Bro. Sunday Eyanrin (Minister)
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DEFINITION OF KEY WORD’S
Beloved, to achieve the purpose of this Message, it is absolutely necessary that we define some key words on our heading.
- IMPORTANCE
- CHRISTIAN
- CONTENTMENT
IMPORTANCE:
The English word Importance, can be defined as: that which is of Value, Relevance or Interest.
WHO IS A CHRISTIAN?
A Christian Can be defined as one who is properly Baptized into Christ, to serve God through Christ. Sanctified, Separated from the world, and set apart for God’s use, called to be Saint.
CONTENTMENT:
Simply means. Satisfaction, or the state of living within one’s means.
Apostle Peter, in 1 Peter 2:9‐10 declared.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
INTRODUCTION
Brethren, this discussion on Christian Contentment is timely due to the Prevailing circumstances we find ourselves in this world today, especially in our country Nigeria. There is hardship everywhere, People are dying of hunger every day. There is no work for Brethren who needs employment. It is on this Basis, we need to focus our minds, our hope, on our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith. Because, in Him we have all Spiritual Blessings. Eph. 1:13.
Eph. 1:13‐14
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. NKJV
In Matt.6:25‐34, Jesus declared
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. NKJV
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIAN CONTENTMENT
Contentment with God, is one of the most important virtues every Christian should attain, to successfully run the Christian race to the end.
But Beloved, Power, Position, and possessions are perilous poisons to all humanity including Christians. Those who seek to have them knows not what they seek. They lead into many temptations. They are likely to fill the heart with Pride and to chain our affections to the things of this world rather than the things of God.
IS IT WRONG FOR CHRISTIANS TO HAVE WEALTH AND POSSESSIONS?
Brethren, there is nothing wrong for a Christian to have wealth, and possessions, to the glory of God. Matt.6:33.
Apostle Paul in 1 Tim 6:6, declared. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. NKJV
Apostle John declared in 1 John 2:15‐ 17 ‐ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. NKJV
THE DECEITFULNESS OF THE LOVE OF MONEY
Brethren, have you ever pondered why do people seek after Money so earnestly? Wealth promises to make people great, happy, and satisfied. So people work to obtain it by hook or crook, yet when they have obtained as much as they can, they are not contented. In fact, many people become more miserable than they were originally. It is on this basis
Apostle Paul by the inspiration of God declared in 1 Tim. 6:9 – 10 ‐ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. NKJV
LET US CONSIDER SOME OF THE HARMFUL LUST WHICH LACK OF CONTENTMENT CAN LEAD TO.
- GREED
- COVETOUSNESS
WHAT IS GREED?
Greed: can be simply defined as, a Strong desire for more wealth, possession, power etc. Brethren, it is an un ‐ deniable fact that lack of contentment as plunged so many Brethren into the Sin of Greed, thereby involving themselves in the act of different types of Gambling. Such as ‐ 1 Tim. 6:10, LK.13:3.
THE DANGER OF GREED
THE STORY OF NAAMAN THE ARMY OF THE KING OF SYRIA ‐ 2 Kings 5: 1 – 19
THE GREED OF GEHAZI AND THE CONSEQUENCES ‐ 2. Kings 5: 20 – 26.
COVETOUSNESS
WHAT IS COVETEOUSNESS?
Covetousness: is the excessive inordinate desire for another’s possession. Covetousness is the sin people do not talk about‐ but in Lk.12:15 Jesus warned; And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” NKJV
In Heb 13:5, Apostle Paul declared; Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. NKJV
Brethren, it is on this basis we are going to consider the Example of: THE COVETOUSNESS OF KING AHAB.
“KING AHAB” AND THE SIN OF COVETOUSNESS
How Naboth’s vineyard was taken through covetousness by King Ahab – 1 kings 21:1 – 16. The Lord condemn Ahab through Prophet Elijah. 1 Kings 21:17 – 28.
THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE SIN OF KING AHAB ‐ 1 Kings. 22: 29 – 39.
THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE SIN OF JEZEEBEL ‐ 2 Kings. 9: 30 – 37.
CHRISTIANS MUST AVOID GREED AND COVETOUSNESS
Matt 16:26‐27
26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? NKJV.
The Christian Contentment must be towards God ‐ 1 Tim 6:6‐8, declared,
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. NKJV
Conclusion
Brethren, Money and possession in themselves are not evil, but when they take the place of God in your heart, it becomes a stumbling block which leads to Greed, and Covetousness.
Therefore, remember the admonition of the in Matt. 6:25 – 33, and trust that God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Jesus Name.
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