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SERIES: |
Technicolor Joy: A Study through Philippians |
MESSAGE: |
How to Have Greener Grass NOW |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
SCRIPTURE: |
Philippians 4:10-13 |
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MESSAGE SUMMARY
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. That saying embodies the philosophy that other people's circumstances are more desirable than our own. This attitude can be extended to where you live, the place you work, the one you're married to, the body type you have, and the income you require. Surely, others have it better than we do! Well, let's uncover three basic principles to debunk that theory and, in so doing, add water and fertilizer to our own grass.
STUDY GUIDE
Connect Recap Notes: December 31, 2017
Teaching: "How to Have Greener Grass NOW"
Text: Philippians 4:10-13
Path
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. That saying embodies the philosophy that other people's circumstances are more desirable than our own. This attitude can be extended to where you live, the place you work, the one you're married to, the body type you have, and the income you require. Surely, others have it better than we do! Pastor Skip uncovered three basic principles to debunk that theory and, in so doing, helped add water and fertilizer to our own grass:
- Be Connected to God's People (v. 10)
- Be Content with God's Provision (vv. 11-12)
- Be Confident in God's Power (v. 13)
Points
Be Connected to God's People
- The Philippian believers had supported Paul while he ministered in Macedonia. They reconnected when they sent Epaphroditus with money to care for Paul. Epaphroditus was their ambassador to help Paul.
- Here's the principle: when you connect with God's people, it produces joy and encouragement.
- There are many believers who are not belongers—they don't fellowship. But when you connect with God's people, it produces encouragement to go on and to flourish.
- Paul used key words that showed support: care and flourished.
- Probe: What group are you attached to consistently (church, Connect Group, etc.)? What outreach brings you joy?
Be Content with God's Provision
- Contentment isn't related to necessity.
- The Greek word for content means to be self-sufficient or satisfied and self-contained.
- Paul used the same word differently. His attitude was: if people didn't help him, God would still provide.
- Contentment doesn't depend on quantity.
- Paul experienced both contentment and need.
- The Greek word for full is used for feeding and fattening animals.
- Abased: essentially, Paul was saying, "I had status; I lost it all." He wrote this letter from jail.
- There's an illusion that more of something (money or material things, etc.) will bring contentment.
- Contentment is a learned ability.
- Note the phrase "I have learned." Paul was still learning.
- The Greek word for learned is manthanó, which means to learn and understand.
- Here are a few tips to learn contentment:
- Avoid comparisons: comparison robs us of contentment and promotes covetousness.
- Lower expectations: some people expect too much. This brings entitlement and robs you of thankfulness.
- Adjust to alternations: life won't always be great or horrible; there will be ups and downs.
- Develop convictions: contentment is related to what you believe about God's sovereignty. Do you believe God is in control?
- Probe: In what areas of life do you need to learn contentment? Why do you feel that you are not content in this area?
Be Confident in God's Power
- Philippians 4:13 was Paul's philosophy of life: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
- The Greek word for I can do means to be strong, have power, have resources. Paul's motto was "I can," not "I can't." Spiritual success comes in "cans."
- Note it is "through Christ who strengthens." The Amplified Version reads, "I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency."
- Our attitude depends on where our resources lay: ourselves, people, or God.
- As we stand on the verge of a new year, here's the challenge: get connected, get contented, and get confident.
- In the end, a doctor may add years to your life, but Jesus adds life to your years.
- Probe: Take a moment to discuss these three areas. How do you plan on doing the following in 2018?
- Getting connected
- Finding contentment
- Building confidence
Practice
Connect Up: As you connect up to Christ in the coming year, remember the things Christ has fulfilled in your life this past year. Share about a time when you experienced God's power this year. How did He meet a need or fulfill a promise to you?
Connect In: Share about how you connected to God's people in the church in 2017. What were some of the benefits and challenges?
Connect Out: Were you able to see someone come to Christ this past year? If so, what were the circumstances? How does salvation show the following qualities: the use of people, God's provision, and His power?
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- It does not take long for people to learn to be discontent
- We always want more than what we have
- We want more wealth, bigger houses, better cars, etc.
- Paul planted the church in Philippi because he had received a vision telling him to go there
- It was difficult, but the church grew into a thriving community
- They supported Paul in his ministry
- Be Connected to God's People (v. 10)
- Ten years had passed since Paul planted the church at Philippi
- At first, they were able to support him financially
- Something happened to keep them from continuing to help him
- They were able to help him again because Epaphroditus found him in jail
- When you connect with God's people:
- It will produce joy
- In the modern church, there are many believers but not many belongers
- They miss out on fellowship
- It will produce encouragement to go on
- Paul never tried to guilt people into giving
- Flourish = to grow luxuriantly; thrive
- Paul saw their giving as fruit validating his ministry
- Be Content with God's Provision (vv. 11-12)
- Contentment is not related to necessity
- We struggle to differentiate between need and greed
- Autarkés = self-sufficient, contented, satisfied
- Paul meant that if no one helped him, God would provide
- Psalm 23:1; Hebrews 13:5-6
- Contentment does not come from what we have but from Whom we have
- Contentment does not depend on quantity
- Paul grew up having plenty
- He had highs and lows in his life
- Most people who lose everything get very depressed
- The deception is that more cash brings more contentment
- Many people who have won the lottery are actually miserable
- Luke 12:15
- Contentment is a learned ability
- Complaining is second nature to us
- To be better at contentment:
- Avoid comparisons
- Comparison robs you of contentment
- It promotes covetousness
- 2 Corinthians 10:12
- Lower expectations
- When you live an entitled life, you will never stop to appreciate what you have
- 1 Timothy 6:6-8
- Adjust to alterations
- When you are abounding, know that you could also be abased
- Learn to adjust to the highs and lows of your life
- Develop convictions
- Contentment is related to what you believe about the sovereignty of God
- God gives and takes away (see Job 1:21)
- Be Confident in God's Power (v. 13)
- Spiritual success comes in cans
- You may feel like you can't, but you can do all things through Christ
- The same Christ Paul had is the same Christ you have (see Galatians 2:20)
- We can do nothing apart from Christ (see John 15:5)
- It depends on where your resources lie
- Do your resources lie in yourself or in your Savior?
- Jesus should not be just part of your life; He should be your life
- Your doctor may add years to your life, but Jesus will add life to your years
Figures referenced: Charles Dickens, Corrie ten Boom
Works referenced: "Materialism and Discontent in a Prosperous America,"
Oliver TwistGreek words: autarkés
Cross references: Job 1:21; Psalm 23:1; Luke 12:15; John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 2:20; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; Hebrews 13:5-6
Topic: Contentment
Keywords: contentment, generosity, fellowship, encouragement, complaining, entitlement