(Clip) You Can Learn to Be Content
Geoff Thomas teaches that contentment is a learned Christian virtue rooted in trusting and submitting to God's will, regardless of life's circumstances.
This sermon focuses on the theme of contentment, emphasizing that it is a learned behavior rather than an instant blessing. It highlights the misconception that contentment is unattainable and addresses the sinful nature of discontentment. The key lesson is that contentment is achievable for everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, by surrendering to God's will and trusting in His plan.
Full Transcript
Where can contentment be found? And so often, Christians admire contentment and they long for it and they confess their strangers to contentment. They make it so unattainable. They say, oh, if only I had the second blessing, how contented I would be.
And they blame their upbringing and they blame their personality. They say my mother was discontented. My grandmother was.
I'm discontented too. Oh, and Paul says he learned contentment. He learned it.
He learned it. It didn't come to him on the Damascus Road. One moment, driving rabbinically furious.
And then the Damascus Road, and then after that, he was just laid back from then on. It wasn't like that. He learned it.
He was in a meeting once, a prayer meeting, and an old Christian got up and he said, let's think of Psalm 23. The Lord's my shepherd, and so on. I'll not be in want of the shepherd.
Like my Lord, the King of the universe is mine, and I'm not going to be in want. I'm going to trust Him. I'm going to be content.
Paul listened. Paul learned like you learn. Coming here Sunday by Sunday, he learned it.
And you have to learn it too. What did he learn? He learned one, being discontented is a sin. It's against our whole position that our Lord looks after us and cares for us.
All things are working together for our good. And you know, we can parade our discontentedness because I love her, but she doesn't love me, and she won't marry me, and I'm sulking for the rest of my life. We're saying Jesus made a mistake then in closing that door.
Being discontented is a sin. Secondly, it's possible to be contented. Those of you who have a very trying upbringing, it's possible for you to learn contentment.
Not just a few people who are self-indecorated and intelligent and sensible men and women. Not just them, but you with all the pressures and strains that your life has been under, you can be a contented person. And no circumstance, no set of circumstance can take that contentment from you.
That's the Christian life. I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. And then thirdly, Paul discovered how.
How to be content. Well, I've taken over the Hilton in San Antonio. It's only $100 you have to pay next weekend.
I'll be giving lectures on how to learn contentment. Not! Not! I'll tell you without money and without price how to be contented. You go to God and you say to God, Thy will be done.
That's it. Thy will be done. I don't want my own will.
I want Your will. And that's why so often I'm a discontented person because I don't like God's will. I don't like what God has done with my life.
And there's no way I'm going to wear the red jewel of Christian contentment without taking my stand on this. What I want in my life is the will of God. And then when God says, alright, my child, this is My will for you.
This is the way I want you to walk. I want you to be brave. I want you on the narrow path.
I want you to be looking unto Me every day. And then when I know, well, it's God's will, and I'm not frustrated, and I'm not discontented, I'm not depressed, I'm not plaintive, I'm not self-pitying, because this is my Father's will. And so, I rejoice to do Thy will, O Lord.
And Jesus could say that perfectly. And that's my righteousness. But He's left me an example and I walk in His steps.
And I want to be content too following the Savior.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Desire for Contentment
- Many Christians admire but struggle to attain contentment
- Common excuses include upbringing and personality
- Contentment is often seen as unattainable blessing
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II. Paul’s Example of Learning Contentment
- Paul did not receive contentment instantly but learned it
- Contentment is a process learned through faith and practice
- Paul’s learning involved trusting God’s providence
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III. The Nature of Discontentment
- Discontentment is a sin against trusting God
- It contradicts the belief that God cares and works for good
- Discontentment often comes from resisting God’s will
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IV. How to Learn Contentment
- Contentment is possible for all Christians regardless of background
- It requires submission to God’s will: 'Thy will be done'
- Walking in Jesus’ steps leads to true contentment
Key Quotes
“He learned contentment. He learned it. It didn't come to him on the Damascus Road.” — Geoff Thomas
“Being discontented is a sin. It's against our whole position that our Lord looks after us and cares for us.” — Geoff Thomas
“You go to God and you say to God, Thy will be done. That's it. Thy will be done.” — Geoff Thomas
Application Points
- Recognize discontentment as a spiritual issue and commit to trusting God's care.
- Practice submitting daily to God's will by echoing the prayer, 'Thy will be done.'
- Follow Jesus' example by embracing contentment regardless of life’s challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is contentment something we are born with or can it be learned?
Contentment is not innate but a virtue that Paul shows can be learned through trusting God and submitting to His will.
Why is discontentment considered a sin in this sermon?
Discontentment reflects a lack of trust in God’s care and plan, which goes against the Christian belief that God works all things for good.
Can anyone achieve contentment regardless of their life circumstances?
Yes, Geoff Thomas emphasizes that anyone, no matter their background or struggles, can learn to be content through faith.
What is the key step to learning contentment according to the sermon?
The key step is submitting to God’s will with the attitude, 'Thy will be done,' rather than insisting on our own desires.
How does Jesus serve as an example for contentment?
Jesus perfectly submitted to God’s will and serves as the model for believers to follow in learning contentment.