In your pursuit of life are you really finding what your heart actually longs for? My guess is, at best, you are finding a counterfeit. This week, I wanted to take you to some profoundly impactful words of Jesus so you can grab a hold of the real adventure God has for you. Need prayer? visit my.oswegochristian.com/pray to post a request.
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What drives you?
-keeps you awake at night? wake up the morning thinking – I have to get that done.
worried about your health?
worried about your job?
furnace acting up and you don’t know where you’ll get the money?
What at a deeper level? What drives you?
ME:
I have noticed in myself a deep sense of dissatisfaction over how my life is going or has gone. Now, listen, if you asked me how things were at any point in time, I’d probably tell you great. What I mean is
I always have this feeling of “I’m not enough…”
Like, I’m not a good enough leader, father, husband, etc.
I’m not doing enough
Gotta do more, gotta be more, gotta get more done…
does that resonate with any of you?
There is this deep fear in me that
I’m just not enough…
WE:
Surely I’m not alone in this…
-dieting Americans do ($33 billion/year)
-work-a-holics? (many avg. 50hr/wk)
-religious fanatics
-girls cover beautiful faces with makeup to get love from boys
-hunger for sexual release feel good about self till the guilt settles in
-hours away from home volunteering, giving, trying to prove to you are enough…
SCRIPTURE:
Phil 4:10-13
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
context, middle of offering talk. Telling how thankful he is for their support – how they have financially come around the mission of God.
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
ILLUSTRATION:
Calmer water is on top, the deeper it is… the more turbulent, the more shallow…
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
ILLUSTRATION:
In Phoenix sitting with a billionaire… Here’s what struck me. You wouldn’t have known it by just sitting with him. He spoke mostly of Jesus…
Here is Paul, saying, “I know what it is to live in mansions and I know what it’s like to be hungry like a dog on the street.”
But in all of it, I’ve learned a secret to be content.
Doesn’t that sound so good?
To learn a secret that gives you the means to get through it all?
-learn secret allows you to let down wall of having it all together?
one of the most misquoted verses in the world comes in…
What is the secret to contentment in any and all circumstances?
B
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Paul’s secret sauce was Jesus
[BRING A SUITCASE AND PILLOW ALL LOADED UP]
ILLUSTRATION:
as man – the smaller the suitcase the more of a man.. trying to get my pillow in last…
Listen Christian
If you just take what Paul says, and try to shove it into your current life, with all your striving and feelings of never enough
You’ll just end up being frustrated…
gotta work more hours
never get done without me
don’t lose this weight how can I hope for him to love me
If I don’t do it, no one will
People count on me, I can’t let them down
If I can just have one more…
Pack all of this burden