Wisdom for Living: “Contentment,” #9 | Mac Hammond
 
 
Recap
 
Pastor Mac introduced us to another word with regard to his series on “Wisdom for Living.” It’s the word “contentment.” It may seem kind of milquetoast at first, but if you think about it, contentment has the greatest impact on your life. Ask yourself this question: Are you content in your life? Or are you discontent with how your life is being played out? In this ninth installment of his wisdom series, Pastor Mac teaches about contentment and how to attain it in your life no matter what life brings.
 
Dive Deeper
 
The greatest impact on the quality of your life is contentment. Conversely, discontentment is the foundation of the things you don’t want.
 
We’re called to be one heart, one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel. If you’re an island standing alone, you’re nothing. You’re to be part of a larger body. 
 
Discontent in a relationship will grow into anger or animosity or resentment; even hatred and division will occur. 
 
Discontentment is the foundation of any failure that you experience, both in the body of Christ and as a Christian. 
 
Discontentment says, “I can’t be happy unless this situation changes or that situation changes.” 
 
If you’re discontent with your job or with your level of income, the Lord says that’s not okay. The Lord wants you to do what you do as unto the Lord. You give it your best shot. That’s the only way God can promote or graduate you in that arena of life’s endeavor.
 
Discontent can touch just about every part of our lives because we are carnal beings. We have a carnal nature, and we live in a body of flesh that makes a lot of demands. 
 
The reason discontentment is so dangerous is because it alters your motive; even when you’re doing the right thing, your motive in doing it is wrong. Your motive is self-gratification.
 
Discontentment sets you up to go in the exact opposite direction that you want to go in. 
 
What does the apostle Paul say about this matter? He said, “I have learned to be content in whatsoever state I’m in.” He experienced many adverse “states.” He was stoned, beaten, whipped, shipwrecked! In all of that, he said he learned to be content!
 
What is the definition of content? The Greek word means “inward sufficiency.” The definition in Strong’s Concordance says, “separated or independent of natural circumstance.” Another definition given by W.E. Vines is “without covetousness.” When you covet something, you’re saying you can’t be happy unless you have that. 
 
Read About It
 
2 Corinthians 4:18, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 
 
Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
 
Philippians 3:13, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before…” 
 
Discussion Questions
 
What about you? Overall, are you content or discontent in your life? 
 
Are you overall content with your life but just feel discontent in an area of your life? 
 
What area or areas do you feel discontent and how can you turn your attention in that area back to the Lord and find contentment in Him?

Recent Sermon Notes

The Prophetic Cycle of Chaos | Lance Wallnau

This past weekend, our very special guest speaker was Lance Wallnau. Brother Lance opened his message by ominously saying: “Something is happening in the United States where the church is reaching a tipping point in its influence in the spiritual atmosphere. And the country’s starting to shake out of something it’s been under and it’s coming to freedom. Our unity is an accelerator. I’m going to be talking a little bit about divine convergence when you’re walking into the timing of God.”

The Vision Imperative | Mac Hammond

Pastor Mac entitled his new series, “The Vision Imperative.” He based his message on Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” This is a cut-and-dried statement of scripture. There are no “ands, ifs, or buts” about it. Pastor Mac said, “You can pray to God all you want, but if you have no vision, you will perish.” This series will focus specifically on God’s vision and plan for us individually and personally! 

The Gift of Righteousness or System of Truth | Mark Hankins

Mark Hankins, delivered a message entitled, “The Gift of Righteousness or System of Truth.” He explained that everywhere the Apostle Paul preached and in all of his letters to the churches, Paul consistently taught a “form of doctrine.” The Weymouth translation called it a “system of truth.” This system of truth was designed to create champions, those who would reign in life like a king! 

Bringing Your Flow to the Corporate Anointing | James Tan

we were blessed to have as our special guest minister, Dr. James Tan. He used Hebrews 5:14 as his text: “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” He cautioned that there were far too many believers who have never grown up and are still drinking milk when they should be eating solid food. A mature believer is someone who is able to discern the manifestations of Holy Spirit and the anointing. Dr. James went on to teach that there are primarily three manifestations of the anointing. 

Thy Kingdom Come, #4 | Mac Hammond

Pastor Mac was back this past weekend! He continued his series, “Thy Kingdom Come.” His text was out of Hebrews 12:26, “Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.” He reminded us that things are going to get shaken… not only on earth but in the unseen realm in the heavenlies! How you respond to the shaking will determine your quality of life. You’ll either be removed or transformed. Which one will be your future?