fromthepreacherspc

OVERCOMING WORRY*

INTRODUCTION
A. We are living in a time that many refer to as an “Age of Anxiety”
1. It seems that worry is the watchword of our world today
a. No job … we worry
b. Job … we worry
c. No money … we worry
d. Money … we worry
e. Sick … we worry
f. Not sick … we worry

2. One worrier said to another, “I have so many troubles that if anything happened to me today it would take me two weeks before I could get around to worrying about it.”

B. Now, we know that life cannot be lived free from all sense of anxiety
and concern
1. For example, being concerned about having an automobile wreck will cause us to practice rules of safety.
2. Concern over becoming ill will cause us to practice rules of good health

C. However, the problem is this: “It is easy to let our CONCERNS becomes our CARES, and our FORETHOUGHTS to become our FEAR-THOUGHTS.”

DISCUSSION
A. THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FEARS
1. People worry about things that have already happened
a. This is very futile!
b. Worrying about that which has already happened is like trying to saw sawdust!
c. Worrying about the past is like trying to put toothpaste back into the tube
d. Past deeds cannot be undone, or past words unsaid
e. If the past involves sin, obey the conditions of pardon and God will abundantly forgive
1) Isaiah 55:6-7
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is
near;
7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his
thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have
compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly
pardon.
2) When God forgives you, forgive yourself

f. Lloyd George, former Prime Minister of England, once said, “I have made it a practice of my life always to close the gate behind me.” – And that is what we need to do with things that have already happened!

2. People worry over things that will inevitably happen
a. Some worry that their children will marry
1) Marriage is honorable (Heb. 13:4)
2) Men & women were created for marriage (Gen. 2:24)
b. Some worry about dying – but we will al die (Heb. 9:27)
c. Some worry about growing old – but we grow old…

3. Some people worry about things that will never happen
a. Mark Twain once said, “I have worried over a great many things in life, the most of which never happened.”
b. Surveys have shown that 80% of the things we worry about never happen

B. THE LORD’S CLASSIC TEXT ON WORRY (Matthew 6:24-34)
1. Worry is unnecessary
a. Because our heavenly Father knows our needs (v. 32)
b. God is sensitive to our needs – so why worry?

2. Worry is cruel
a. Matthew 6:26
b. It is cruel to think that God would care more for birds than He would for us
c. Any father would feed his children before he would feed the birds

3. Worry is prohibited
a. “Do not worry” (vs. 25, 31, 34) – take no thought, KJV
b. The same Lord that made belief and baptism essential to salvation (Mk. 16:16), is the same Lord who said don’t worry!

4. Worry is futile
a. Matthew 6:27
b. Worry is like a rocking chair – it gives you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere

5. Worry is heathenish
a. “For after all these things the Greeks seek…” (v. 32)
b. Jesus is saying that worry is not characteristic of a child of God

6. Worry shows a lack of faith
a. “O you of little faith” (v. 30)
b. Human reasoning produces doubt, doubt produces fear, and fear produces anxiety
c. John 14:1

C. WHY WORRY LEADS TO SIN
1. It is a disregard for the commands of God
a. Philippians 4:6 … or, Don’t be troubled
b. 1 Peter 1:13
c. We are concerned about obeying the others commands of God – why not this one?

2. It deters from duty and a is futile waste of time
a. Studies have shown that only 8% of what we worry about are legitimate things to worry about
b. Energy spent in worry could be better spent elsewhere
c. “Redeem the time” (Eph. 5:16)

3. It impairs health
a. “He worried himself sick” can certainly express the truth
b. Excess worry causes high blood pressure, fatigue, hives, ulcers, mental disorders, insanity and even suicide
c. The field of psychiatry is flourishing as never before because of worry and anxiety
d. 1 Corinthians 6:15-20 teaches us not to harm the body

4. It is a robber, robbing one of joy, happiness and peace
a. “Worry” originally meant to strangle, a continual snapping or biting, to shake & mangle with the teeth
b. Worry grasps us by the throat and prevents happiness
c. And yet, the Bible tells us of the need to rejoice
1) “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4)
2) “Rejoice evermore” (1 The. 5:16).

5. It is a prohibitive against our prayers being answered
a. For prayers to be answered we must be asked in faith
1) James 1:5-6
2) Mark 11:24
b. Worry is distrust in God
c. We must not be like the man who prayed for protection throughout the night; and, then, stayed up all night to see if God would.

D. HOW TO OVERCOME WORRY
1. Make up your mind that you are going to conquer it
a. We must not allow our thoughts to push us around
b. Abraham Lincoln said, “I have been as happy as I have made my mind to be.”

2. Form the right relationship with God
a. Philippians 4:7
b. The closer we are to God – the fewer worries we have

3. Develop the right attitude of mind
a. First, look at the silver lining
b. Second, count your blessings
c. Don’t concentrate on the bad to the neglect of the good

4. Do what you can and turn the rest over to God
a. Do what you can – leave the rest to God
b. We must trust God!
c. Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
d. Romans 8:28

5. Live one day at a time
a. Yesterday is buried and tomorrow unborn
b. The best way to prepare for tomorrow is to fulfill the duties of today
c. Matthew 6:34

6. Engage in purposeful work
a. Even in Eden, God saw the need for employment to insure man’s happiness (Gen. 2:15)
b. He was a wise man who said that “he had no time for worry, for in the day time he was too busy and at night he was too sleepy.”

CONCLUSION

*information came from Wendell Winkler

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://www.prarkheightscoc.com

SANCTIFICATION***
1 Thessalonians 4:1-7

INTRODUCTION
A. Sanctification is a Bible term often obscured by the theories of men.
1. The view is held by many that sanctification comes initially by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous and mysterious conversion process; some theorists allege that later the baptism of the Holy Spirit may be obtained, which puts the recipient beyond the possibility of committing sin of any kind.
2. This is not a scriptural view.
a. Peter had received Holy Spirit baptism, and yet he committed sin… Galatians 2:11-14
b. The apostle John likewise had obtained this baptism, but wrote that he and all saints are capable of sin… 1 John 1:6-10
c. No one in this life stands beyond the reach of temptation and disobedience… 1 Corinthians 10:12
B. This study will focus on learning what the Bible teaches on this significant subject.
1. We have no pet views to preach or defend; we are willing to take whatever the Bible teaches on this or any other subject, and abide with the truth.
2. Our sincere aim is always to learn the will of God more perfectly, so that we can serve him more and better.
DISCUSSION
A. First, we need to learn the definition of the word sanctification.
1. Our English word derives from two Latin words.
a. Sanctus (“holy”) and facio (“to make”). Thus, sanctification describes the process by which one is made holy.
b. Webster defines it as “the act of consecrating or of setting apart for a sacred purpose; the act of making holy.”
2. The Greek word is hagiosmos. Vine defines it as “separation to God”
a. The word is used ten times in the Greek New Testament, being as translated sanctification and holiness
b. In 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7, it is used twice (vs. 3, 7) – translated as holiness (v. 7) in KJV, NKJ, ESV. The two English words, which are used interchangeably, are identical in meaning.
3. The Bible itself gives the meaning of sanctification. [The same Greek word (LXX) is used].
a. Exodus 13:1-2, 12
b. Genesis 2:3
c. Exodus 29:37
d. Leviticus 27:16
e. These things, animals, and people were set apart (sanctified) to God’s holy purposes and uses.
4. The meaning of sanctification then is plain:
a. “To set apart to God to be used by him and for him.”
b. Once the item or individual was separated, it was not to be used again for common purposes. When the pagans offered a hog on the altar at the temple, the altar was polluted.
c. When a person obeys the gospel and is sanctified, he must live a holy life, a life that is consecrated and dedicated to God’s service; he cannot return to his old way of life and remain in fellowship with God.
d. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
B. There are two sides of sanctification as used in the New Testament.
1. It is used in reference to the process by which one is first set apart.
a. All who become Christians are set apart at the time they are saved. This sanctifying process is called being “added to the church” (Acts 2:47), “translation into the kingdom” (Col. 1:13), and “entering Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27).
b. The gospel of Christ (God’s word) is the sanctifying power…
Acts 20:32
1) John 17:17
2) Acts 18:8… “hearing”
3) Romans 1:16-17
4) 1 Corinthians 1:2
c. Notice something about these Corinthians and their sanctification… 1 Corinthians 6:11 – The Corinthians were washed, sanctified, and justified.
1) They were washed when they were baptized:
a) John 3:5
b) Acts 18:8
c) Acts 22:16
d) Ephesians 5:26
e) Titus 3:5
f) Hebrews 10:22
2) In this washing, they (and we) received the cleansing made possible by the blood of Christ.
a) Matthew 26:28 (Acts 2:38)
b) 1 Peter 1:18-25
c) Revelation 1:5… Loosed us from our sins by his blood
3) This same process justifies (causes us to be held as though we were never guilty of sin in God’s sight) and sanctifies (sets up apart in Christ to serve and glorify God).
d. Notice what we have just seen: Salvation is in Christ (2 Tim. 2:10); sanctification is in Christ (1 Cor. 1:2); baptism puts us into Christ (Gal. 3:27); thus to enter Christ results in salvation, sanctification, and justification, and baptism is the culminating act which places us into this spiritual state with all of its attendant blessings (Eph. 1:3).
2. Sanctification is also used in reference to our spiritual development after we obey the gospel.
a. 1 Thessalonians 5:23… These Christians had already been sanctified, but Paul’s desire for them is that they might be sanctified wholly or fully. His inspired statement spoke of their need to be made sound in every part, with every grace present.
1) James 1:4
2) 2 Peter 1:5-11
b. 2 Corinthians 7:1… Perfecting holiness (sanctification) is bringing our spiritual development to completion, to reach spiritual adulthood.
c. Romans 6:19-23
1) They had given themselves over to be servants of sin in the past to work uncleanness; now Paul calls on them to give themselves over to serve righteous unto sanctification; that is, to go on to greater sanctification.
2) The fruit of sanctification is the blessed state of being free from the practice and guilt of sin, to serve the God of heaven, and to have the hope of eternal life in heaven. – To truly be set apart
3. Sanctification (being in a state of holiness) means we are separated from sin.
a. We are separated from the guilt of our past sins and set apart to God’s holy purposes when we obey the gospel.
b. As we increase our store of knowledge, and live better and serve God more fully, we grow in holiness (sanctification), and draw nearer to spiritual perfection.
c. As long as we are in this life, absolute perfection is beyond our reach (cf. Matt. 26:41); we never reach a point here when we can say that there is nothing else to learn and nothing more to do for the Lord, or that we have grown beyond the possibility of violating God’s word (1 John 3:4).
d. 1 John 1:7-10
C. There is other information given regarding the means by which we are sanctified.
1. The claim is made that sanctification is accomplished by some sudden, mysterious, supernatural operation of the Holy Spirit upon the human heart, a procedure called the second work of grace.
a. Passages which are used in support of the theory offer no support… Romans 15:16. The verse says nothing about the means by which the Holy Spirit accomplishes the action denoted. It simply states a fact. The statement might even have reference to Paul’s apostleship, and not to the sanctification of individuals.
1) Paul says he is writing to them so that he can put them in mind of things they need to know and remember. Note 2 Peter 1:12; 3:1-2
2) The apostle wrote with some measure of boldness to accomplish the aims intended. Paul had the authority to write such a letter because of his apostleship. He sometimes speaks of his apostleship as grace (Eph. 3:6-11; Rom. 1:5; Gal. 2:1-9). The apostles received authority and power vouchsafed to no other Christian.
a) Matthew 19:28
b) 2 Corinthians 12:12
3) The apostle states here that the grace granted to him (Rom. 15:15) was the commission and power Christ gave him to be his minister to the Gentiles (Acts 26:15-19). Paul did not limit himself, of course, to preaching only to Gentiles. His practice was, on entering a new city, to meet with the Jews and try to teach them first; … afterwards, he sought out the Gentiles (Rom. 1:16-17; Acts 13:14- 48). Usually there were proselyted Gentiles who assembled with the Jews; these made excellent prospects for the gospel. Paul’s calling took him especially to Gentile lands, and more than any other one person, he was able to reap a great harvest of souls among them. The other apostles gave themselves especially to work among the Jews (cf. Gal. 2:1-8).
4) The remnant of the Gentiles obeyed the gospel; these were acceptable before God. The Gentiles were the offering that was acceptable to God. They were sanctified (set apart) by the Holy Spirit. This statement of fact does not tell how the Holy Spirit sanctified these people who obeyed the gospel. Jesus spoke about people being sanctified by God’s word (John 17:17); since the Holy Spirit revealed the word of God, the way the Spirit sanctifies people is by that word, the gospel. The Holy Spirit appoints elders (Acts 20:28), but he does not do so by a supernatural fiat directly from heaven; he does so by men meeting the qualifications set forth in the inspired word, and being selected by the church to serve as elders.
5) We are baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13), but the Spirit does not personally immerse us; rather, as individuals believe the gospel and obey it by being baptized, they are sanctified thereby; the Spirit’s role in the process is one he accomplished by revealing the gospel.
6) When men do not follow sound procedures in interpreting the Bible, they accept all kinds of foolish and hurtful beliefs and practices (2 Tim. 2:15).
a) 2 Thessalonians 2:13
b) The apostle states the fact that the Holy Spirit is the author of the sanctification that accompanies salvation, without stating the method by which the sanctification is accomplished. There is no support in the verse for the theory.
b. Sanctification is attributed to the word of God.
1) John 17:17-19
2) Hebrews 10:10, 29
2. Sanctification is accomplished by the Holy Spirit; he uses the inspired word of God to bring this spiritual condition to pass. It is not an action done by the Spirit in a direct, miraculous way; it is not done independent of our will.
a. 1 Peter 1:2
b. The Spirit’s work is accomplished through the message he revealed to inspired men, and which he caused to be recorded as the New Testament.
1) 1 Corinthians 2:9-14
2) 2 Timothy 3:16-17
c. The part the individual plays in the great spiritual drama of sanctification is to hear, believe, and obey the Spirit-given message.
1) Acts 18:8
2) 1 Peter 1:22-25
3. The Godhead is unified in the sanctification process:
a. The Holy Spirit sanctifies, using the inspired message of truth.
b. Christ redeems through the ransom price of his blood.
c. God elects those who meet the condition into the ranks of his spiritual family.
4. The sanctification process includes:
a. the initial setting apart when we obey the gospel and
b. the growth we experience as we study, learn, serve, and increase in spiritual strength.
D. Both of these aspects of sanctification are essential to our eternal salvation.
1. It is God’s will… 1Thessalonians 4:3
a. Can God’s will be ignored in any matter with impunity?
b. We cannot shun either part of God’s plan of sanctification; we must obey the gospel in order to be saved from our past sins; and we must walk in the light of the gospel in order to retain salvation.
c. Romans 5:8-9
2. Sanctification prepares us for useful service in Christ’s kingdom… 2 Timothy 2:21
a. The one-talent man was unprofitable: “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 25:30).
b. The ancient Gentiles and some of the Jews were not profitable… Romans 3:12
c. We are saved in order to serve, not to be served.
1) 2 Corinthians 5:15
2) Galatians 2:20
d. We cannot be useful to the Lord unless we are separated from the sinful world, and dedicated to the Lord’s business.
3. Sanctification qualifies us for fellowship with the saints, both here and in eternity.
a. Matthew 5:8
b. Ephesians 3:15
c. 1 John 1:7
4. Sanctification permits us to enter heaven and see God in peace.
a. 2 Corinthians 7:1
b. Hebrews 12:14
c. Revelation 21:27
d. 1 John 3:2-3
E. Examination of the means by which sanctification is produced.
1. Sanctification is produced by the word of God.
a. John 8:31-32
b. John 17:17
c. Hebrews 10:10
2. We are made free from sin (separated from its guilt) by the truth when we believe and obey the truth (God’s word).
3. We cannot expect to be acceptable if we reject any of the requirements of God… Luke 7:30
4. We cannot expect to be acceptable if we do not continue in to follow the truth.
a. Matthew 10:22
b. Revelation 2:10
5. We are sanctified when we obey the truth and try to live in harmony with the truth.
a. 2 Corinthians 3:18
b. James 1:23-25
6. Growth in sanctification is produced by worshiping in spirit and in truth…
John 4:24
a. It is a well-established principle that we become like the object of our adoration.
b. God has ordained our worship to be offered through studying his word, singing praise, eating the Lord’s Supper, praying, and giving.
c. Each component of scriptural worship is a powerful influence in developing sanctification. Who are the spiritually weak and poverty-stricken members? Those who do not attend and worship sincerely. Who are the mature, strong Christians? Those who ever attend and worship devoutly.
F. Results of sanctification.
1. If one is sanctified, he has a deep reverence for sacred things.
a. He has profound respect for the Bible, for worship, for the Lord’s church, and for the name of the Lord.
b. When he speaks of God or to God, he does so with awe and respect… Leviticus. 19:12
c. If one uses the Lord’s name loosely, or is critical of his church, is inattentive in worship, or treats the Bible lightly, we can know that he is not a sanctified person; he is either grossly ignorant or indifferent.
d. Hebrews 12:14
2. If one is sanctified, he has the earnest desire for the prosperity of the church and for the salvation of the lost world.
a. He is willing to sacrifice self-interest for the church’s welfare.
b. He will go out of his way to avoid being offensive to the saints or to the lost.
c. He is willing to do his part to reach the lost, with his talents, his time, his energy, and his money.
d. Hebrews 12:14
3. If one is sanctified, he is longsuffering.
a. If impatient, peevish, harsh, critical, unfriendly, or ever complaining about others, he has an unholy disposition of mind.
b. The heart that is right is the heart that suffers long with others even when others are out of step with the Lord.
c. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
d. Ephesians 4:32
4. If one is sanctified, he hates all sin and religious error and loves the truth.
a. One who hates sin and error does so because God does… Psalm 119:128
b. We hate it because it is ruinous to man.
c. We love the truth because it leads to everlasting life.
d. If a man is tolerant of sin and error, he is not on God’s side.
5. One who is sanctified delights in worshiping and obeying God.
a. He does not view it as a heavy burden, but a joyful privilege.
1) Micah 6:8
2) 1 John 5:2-3
b. He counts it a happy fate to be even the lowliest servant… Psalm 84:10
c. He considers it a privilege and joy to give… 2 Corinthians 9:7
d. It is a time of happiness for him to be able to sing praise to God, to eat the Lord’s Supper, to study God’s word, and to pray; and he is happy to be able to serve in any capacity.
6. One who is sanctified is a willing worker in the kingdom of Christ.
a. There is no need to threaten or cajole such a one.
b. He is willing to learn and do his duty without keeping a record of his accomplishments.
c. Mark 14:8
CONCLUSION
A. Do you measure up to God’s high standards?
1. 2 Corinthians 13:5
2. Do not get discouraged if you are trying but fall short: keep trying.
3. But if you are not trying, or think little of sanctification or of other spiritual affairs, reflect on these statements of truth:
a. Hebrews 12:14
b. Revelation 21:27
c. Revelation 22:14
B. What we have presented in this study is what the inspired apostles wrote:
1. Philippians 2:12
2. 1 Peter 1:13-16

***Material gather from Bob Winton

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://www.prarkheightscoc.com

OVERCOMING DISCONTENTMENT

INTRODUCTION
A. “Contentment is a pearl of great price, and whosoever procures it at the expense of ten thousand desires makes a wise and happy purchase” (John Balguy).
1. Contentment is a very precious commodity to possess in this life of disappointments and heartaches.
2. All Christians should join with King David and say, “He maketh me to lie in green pastures” (Psa. 23:2) – That’s a great picture of contentment

B. Many today are like the two little teardrops floating down the river of life. One tear drop asked the other, “Who are you?” “I am a teardrop from a girl who loved a man and lost him. But who are you?” The first tear drop replied, “I am a tear drop from the girl who got him.”
1. Life is like as is seen in these teardrops.
2. We all too often cry over the things we can’t have, but we might cry twice as hard if we had received them.

DISCUSSION
A. WHAT IS CONTENTMENT?
1. Viewed negatively
a. Contentment is not insensibility.
1) The Stoics strove to eliminate all feeling and all emotion until they could say, “I don’t care” if a plate has broken, or if some bodily injury happened to them.
2) Contentment does not destroy all possibility of caring.
b. Contentment is not self-satisfaction, to be so happy with yourself that you never try improve yourself.
c. Contentment is not apathetic indifference.

2. Viewed positively
a. To be content means to rest satisfied, to be well-pleased; not to be disgruntled or disheartened.
b. Webster says that contentment means “freedom from care and discomfort.”
c. Content comes from  and means:
1) sufficient for one’s self, strong enough or processing enough to need no aid or support
2) independent of external circumstances
3) contented with one’s lot, though the slenderest

B. WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES SAY ABOUT CONTENTMENT?
1. “Be content with your wages” (Lk. 3:14).
a. Such was the teaching of John the Baptist to the soldiers.
b. Such contentment would prevent them from intimidating others, and practicing blackmail because of their low wage scale.

2. Philippians 4:11
a. Paul penned this while he was in prison! Yet, he was content!! How could this be???
b. Well, Paul had learned that contentment and happiness are not dependent on external circumstances, but inner qualities of the heart, and upon a right relationship with the Lord.

3. 1 Timothy 6:6-8
a. Someone once said, “The poorest man in the world is the man who has more than he needs but feels like it isn’t enough.”
b. In godliness and contentment there is GREAT gain.

4. Hebrews 13:5
a. This text is not teaching that we should not try to improve our status in life; but, rather that we should avoid a misplaced emphasis on the material things.
b. This verse does not forbid all lawful efforts to improve our own condition and that of others, for that would be inconsistent with Bible teaching.
1) Ephesians 4:28 … work to be able to give to others
2) Romans 12:11 … diligent working is serving the Lord
c. What Paul sets forth in this verse in Hebrews is, that no matter what the circumstances, put your trust in the Lord, and things will work together for our good.

C. FOES OF CONTENTMENT
1. Covetousness
a. In Hebrews 13:5 covetousness is put over against contentment as the antithesis of contentment, and even as an enemy of contentment.
b. The secret of contentment is knowing how to enjoy what you have and being able to lose all desire for things beyond your reach.

2. Unbelief
a. The Lord’s instruction to be content is based upon His promises that He will not forsake us, that He will never leave us, that He will help us and that we need not fear what man may do … Hebrews 13:5-6
b. He promises to sustain us with the physical necessities of life
1) Matthew 6:24-34
2) Psalm 37:25
I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread
c. If we believe God how cannot help but be content?

3. Envy
a. Envy is the chagrin or discontent at the excellence or good fortune of another.
b. Saul was content with the praise he was getting until he saw David getting more (1 Sam. 18:8-9).
c. The Philistines were content with their lot until they saw the possessions of Isaac (Gen. 26:14).
d. Haman was contented until he saw Mordecai sit in the king’s gate (Est. 5:9-14).
e. Envy is an insidious evil which must be eradicated from our hearts.

4. Pessimism
a. Illustration… shoe salesmen in Africa
b. The discontented pessimist when asked how things are will reply, “They are so much worse than yesterday, and so much better than I expect them to be tomorrow.”

5. Self-pity
a. The prodigal son was discontent personified, and he was guilty of self-pity (Lk. 15:29).
b. Too many cry, “Life has cheated me,” or “I’m so unfortunate.”
c. Pity is good, but it ought not be wasted on one’s self.

6. Complaining
a. The discontented person is seldom willing to keep his discontent to himself.
b. “I complained about having no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet. I complained about no one visiting my family until I found a person who had no family. I complained about the members until I mover where there were none. I complained about the Bible teacher until I tried teaching. I complained about not having fine clothes until I saw one in rags.”

D. HOW DO WE CULTIVATE CONTENTMENT?
1. Work at it!
a. Paul had to “learn” contentment (Phil. 4:11).
b. If we close the doors to the foes of contentment and develop the things which cultivate it.

2. Count your blessings
a. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
b. Ephesians 5:20

3. Transfer your attention and affection to higher and holier matters
a. Matthew 6:33
b. Christ was contented; and, His meat was to do the will of His Father (Jn. 4:34).
c. You will seldom find a discontented person who is not also materialistic

4. Keep busy
a. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop
b. Be like Jesus who went about doing good (Acts 10:38).
c. Then we will not have time to enlarge our bruises…

5. Think about how bad it could be
a. Things can always be a lot worse
b. You do not have to look far to find someone worse off than you

6. Learn that happiness is not tied to things
a. Luke 12:15
b. Our society does not believe this … thus, many are discontent

CONCLUSION