The Biblical Worldview on Finding Contentment: Gaining Godly Insight

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God, to find out how to know God personally go to know God.org KNOW know God.org you would you do me a favor sure this message was someone who needs to hear it ring Laurie morning show. Our strength is found in the more more long as we read in Philippians 413 like you do all things through Christ the Lord Christ.

The word of his polar opposite of you will think of education that spring all things money about this one will strengthen me all things through Christ and anything any way with your outlook on life. Sometimes our demeanor is soured when life is hard. There's nothing we can do about getting Pastor Greg Laurie bring some good news. You can have an attitude of contentment will matter what because your heavenly father knows we're facing you through your weight will grab our Bible turned to the book helpful look. The book of Philippians a word in our worldview series and the title of the message today is the biblical worldview on finding contentment. Philippians chapter 4 our reading verses 10 to 13 all right cities as far rejoice in the Lord greatly know about your care from your forest again, though, you surely didn't care what you like opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to me for I've learned in whatever state I'm in to be content underlined uppers of Lord whatever state it meant to be content. I know how to be a base and auto about everywhere and in all things I've learned about the be full and to be hungry, both to abound in the supper. Need verse 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. So that brings me to point number one of your taking notes.

Contentment comes when we rejoice in the Lord Paul Duncan Jimmy because he rejoice in the Lord. Verse four of Philippians 4. He says rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. And by the way that the command is appointed out in our last message are commanded to rejoice. It doesn't say, rejoice in circumstances. Sometimes it's hard but rejoice in the Lord. Point number two Paul found contentment because he took life as it came. You cannot control what comes your way in life.

I've tried it doesn't work but I can control my reaction to it. I can control the way I think I can control my attitude. That's what you learn this you learn how to be content which brings me to point number three. Contentment does not come from what I have that comes from who I know contentment does not come from what I have come from who I know Hebrews 13 5 Says Let Your Way of life be without covetousness, but be content with such things as you have, for he is said I will never leave you or forsake you see, because Christ will never leave me. I can be content a song about what I have.

It's about who has me until Paulette found this contentment in his relationship with God. Point number four. Contentment comes from leaning on Christ, not leaning on yourself. Contentment comes from leaning on Christ, not leaning on yourself. Look at verse 13 I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me. So Paul realized he needed God's help. Earlier in his book he writes to live is Christ and to die is gain. So Paulette had experienced some hard times, including the install. Not the kind of stoned literal stoning with rocks and Becky was probably kill we know at some point Paul.and many believe it was the incident the book about three was stoned and thought of his dad and came back to life and so Paul had the unique experience of dying and going to heaven and coming back again.

Imagine for Paul so he stoned of these hurdle in the presence of God and there is the Lord Jesus Christ who says well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord Paul's rejoicing on the Lord. I don't know what happened up there but maybe the Lord sits on like a Paula got some good news and bad. What's a good news you're coming back again. Paul again what you meet again going back to earth. Nobody I do not want to go back to Europe.

All people are down there praying for you to be raised from the dead Lord, don't listen to their prayers. There are sinners. I don't want to go back to were I want to stay here.

I know Paul, but I will work for you to do is back there and there, praying that he be raisin and overcame many years but the Lord also said a thorn in his flesh. We don't know what it was some kind of a physical problem may be a result of others. Beatings are stoning maybe was eyesight. That's what some commentators think we don't know it's early but it was a continuing physical issue, it would appear he described it as a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan sent to Bubba Jim C would be inflated with pride. So the Lord cut of Tim, humble through life, but it kept him leaning on Christ and trusting in Christ, so he found this contentment. Now we come to a very important verse, verse 13, but said together.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens but that one more time. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens but you love the verse. The JB Phillips translation of that verse goes as follows. I'm ready for anything for the spring of the one who lives within ready for anything I can do all things through Christ out.

Take out the word Christ imported another word and this collapses immediately about this. I can do all things through drugs and alcohol that strengthen me. Is that true when people in Hollywood going to get this memo and we breathlessly follow their every move there every tweet there every post on there so wonderful we think and then we hear this one checking into a rehab clinic for the 10th time in week eight of this other one getting another divorce and then we read of another who overdoses on drugs and then we read of some who commit suicide in and we don't understand that because they're living the good life, or so we think they're living the life that maybe some of us wish we were living in.

Why would they just take their own life. I'll tell you Jesus cares for every one of these people he loves them, Jesus cares about every little child. He cares about every unborn child. He cares about every middle-age person he cares about an older person he cares about the elderly person. He cares for all of us wants to forgive us up all of our sent. That's all we need to take the gospel out of tell people about because there will like this and they seem to have it all together on the outside and you thought why would I share Jesus with them.

Look at the car they drive, why would I tell them about what Christ can do in their life. Look at their beautiful husband or wife and kids and this or that no listen, deep down inside, everyone is empty. Everyone is lonely and everyone needs Jesus Christ is the answer for everyone, not just some I can do all things through Christ. That's me. Not drugs about this I can do all things through education that strengthens me to do something with education getting it agrees a great thing, but he can only be something so that I can do all things through money that strengthens me. You can do some things that money money is not evil. Some say we know the Bible says money is the root of all evil Bible doesn't say that the Bible says the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil which while some have coveted after they've aired from the big money is neutral.

It can be used for God's glory. They can be used for evil, but you can't do all things are money it has its limitations. Will I can do all things through friends that strengthen me.

Well, sometimes friends let you down. Sometimes friends abandon you about this one I can do all things through politics that strengthen me know we can do something to politics and by the way, Christians should be involved in politics. We really should know this is not good. I don't agree on blood. We need to be involved in every part of culture. Every part and every Christian should register and vote and to not do that to me is a bit irresponsible, maybe even worse so you know we want to encourage men and women of God who want to do what they can in our nations capital. There are good and godly people in Washington DC and there are bad and ungodly people in Washington DC so we want to be an influence where we can be, but we understand.

Also, we can only do some things through politics, but we can do all things through Christ. Christ is the answer is the answer for the future of America in just a moment. Pastor Greg explains her contentment is tied to generosity will see were more content with what we give than what we get more on that in a moment in a new book Pastor Greg Laurie recalls his friendship with Dr. Billy Graham had this ability to connect from the beginning of the middle to the end of his ministry.

Remember seeing him in New York in this final crusade in Flushing Meadows.

There, and I remember he just looked at the crowd and said God loves you and then he would turn to another part of the crowd, God loves you will read somewhere that what you want me is first to love you. The Bible says God loves you. There were 2 mg. He was the same in private that he was in public. He was a godly man I've ever met, the new Billy Graham man I knew Greg Laurie euros for a gift of any size, harvest.or will today. Pastor Greg is presenting his message called the biblical worldview on finding contentment. It's available online@harvest.org and that brings me to point number five. If I contentment I must do my part because God is done yet again I must do my part because God has done his this first pulls it all together.

It brings the perfect balance I can do all things to Christ who strengthens me.

It shows the place of God's power and it shows the place of our response.

It does not teach that God does everything for the Christian nor does it teach the Christian does everything for God. It teaches that God is given the power and resources I need and I must appropriate the listen, there's something only God can do and some things only. Only God can forgive you of your sin, but only you can repent of your sin. Only God can lead you, but only you can heal to his leaving, so I am responsibility. I can do all things to Christ who strengthens me. The flipside of that is a statement of Christ, for he said, apart from me you can do nothing without Christ. I can't live this Christian life without Christ, I can't help anyone really without Christ. I can't do much but all things can be done through Christ who strengthens me.

And that's good news last point no point number six. Contentment does not come from getting but giving contentment does not come from getting but giving verse 19, my God will supply all of your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. This is an oft quoted yet perhaps misunderstood verse we need to understand. It doesn't just float out in space on its own because behind every promise of God. There is a promise again.

Behind every promise of God. There is a premise. What is a premise or the context of the context of Philippians 4 as Paul is commending the believers for their generosity would give her 17 not that I seek to give but I think the fruit that abounds to your account.

Indeed, I have all of the Browning pulled having received from a proper guidance that things sent from you a sweet smelling aroma and acceptable sacrifice well pleasing to God.

Then he says my God will supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Let me paraphrase that guise, I received your offering. Thanks so much it meant a lot. I know it was sacrificial on your part, but I pray God blesses you for your generosity.

So these are people that are giving and now he's offering them the promise God will supply all of their need I mention getting more stuff does not bring happiness or contentment.

Melanie had another statement, giving more stuff does giving more stuff does conventional wisdom says the more you get, the happier, more content, you will be. The Bible says the more you give, the more happy and content. You will be. Jesus said it is more blessed to give that it is to receive or another way to translate that it's more happy making to get that it is to receive now. This certainly applies our finances. Let me say something. This is not really a verse, you can apply if you been foolish with finances.

I mean if you just got back from Vegas and spent all your savings and will praise God my global supply all my really are because you won't go and get a job when there are jobs out there that you could get you just are lazy and you don't want all players.

Oh my God will supply all of my needs a good view his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Well, I take another nap in my lazy boy way to know old on the Bible says of the men doesn't work.

He showed me get off your fat lazy boy chair and work like the rest of us, and God will supply all of your needs. Be a good steward. Remember to give to the Lord, because God promises that we will give to him, he will give to us.

But let's broaden this.

This doesn't just apply to finances.

Maybe you're single hearsay. I'm lonely and I'm tired of them same in the restaurant party of one well, my God will supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

God can supply the person for you start praying for them. Maybe you're having marital problems. Why don't altogether save this marriage, my God can supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Or maybe you're having problems with their kids. My God can supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Maybe you need a physical touch from God because you've not been given any hope of the doctors my God can supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus know God doesn't heal everyone but he heals many and we should pray for his healing touch. The Bible says that there's any sick among you call for the elders of the church who will pray and anoint them with oil. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. If you need help in that way let us know and we will pray for you. That's what here for. So the point is, is God will supply all the things that you need. So let's wrap this up.

Happiness is not come from seeking self-fulfillment, but rather the fulfillment of other happiness is not come from seeking input from seeking God happiness and contentment do not come from getting they come from giving no one's ever been honored for what they receive, but rather for what they get ill go to a person's funeral and have someone so you know much money.

This person may belong humanly cool things they had because about that.

We want to know what they did. We want to hear about a charitable act and act of kindness something they did for someone else.

Those of the things you remember about one another so we keep that in mind that it's about discovering real content to listen.

It comes down to this. What you are looking for in life is a relationship with God is knocking to be found in a thing is something to be found in a accomplishment is knocking to be found in saying that something to be found in any outside exterior thing. It will be found in a relationship with God.

Are you content that's what I asked you the beginning. Are you a happy person right now having a lot of just had this understand that no what you need is God, tell me what you think you need a tell you what you really want. It's Jesus tell me what you really want. I'll tell you what you really need. It's Jesus it's Jesus that you're looking for an easier with this right now standing at the door of your life, and he is knocking me insane if you hear his voice and open the door he will come in and ask you, in closing, have you asked Jesus Christ to come in the your life to be your savior and your Lord because they do you do that your questions will be answered.

The day you do that, you'll find the contentment you been seeking in life the day you do that is the day you change your eternal address literally from hell to heaven and is ready to forgive you but you must ask them to come of your life when you pray in a moment I'm in the know extend an invitation any of you who may have never asked Jesus to come in your life. Listen, coming to harvest doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a Krispy Kreme makes you a dominant.

I don't care. Parents are Chris and Simon. I'm glad they are that will make you a Christian or if your husband or your wife is a Christian that will make you a Christian or if your friend that came here with you is a Christian that doesn't mean you're a Christian, there has to be a moment when you say Jesus come into my life. So okay Otto I even do that through prayer nominally join the prayer if you want to pray. So in a moment, we can extend this opportunity.

If you need Jesus today if you want to find contentment in the guaranteed hope of heaven and find the meaning and purpose of life. It's here for you now. Let's pray father I pray now for anyone here anyone listening or watching that does not yet know you help them to see Lord how much you love them and help them to come to you and believe in Jesus died on the cross for their sin and shed his blood for everyone evil simple thing they've done.

Help them to believe in you today you'd like to make a change relationship with the Lord. Pastor Greg Laurie will help you do that in just a moment before this addition of a new beginning. Concludes please stay with us now to hear any part of today study again you can get a replay by going to harvest.org just look for the biblical worldview on finding contentment and that is such a joy to announce Pastor Greg's new book called Billy Graham the man I knew it. Shin evangelists look at the life of the greatest evangelist of all time, and then Pastor Greg you wrote in the book, the two most important moments in a person's life or when they're born and when they realize what they are born for.

Yes, over and over we see evidence of wood.

Billy was born for. In the book do you help us sort of discover what we are born for right yes of course because you know God is a plan for each of our lives. No Billy wanted to be a professional baseball player. That's what he aspired to. But after he accepted Christ at the revival meetings of evangelist Mordechai him a calling came on Billy's life and he was resistant to it. At first he didn't aspire to be a preacher. He was a fun-loving normal young man who, as I said wanted to go play baseball but God put a call in his life and God puts it: everybody's life are not all called to be preachers certainly were not all called to impact the world like Billy Graham did, but we are all called to preach the gospel and we are all called to impact our world. So this book that I've written on the life Billy called Billy Graham the man that I knew I'd show how the Lord directed him how the Lord called him and I describe in detail the amazing changes that happen in his life and he wanted to go one way and the Lord let him another way and and how God was in control of his life from beginning to end and how the Lord will do that for you as well. I'm hoping that this book will introduce Billy to a whole new generation, especially of young people that don't really know Billy.

They were racing billing on television all the time. Then everyone in person do it Billy Graham Crusade so I'm doing my best to bring this story in an understandable relatable way to you I show his humor. I show is humanness. I show some of his vulnerabilities and you only love and appreciate a more after you've read it because he was the same guy in private that he was in public. There were not too Billy Graham's.

He was the real deal. That's why decided to write a book about Billy Graham because people need to know about this man. He was called by God to be the greatest evangelist in history.

Yeah, his life is worth studying such a great example for all of us and Pastor Greg and his co-author Marshall Terrill have done exhaustive research into Billy's life that research that took them all the way back to the Civil War, so don't miss this opportunity to read this evangelists look at the life of history's greatest evangelist and will send you a copy. Hot off the press to thank you for your investment in making these daily studies possible. It's only through listener support that we can feature Pastor Greg's teachings each day. So send your gift today to a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call us at 1-800-821-3300. We can take your call anytime again at 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and look for Billy Graham, the man I knew and will only be mentioning this. A short time longer, so get in touch right away. Pastor Greg, you spoke today about having a relationship with the Lord. Yes, someone can enter into that kind of relationship with God right now yeah they really can. That's the amazing thing.

I think people are surprised that it doesn't take years to become a Christian. It doesn't take months.

It doesn't take weeks. It doesn't take days, it doesn't even take ours you can believe on the spot and I would like to lead you in a prayer where you can ask for his forgiveness. A prayer where you can receive Jesus Christ into your life as your Savior and Lord. So if you want Christ to come in your life if you want him to forgive you of your sin if you want a second chance in life. If you want to go to heaven when you die, stop what you're doing and pray after me these words Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I'm sorry for my sin and I turn from it now and I choose to follow you from this moment forward as Savior and Lord is God and friend. Thank you for loving me and calling me ever giving me in Jesus name I pray, amen, amen Allison if you have just prayed those words with Pastor Greg and meant them sincerely. The Bible assures is your sins have been forgiven were told. The Lord is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and we want to send some resource materials to you that will help you in your new relationship with the Lord we call it our new believers gross packet will send it without charge.

If you prayed for the first time today with Pastor Greg, just ask for it when you write a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. That's a 24 seven phone number 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and click know God when next I Pastor Greg continues his enlightening series called worldview with a look at what the Bible says about the afterlife is literally a life-and-death discussion.

Be sure to tune in next time a new beginning with Pastor Greg Laurie possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor grades free daily email, devotions@harvest.org