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In All Things Content

In All Things Content. Timeless Wisdom for Today’s Christians: An Introduction to the Puritans. Thomas Watson “The Art of Divine Contentment”. Born 1620 (year the Pilgrims landed) Married and had 7 children, 4 of whom died as children Imprisoned at one point over faith

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In All Things Content

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  1. In All Things Content Timeless Wisdom for Today’s Christians: An Introduction to the Puritans

  2. Thomas Watson“The Art of Divine Contentment” • Born 1620 (year the Pilgrims landed) • Married and had 7 children, 4 of whom died as children • Imprisoned at one point over faith • Then also barred from preaching in 1662 (Act of Uniformity) • Preached in barns, etc. thereafter • Died in private prayer • http://www.ccel.org/ccel/watson/contentment.html

  3. Jeremiah Burroughs“The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment” • 1600-1646 • Minister • Delegate at Westminster Assembly • Independent, peacemaker • Stood against Book of Sports, etc. • Punished for that • Died after fall from horse • Though some say due to his grief over church struggles • http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/contentment.html

  4. Text for Both Books • Philippians 4:11 • I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

  5. Basics of Contentment

  6. Basics of Contentment • Burroughs’ definition: • “Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition” • Clearly builds on the doctrine of providence that we covered last week • It prefers the God of peace to the peace of God

  7. Basics of Contentment • God is content in himself, so should we be, too • “A gracious spirit is a contented spirit.” (Watson) • It is LEARNED • Devils in heaven lacked it • In paradise, Adam and Eve did • And even Mordecai, because of Haman

  8. Basics of Contentment • It is TRUST in God’s providence • “[Excessive] care when it is …either distrustful or distracting, is very dishonorable to God; it takes away his providence, as if he sat in heaven and minded not what became of things here below” (Watson)

  9. Basics of Contentment • It is WORSHIP • “In active obedience we worship God by doing what pleases God, but by passive obedience we do as well worship God by being pleased with what God does” (Burroughs)

  10. Basics of Contentment • It is achieved in the HERE AND NOW • It is achieved by performing our work in our circumstance, rather than trying to compensate for the lacks in our circumstances • Burroughs: “A carnal heart thinks, I must have my wants made up or else it is impossible that I should be content. But a gracious heart says, ‘What is the duty of the circumstances God has put me into?’”

  11. Basics of Contentment • It is found INSIDE, not out in the world somewhere • Watson: “the way to be comfortable, is not by having our barns filled, but our minds quiet.” • Burroughs: “It is not the water without the ship, but the water that gets within the leak, which drowns it; it is not outward affliction that can make the life of a Christian sad; a contented mind would sail above these waters, -- but when there’s a leak of discontent open, and trouble gets in the heart, then it is disquieted and sinks.

  12. Roots of Discontent Our greatest want is contentment. The following are lower wants which we may use to rationalize our discontent

  13. A Little Context • Remember, for the Puritans there was much struggle and persecution • Not only against the “world” but against nominal Christians who resented their wholehearted devotion to Christ • And today: • We face an even more secular world that should be distasteful to true Christians • But still many nominal Christians who flow with the secular stream • But maybe many other Christians seeking to follow Christ but struggle to find their bearings in all of this • We may seek secular values more than we might think

  14. Modern Cultural Roots of Discontent • Wrong goals • Money • Material gains • Prestige • Self-esteem • Health (to an extreme) • Appearance • Wrong strategies • God exists to help me toward MY goals • Rather than I live to serve Him • Being discontent, distract oneself • Addiction to entertainment

  15. The Basic Problem • Watson: “There is no sin, but labours either to hide itself under some mask; or, if it cannot be concealed, then to vindicate itself by some apology” • Discontent has very sophisticated apologies… • “Discontent is a sin” • Therefore, we need to expose our excuses for being discontent

  16. Roots of Discontent • Loss of estate • Lam. 3: 24 “The Lord is my portion” • 1 Thess 5:18: “In everything give thanks.” • We confuse money and blessing • Watson: “Outward comforts often quench inward heat.” • Augustine: “Earthly riches are full of poverty” • Ambrose: “Even poverty itself is riches to holy men” • Loss of friends • Prov. 18:24: “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

  17. Roots of Discontent • We don’t get the respect of others • Watson: “It is better that God approve, than man applaud.” • We easily assume approval follows doing right • We WILL meet disapproval if we speak truth • We want comfort • Yet we should anticipate suffering for truth • “Your sufferings are not so great as your sins” (Watson) • Compare the martyrs • And Muslims today! • “What should we be content to suffer, to make the truth victorious” (Watson) • By seeking our comfort, we compromise the Gospel!

  18. Roots of Discontent • Others might include • Feeling we have been treated unfairly • We are in bad relationships • We aren’t as gifted as others • Grace, not gifts, is what God values • Discouragement with the times • Though times are tough, is God not still in charge? • Our sins • …but they are not stronger than God’s mercy

  19. Diagnosing Discontent • We complain (both to ourselves and to others) • A contented spirit is silent • We lack joy • Discontent is marked by anger and grief • Can be a form of pride and ingratitude • Watson: “A gracious heart spies out mercy in every condition.” • Replace with a thankful heart • We’ll sin to ease troubles • Will argue with others • Cheat on finances • Justify indulgences because we have a bad day • We overreact to adversity, rather than see God’s hand in it • Recall last week how God can use adversity

  20. Applying What We’ve Learned

  21. Taking Action • How to learn contentment • Learn self-denial • Watson: “A man who is little in his own eyes will account every affliction as little, and every mercy as great” • Consider the vanity of those without Christ • Earthly pleasures we seek don’t please anyway! • Be a pilgrim in this world (be heavenly minded) • Motives to contentment • It cures care • Prevents sin • Watson: “Our murmuring is the devil’s music” • Accepts God’s answer to our prayer that his will be done • We have Christ, all that we need • It is victory over ourselves

  22. Taking Action • Remember our trouble here is all the hell we shall have • Consider the evils of discontent • Freely submit to taking pleasure in God’s disposal • What are YOUR excuses for discontent? • What is one thing you can change in your thinking to be more content? • What is one thing you can change in your behavior to be more content? • NEXT WEEK: The Puritans on marriage and family

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