Open your Bibles, if you would, to Philippians chapter 4. We're going to look at verse 11 again. Last week I preached a message called Being Content, which talked about our everyday lives and how we are to be content. And a way for us to be content is to keep our eyes on Christ and the sufficiency of Christ, remember, before us. That he's sufficient. He's all we need, all the time, right? Christ is all we need, all the time, every second of the day. He's sufficient. He's sufficient for our salvation. He's sufficient for our provision. Right? And He'll take us home one day to be with Him forever. The name of the message today is contentment. Now we're going to come at contentment from a different perspective. From the perspective of keeping God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ in our view as well. But we're going to look at being content in this world because of God's power, because of God's will and purpose, that are all working together for our good and for his glory, right? Okay. So we looked last week at how believers are to be content in whatever situation we find ourselves in. And I'd be the first to admit, and I think you would too, this is a very hard thing to do, right? To be content in every situation we find ourselves in. I read a little note by someone at Chris Cunningham's church, and they said, Chris, you always preach that Christ should be the first one we go to, but he's usually the last one we go to in a situation. Right? He's right, isn't he? Yeah. He should be the first one we go to. And being content in this world is hard for believers to do. But how can we be content? By the power of God the Holy Spirit. Not by our own power. But by the power of God the Holy Spirit, we can be content. Now think of this. I was watching something going on with them riots in Portland, right? Not riots, but the political group that's acting up out there. And one thing I noticed as I was watching these young people, there's no contentment. They're angry. They're full of hate. They're violent. They're wicked. And I thought, well, that's where I was. But that also can creep up in my heart too, very easily. Even as a believer. Alright? Is it hard for us to murmur? Is it hard for us to start complaining about situation or about people? Very easy, isn't it? You know what we are? We are professional fault finders. That's what we are. Professional fault finders. But when the mayor gets pointed to us, now in our natural state, we're professional fault finders, and we think we're perfect. But in grace, we're still fault finders, and now we know what we are by the grace of God. Oh my, how much we need our Savior. How much we need him, beloved. And I'm speaking about myself here, guys, too. I know, I'm right there. I'm not preaching at you. I'm preaching to us. Us. All of us. My. So this is the state we find ourselves in. And as we live this life, you know what helps us to be content? I was talking to Greg about this. Looking back, at what the Lord's done for us. Looking back at how we were, I recently saw a picture, my high school teacher posted it, and there I was sitting there, and during that time I was into drugs and alcohol, and I looked at that picture, and I just was zoned out. I was just existing. And I thought, look what you've taken me out of, Lord. Because if he hadn't taken me out of that, I'd still be there today. I'd still be doing it. Now, that's why I mentioned earlier, we don't have the same desires we used to have, do we? So marvel at what the Lord, marvel at how we found out that God has loved us with an unwavering, unchangeable love from eternity. Marvel at how we're loved freely, without any cause in ourselves, without any conditions, without any performance. We're loved by God with an everlasting love because he chose to love us from eternity. Isn't that amazing? Isn't that amazing? So we can look back on our life and see how the Lord cared for us and watched over us before we were saved and even after we were saved. And that could be very comforting for us. Very comforting for us, because do you know how he took care of us back then? He's still taking care of us now. Isn't that wonderful? So we see the world in our eyes, we see it going, oh my, look, it's worse than ever before. No, it's actually, there's nothing new under the sun. It's the same old world, doing the same old thing. Well, surely it's more wicked now. No, it's always been wicked. It just came in different forms. My, but look what the Lord's done for us, look what he carried us through, look how he's changed us. Let's read with that in mind, let's read verses 10 to 13 of Philippians chapter 4. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again. wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, or I am therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound, Everywhere and in all things I'm instructed to be full and to be hungry. Both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Now let's turn over the first Timothy chapter six. We read there in Philippians chapter four, not that I speak in respect of want, for I've learned in whatsoever state I am therewith thee be content. So the message today is about contentment. How can we be content in this world? How can we be content amidst the chaos of this world? Amidst the unrest of this world? Amidst the murmuring disputing of this world? And not be caught up in that. Because it's not hard to get caught up in that, is it? It really isn't. Because we're human beings living in this world. And we can see all around us that people are not content. Again, just ask them their view on certain things, and they will mumble and murmur and complain. And you wish you didn't ask them. This passage Paul is writing to Timothy, he's a young preacher, and the topic is false teachers and contentment. We'll be in chapter six. And again, as I said earlier, even we who are believers, we can suffer from murmurings and complainings and grumblings about all different situations in our lives. But today, we'll look at some things which I believe will help us, help we who are the born-again blood-washed believers to have contentment in this world. Because we need that, don't we? We need contentment. And I think these things that we're going to look at will help us, if we keep them in mind, to be content and to have contentment in this world. We know, as we looked at last week, the sufficiency of Christ. We must look to Christ in this world. We must look to Him. He's our only help. We have no other help outside of Him. Let's read here 1 Timothy chapter 6. We're going to read verses 1 to 8. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor. that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemy. The last thing we want to do is bring shame upon Christ. Right? By our actions or by our words. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren. but rather do them service because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness. Now he's going to give us a description of false teachers. He is proud, knowing nothing. Look at that. People peddling false gospels, men and women peddling false gospels, know nothing. And I'm not trying to disparage them. That's what the scriptures say. When I was in religion, I knew nothing. Look at that. but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds. In destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness, from such withdraw thyself." What a description of false teachers, eh? Thinking gain is godliness. These false preachers on TV saying, give me your seed money. Gaining all that money from those folks. Have no care for their souls. peddling a false Christ and a false spirit. Peddling decisional regeneration rather than Holy Spirit regeneration. Saying you just gotta pray a prayer or you gotta make a decision for Christ. Well, you know what? Christ drew me to Him. Praise His mighty name. He gave me faith the Holy Spirit regenerated me and gave me faith to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ And I was made willing just like you brother in the day of God's power And we praise his name Look it says here now Says but godliness with contentment. Oh, there's that word again is great gain. Godliness there is just believing Christ. Believing Christ, looking to Christ as the all-sufficient Savior. And look at that. For godliness with contentment is great gain. So, looking to our Savior and having contentment is great gain for us. Because it'll give us peace amidst the strife of this world. And notice that? It's all about Christ, isn't it? It's all about Him. We can't have contentment outside of Christ. We can't be made holy outside of Christ. We don't know the gospel outside of Christ. Isn't that amazing? I always get excited when someone gets interested in the gospel and starts asking questions, because that's not natural. That's not natural. Look at this. For we bought nothing into this world. Absolutely nothing. Right? And it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and remnant, let us be there with content. There it is again. Let us be content. You got food and clothing? I got food and clothing. Let's be content. That's more than a lot of people have. Right? So this message is about contentment. We see in verse 6 there of 1 Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain. Again, contentment can only come to us by the power of God the Holy Spirit. And we can only really be content if we're in Christ. And with contentment comes peace. Comes peace, beloved. Knowing that God is working all things for his glory and for our good. And that's truth. Here are some truths that will surely give every born-again blood-washed believer in Christ contentment. And when we become discontented, let us think about these truths that we're going to look at today. And I guarantee you, I know, I know from experience, it'll give you peace. I was listening to a message on Friday night by Brother Lance Heller. I was telling Sister Karen about this. And then he said, time is molded around God's will and purpose. Time is not molded around you and I, beloved. God has a purpose for eternity, doesn't he? A will and purpose. And time, that we're locked in, is molded around that. All the events that are occurring are all occurring according to God's will and purpose. Now that can give us contentment. Because we see something flare up over here, we see something flare up over there. God's on the throne. We don't understand why these things are happening. And I was telling Vicki, I said, watching those protesters, I'm watching those protesters, and I'm thinking, you know, people say, oh, God's the author of sin, the way you guys preach. No, I'm watching those folks, and God's just letting them be themselves. He's not the author of that. They're in their own wickedness. And Charlie, you and I would have been there with them if God hadn't changed our hearts. We may have been on one side or the other, but we'd have been there. I'd have been there. But praise God. He saved me. Translated me from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of his dear Son. Aren't you thankful, beloved? Because we are no different than them, except for the grace of God. It really hits home, doesn't it, when we start to think about that. We're no different than them, except for the grace of God. So time is molded around God's will and purpose. Let us ponder that, that all things are happening for our good, but more importantly, for God's glory. And His will and purpose will not be thwarted. Do you know that it was His will and purpose to save us? And that had to occur in time, didn't it? And He came into time and space. He was outside of time and space. He came into time and space. and redeemed us. And then we were born into this world dead in trespasses and sins with no hope. And the Holy Spirit, when we were born again, came and regenerated us and gave us faith to believe on Christ. And all that happened according to the will and purpose of God. We were born exactly where we are supposed to be born. We were under the preacher that we exactly were supposed to be under or even listening to. And born again, just like that. Isn't that amazing? We may have sat in church for years, not heard nothing. But that time of love came, didn't it? Born again. We may be now at church. Right? Not having any care. That time of love came, didn't it, Brother Charlie? We're born again by the Holy Spirit of God. And here we are together, gathered together, a family of the Lord's people. Hearts knit together in love. Did any of us in our natural state think we would be here? No. But it was all according to God's will and purpose. And time is all, it's wrapped around the will and purpose of God. Isn't that wonderful? Our grandparents, our great-grandparents were moved to where they were moved to so that we could be born right where we were born. Think of that. Think of some of us have family from way back in Europe. Probably all of us. You go back far enough, right? We're all sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, right? But think of that. All our generations of our families were moved so that we would be to where we were right here today, gathered together in this church. Isn't that amazing? What a gift from God, hey, to be able to be here and rejoice in the gospel together. So that can bring us contentment, can't it? And let us consider that contentment comes to we believers in this world, number one, knowing that the purpose of God is being accomplished. So we can have contentment in this world knowing that God's will is being accomplished right now, right this very second in this world. And for all the seconds until he comes again. And we are living in this world where his will and his purpose is being accomplished. That's amazing. The purpose of God is right now being accomplished all around the world. It's absolutely amazing. All things that have ever come to pass in this world, both great and small, both prosperous and adverse, both pleasing and painful, both good and evil came to pass according to God's eternal, immutable, unalterable purpose. We may learn this truth in our hearts, and beloved God, if we learn this by the power of God, it will help us to find contentment. in this world, to know that God is working all things according to His purpose, right now. And it's always been that way. Turn, if you would, to Romans chapter 11. Romans chapter 11. We'll read verses 33 to 36. Look at this. Romans chapter 11 verses 33 to 36. Oh the depth of the riches both of wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out. People say, I want to know the will of God. Well, it says here that his ways are past finding out. We see the unfolding, don't we, of the will and purpose of God in this life. My. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? See, he's not like us, beloved. He's not like a human. What human king do you know would give his life for peasants? none but the king of kings the lord jesus christ and lord of lords gave his life for sinners such as we my who hath known the mind of the lord who hath been his counselor he doesn't have anyone a our president has all kinds of counselors right aids and all god has none he don't need any For who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again. For of him, look at this, this is so beautiful. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things to whom be glory forever. Amen. My. Let us rest and be content in this world. knowing that God's purpose is being accomplished. And then let us consider contentment that comes to believers in this world comes from knowing that the providence of God is at work. He's not up there just, okay, I wound it up, I'm letting it go now, like a watchmaker. He's at work, isn't he? He's at work, beloved. Everything in heaven, earth, and hell is sovereignly ruled. God is sovereign in the world. God is sovereign in heaven. God is sovereign in hell. His wrath is there, right? David said, where can I go that you are not there? Oh my. And so what contentment we can have knowing that the province of God is at work, that he rules and reigns right now. Right now, beloved. And Everything in heaven, earth, and hell is sovereignly ruled, governed, and manipulated by God. He does whatever He pleases. When I say manipulated, I just mean He allows and causes things to happen, right? According to His will and purpose. And it's happening according to His holy purpose for the eternal spiritual good of His people. Nothing in this universe breathes or moves without God's decree and without God's direction. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose, Romans 8.28. He's ruling right now. He's reigning right now, beloved. And let us consider that contentment comes to we believers in this world and learning that the power of God is at work. It's at work in this world. It's at work in us, isn't it? molding us and conforming us to the image of Christ. It's amazing. Why do we hate sin the more and the longer we're here on earth? Because we're growing in grace. And where do we hate it most? Right in here, don't we? Because we're growing in grace, beloved. I don't have to point my fingers and say, look at those folks over there in Portland. No. Oh, look right here. Oh, my goodness. Praise God. He saved my soul. Rejoice, beloved God. Our God is almighty. He has all power. All power. He's demonstrated that power in our lives. You know how? Because we weren't willing to come to him, and he made us willing. He regenerated us, didn't he? He gave us faith to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. And now we cry, salvations of the Lord! It had nothing to do with us. It's all Him! By the grace of God. It's wonderful. Our Savior is in full control, beloved. Do you know He's all-powerful, He's all-knowing, and He has purposed us good. Think of that verse. I'm going to read it again. We know that all things work together to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Look at that. God's purpose good for His people. Now, we go through things in this world just like everybody else, don't we? But it's purposed for our good and for God's glory. Isn't that amazing? Our God's almighty. He's all-powerful. He's all-knowing. And he has purposed us good, and he has the power to accomplish that purpose. Remember, we humans, we say, oh, I want to do this, and there's a lot of things I want to do, but I don't have the power to do them. what God says will come to pass, and He has the power to make it come to pass. We're living proof of that. We're redeemed by the Lamb. He sent His Son into this world to save us from our sins and shed His blood on Calvary's cross to redeem us. And because the Lord Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, He's got the power to accomplish that, doesn't He? And he did. And God, Holy Spirit, has the power, and we're living proof of this, he has the power to take rebels in heart and turn them into ones who praise his mighty name. That's a miracle of grace, beloved. And that's an exercise of his almighty power. My, he cannot be frustrated or defeated. You often see leaders get frustrated with things going on. Oh, they didn't listen to me. Frustrated. Defeated. You know, Christ never, our great God's never frustrated, never defeated. Never. He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand or say to him, What doest thou? Or in this way, what are you doing? Right? No one can say that to God. And man shaking their fist and saying, I don't believe in you, does not change his will and purpose one iota. Because that's our natural state, isn't it? That's the pit we were taken out of. Never forget the rock we were hewn from. As we see stuff going on in the world, never forget, that's what we were delivered from. And we're just saved sinners, that's all we are. But see how these things can help us be content, knowing that God's will and purpose is being accomplished, knowing that he has all power. Now, let us consider this. The contentment that comes to we believers in this world in the fact of the presence of God is always with his people. Always. Think of this. We've had people who've come and gone in our lives. Some before we were saved and some after we were saved. Some we had very close times with, who vanished from our lives. And some of those situations may have brought tears. May have brought tears. May have brought great sorrow. Some may have left a wound that's still not healed. but is healing. Let we who are the redeemed take great comfort in the fact that although others may leave us, may abandon us, may forsake us, the Lord Jesus Christ never will leave His blood-bought people. Turn, if you would, to Hebrews chapter 13, This is my life verse. Some situations occurred in my life before I became a preacher. And this is a verse that the Lord really impressed upon my heart. It means so much to me. This verse is found in chapter 13, it's verse 5. Let your conversation, now conversation there is lifestyle in the Greek. So let your lifestyle be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have. For he, that being Christ, has said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. And then look at the next verse. So that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper. And I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Now, see the word never there, where he says, I will never leave thee? It's in the triple negative in the Greek. The triple negative. Listen to this verse translated by a Greek scholar. Listen for the I will nots here. Listen to this. Let your manner of life be without love of money, being satisfied with your present circumstances. So being content with the circumstances that we find ourselves in. For he himself, being Christ, has said in the statement that is on record, I love that, I will not, I will not cease to sustain and uphold you. I will not, I will not cease to sustain and uphold you. And then it goes on again. I will not, I will not. Again. Or it goes this way. I will not, I will not, I will not let you down. My! So that being of good courage, we say, the Lord is my helper. I will not fear what man shall do to me. Look at that. I will not, I will not, I will not. He'll never leave us. He's with us right now. Every second of this life, beloved. He said, I'll never, I'll never, I'll never leave you. How many times have we felt like, oh my Lord, where are you? I'll never, I'll never, I'll never leave you. Oh my. Now that could give us contentment, can't it? That can give us joy, that can give us comfort, knowing that God is with us, that Christ our Savior is ever with us. And this truth, oh, can make us so content in this world of woe. If we can get a sense of this, of the presence of God with us all the time? That there's not a second that goes by without our Savior being right with us? Not a second. In our lowest times of our faith, when our faith is so weak, which is a lot of times, He's with us. He's ever faithful. Here he said, I will not, I will not, I will not leave you. My, so that we can say to each other, the Lord's our helper by the grace of God. He's our helper. We won't fear what man can do to us. Oh my. May God burn this truth into our hearts that the presence of God is always with us. Lastly, let us consider that contentment comes to we believers in this world in learning the promises of God. All the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ for his people. Open the book of God's promises and find a rich source of contentment for your soul. To we who are in Christ Jesus, all the promises are yea and amen in Christ for we who are his people. But as God is true, that our word towards you was yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. Salvation is of the Lord. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him, amen, unto the glory of God by us. And that's 2 Corinthians chapter 1, verses 18 to 20. And what do we say? Amen and amen. Brother Travis, can you close us in prayer?