Present Moment”
Philippians 4:4-13
Introduction
(Quote) Caussade, “To be satisfied with the present moment is to delight in, and to adore the divine will in all that has to be done or suffered in all that succession of events that fill, as they pass, each present moment.”
I. Pursuing Contentment In Every Moment
(Quote) Caussade, “If that which God…chooses for you does not content you, from whom do you expect to obtain what you desire?”
1 Thessalonians 4:3, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified…” NIV
Romans 8:29-30, “God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son… 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself.” NLT
(Quote) Caussade, “…I should die of thirst rushing … from one fountain to another, from one stream to another when there is a sea at hand, the waters of which encompass me on every side.”
(Quote) Caussade, “All that happens to me therefore will be food for my nourishment, water for my cleansing, fire for my purification, and a channel of grace for all my needs. That which I might endeavor to find in other ways seeks me incessantly and gives itself to me through all creatures.”
II. Contentment In The Present Moment
Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” NIV
A. Four Contentment Producing Decisions
(Number 1) Rejoice In The Lord Always – v. 4
(Number 2) Let your gentleness be evident to all – v. 5
(Word Study) Gentleness, “Epieikes”, (ep-ee-i-kace) This is one of the most untranslatable of all Greek words. Some of the best English attempts are gentle, yielding, kind, forbearing, and lenient.
(Number 3) Don’t be anxious – pray about everything – vv.6-7
Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:7, “…the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Number 4) Think On These Things – vv. 8-9
Philippians 4:8, “Finally…whatever is true, …noble, …right, …pure, …lovely, …admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
Conclusion
(Quote) Caussade, “I have run through all Your workshops and have admired all Your works, but have not as yet, by abandonment, received even the bare outlines of Your pencil.”