In 1992, Disney released "Aladdin," the story of a poor young "street rat" with a heart of gold who, upon finding a magic lamp (and the genie within) is granted three wishes.  Comedy and mischief ensue as he uses his wishes to try to win the love of the princess, Jasmine.  We all know that magic, wishes, and genies in bottles don't exist.  They are fantasy...the things of a child's imagination.  Yet, how often do we spend our time dreaming and wishing our lives away?

"I wish I had a better job..."

"I wish I had more money..."

"I wish my husband/wife was more ___________..."

Three wishes down the drain, just like that.  Let's be honest, it wouldn't take us long to burn through three wishes if we found the magic genie in the bottle.  We've all probably got a plethora of them on deck to choose from.  So, why all of this focus on what we don't have?

It's because we are discontent.  We live as discontent people, in a discontent culture, that is part of a discontent world.  We live in a perpetual state of longing for the greener grass on the other side.  But this isn't who we were created to be, and especially not who we were saved to be by Christ!

That is precisely the point the Apostle Paul is seeking to teach the Philippians in the closing paragraphs of his letter to them.  Throughout the letter to the church at Philippi, he has been exhorting his dear friends to find joy in Jesus.  Paul understands that the Gospel has the power to save, but it also has the power to transform lives.

I've heard some pretty crazy testimonies over the years, but none of them can top that of Paul.  Prior to his conversion, he was an intense persecutor of the early church.  Paul was literally killing believers before encountering the risen Christ on the road to Damascus.  Now fast forward to the time of his letter to the Philippians, he is imprisoned and facing possible martyrdom for proclaiming the Gospel.  Talk about a complete 180!!!

Along the way though, he learned some valuable lessons.  The school of hard knocks gave Paul a very special gift...perspective...and with it, wisdom.  In verse 12 he writes, "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need."  And what is this secret?  It's Jesus!

More than just providing salvation from our sins, the Gospel brings us back into fellowship with Jesus, our Creator and our Lord...and this nurtures and satisfies our soul.  No longer do we need to look longingly to a future contentment based on achieving and acquiring our every dream and desire, but rather, we find joy and fulfillment in the one who created us and saved us to be a people unto himself.

The transformational power of the Gospel produces fruit in the lives of all whom it touches.  As our affections for our Savior grow, so too does our joy and contentment in life.  This is the fruit of our salvation and our sanctification.  And this is the message that Paul has been driving home throughout his letter to the Philippians.

Sin has created a deep thirst in our souls.  As long as we look to worldly, temporal things to satisfy that thirst, we will find ourselves constantly thirsty...wanting more to drink.  But Jesus says, “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14).  I pray that you will taste and see that it is good!


In Grace,
Chris Morris


If you missed this week's sermon (or just want to listen again), follow the link below to listen. Or subscribe to our podcast in iTunes.

Part 12 - Christ is Enough

Questions discussed in this sermon:

1. What is the real source of Paul's Joy?
2. On what basis should Christians find contentment?
3. How does one become joyful, content, and generous?

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