Sermon – September 8, 2019
1 Timothy 6:2-10 – Contentment and God’s House (mp3)
Introduction
Many heroes of our faith have put up with extraordinary circumstances. These simply stand in a long history of Christian patience and longsuffering, starting with Jesus and continuing through the apostles, including Paul. Jesus instructed us not to be anxious about anything, even clothing nor food – a tall order indeed! This is not really our experience, as we are told by our culture that the best way to be successful is to never be content, to work and strive to get all we can, to keep your foot on the gas. But discontentment can be a rot in God’s house – today, we have the opportunity to think through why.
1. Be Content in Christ’s Proclamation
While Timothy is to continue teaching and commanding the good things that Paul has already spoken of, he is to avoid thinking that he needs to move beyond the great truths about Christ to other topics. Preachers and congregations that do so are puffed up, arrogant, and simply love division. Let us stick to the preaching of the gospel and the good things that accord to it. While not running from controversy, neither should we seek it out. Rather, let us focus on the Bible’s assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord!
2. Be Content in Christ’s Provision
At the end of our passage, we get the familiar warning about loving riches. We should be careful in how we read, though. It is not money itself, but the love of it, that is the source of all kinds of evils. This means that none of us is excused from it. It tempts us to sin against God to fulfill or illicit desires for more, and it is a temptation that is not prone to being shaken easily. Let us avoid the ruin and destruction, and trust in what Christ has provided for us!
3. Be Content in Christ’s Promise
We can do these things, because Christ has promised us a great many things – but many of these things are, as Peter says, kept for us in heaven. So, we know that being born with nothing, we will die with nothing, so there is no reason to hang on to the things that we have here. Instead, let us press to keep the reward of heaven, kept safe and secure!
