Discontent on SermonAudio

John Flavel in the 5th Volume of his Works begins on Page 437 and continues to Page 494 in relating 12 Cases in which a Christian may keep his own heart under many different situations. In our previous Sessions we have looked at Cases 1 and 2 . Case 1 – How a Christian may keep his heart from pride and carnal security, under the smiles of providence, and constancy of creature-comforts. And Case 2 – How a Christian under great afflictions may keep his heart from repining, or desponding under the hand of God? Under this 2nd Case he gives us nine special helps. (We have looked at 6 special helps under this 2nd Case) Tonight I will attempt to go through helps 7 & 8. Help # 7 says – Again, It may stay your heart, if you will consider that in these troubles, God is about that work which you saw the design of it, your soul would rejoice. Help # 8 – Farther, It would much conduce to the settlement of your hearts, to consider, That by fretting and discontent, you do yourselves more injury than all the afflictions you lie under could do; your own discontent is that which arms your troubles with a sting; it is you that make your burden heavy, by struggling under it.

I spent this past week teaching at the Kentucky Christian String Camp, a Christian music camp founded and staffed by faculty from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. I was asked to give a short "hymn devotional" to the elementary and high school students and their families in attendance. The following is adapted from my remarks: Where do we learn how to love and obey God? If you know the children's catechism, you'll likely have a ready answer: in the Bible alone. The Bible has so much to teach us about who God is, and how we should live our lives in light of who He is. One of the most wonderful ways to drive the truths of the Bible into our hearts is to sing the Bible. God gave us a special hymn book in the Old Testament (the Book of Psalms), and many of the greatest hymns take language directly from the psalms as well as other parts of Scripture. One such hymn is Henry Francis Lyte's Praise, My Soul, The King Of Heaven. This hymn is a free paraphrase of Psalm 103, which begins with the psalmist addressing his own soul, saying "Bless the Lord, O my soul … Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits" (Psalm 103:1–2). Similarly in Psalm 43, we find the psalmist questioning, "why are You cast down, O my soul," encouraging it instead to "hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God" (Psalm 43:5). Do you ever have difficulty controlling your own soul, like the psalmist evidently did? Do feelings of despair, discontent, or disappointment ever feel out of control inside of you, like they might overwhelm you? It is in moments like these that we need to cling to the truths of Scripture, using them to remind us over and o

1. Perverse 2. Discontented 3. Unforgiven

The Morning Devotional Season 11 | Edition 51 Psalm 75 Providence Presbyterian Church Evansville, IN Pastor's Website: https://theparchment.net/ This sermon, centered on Psalm 75, presents a powerful meditation on divine sovereignty, gratitude, and the ultimate justice of God. It opens with a call to thanksgiving rooted in God's wondrous deeds, positioning gratitude as a counter to discontent and complaint. The preacher emphasizes that God alone judges with equity, upholds the world by His power, and sovereignly exalts and humbles individuals according to His appointed time. The imagery of the cup of wrath is interpreted as fulfilled in Christ's substitutionary sacrifice, where He bore God's judgment on the cross, sparing believers from it. The message concludes with a pastoral encouragement to find deep assurance and thankfulness in God's protection, justice, and redemptive work, urging the faithful to praise Him not only for deliverance from judgment but for His enduring faithfulness.

The Morning Devotional Season 11 | Edition 51 June 9, 2026 Psalm 75 This sermon centers on Psalm 75 as a profound meditation on divine sovereignty, gratitude, and the ultimate justice of God. It opens with a call to thanksgiving rooted in God's wondrous deeds, emphasizing that gratitude is a vital antidote to discontent and complaint. The message unfolds with a powerful declaration of God's appointed judgment, affirming that He alone upholds creation, subdues pride, and exalts or humbles individuals according to His righteous will. The sermon highlights the cup of God's wrath in verse 8 as fulfilled in Christ's substitutionary sacrifice, where Jesus bore the full weight of divine judgment on the cross. Ultimately, the psalm's purpose is to inspire perpetual praise and confidence in God's justice, reminding believers that they are protected, guided, and spared from judgment through Christ's atonement, making thanksgiving both a response and a foundation for faith.

The sermon emphasizes that Jesus desires to save everyone, regardless of their past or social standing, by focusing on the biblical account of David attracting those who were distressed, in debt, and discontented. It argues that the sole qualification for salvation is a broken and contrite heart, recognizing one's own sinfulness rather than relying on religious performance or moral perfection. Through illustrations such as the woman with the issue of blood and Zacchaeus, the message highlights how personal suffering and spiritual emptiness drive individuals to seek Christ. The preacher asserts that human efforts cannot earn heaven, but only faith in Jesus' finished work on the cross can provide redemption for the lost. Ultimately, the text calls listeners to abandon self-reliance and come directly to Jesus as their Savior, trusting in His grace alone.

Scripture commands contentment. Culture manufactures discontent. Hebrews 13:5 addresses both behaviour and condition. "Conversation" refers to manner of life. This is not limited to speech—it is lifestyle. "Without covetousness"—this is the removal of desire for what has not been given. Covetousness is not possession. It is craving. "Be content with such things as ye have"—this is not passive acceptance. It is active satisfaction. The reason follows: "for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Contentment is rooted in presence, not possession. Have you recently decided to follow Jesus? Take your next step with Jesus: https://cbcgb.co.uk ⛪ ABOUT CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCHES: We believe that our Calvary Baptist Churches are a movement for all people to know God, Reaching Others, Building Lives, Honouring God and Make a Difference. 🤝 Support this ministry and help us reach more people with the Gospel: https://cbcgb.co.uk/give/ STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: https://cbcgb.co.uk/ 🌐 Website: https://bjstagner.com 👍 Facebook: / Calvary Baptist Church-Cynon Valley 👍 Facebook: / Cardiff-Calvary Baptist Church 📸 Instagram: / @cibc_cynonvalley 📸 Instagram: / @calvary_cardiff 🎥 YouTube: / @calvarybaptistchurchesofGB