Living Word NRA
CONTENTMENT: LIVING SATISFIED IN A WORLD OF CONSUMPTION
Online Sunday Worship Service
Locations & Times
Living Word NRA Church
Northgate Center, Gov. M. Cuenco Ave, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu, Philippines
Sunday 10:00 AM
Sunday 1:00 PM
Sermon Title: CONTENTMENT: LIVING SATISFIED IN A WORLD OF CONSUMPTION
Scripture Text: PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13
by: Ptr Nic Sy
Scripture Text: PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13
by: Ptr Nic Sy
SERMON OUTLINE
"True contentment knows that if we have Jesus, we have enough."
TWO CONTRASTS
I. THE PROBLEM OF COVETOUSNESS
(EXODUS 20:17; ROMANS 12:15)
Covet: Hebrew root chamad which means "to strongly desire or delight in."
1. Covetousness is internal.
2. Covetousness is dissatisfied.
3. Covetousness is self-centered.
II. THE CHALLENGE OF CONTENTMENT
(PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13)
1. Contentment is being satisfied with God’s provision.
Contentment: Greek root autarkes which means “self sufficient, satisfied.” Literally, it has the idea of being "contained."
"When we are contented, the externals will not matter because our trust is in God who provides faithfully."
2. Contentment is learned.
(PHILIPPIANS 4:12; 1 CORINTHIANS 4:11-13; 2 CORINTHIANS 6:3-5)
"Contentment is a process, something that we learn as we walk with God each day."
3. Contentment is rooted in God.
(PHILIPPIANS 4:13; PHILIPPIANS 1:21; PHILIPPIANS 3:8; ROMANS 8:1)
"Our ability to be content in any and every situation is connected with our relationship with Christ."
III. ENDING THOUGHT.
"The humble man is the contented man; … He thinks it is mercy he is out of hell, therefore he is contented. He doth not go to carve out a more happy condition to himself; he knows the worst piece God cuts him is better than he deserves.” (Thomas Watson,The Art of Divine Contentment)
From the vantage point of God's mercy and grace, no matter what the situation is, we can always say, "I'm doing better than I deserve."
"True contentment knows that if we have Jesus, we have enough."
TWO CONTRASTS
I. THE PROBLEM OF COVETOUSNESS
(EXODUS 20:17; ROMANS 12:15)
Covet: Hebrew root chamad which means "to strongly desire or delight in."
1. Covetousness is internal.
2. Covetousness is dissatisfied.
3. Covetousness is self-centered.
II. THE CHALLENGE OF CONTENTMENT
(PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13)
1. Contentment is being satisfied with God’s provision.
Contentment: Greek root autarkes which means “self sufficient, satisfied.” Literally, it has the idea of being "contained."
"When we are contented, the externals will not matter because our trust is in God who provides faithfully."
2. Contentment is learned.
(PHILIPPIANS 4:12; 1 CORINTHIANS 4:11-13; 2 CORINTHIANS 6:3-5)
"Contentment is a process, something that we learn as we walk with God each day."
3. Contentment is rooted in God.
(PHILIPPIANS 4:13; PHILIPPIANS 1:21; PHILIPPIANS 3:8; ROMANS 8:1)
"Our ability to be content in any and every situation is connected with our relationship with Christ."
III. ENDING THOUGHT.
"The humble man is the contented man; … He thinks it is mercy he is out of hell, therefore he is contented. He doth not go to carve out a more happy condition to himself; he knows the worst piece God cuts him is better than he deserves.” (Thomas Watson,The Art of Divine Contentment)
From the vantage point of God's mercy and grace, no matter what the situation is, we can always say, "I'm doing better than I deserve."
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http://m.me/lwnraAnnouncements
HELP4COVID19 PROJECT
Our HELP4COVID19PROJECT is still ongoing. If you want to support, you can either help us by being a volunteer for transportation and pick-up, monetary and in-kind giving, and most of all you can help us through prayers.
Check out our website for a more details: https://www.livingwordnra.com/help4cov19-project/
24-HOUR PRAYER CHAIN
Inviting everyone who hasn’t signed up yet on our 24-Hour PRAYER CHAIN for COVID. A lot of our brethren in the frontlines are in need of our prayers. You can join us wherever you are, it’ll only take 30 minutes of your time every day.
Let us continue praying for God’s intervention in this fight against the virus.
YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENT
Calling all our young people to join the Paragon Youth prayer service every Wednesday, from 2:30 - 4:30 PM. It’s a time to just come together to pray for one another and intercede for the current circumstance we are facing right now.
For more updates check the Youth’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/paragonyouthministry
Our HELP4COVID19PROJECT is still ongoing. If you want to support, you can either help us by being a volunteer for transportation and pick-up, monetary and in-kind giving, and most of all you can help us through prayers.
Check out our website for a more details: https://www.livingwordnra.com/help4cov19-project/
24-HOUR PRAYER CHAIN
Inviting everyone who hasn’t signed up yet on our 24-Hour PRAYER CHAIN for COVID. A lot of our brethren in the frontlines are in need of our prayers. You can join us wherever you are, it’ll only take 30 minutes of your time every day.
Let us continue praying for God’s intervention in this fight against the virus.
YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENT
Calling all our young people to join the Paragon Youth prayer service every Wednesday, from 2:30 - 4:30 PM. It’s a time to just come together to pray for one another and intercede for the current circumstance we are facing right now.
For more updates check the Youth’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/paragonyouthministry
Giving
Ways you can give your tithes, love gifts and offerings to the church.
https://www.livingwordnra.com/giving/About Living Word NRA Church
Our Vision:
Worship God. Advance His Kingdom.
Our Mission:
We are a church that seeks to bring glory to God, to build the local church through discipleship and to fulfill the Great Commission.
For more information, visit our website: https://livingwordnra.com
Our Vision:
Worship God. Advance His Kingdom.
Our Mission:
We are a church that seeks to bring glory to God, to build the local church through discipleship and to fulfill the Great Commission.
For more information, visit our website: https://livingwordnra.com
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.
GETTING STARTED
To the facilitator: Use this section to introduce the topic. If possible, give a brief recap of the sermon.
Share a memorable point, a spiritual lesson, a personal application, a question, or something that challenged you from the sermon last Sunday.
Have you ever bought something at the spur of the moment and regretted it? What was it? And why did you regret it?
GROUP DISCUSSION.
1. Read Exodus 20:17. How would you define “covet” from this verse? List some things and/or categories which are often coveted. Why do you think people covet them? Why do you think God cares about covetousness?
2. Discuss. Consider these three things we do that lead to covetousness: (1) comparison, (2) hoarding, (3) “if only” game. Can you share specific examples when people (or you) do this?
3. Read Philippians 4:10-13. When you read about Paul’s view of contentment and the way the world views contentment, what do you think makes the difference? Have you ever experienced being truly “contented” in the biblical sense?
4. When Paul said that contentment is “learned,” what do you think are the real-life implications of “learning” it? Can you think or remember a situation in your life when you learned to be content? What was the specific lesson that God was teaching you?
5. Discuss. Is contentment better learned in poverty or in prosperity? Explain why you think so.
6. Contentment does not mean being lazy, mediocre or being a fatalist. In what ways can you distinguish the difference? (Think practical ways.)
7. Share. Are you growing in contentment? What area of your life do you see the biggest need for finding contentment? How has your relationship with Christ changed your attitude towards people, possessions and circumstances?
8. [Next Steps]
Our ability to be content in any and every situation is ultimately connected with our relationship with Christ.
- I will be aware of areas that will cause me to be discontented.
- I will look to Christ for daily strength.
- I will trust God to meet my needs and not my greed..
- I will develop a heart of generosity.
Don’t forget to:
- Go through the devotionals everyday this week.
- Have a regular daily time of prayer and reading of God’s Word.
- Commit 30 minutes a day for God’s intervention in this fight against the COVID virus.
CLOSING THE SESSION.
Close the session by taking the time to pray for one another. Consider the following as you pray:
- Pray for sensitivity this week from covetousness. Pray to grow in contentment.
- Take the time to pray for our nation, for peace and for the gospel to prosper during this time of the pandemic.
- Pray for those who are hurting, going through fear, worry and anxiety in the group.
- Pray for your unsaved family, friends and loved ones.
GETTING STARTED
To the facilitator: Use this section to introduce the topic. If possible, give a brief recap of the sermon.
Share a memorable point, a spiritual lesson, a personal application, a question, or something that challenged you from the sermon last Sunday.
Have you ever bought something at the spur of the moment and regretted it? What was it? And why did you regret it?
GROUP DISCUSSION.
1. Read Exodus 20:17. How would you define “covet” from this verse? List some things and/or categories which are often coveted. Why do you think people covet them? Why do you think God cares about covetousness?
2. Discuss. Consider these three things we do that lead to covetousness: (1) comparison, (2) hoarding, (3) “if only” game. Can you share specific examples when people (or you) do this?
3. Read Philippians 4:10-13. When you read about Paul’s view of contentment and the way the world views contentment, what do you think makes the difference? Have you ever experienced being truly “contented” in the biblical sense?
4. When Paul said that contentment is “learned,” what do you think are the real-life implications of “learning” it? Can you think or remember a situation in your life when you learned to be content? What was the specific lesson that God was teaching you?
5. Discuss. Is contentment better learned in poverty or in prosperity? Explain why you think so.
6. Contentment does not mean being lazy, mediocre or being a fatalist. In what ways can you distinguish the difference? (Think practical ways.)
7. Share. Are you growing in contentment? What area of your life do you see the biggest need for finding contentment? How has your relationship with Christ changed your attitude towards people, possessions and circumstances?
8. [Next Steps]
Our ability to be content in any and every situation is ultimately connected with our relationship with Christ.
- I will be aware of areas that will cause me to be discontented.
- I will look to Christ for daily strength.
- I will trust God to meet my needs and not my greed..
- I will develop a heart of generosity.
Don’t forget to:
- Go through the devotionals everyday this week.
- Have a regular daily time of prayer and reading of God’s Word.
- Commit 30 minutes a day for God’s intervention in this fight against the COVID virus.
CLOSING THE SESSION.
Close the session by taking the time to pray for one another. Consider the following as you pray:
- Pray for sensitivity this week from covetousness. Pray to grow in contentment.
- Take the time to pray for our nation, for peace and for the gospel to prosper during this time of the pandemic.
- Pray for those who are hurting, going through fear, worry and anxiety in the group.
- Pray for your unsaved family, friends and loved ones.