1 00:00:00,300 --> 00:00:02,600 I want invite your attention to the book of Philippians, the 2 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:05,000 fourth chapter. And we want to begin reading 3 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,600 there in verse 9. And we'll go down through verse 4 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:12,000 13, Philippians chapter 4 beginning in verse 9. 5 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:17,100 Paul said these things or those things which you have learned 6 00:00:17,100 --> 00:00:19,700 and received and heard and seen in me. 7 00:00:19,700 --> 00:00:24,800 Do and the God of Peace shall be with you, but I rejoiced in the 8 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:28,900 Lord greatly that now at the last your care of me shall have 9 00:00:28,900 --> 00:00:31,100 flourished again. We're in. 10 00:00:31,100 --> 00:00:33,900 You were also careful, but you lacked opportunity. 11 00:00:34,500 --> 00:00:38,400 Not that I speak in respect of want for I have learned in 12 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:39,600 whatsoever. State. 13 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:44,500 I am therewith to be content. I know how I know both how to be 14 00:00:44,500 --> 00:00:47,900 abased and I know how to abound everywhere. 15 00:00:47,900 --> 00:00:51,700 And in all things I am instructed both to be full and 16 00:00:51,700 --> 00:00:55,400 to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need. 17 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:59,500 I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. 18 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:03,200 This evening for a little while. We're going to talk about the 19 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:05,200 Apostle, Paul said various things. 20 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:08,500 In fact, he said the things that are on the board and then he's 21 00:01:08,500 --> 00:01:11,800 going to say something in verse 9, that the things that you have 22 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:15,100 heard, the things that you have learned and the things that you 23 00:01:15,100 --> 00:01:20,400 have seen in me, do He gave us more of an assignment. 24 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:23,600 That's an extension of what we talked about this morning, he 25 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:26,900 gave us things to do. And when he says all of that, 26 00:01:26,900 --> 00:01:31,200 then he says that he has learned that regardless, of the state he 27 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:34,400 was in, he has learned therewith to be content. 28 00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:37,800 And finally, he said, I can do all things through Christ, which 29 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:40,000 strengthens me. We'll talk about these things 30 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:42,800 for a while tonight. Before we do though, at this 31 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:46,300 time, let us pray, the great thing about the words that Paul 32 00:01:46,300 --> 00:01:50,900 records here in our text, And in this entire chapter is what Paul 33 00:01:50,900 --> 00:01:54,000 is doing is though he was writing to specific people, 34 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:57,800 these things by divine inspiration off for you and I 35 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:02,100 even today and the great thing about the things that he said is 36 00:02:02,100 --> 00:02:05,700 basically in essence. He could begin this chapter by 37 00:02:05,700 --> 00:02:10,600 saying whoever or wherever somebody would be, this is a 38 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:15,300 formula for success in living the Christian Life and up until 39 00:02:15,300 --> 00:02:17,900 the point that Paul's letter, that we're going to talk about 40 00:02:17,900 --> 00:02:19,800 tonight. You remember very briefly? 41 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:23,300 This is what he said. He said be anxious or careful 42 00:02:23,300 --> 00:02:27,100 for nothing, but instead of doing that, pray about 43 00:02:27,100 --> 00:02:29,200 everything. And you remember this morning, 44 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:33,200 we talked specifically on the type of prayer, the Apostle Paul 45 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:37,300 said in everything and that's an absolute with prayer and 46 00:02:37,300 --> 00:02:40,600 supplication. And with Thanksgiving, let your 47 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:45,300 requests be made known unto God. Then when you do that, you have 48 00:02:45,300 --> 00:02:48,800 further things that you must do, if you would understand and the 49 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:52,200 assignment that we have to be successful in living the 50 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:56,900 Christian life is to think or meditate on proper things. 51 00:02:56,900 --> 00:03:00,400 And if you remember this morning, how important it is not 52 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:04,700 only to meditate on serious things and to be very selective 53 00:03:04,700 --> 00:03:08,600 about what you meditate upon of spiritual things. 54 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:10,500 That's true. And that's good. 55 00:03:10,500 --> 00:03:14,500 But remember this morning we talked about even casual 56 00:03:14,500 --> 00:03:17,100 contemplation is under consideration. 57 00:03:17,100 --> 00:03:23,200 Be Careful of what we allow to go inside and what we think, or 58 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:26,100 meditate upon. But, you know, we can do 59 00:03:26,100 --> 00:03:29,700 everything that Paul has said, we can be anxious for nothing, 60 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:33,600 we can pray about everything and we can actually sit down on a 61 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:38,000 regular basis and meditate or think upon all the spiritual 62 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:42,600 things that we should. But if we don't do what's next, 63 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:46,000 our life is not in accordance with God's will. 64 00:03:46,100 --> 00:03:50,000 We will not be successful. We We will fail because the 65 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:52,800 Apostle Paul continued his discourse. 66 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:56,900 And as all these things are very important, this is equally 67 00:03:56,900 --> 00:04:00,000 important. And Paul said this the things 68 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:03,500 that you have heard the things that you have seen the things 69 00:04:03,500 --> 00:04:07,800 that you have learned from me, do those things? 70 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:11,700 You know, when we look at the things that are seen in Paul, we 71 00:04:11,700 --> 00:04:13,600 find various things that we can learn. 72 00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:18,700 For example, the Apostle Paul was one who was always striving. 73 00:04:18,700 --> 00:04:22,000 I love this. He was striving for Perfection, 74 00:04:22,300 --> 00:04:23,800 though. He admitted. 75 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:27,200 He was not perfect. The Apostle Paul had a great 76 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:32,200 desire to press on to reach the goal, regardless of bonds or 77 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:34,700 regardless of any other obstacle. 78 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:39,400 In his way, he described in one place, the Christian Life as a 79 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:44,000 race and he said that you must press on for the mark, you must 80 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:47,300 press on for the prize. And you know what else? 81 00:04:47,300 --> 00:04:49,400 He said, he said, it's like this. 82 00:04:49,700 --> 00:04:53,900 When I'm going to press on and press on properly for the prize, 83 00:04:54,100 --> 00:04:57,800 I am not going to be one that starless I'm not going to be 84 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:03,000 one, that's just tossed to and fro with no aim whatsoever and 85 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:06,200 no goal whatsoever. You know what he said? 86 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:08,400 He said I'm not going to live aimlessly. 87 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:10,500 E. I'm going to bring my body into 88 00:05:10,500 --> 00:05:14,400 subjection and I'm going to be like one that's a boxer that 89 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:19,600 does not go and beat the air and just swing carelessly with no 90 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:21,700 aim. He said I am going to live the 91 00:05:21,700 --> 00:05:25,400 Christian Life and I am going to be successful in doing so 92 00:05:25,500 --> 00:05:28,500 because it's like a race. I'm going to bring my body into 93 00:05:28,500 --> 00:05:32,600 subjection and I'm going to do that which is right and my eye 94 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:38,600 is going to remain on the prize. You know, all of us that teach 95 00:05:39,300 --> 00:05:42,700 sometimes we have little favorite things that we say and 96 00:05:42,700 --> 00:05:45,200 sometimes they find their self reoccurring. 97 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:48,600 When we stand in the Pulpit, just various things that maybe 98 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:52,100 we think about or various things that mean a lot to us. 99 00:05:52,300 --> 00:05:53,900 So we try to convey those things. 100 00:05:53,900 --> 00:05:56,500 Like, one of the things that I love about Terry. 101 00:05:57,200 --> 00:05:59,800 One thing that he says that, he always says in his lessons are 102 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:05,200 seems to, is he talks about the prize, he talks about keeping 103 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:10,400 your eye On the prize, the Bible talks about if by an eye be 104 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:13,700 single. If we don't keep our eyes fixed 105 00:06:13,700 --> 00:06:18,000 on the prize, we are destined for failure, we are going to let 106 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:20,000 up. Listen, I've run and races and I 107 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:23,700 know maybe some of you have to, but when you're exhausted and 108 00:06:23,700 --> 00:06:26,700 you're absolutely in track, they called hitting the wall, you're 109 00:06:26,700 --> 00:06:30,000 exhausted lactic acid. Is now built up in your legs. 110 00:06:30,100 --> 00:06:32,100 And listen. If you've ever done that, your 111 00:06:32,100 --> 00:06:35,200 legs become like tree trunks, you can't breathe. 112 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:38,200 You got to paint in your Side. And that we are going in is 113 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:44,200 burning your lungs. but if you can look up, And see the end. 114 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:49,700 If you can look up and see the Finish Line, somehow some way 115 00:06:49,700 --> 00:06:54,800 you find a way to reach down deep inside and bring up enough 116 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,900 strength to get there and finish. 117 00:06:58,300 --> 00:07:01,600 But you know, Paul talked about things like not only is it ok? 118 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:06,000 Or not only is it required to strive but Paul said that you 119 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:10,300 must strive lawfully. You know it's very sad tonight 120 00:07:10,300 --> 00:07:13,600 that there are many wonderful people in the world. even right 121 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:18,400 now as I speak, they're going out and doing something thinking 122 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:23,200 that they're striving and they are But they're not striving 123 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:29,100 lawfully and if we do not strive lawfully that does us no good as 124 00:07:29,100 --> 00:07:31,300 well. You know, Jesus spoke of this 125 00:07:31,300 --> 00:07:34,300 when he pictured the Judgment scene and Jesus said that 126 00:07:34,300 --> 00:07:37,100 there's going to be those that are there in attendance that's 127 00:07:37,100 --> 00:07:41,000 going to be very surprised. Now, let me just say this in 128 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:44,700 Matthew 25, I don't know. For sure, whether he's saying 129 00:07:44,800 --> 00:07:48,400 this is actually, what is going to be said on the day of 130 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:53,000 judgment or these are things that could be said, Ed had words 131 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,700 been possible to say at that time. 132 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:58,600 I'll tell you what, I think, and you can take it or leave it as 133 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,400 you would. But I know this, I know for 134 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:03,600 sure, there are things that I don't know for sure about the 135 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:06,400 judgment and you too. But I know for sure it's a day 136 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:10,300 of sentencing, I know that and I kind of picture in my mind that 137 00:08:10,300 --> 00:08:12,400 it's not going to be a lot of discussion. 138 00:08:12,500 --> 00:08:15,700 There's not going to be a lot of whole things to say Jesus 139 00:08:15,700 --> 00:08:18,100 Christ. As the righteous judge on his 140 00:08:18,100 --> 00:08:21,600 throne is going to do this and separate the sheep from the 141 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:24,100 goats. Now listen, if we can actually 142 00:08:24,100 --> 00:08:28,300 have a discussion farther or Beyond when we all bow the knee 143 00:08:28,300 --> 00:08:32,500 before Jesus and all confess him and all do that, we're all going 144 00:08:32,500 --> 00:08:34,900 to do that even you. And I even though we've done it 145 00:08:34,900 --> 00:08:36,600 in this life, we're going to do it again. 146 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:40,799 The question is, when every knee shall bow and every tongue shall 147 00:08:40,799 --> 00:08:44,800 confess that Jesus is Lord, the question would be, is it going 148 00:08:44,800 --> 00:08:48,100 to do us any good? If the only time that somebody's 149 00:08:48,100 --> 00:08:53,400 done that is on that day, they did not strive Awfully so saying 150 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:55,500 all that. Jesus pictures in the 25th 151 00:08:55,500 --> 00:08:59,300 chapter of the Book of Matthew, this scene and he said, people 152 00:08:59,300 --> 00:09:03,500 are going to say, Lord Lord, did we not prophesy in thy name? 153 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:05,600 Did we not cast out Devils? Did we? 154 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:10,300 Not do many wonderful works and did we also, did we not do those 155 00:09:10,300 --> 00:09:15,300 things in your name and Jesus said, I will say unto them 156 00:09:15,300 --> 00:09:19,700 depart from me. I never knew you ye that work 157 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:22,600 iniquity. All if we don't Strive for the 158 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:27,500 prize like Paul said than very, sadly will be disqualified from 159 00:09:27,500 --> 00:09:29,700 the race. You know, we can certainly look 160 00:09:29,700 --> 00:09:33,600 to the Apostle Paul as our example today and see that he 161 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:35,900 had great concern for his Brethren. 162 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:38,600 That was wonderful. As we look at the example of 163 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:41,800 Paul, you know, Paul was one that didn't stand for things 164 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:43,700 that were wrong. He stood against things that 165 00:09:43,700 --> 00:09:47,300 were wrong, he stood strong and he stood firm and there was a 166 00:09:47,308 --> 00:09:49,700 time that he had even rebuked Peter. 167 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:51,800 Remember, Peter, he rebuked him to his. 168 00:09:51,900 --> 00:09:55,400 His face because Peter would not eat with the Gentiles. 169 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:59,700 And Peter of all people, of all, men should have known that. 170 00:09:59,700 --> 00:10:04,100 The Gentiles were accepted in God's fault, because he was the 171 00:10:04,100 --> 00:10:07,500 one that received the vision. He was the one when the Great 172 00:10:07,500 --> 00:10:11,100 sheet on four corners fell down and all manner of beasts were on 173 00:10:11,100 --> 00:10:14,800 it and Peter in this Vision when he was hungry, he heard the word 174 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:18,000 of the Lord say, Peter rise kill and eat. 175 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:20,200 He said not. So Lord, I have never eaten 176 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:23,400 anything that is. Owen or unclean. 177 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:27,400 And the Bible says that the Lord said, what I have cleansed or 178 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:33,100 what I have considered. Okay, let no man call common or 179 00:10:33,100 --> 00:10:36,600 unclean know, of all people. When he went and saw that the 180 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:41,000 Holy Spirit came to those, those Gentiles in the household of 181 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:44,000 Cornelius, Peter should have known better, but Peter made a 182 00:10:44,008 --> 00:10:47,700 mistake and Paul withstood him to the face. 183 00:10:48,100 --> 00:10:49,900 Oh, he loved his Brethren, though. 184 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:52,500 He stood for what was right, but he loved his Brethren. 185 00:10:52,500 --> 00:10:55,200 What a wonderful example that he is. 186 00:10:55,300 --> 00:10:59,000 He was one who was constantly making mention of certain ones 187 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:01,300 in his prayer. There's he was one that also 188 00:11:01,300 --> 00:11:07,400 said, one time I thank God always on your behalf, you know, 189 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:09,900 wouldn't it have been great to been on the list, the prayer 190 00:11:09,900 --> 00:11:13,000 list of the Apostle Paul because he spoke of it. 191 00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:17,300 So often and he spoke of all of those that he mentioned in 192 00:11:17,300 --> 00:11:20,100 prayer. You know, when we look to the 193 00:11:20,100 --> 00:11:25,400 example of Paul may we always also follow his example, with 194 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:29,500 reference to his concern for those that are lost. 195 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:32,900 Notice what he says. He's not only saying that this 196 00:11:32,900 --> 00:11:35,400 is a job for me to do. That's been given to me. 197 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:39,400 This is a task that I've been given to do a charge that I must 198 00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:43,600 keep, he takes it even further. And notice what Paul said with 199 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:48,000 regards to his understanding of what it was for him to do. 200 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:50,700 And preaching the gospel. Notice what he says in Romans 201 00:11:50,700 --> 00:11:57,400 chapter 1 beginning in verse 14, he said I am a debtor He said, I 202 00:11:57,400 --> 00:12:02,300 am indebted to do this. You know, a debt is something 203 00:12:02,300 --> 00:12:07,100 that we have to pay. When I choose to do something, 204 00:12:07,100 --> 00:12:10,200 that's different. I can choose to do various 205 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:13,800 things in my life. Paul is saying, this is not a 206 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:15,900 choice. I am a debtor. 207 00:12:16,700 --> 00:12:19,800 He said, I am indebted. I am and I am a debtor both to 208 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:22,600 the Greeks, and to The Barbarians, both to the wise and 209 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:26,600 to the unwise. So as much as in me, I am ready 210 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:31,000 to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also for I am not 211 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:34,600 ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto 212 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:38,500 salvation to everyone that believeth to the Jew first and 213 00:12:38,500 --> 00:12:42,400 also to the Greek. What an example it is for That 214 00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:45,700 we look to the life of Paul and look to the teachings of Paul 215 00:12:45,700 --> 00:12:49,800 and the example of Paul as one that was indebted to preach the 216 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:54,000 gospel and follow those efforts to save those that are lost. 217 00:12:54,100 --> 00:12:57,500 Oh if we could only have the joy in the suffering that the 218 00:12:57,500 --> 00:13:01,800 Apostle Paul was able to do and actually could rejoice in 219 00:13:01,800 --> 00:13:05,200 Tribulation, like he spoke of from time to time. 220 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:07,300 What if we could actually do this? 221 00:13:07,500 --> 00:13:09,900 What if we can be in bonds, like Paul? 222 00:13:09,900 --> 00:13:12,100 We can be in bonds, waiting and impending. 223 00:13:12,300 --> 00:13:16,100 Trial, that's going to end up inevitably quite possibly, and 224 00:13:16,100 --> 00:13:20,100 he knew this in his own execution, but listen to live in 225 00:13:20,100 --> 00:13:24,000 such a way, have a faith. That is such that he could say 226 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:27,100 that regardless of whatever state that I am, and it makes no 227 00:13:27,100 --> 00:13:30,300 difference even in the bonds that I am currently in. 228 00:13:30,300 --> 00:13:35,300 Right now, I am content. Now, you know, he never said, 229 00:13:35,300 --> 00:13:40,500 I'm just so happy. In all the trials of life, he 230 00:13:40,500 --> 00:13:42,700 didn't say, man, I'm really enjoying this. 231 00:13:43,300 --> 00:13:49,600 No, he says, I am content in this, more on that in just a 232 00:13:49,608 --> 00:13:51,900 moment, you know what he's saying? 233 00:13:51,900 --> 00:13:57,100 Is he saying the idea of being content contentment defined is 234 00:13:57,200 --> 00:14:02,900 the follows it is Desiring. No more than what one has it 235 00:14:02,900 --> 00:14:06,800 comes from the Greek word arkeo which means simply to be 236 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:09,900 satisfied. I'd the idea is that when one is 237 00:14:09,900 --> 00:14:15,000 content, he is satisfied with what he has with no desire for 238 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:19,300 more covetousness, no longer becomes a problem and that's 239 00:14:19,300 --> 00:14:22,600 really what he's speaking of in. Just a moment, Paul is going, 240 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:26,400 we're going to talk about how Paul spoke of covetousness and 241 00:14:26,400 --> 00:14:30,600 what he's saying is this, as covetousness is a problem, and 242 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:36,200 covetousness is a sin, being content is the antidote for such 243 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:40,000 a sin. The same thing as praying about 244 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:43,500 everything is the antidote for being anxious. 245 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:48,000 He's giving us a formula and a pattern to be successful. 246 00:14:48,100 --> 00:14:51,800 He was not saying go out there and living the Christian Life 247 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:54,500 and be poor. He was not saying go live in a 248 00:14:54,508 --> 00:14:57,500 tent somewhere. He was not saying, don't ever 249 00:14:57,500 --> 00:15:01,200 buy something that's in this world, that we would consider 250 00:15:01,500 --> 00:15:07,000 things, or Frills or whatever. Let me just say this. 251 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:12,800 I am not saying that there's anything wrong with things. 252 00:15:14,100 --> 00:15:18,400 When we speak of contentment, Paul is not saying don't ever 253 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:23,200 Aspire for one thing more, it's not saying that either. the 254 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:26,300 problem is, though, is covetousness, when we covet 255 00:15:26,300 --> 00:15:32,100 things of this world, And we covet them above what we should 256 00:15:32,900 --> 00:15:36,900 and are seeking and following after them becomes a mission, 257 00:15:36,900 --> 00:15:40,800 that we absolutely are derailed from our spiritual Christian 258 00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:45,000 Walk of Life in the pursuit of such that becomes an idol right 259 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:47,500 then and there and it could be a one dollar bill. 260 00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:49,400 It doesn't have to be making millions. 261 00:15:49,500 --> 00:15:53,700 It can be something very small but if it's not spiritual minded 262 00:15:53,700 --> 00:15:56,900 It's not the word of God. It's not following after the 263 00:15:56,900 --> 00:15:59,200 Christian Life. It's anything Thing, that 264 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:05,000 derails us that becomes an idol and idolatry is a sin. 265 00:16:05,700 --> 00:16:09,400 That's what he's talking about. I don't think there's one thing 266 00:16:09,400 --> 00:16:11,900 in the world wrong with going out and earning a living. 267 00:16:12,900 --> 00:16:14,700 I don't think. In fact, the Bible says we have 268 00:16:14,700 --> 00:16:18,500 to I don't think there's one thing in this whole world wrong 269 00:16:18,500 --> 00:16:21,100 with with me going out and trying to earn a little extra 270 00:16:21,100 --> 00:16:22,800 money. So I might be able to provide a 271 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:27,600 little better for my family or even have provide some enjoyment 272 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:29,300 in my family. I don't think that's wrong 273 00:16:29,300 --> 00:16:31,100 either. That's not the point. 274 00:16:32,500 --> 00:16:36,100 You remember, sometimes this is misquoted or misapplied, you 275 00:16:36,100 --> 00:16:38,600 remember when Jesus, we've talked about when Jesus spoke to 276 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:41,300 the rich fool, when he spoke to him, and I'm not going to talk 277 00:16:41,300 --> 00:16:43,000 about that. Now, we've spoke about that very 278 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:45,700 recently, but do you remember when Jesus spoke to the Rich 279 00:16:45,700 --> 00:16:48,400 Young Ruler. You remember what the rich young 280 00:16:48,400 --> 00:16:51,800 ruler asked, Jesus? Before he told him what to do? 281 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:56,100 He came to him and he wants to know, would you just give me the 282 00:16:56,100 --> 00:16:59,200 one thing? Give me the thing. 283 00:17:00,100 --> 00:17:03,100 Can you give me the thing? Just the thing. 284 00:17:03,100 --> 00:17:05,200 One thing. What do I need to do? 285 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:11,400 One thing to inherit eternal life and Jesus said, well, I'll 286 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:14,800 tell you, you go out and take all your possessions and you 287 00:17:14,800 --> 00:17:18,400 sell all of them, you get the money together and you take all 288 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:22,300 that money, and you give it to the poor, then you take up your 289 00:17:22,300 --> 00:17:27,500 cross and you follow me. Bible says, and we know Jesus 290 00:17:27,500 --> 00:17:30,000 was right in examining this man's heart because the Bible 291 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:31,900 says, he went away sorrowful for. 292 00:17:31,900 --> 00:17:36,300 He had great possessions. Jesus knew the one thing that he 293 00:17:36,300 --> 00:17:40,900 had to get rid of, because he was guilty of coveting these 294 00:17:40,900 --> 00:17:43,200 things. It wasn't his wealth. 295 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:47,200 Oh no, it wasn't his wealth at all when Jesus spoke of the rich 296 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:49,100 fool, it wasn't his wealth either. 297 00:17:49,100 --> 00:17:52,000 In fact, if you look at that Parable, you know what he is 298 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:55,300 this man actually sitting down. He is looking out over all he 299 00:17:55,300 --> 00:17:58,200 has As he's planning for his retirement, we call that a good 300 00:17:58,200 --> 00:18:02,100 Steward, don't we absolutely one problem. 301 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,900 This night thy Soul shall be required of thee. 302 00:18:06,300 --> 00:18:09,200 In all his plans, God was not in any one of them. 303 00:18:09,700 --> 00:18:13,000 That's the point. He must be first and all the 304 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:16,500 things that we see in Paul all the things that he has taught, 305 00:18:16,700 --> 00:18:19,400 we must do and apply in our life. 306 00:18:19,700 --> 00:18:23,600 Because Paul said, when after he said, all of these things, he 307 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:27,600 gives himself. As an example, of regardless of 308 00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:31,400 whatever he is gone through, whatever state he's in, he is 309 00:18:31,700 --> 00:18:34,300 content. And that was something that he 310 00:18:34,300 --> 00:18:38,200 learned, the Apostle Paul, is giving us this formula, and if 311 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:41,600 we do this, we will never be guilty of covetousness. 312 00:18:42,100 --> 00:18:44,600 You remember in the Apostle, Paul and Hebrews, the 13th 313 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:48,200 chapter, where he began the last chapter of the book of Hebrews 314 00:18:48,200 --> 00:18:51,200 and, you know, that I believe that the writer of Hebrews is in 315 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:56,100 fact, the Apostle Paul, he says four things in for Verses and 316 00:18:56,100 --> 00:18:59,700 then he's going to say the fifth thing in the fifth verse really 317 00:18:59,700 --> 00:19:02,200 quickly. This is what he says for things 318 00:19:02,200 --> 00:19:05,100 and four verses. He begins the last chapter of 319 00:19:05,100 --> 00:19:08,400 the book of Hebrews writing to Hebrew Brethren number one. 320 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:10,900 He said let Brotherly Love continue. 321 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:13,800 Secondly, show love towards strangers. 322 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:17,600 Thirdly, remember those that are in prison and others, who are 323 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:21,500 mistreated. And number four, he says hold 324 00:19:21,500 --> 00:19:25,700 fast fast or hold forth, the marriage and honor and abstain 325 00:19:25,700 --> 00:19:32,200 from fornication and adultery. You see in verse 4, He's talking 326 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:37,300 about the lust of the flesh, but in verse 5, he talks about the 327 00:19:37,300 --> 00:19:40,100 other things that are equally wrong. 328 00:19:40,300 --> 00:19:44,300 He talks about the lust of the eyes or coveting material 329 00:19:44,300 --> 00:19:47,200 things. Paul said, let your conversation 330 00:19:47,200 --> 00:19:51,700 be without covetousness and be content with such things as you 331 00:19:51,700 --> 00:19:54,800 have for. He has said, I will never leave 332 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:59,500 thee, nor forsake thee. All of these things are contrary 333 00:19:59,500 --> 00:20:02,900 to the love of the father. In 1st, John Chapter 2, 334 00:20:02,900 --> 00:20:07,400 beginning in verse 15, the Bible says, love not the world, 335 00:20:07,400 --> 00:20:09,400 neither the things that are in the world. 336 00:20:09,500 --> 00:20:13,300 If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him 337 00:20:13,500 --> 00:20:17,000 for all that is in the world. The lust of the flesh, the lust 338 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:21,200 of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father, but 339 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:24,900 is of the world and the world passeth away and the lust 340 00:20:24,900 --> 00:20:30,200 thereof, but he that doeth, the will of God abideth forever. 341 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:34,200 You know, covetousness I wonder tonight. 342 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:37,200 I do. I wonder tonight, I know there 343 00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:40,300 are folks that have done all they could but there are 344 00:20:40,300 --> 00:20:42,400 extenuating circumstances, I know that. 345 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:44,900 And I know we talked about this. In fact, folks, I've been trying 346 00:20:44,900 --> 00:20:47,000 to come up with maybe a different plan or a different 347 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:51,100 way to go about it. Because I tell you something, 348 00:20:51,100 --> 00:20:54,500 there are folks that hear what God's word says, with regards to 349 00:20:54,500 --> 00:20:58,100 their priorities and with regards to worship. 350 00:20:58,500 --> 00:21:00,500 And for some reason, I don't know why. 351 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:03,800 I don't know why it goes in one ear and goes out the other and 352 00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:07,100 they just well. Let It Go. 353 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:13,100 I just wonder this. I wonder how many people even 354 00:21:13,100 --> 00:21:17,100 among our number here? That don't have two nickels to 355 00:21:17,100 --> 00:21:21,800 rub together, but are guilty of covetousness have chosen 356 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:26,500 something else to fix their attention on instead of the 357 00:21:26,500 --> 00:21:29,800 Lord. I'm going to tell you folks, if 358 00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:32,200 that's the case, that's not going to get it. 359 00:21:33,100 --> 00:21:35,700 Paul said what you see and learn. 360 00:21:35,700 --> 00:21:41,500 And here in me, do you know, I know people have various things 361 00:21:41,500 --> 00:21:44,000 and struggles in their life. I really know that I understand 362 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:48,000 that I do. But I'm also convinced that the 363 00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:51,800 days of the days gone by are gone, by the days, when 364 00:21:51,800 --> 00:21:54,400 preachers used to be able to stand up and scare people with 365 00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:58,100 the word of God, it's gone. I don't know why that is. 366 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:02,200 I don't know why that people aren't afraid of what the word 367 00:22:02,200 --> 00:22:04,800 of God says anymore. And I'm not talking about 368 00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:08,400 everyone, I'm talking about a lot of people, there's a lot of 369 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:11,700 folks that here some hard preaching and walk right out the 370 00:22:11,700 --> 00:22:14,900 door and it doesn't have any effect on them at all. 371 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:18,200 I don't know. I know one thing though, folks, 372 00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:21,300 we got to figure out some way to tell them we really do. 373 00:22:21,600 --> 00:22:25,300 And I just wonder how it is. Even those among our number here 374 00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:29,800 that have just chosen other paths and other things. 375 00:22:30,600 --> 00:22:34,600 Well, the Apostle Paul says, if you are content really by 376 00:22:34,600 --> 00:22:38,200 definition, he's saying you will never be guilty of covetousness 377 00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:43,400 because by definition to be content is to be satisfied with 378 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:47,700 all that you have and your pursuit of more is not there. 379 00:22:47,800 --> 00:22:50,300 I want to notice with you the vought, the value of 380 00:22:50,300 --> 00:22:53,000 contentment. First of all, from the pain of 381 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:57,900 uninspired men, even the world knows this about being content. 382 00:22:58,200 --> 00:23:03,100 Socrates said he is richest, who is content with the least 383 00:23:03,100 --> 00:23:05,500 William? Shakespeare said he is well, 384 00:23:05,500 --> 00:23:10,400 paid that is well satisfied. There's an old Chinese proverb 385 00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:14,200 that says he who is content can never be ruined. 386 00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:18,400 Another man said, A contented man is never poor but the 387 00:23:18,400 --> 00:23:22,800 discontented is never rich. And the Apostle Paul. 388 00:23:22,800 --> 00:23:25,000 Here's the divinely inspired man. 389 00:23:25,300 --> 00:23:29,500 He wrote to the young evangelist Timothy in 1st, Timothy 6 and 6. 390 00:23:29,500 --> 00:23:35,900 He said, listen that godliness with contentment is great gain, 391 00:23:36,700 --> 00:23:38,300 you know, what he says is great game. 392 00:23:38,700 --> 00:23:42,700 He says, here's what's great game godliness. 393 00:23:43,900 --> 00:23:47,500 With contentment. That tells me the flip side of 394 00:23:47,500 --> 00:23:52,800 that that godliness without contentment is of no value 395 00:23:53,500 --> 00:23:59,000 godliness with contentment is great gain these things are 396 00:23:59,100 --> 00:24:04,000 expressed by the Apostle. Paul the idea of contentment was 397 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:08,200 exemplified by Fanny Crosby. Many of you know that name Fanny 398 00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:11,300 Crosby was a blind a blind songwriter and she wrote these 399 00:24:11,300 --> 00:24:16,700 words Oh, what a happy soul. Am I although I cannot see. 400 00:24:17,700 --> 00:24:19,700 I am resolved that in this world. 401 00:24:19,700 --> 00:24:23,000 Contended I would be How many blessings? 402 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:26,300 I enjoy that. Other people don't to weep 403 00:24:26,300 --> 00:24:32,600 inside because I'm blind, I cannot and I won't we see 404 00:24:32,600 --> 00:24:35,100 contentment exemplified by Helen Keller. 405 00:24:35,900 --> 00:24:38,800 Someone that was blind. Deaf mute and she wrote these 406 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:42,600 words they took away. What should have been my eyes, 407 00:24:42,600 --> 00:24:44,800 but I remembered Milton's Paradise. 408 00:24:45,500 --> 00:24:49,400 They took away what should have been my ears and Beethoven came 409 00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:52,500 and wiped away my tears. They took away. 410 00:24:52,500 --> 00:24:55,700 What should have been my tongue? But I talked with God when I was 411 00:24:55,700 --> 00:25:00,600 young, He would not let them take away my soul possessing 412 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:05,700 that I still possess the whole. Oh, and lastly, and certainly 413 00:25:05,700 --> 00:25:08,300 not least. We find contentment exemplified 414 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:12,200 in someone far greater than these and that was the Aged, 415 00:25:12,400 --> 00:25:16,500 great Apostle, Paul when he was in bonds and he said that even 416 00:25:16,500 --> 00:25:20,700 in his imprisonment, there was good, that was done. 417 00:25:20,700 --> 00:25:24,200 What a great attitude you ever met folks with great attitude I 418 00:25:24,200 --> 00:25:29,100 have, isn't it true? The ones that really don't have 419 00:25:29,100 --> 00:25:33,200 it all that bad usually are the ones that complain the most. 420 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:39,800 I've seen that maybe you have to But then in every crowd, there's 421 00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:43,400 always a little sister, that's just plodding along. 422 00:25:43,900 --> 00:25:47,400 There's a brother and they really have problems, but you 423 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:50,200 never hear about it. You never hear about it because 424 00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:53,400 they're too busy. They're too busy serving others. 425 00:25:53,500 --> 00:25:56,700 They're too busy being content in whatever state that they're 426 00:25:56,700 --> 00:26:00,900 in, they're too busy setting, their affections on things above 427 00:26:00,900 --> 00:26:02,800 that. The things of this world just 428 00:26:02,800 --> 00:26:05,700 pale in comparison and they do not matter. 429 00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:10,900 But it always seems like the folks that complain the most are 430 00:26:10,900 --> 00:26:15,300 the ones that do the least what Paul said in Philippians chapter 431 00:26:15,300 --> 00:26:19,700 1 and verses 12 through 14. He said but I would you should 432 00:26:19,700 --> 00:26:23,400 understand Brethren that in the things which happened unto me. 433 00:26:23,900 --> 00:26:28,200 They fallen out rather under the furtherance of the Gospel so 434 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:32,900 that my Bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and 435 00:26:32,900 --> 00:26:36,700 in all other places and many of the brethren in the Lord, 436 00:26:36,800 --> 00:26:40,900 Waxing, Confident by my bonds. Get this are much more bold to 437 00:26:40,900 --> 00:26:46,900 speak the word without fear. He was looking at his life, in a 438 00:26:46,900 --> 00:26:53,000 miserable condition in Bonds, in fear in anxiety and all that. 439 00:26:54,100 --> 00:26:56,500 All that was in his face, all that was before him. 440 00:26:56,500 --> 00:26:59,400 And yet he said this, this is good because others have looked 441 00:26:59,400 --> 00:27:02,500 to my example and now they're not afraid and they're speaking 442 00:27:02,500 --> 00:27:07,500 boldly the gospel, he saw the good even through his own 443 00:27:08,500 --> 00:27:12,000 imprisonment but remember this is easier said than done. 444 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:15,000 We understand that. And Paul said that contentment 445 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:19,000 was, something that he learned. The question is, before you. 446 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:23,700 And I tonight, as we wrap up, our study is what then can we 447 00:27:23,700 --> 00:27:26,300 do? What do we do in order to learn 448 00:27:26,300 --> 00:27:28,800 about God's? Providential care. 449 00:27:28,800 --> 00:27:32,200 What do we do to? So that we can learn about how 450 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:35,800 we can be content, regardless of whatever state that we are in 451 00:27:35,800 --> 00:27:39,000 first, of all. And, first and foremost, we must 452 00:27:39,008 --> 00:27:42,900 never lose sight of the fact that we have faith in a God, 453 00:27:42,900 --> 00:27:48,400 that has providential care over every single one of us and God 454 00:27:48,400 --> 00:27:51,900 is not going to leave his post. He is not going to leave his 455 00:27:51,900 --> 00:27:53,800 side. He's going to be there. 456 00:27:53,900 --> 00:27:57,800 There as our refuge. In fact God never leaves man 457 00:27:58,400 --> 00:28:04,600 until man leaves him. If we never leave God, he will 458 00:28:04,600 --> 00:28:07,900 never leave us. And we understand and God's, 459 00:28:07,900 --> 00:28:10,300 providential care. That God is going to be there 460 00:28:10,300 --> 00:28:12,800 for us. And we have faith, and we have 461 00:28:12,800 --> 00:28:17,000 trust in that. He's going to be our helper, you 462 00:28:17,000 --> 00:28:20,800 know, this is exactly what Jesus meant in Matthew chapter 6, on 463 00:28:20,800 --> 00:28:23,600 The Sermon, on the Mount. When Jesus said these words 464 00:28:23,600 --> 00:28:28,300 about God's providential care in Matthew chapter 6, beginning in 465 00:28:28,300 --> 00:28:33,500 verse 25, Jesus said, therefore I say Do you take no thought for 466 00:28:33,500 --> 00:28:36,500 your life? What you shall eat or what ye 467 00:28:36,500 --> 00:28:38,600 shall drink nor yet for your body? 468 00:28:38,600 --> 00:28:43,200 What ye shall put on is not the life more than meat and the body 469 00:28:43,200 --> 00:28:46,800 than raiment behold the fowls of the air for they sow, not 470 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:49,300 neither, do they reap nor gather into barns. 471 00:28:49,300 --> 00:28:54,300 Yet your heavenly father feedeth them are ye not much better than 472 00:28:54,300 --> 00:28:58,600 they, which of You by taking thought can add one cubit unto 473 00:28:58,600 --> 00:29:01,500 his stature and why take ye thought for raiment. 474 00:29:01,500 --> 00:29:05,400 The raiment consider the lilies of the field how they grow they 475 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:07,500 toil not neither. Do they spin? 476 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:12,900 And yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his glory was not 477 00:29:12,900 --> 00:29:17,200 arrayed like one of them. Wherefore if God so clothe the 478 00:29:17,200 --> 00:29:21,200 grass of the field which today is and tomorrow is cast out of 479 00:29:21,208 --> 00:29:24,200 the oven, shall he? Not much more clothe? 480 00:29:24,200 --> 00:29:28,300 You O ye of little faith. Therefore, take no thought 481 00:29:28,300 --> 00:29:31,400 saying what shall we eat or what shall we drink or wherewithal? 482 00:29:31,500 --> 00:29:36,600 With All, Shall we be clothed? For after all these things do 483 00:29:36,600 --> 00:29:40,000 the Gentiles seek for your heavenly father, knoweth that 484 00:29:40,000 --> 00:29:43,500 you have need of these things. But seek ye first, the kingdom 485 00:29:43,500 --> 00:29:47,200 of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be 486 00:29:47,200 --> 00:29:50,200 added unto you take. Therefore, no, thought for the 487 00:29:50,200 --> 00:29:53,200 morrow for the morrow, shall take thought for the things of 488 00:29:53,200 --> 00:29:56,200 itself. Sufficient unto the day is the 489 00:29:56,200 --> 00:30:02,100 evil, Thereof. You know, if God can clothe the 490 00:30:02,100 --> 00:30:07,300 flowers and the grass of the field. and in his providential 491 00:30:07,300 --> 00:30:11,900 care through nature, can take care of things that are kind of 492 00:30:11,900 --> 00:30:16,600 insignificant Surely, he can take care of our needs to 493 00:30:17,400 --> 00:30:21,900 surely, he can supply, every single thing that we need and 494 00:30:21,900 --> 00:30:24,300 Jesus says, oh, ye of little faith. 495 00:30:24,300 --> 00:30:27,400 Don't worry about that. Because if you do your part and 496 00:30:27,400 --> 00:30:30,000 you seek first, the kingdom, and you go out there and work with 497 00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:32,600 your hands, you can't be lazy and lay on the couch and hope 498 00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:36,700 everything works works out. No, we do our part. 499 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:40,700 And God takes care of the rest. True contentment, though. 500 00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:45,100 Comes when we realize or learn, what is really Valuable. 501 00:30:46,200 --> 00:30:48,600 And really important. Now, listen to me. 502 00:30:51,800 --> 00:30:56,500 I am not downplaying responsibilities in our life. 503 00:30:57,400 --> 00:31:00,900 I'm not saying that. But folks, when we have 504 00:31:00,900 --> 00:31:04,900 contentment, when we learn that, we don't learn that until we 505 00:31:04,900 --> 00:31:08,000 were able to figure out what really is important. 506 00:31:09,300 --> 00:31:11,400 You know, when we were younger I'm not picking on Young Folks 507 00:31:11,400 --> 00:31:14,400 because guess what, I was right there with you I was right there 508 00:31:14,400 --> 00:31:18,700 just as ignorant as can be, what happens when were young, you 509 00:31:18,700 --> 00:31:21,200 know, like the man said, one time love and youth is wasted on 510 00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:23,900 the young. They don't understand what they 511 00:31:23,900 --> 00:31:26,800 have. And sometimes when we're young, 512 00:31:26,800 --> 00:31:29,100 we're just all over the place. We're thinking about all manner 513 00:31:29,100 --> 00:31:31,600 of things. But I'll tell you this, I've 514 00:31:31,600 --> 00:31:35,700 learned some things and I know you have to and when we sit down 515 00:31:35,700 --> 00:31:39,700 and factor in and figure out what really is important, then 516 00:31:39,700 --> 00:31:43,700 every other thing in the world is not very important to us, 517 00:31:43,700 --> 00:31:52,000 then not really You know, aside from my soul and aside from 518 00:31:52,000 --> 00:31:55,500 serving the lord in all that's entailed in that aside from 519 00:31:55,500 --> 00:31:59,200 that. There's only one thing else in 520 00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:03,200 my life that is really of greater value. 521 00:32:04,300 --> 00:32:07,900 And that's my little three. That's my little family. 522 00:32:09,200 --> 00:32:13,000 You know, when you come to realize that what they really 523 00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:17,000 mean to you, I'll tell you for me, I love to go preach. 524 00:32:17,000 --> 00:32:19,000 I really do but I hate being away from home. 525 00:32:19,100 --> 00:32:22,400 I really do. And whenever I'm detached from 526 00:32:22,400 --> 00:32:25,700 them, man, it's like a big strobe light. 527 00:32:26,900 --> 00:32:30,700 Of what they mean to me. And I got to thinking about this 528 00:32:30,700 --> 00:32:33,700 just today. If the number one important 529 00:32:33,700 --> 00:32:38,500 thing in my life is my soul. And the number two important 530 00:32:38,500 --> 00:32:43,400 thing in my life is my family. What else is there? 531 00:32:44,400 --> 00:32:50,300 I mean really what else have you ever seen a hearse with a U-Haul 532 00:32:50,300 --> 00:32:53,300 trailer hooked up behind it? You never have. 533 00:32:53,300 --> 00:32:56,200 You know why? Because materially speaking. 534 00:32:56,500 --> 00:32:59,300 It's the end of the line. Here's that Undertaker. 535 00:32:59,300 --> 00:33:01,400 And he's going to take that casket, he's going to drop you 536 00:33:01,400 --> 00:33:05,400 down and guess what, everything? You've acquired everything that 537 00:33:05,400 --> 00:33:08,800 you have every material thing you have in your life and ever 538 00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:11,200 have made. It will not matter to you at 539 00:33:11,200 --> 00:33:13,700 that point in time. The only thing that's going to 540 00:33:13,708 --> 00:33:16,800 matter is what state your souls in and that's it. 541 00:33:18,800 --> 00:33:21,800 Your content when you understand about priorities. 542 00:33:23,200 --> 00:33:25,000 I talked about being away from home. 543 00:33:25,500 --> 00:33:28,400 Being away from home is not a location to me. 544 00:33:29,400 --> 00:33:34,400 Being away from home is being away from them. you know, that 545 00:33:34,400 --> 00:33:39,400 tells me this That tells me I have to great jobs. 546 00:33:39,800 --> 00:33:43,000 That's it of all the responsibilities that I will 547 00:33:43,000 --> 00:33:46,600 ever have in my life. I have two jobs that are of 548 00:33:46,600 --> 00:33:49,100 Great Value, everything else pales in comparison. 549 00:33:49,100 --> 00:33:52,000 Number one, number one, I got to get myself to Heaven. 550 00:33:52,500 --> 00:33:54,400 I have to have my soul, say that's number one. 551 00:33:54,400 --> 00:33:57,500 Number two, I have to succeed with them. 552 00:33:58,500 --> 00:34:03,500 That's it. Wouldn't it be awful to fail at 553 00:34:03,500 --> 00:34:06,800 one or both of them? I mean that's all that really 554 00:34:06,800 --> 00:34:10,699 matters. I understand my responsibilities 555 00:34:10,699 --> 00:34:13,100 as a husband and father, I don't want to fail at that. 556 00:34:14,300 --> 00:34:18,300 But I'll tell you this, if my responsibilities and the things 557 00:34:18,300 --> 00:34:21,500 that I do take me away from what should be first in my life, 558 00:34:21,500 --> 00:34:25,100 these little guys are watching. They're watching everything that 559 00:34:25,100 --> 00:34:28,600 we say and everything that we do they are following us. 560 00:34:29,600 --> 00:34:32,400 How are we doing? We succeeding. 561 00:34:33,900 --> 00:34:38,199 Or are we failing? Contentment comes folks. 562 00:34:38,199 --> 00:34:40,900 When you sit down and you realize over the years of all 563 00:34:40,900 --> 00:34:44,100 that you've gone through, or whatever it is, and you look out 564 00:34:44,100 --> 00:34:48,300 and see what's truly important, and you focus on those things 565 00:34:48,600 --> 00:34:51,300 and, you know, this old world can take every single thing, 566 00:34:51,699 --> 00:34:54,600 every single thing away that we have in our life. 567 00:34:55,400 --> 00:35:00,600 So it might hurt and sting, but it won't matter if we've done 568 00:35:00,600 --> 00:35:03,200 our job, right? And when they lay us down and we 569 00:35:03,200 --> 00:35:06,700 take that slow ride in that hearse and they lay our bodies 570 00:35:06,700 --> 00:35:09,000 down. It's not the end of the line for 571 00:35:09,000 --> 00:35:12,200 our soul and on the morning of the Resurrection, we get to go 572 00:35:12,200 --> 00:35:14,500 and be with Jesus and be with God in heaven. 573 00:35:14,900 --> 00:35:17,600 Then none of those things will ever matter. 574 00:35:17,900 --> 00:35:22,700 Finally, Paul said, he said, I can do all things through Christ 575 00:35:23,000 --> 00:35:26,600 which strengtheneth me. Have you ever heard somebody 576 00:35:26,600 --> 00:35:29,400 say? I have I remember back. 577 00:35:29,400 --> 00:35:34,000 I remember specifically a quarterback for the Rams when 578 00:35:34,000 --> 00:35:37,300 they won a Super Bowl and they interviewed him and he said 579 00:35:37,300 --> 00:35:40,300 this, they said, how did you do it? 580 00:35:40,700 --> 00:35:43,600 How did you win the game? And he said, well, this is a 581 00:35:43,600 --> 00:35:47,500 beautiful team that God has put together for this occasion for 582 00:35:47,500 --> 00:35:50,200 this purpose to accomplish his will and his purpose. 583 00:35:51,100 --> 00:35:54,100 And Jesus said, I can do all things through Christ, which 584 00:35:54,100 --> 00:35:57,900 strengthens me. Is that what Paul was talking 585 00:35:57,900 --> 00:36:00,700 about? Jesus doesn't care about a 586 00:36:00,707 --> 00:36:03,300 ballgame. He doesn't care about a sporting 587 00:36:03,300 --> 00:36:05,600 event. He doesn't care about any of 588 00:36:05,600 --> 00:36:08,800 that. He cares about people living in 589 00:36:08,800 --> 00:36:12,800 accordance with his will. That's what he cares about and 590 00:36:12,800 --> 00:36:16,500 if we all do our part, Paul said that their strengths that we 591 00:36:16,500 --> 00:36:21,300 have, that comes from the Lord to do it, that's the best saying 592 00:36:21,600 --> 00:36:24,400 we have strength. That only comes from the Lord to 593 00:36:24,400 --> 00:36:26,500 do all the things that Paul had said. 594 00:36:26,600 --> 00:36:29,800 Said and when we look at the things that Paul had said to do, 595 00:36:29,800 --> 00:36:33,300 they might seem very difficult and Paul is summing the whole 596 00:36:33,300 --> 00:36:35,900 thing up. Don't worry, I've learned all 597 00:36:35,900 --> 00:36:38,100 these things, this is what you're going to do to be 598 00:36:38,100 --> 00:36:41,500 successful, do what I said, do what you've learned? 599 00:36:41,500 --> 00:36:44,800 I've learned to be content, I'm in prison, but don't worry 600 00:36:44,800 --> 00:36:47,600 because whatever you go through, you'll be just like me. 601 00:36:47,800 --> 00:36:52,000 You can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. 602 00:36:53,700 --> 00:36:55,400 That's a tremendous blessing, folks. 603 00:36:57,200 --> 00:37:02,600 It really is. Finally, in conclusion. even 604 00:37:02,600 --> 00:37:05,400 though Paul is telling us that we must work out our own 605 00:37:05,400 --> 00:37:10,800 salvation, he talked that We're not left alone to do so in 606 00:37:10,800 --> 00:37:13,400 Philippians chapter 2 and verses 12 and 13. 607 00:37:13,400 --> 00:37:17,100 Paul said, wherefore my beloved as you have always obeyed. 608 00:37:17,100 --> 00:37:22,400 Not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence work 609 00:37:22,400 --> 00:37:25,900 out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God 610 00:37:25,900 --> 00:37:29,600 which worketh in you both to Will and to do of his good 611 00:37:29,600 --> 00:37:32,300 pleasure. The Christian is Promised the 612 00:37:32,300 --> 00:37:34,500 necessities of life. That's true. 613 00:37:35,200 --> 00:37:38,800 But folks look at the abundance of Spiritual blessings. 614 00:37:39,300 --> 00:37:43,600 We're not promised an abundance of physical or material things. 615 00:37:43,800 --> 00:37:46,800 But we are promised what really is valuable. 616 00:37:46,800 --> 00:37:49,800 And if our heart is on what it should be, and our Treasures 617 00:37:49,800 --> 00:37:51,500 laid up in heaven, it won't matter. 618 00:37:51,500 --> 00:37:53,600 You know why? Because the treasure we're going 619 00:37:53,600 --> 00:37:57,500 to get and the place we're going to go is far greater than all 620 00:37:57,500 --> 00:38:00,300 the money in the world and none of that matters. 621 00:38:00,400 --> 00:38:03,000 So what's he saying? He said what Jesus was saying, 622 00:38:03,100 --> 00:38:05,800 okay, you're taken care of do these things. 623 00:38:05,800 --> 00:38:08,700 That's all that matters. All That matters in your life 624 00:38:08,800 --> 00:38:11,800 and man is Their Blessings over there and you're going to get 625 00:38:11,800 --> 00:38:14,600 every one of them. You're going to have a mansion 626 00:38:14,600 --> 00:38:17,300 in heaven, you're going to walk on a street of gold, you're 627 00:38:17,300 --> 00:38:20,200 going to have all of these wonderful blessings and they 628 00:38:20,200 --> 00:38:23,300 won't just be here and there, it's an abundance of them. 629 00:38:25,200 --> 00:38:27,300 But don't worry to, I know. You got to earn a living. 630 00:38:27,300 --> 00:38:30,600 I know you got to support your family, put God first. 631 00:38:30,600 --> 00:38:33,600 Do your part set your affections on things above? 632 00:38:33,600 --> 00:38:36,300 Not on things on the earth? Lay your treasure up in heaven 633 00:38:36,600 --> 00:38:41,300 and God will provide the rest. That's reassuring to a 634 00:38:41,300 --> 00:38:44,000 Christian. That really is. 635 00:38:44,900 --> 00:38:48,600 Remember this morning though Remember this morning, when I 636 00:38:48,600 --> 00:38:54,500 said that meditation is imperative to renewing the mind 637 00:38:55,300 --> 00:38:59,200 and a person cannot really stay transformed if they'd stop 638 00:38:59,200 --> 00:39:02,100 renewing their mind. That's why. 639 00:39:02,100 --> 00:39:05,600 When we hear in God's word, certain things we need to keep 640 00:39:05,600 --> 00:39:07,700 hearing it. When we read things in God's 641 00:39:07,700 --> 00:39:09,000 word, we need to keep reading it. 642 00:39:09,000 --> 00:39:11,900 Why, why is that? Because in meditating upon these 643 00:39:11,900 --> 00:39:15,300 things, we are constantly renewing our mind. 644 00:39:16,400 --> 00:39:18,000 There's enough distraction of their folks. 645 00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:20,200 We need the word of God in our lives. 646 00:39:20,500 --> 00:39:24,300 That's all I have tonight. We thank you for listening to 647 00:39:24,300 --> 00:39:29,100 our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. 648 00:39:29,100 --> 00:39:32,600 Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional 649 00:39:32,600 --> 00:39:35,900 information or you would like to receive a free Bible 650 00:39:35,900 --> 00:39:41,400 correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at True 651 00:39:41,400 --> 00:39:43,800 Church of Christ Bakersfield.com. 652 00:39:44,500 --> 00:39:49,700 Our service times are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 653 00:39:49,700 --> 00:39:54,200 Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us. 654 00:39:54,700 --> 00:39:56,900 We would love for you to be our honored guest.