Soulically Satisfied - Divinely Dissastisfied

Soulically Satisfied & Divinely Dissastisfied

 As Christians, should we be satisfied or dissatisfied?

 The answer is both

 This sounds like a bit of a paradox – and it is

 We are to be soulically satisfied yet divinely dissatisfied

Phil 4:11-14

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

 “to need” – penury (Extreme want or poverty; desperation)

 There seems to be confusion regarding the “prosperity message” TV evangelists are teaching

 Yes God wants to prosper us

 Yes He is the God of increase

 But He is far more concerned about our spiritual increase than creature comforts & things

 Somehow the church has equated spiritual maturity with prosperity – this is a fallacy

 He wants to see if we will be thankful and content in “whatever” He is doing in our lives at the time

 God wants us to be Soulically Satisfied

 ILL. I know of one college student who purposely lives with next to nothing.

 He purposely goes without most creature comforts because he simply sees no value in them.

 His parents will give him money for supplies and books and after buying the bare essentials he needs to continue his education, he just gives away the rest.

 However, this young man is increasing greatly every time I see him – the anointing is notably stronger on him each time I see him.

 Godly Wisdom seems to flow out of him more each time I see him

 There is such a contentment in him… that I am convicted

 The Father is bringing us to place where we give no regard to the things of this world

 Luke 12:22 Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

 If our focus is on carnal things – we are missing what real life is all about

 “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”

 Paul had to learn, he had to train his spirit-man to be in control – it doesn’t always happen overnight

 Greek translations "have I learned the secret”, "I have been initiated"

 What secret did Paul learn? - detachment

 He’s saying “These ‘things’ are merely peripherals, they don’t define me, they don’t determine my outlook

 “I am content, I am thankful, I am grateful because I am detached from these things & simply trust God”

 If your hand is gripped around something, it can’t hold anything else

 When we are not content, we get restless, greedy, lustful, egotistical, we live by pride and not faith

 We invite worry and stress into our life

 We invite soulical council rather than godly wisdom

 ILL. The blacksmith & the strong-willed boy – There was a blacksmith who had a young son who was very strong-willed and discontent. He always wanted to do more than his father would allow. One morning when the blacksmith was forging new horseshoes, the boy came to take a look at his dad’s work. “That’s close enough!”, the blacksmith told to the boy. “Those are still hot.” After a few minutes the young boy inched closer to the shoes that were lying on the bench cooling. “Son, those are too hot to handle, don’t touch them!”, the man scolded. Finally when the man wasn’t looking, the boy inched up to the finished horseshoes, grabbed one up and dropped it immediately, shaking his hands about. “See what happens when you are not satisfied with what I tell you! You got burnt didn’t you?” “In quiet stubbornness, the boy replied, “No sir, it just didn’t take me long to look at them.”

 Discontentment opens us up to bad decision making and impulsive behavior

 It will shut off blessing from our lives

 And there is no satisfaction in it… (Mick Jagger)

 Gal 5:24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

 Who is going to be in charge in your being – spirit or soul?

12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

 Before you get to take the prosperity test you gotta pass the poverty test

 “I know how to be abased” – a low, humble state

 Do I believe in prosperity and blessing? You bet I do!