Contentment In Christ Jesus

Paul doesn’t say “I can’t”, and he doesn’t say “I can”.  He says “I can…through Christ.”

Some people have been heard to say, “I can run my own life. I don’t need God, the church or the Bible. I am the captain of my own soul and the master of my own fate.”  

Take Christ out of Christian and what do you have? “IAN—I am nothing.” Without Jesus they don’t know real contentment, and their eternal future is doomed. 

The Apostle Paul was in jail, not fretting or fuming. He writes about his contentment and strength in Jesus.  

Philippians 4:12,13  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. . . .  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

This is dynamic contentment. This is victory over every temptation, grace for every trouble, and strength for every task.

Jesus gives us power to face life’s adversities—power to cope and power to enjoy contentment regardless of the circumstances, Phil. 4:6-7. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed

Jesus First

God doesn’t have favorites, but He does have intimates. James 4:8 says, "Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you." 

God has promised in his word, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13)

But it is not enough to seek the Lord. You must seek Him first. Jesus said, "seek first the kingdom of God." 

Jesus doesn’t want a place in your life. Jesus doesn’t even want prominence in your life. Jesus wants preeminence in your life.

Jesus wants the first moments of everyday. Jesus wants the first day of every week. Jesus wants the first part of every paycheck. 

Jesus wants to be first.

Live every moment for Him, and He will take care of the rest.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

Victory

In the midst of our battles there’s always hope for victory. 

1 Corinthians 15:57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The good news is this—our enemies are nowhere near as powerful as our God.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

God is still on the throne and He is still the Prince of Peace. 

Eventually, the battles of life will be over, the long day will be finished and we who are saved will go home to Heaven to rest in that glorious place. 

In the meantime there are enemies and there are battles to be fought.  

For those who will walk by faith and not by sight, the Lord still gives victory for battles with peace that passes understanding.

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

Our Strength Is In The Lord

If we are going to be victorious in the spiritual battles we face, we are going to need spiritual power. 

The problem is, none of us have spiritual power. Within ourselves we are weak and frail creatures. 

Our strength comes from a Holy Person. 

Ephesians 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Paul teaches us that when we are saved, we are made one with Jesus. Thus, His life becomes our life. 

His truth becomes our truth. His way becomes our way. His power becomes our power. His strength becomes our strength.

Our strength is in the Lord. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

When Jesus Shows Up

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

I know He is always with us, but there’s something special about those times when Jesus shows up in a mighty way—

—Like the peaceful assurance at the hospital and the head-on-collision that should’ve happened and scared us silly. 

I can't explain the joy of those moments, but I can say everyone knows when Jesus shows up. 

Over and over the Lord has shown up, especially at urgent prayers and humble faith. God is good. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons

God Is In Control

It’s easier to serve the Lord when we are on the mountain top, walking around with a shout in our soul and glory in our hearts. 

But when we enter the valleys—The Valley of Sorrow or The Valley of Physical Pain or The Valley of Spiritual Discouragement or any valley, we find God is also there—often closer. 

He is God in every stage of life.  That’s why the Bible is literally filled with promises that teach us that God is in control. 

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory

Other verses let us know that our God is determined to prove to us that He is God in every circumstance we face.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission.