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There is inconsistency every
where all around us. There doesn’t seem to be a priority on keeping
promises
. Unfortunately, this can be said of Christians . The last time I preached, on the principles of
contentment, Many of you heard that message. but how consistently have we
lived out those principles in our lives? We are going to look at those
principles today and some other scripture and scratch under the surface to see
the key that enabled Paul to live consistently for Jesus.
I. Principles of Contentment - Philippians 4:2 - 20
- There was discontentment - See v2
- Paul addressing contentment - See v11
A. Principles
#1 - v2 - Be unified
Jesus Commands to love others as he
#2 - v3 - Accept help from mature in Christ
loves us - See John 15:12
#3 - v4 - Joy in the
Lord
Jesus is our joy/Consider our salvation
#4 - v5 - Remember, God is near
Practice the presence of Jesus
#5 - v6/7 - Give your concerns to Jesus
Speak to Jesus in prayer
#6 - v8 - Think Rightly - God’s Word
Let Jesus speak to you through the Bible
#7 - v9 - Follow Example of Spiritual Giants
Jesus is our supreme example
#8 - v10,14-18 - Be thankful for what others do for you
Thank Jesus for what He has done
#9 - v13 - Rely on Jesus no matter what
Trust Jesus - He is all powerful
#10 - v19 - God will supply your need
Jesus
is faithful.
- See what underlines all of these principles and how Paul and us could live
contentedly.
- Its all about
Jesus
and our relationship with Him.
II. Fruit Bearing - Galatians 5:22-25
A. Called to walk fruitfully - v22, v23, v25
B. How do we do this consistently - v24 (See Gal
2:20)
Die to self/let Jesus live through us
.
III. Dealing with Past Inconsistencies (Failures and
Achievements) - Philippians 3:3-6 and 3: 7-14
A. Past failures and achievements - v3-6
1. Could drag down or puff up
B. How do we deal with them so live consistently
1. Forget and press on. Its all about looking to
Jesus and our
relationship
with Him.
- See Philippians 1:21 - For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Deep
seated relationship.
IV. Vine and the Branches - John 15:1-5
A. v1, v5 - Jesus = Vine Believers = Branches
B. No fruit apart from Christ - v4 & v5
- If live close to Jesus - Fruit produced without effort
- Christ must become our all in all to live consistently for Him
- Its not self effort, it is being so close to Jesus that the fruit comes
naturally.
V. Summary - See the Above - It is all about Jesus and
our Relationship to Him.
May we say with Paul - For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.
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