Contentment on SermonAudio

Dave Jenkins begins the November Equipping You in Grace series by examining God's sovereignty as the foundation of Christian contentment. From Psalm 115:3 and Romans 8:28–30, he explains how God's wisdom, goodness, and saving purposes sustain believers through suffering. Dave considers contentment amid grief, the meaning of God's promise to work all things for His people's good, and practical growth through Scripture, prayer, gratitude, the gathered church, and eternal hope. This episode encourages Christians to rest in Christ's sufficiency and live faithfully in difficult circumstances. For more from Equipping You in Grace, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/equipping-you-in-grace-2/

Theme: Jesus presents the privilege of prayer and points us to our urgent need of it 1. Content Matters 2. Urgent Expectation 3. The Father Who Hears

I. The Content of It II. What It Accomplishes III. Why It Has This Power

Lucifer was blessed of God and loved by God. This beautiful, powerful and wise angel was incredibly privileged. However, he was not content. Despite all that he had, he wanted more. It cost him everything that he had. What a warning to all who read his story. "Godliness with contentment is great gain." Are you thankful and humbled by what God has given to you? Or, would you waste all of God's goodness to have that which is not going to satisfy? (Ezekiel 28)

Because it is the teaching of Christ that brings life and health to the church, we must reject the arrogance of false teachers who stir up controversy and bring division by their attempts to promote themselves and their opinions that are contrary to Christ and His Word I. The Content of False Teaching vv 2b-3 II. The Character of False Teachers vv 4-5a III. The Corruption of False Teaching vv 5-6

On any given Sunday, I have three sermons. The first is the sermon manuscript I prepared during the week. The second is the sermon I actually preach which may differ from the manuscript. And the third sis the sermon I wish I would have preached. In reflection there are always things I wish I would have said or said differently. I wish I could add an addendum, a post script to my sermon. The preacher to the Hebrews sermon ends with the call to make a decision in chapter 12. It's either Mt Sinai and the fear of judgment, or Most Zion and the blessings of heaven. Chapter 13 is an addendum, a post script of important injunctions, parting words. The first five revolve around love. Our first love is brotherly love, then love of strangers, love for the persecuted Christian who may be imprisoned for their faith, love for our spouses by protecting the purity of ur marriage relationships, and then finally a love for God over money or material possessions. Learning to be content with what God has given to us rather than coveting what others might have. We can do so because God has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. And He has promised to be our present help in times of trouble. So, we are to love God above all else! The post script of love is really a script for life!

This sermon examines the concluding exhortations in Hebrews 13, emphasizing that true salvation results in a transformed life characterized by practical obedience. The central message highlights that Christian fellowship is rooted in brotherly love, which originates from Christ's incarnation and union with believers, compelling the church to extend hospitality and support to those in prison. The discourse further addresses the sanctity of marriage, urging the church to uphold purity and honor the marital bond against both asceticism and sexual immorality. Additionally, it warns against the love of money, advocating for contentment in God rather than material security, and concludes with the assurance that Christ is the believer's ultimate helper, enabling them to face persecution without fear.

We live in a world that constantly tells us we need more—more money, more possessions, more comfort, and more success. But will having more ever truly satisfy us? In 1 Timothy 6:6–10, Paul exposes the danger of pursuing wealth and reminds us that true gain is found in godliness with contentment. Because we came into this world with nothing and will leave with nothing, we must learn to hold earthly possessions loosely and find our satisfaction in God alone. The desire to be rich can become a dangerous trap, leading us into destructive desires and pulling our hearts away from the faith. The question is not how much we have, but whether Christ is enough.

The Corinthians faced the question of how to respond to the customs of their society. Those center primarily around idolatry, which Paul instructs the Corinthians, flee from idolatry. If this symbolism does not conflict with God's Word or the order of creation, they should not become a source of contention. Having said that, God has an order that is in the best interest of His followers, where God is the head and we are subject to Him.