Being Contented and Confident in Christ

- If you asked the people closest to you to select the 3-5 words that best describe and define you, what would they say?...

- you might want to actually try the experiment with a few folks in the next couple of days…perhaps your spouse if you’re married, some close friends, your parents or children, your boss, co-workers, neighbors, college roommate…

- and in some cases say at the outset – I really want you honest answer and I won’t make you pay a price for answering…

- but what kind of words would they come up with that best describe and define you?...

- now here’s the next question – how long would it be before the words contented and confident made the list?...would they be among the first 3-5?...

- or would some of have to say…how about 8-10?...

- how about 15-20…right after moody and snarky…could I get a little contented and confident?...

- then what about this…how important are those commodities?....whether a person is 8 years old, or 18, or 28, or 48, or 88…how important is it to learn to be contented and confident?...

- and I realize someone might say – well wait a minute – it’s not something you learn, it’s something you receive…if you’re lucky…contented people achieve that condition because things went well for them…is that right?...

- because you may remember when the apostle Paul was writing a thank you letter to a church he dearly loved and he was thanking them for their financial support of him as one of their missionaries…what church was that?...the church at Phillippi…but what did he say…

- Philippians 4:10–12 - But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

- so would it be fair to say that the people of whom their friends or family or co-workers of whoever would say they are contented and confident…it is less a matter of their external circumstances and more a matter of the heart (the inner person) they bring to those circumstances?...

- and can we also all take hope that even if others wouldn’t write those words on our list of chief characteristics now…that it is something that we could still learn and develop now and in the coming days?...absolutely…

- one more question…what does living In Christ Alone have to do with any of this?...

- with all of that in mind, please open your Bible to Psalm 16 this morning…page 392 of the front section of the Bible under the chair in front of you…

- I hope you love the book of Psalms…I’ve been especially enjoying them this year because of the way my Read through the Bible plan is structured…I try to read through the Bible each year as many of you do…

- in the past, the plans I used were divided into readings from the OT and the NT…what that meant was, when you got to the book of Psalms, you were reading through it pretty quickly…

- the one I have this year is divided in three parts…so you read something from Psalms and Proverbs each day, and then something from the rest of the OT and something from the NT…what I like about this plan is that you’re going through Psalms and Proverbs more slowly…and I’ve really enjoyed that…

- now let’s locate this in our overall emphasis this year…why are we talking this year about Living in Christ Alone?... because this is the 500^th anniversary of the protestant reformation…btw – a number of people have thanked me for encouraging you to read at least one book on this topic this year…I’m glad for that…and what we’re learning is that the Reformation especially emphasized 5 important theological truths -- that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scriptures alone, to the glory of God alone…[by the way – next Sunday we’re going to take our second pit stop of the year and look at one of the key historical figures of that period of time…]

- we started this year by working verse by verse through the book of Colossians – which is all about the Preeminence of Christ which we found to be a powerful and immensely practical book of the Bible…

- now we’re launching a brand new study on Seeing Christ in the Psalms

- that’s surprising to some people because many Psalms were written by King David, the second king of the nation of Israel who lived and wrote around 1000 BC…yet a number of the Psalms were messianic in nation…in other words while they speak about an experience of a human king – usually David – they point toward the ultimate King the Lord Jesus Christ…

- and especially as we look back at them through what we now know from the NT – it just takes our breath away to see the way the Word of God fits together…not simply because we like seeing the jigsaw puzzle pieces come together – but because we love seeing the full and beautiful picture of Jesus Christ come alive before our eyes…

- Opening Salvos

- now, before we read this Psalm, let’s try to clear away 2 questions:

1. How do we know that Psalm 16 is speaking about Jesus?

- that’s a pretty easy one to answer…because the NT clearly tells us so…

- here are two key places where Psalm 16 is quoted.

- the first is Peter’s great sermon on the day of Pentecost…the day the church was born…part of that sermon reads like this…

- Acts 2:22–27 - Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. For David says of Him, ‘I saw the Lord always in my presence….Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my flesh also will live in hope; Because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, Nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

- he goes on to explain -- Acts 2:29–31 - Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay.

- that is a fascinating passage…because Peter says – David couldn’t have been talking about himself – the grave-robbers have been to his tomb many times…David was speaking prophetically about the coming Messiah – and those words were powerfully and perfectly fulfilled when God the Father raised His Son from the dead…1000 years after He said He would…

- Paul made the same point in Acts 13 - Acts 13:32–35 - And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today i have begotten You.’ As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.’

- so this Psalm we have before us…for sure we want to treat it with the awe and respect it deserves…

2. What is the setting of this Psalm?

- It is very interesting to read the commentators on that point…which reminds me of what we learned in Bible College and seminary – that commentators are just common-taters…

- because they are all over the map on that question…at what point in David’s life was this Psalm written…

- and some believe that –because it speaks about contentment and confidence -- it had to be early in David’s reign before he faced some of the challenges to his kingship later on…

- and you just want to scream back – that’s exactly the opposite of what the Psalm is arguing…it’s not that you can possess these character qualities if everything is going your way…

- it’s that you can learn to cultivate the kind of relationship with God – just like our King Jesus did – that results in contentment and confidence no matter what…

- and the words “no matter what” give all of this a significance that makes this study very exciting

- read Psalm 16…

- so we’re talking this am about Being Contented and Confident in Christ

- with the time we have remaining, let’s walk through this Psalm looking for 3 stages where Jesus satisfies above all others.

- another way of thinking about this is pastor John Piper’s well-known quote – God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.

- this passage explains why that’s true – and for how long it’s true…

I. Contented and Confident in Christ While You’re Alive

- that’s the point of the first 8 verses…think about all the reasons we have here and now to be satisfied in Christ…first of all…

A. Because of a secure relationship – vv. 1-2

- do you see how that’s described in the first 2 verses?...

- Psalm 16:1 - …I take refuge in You.

- Psalm 16:2 - I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.”

- isn’t it amazing that we can have that kind of secure, and intimate relationship with the very God of the universe?...and there are some other powerful verses in the Psalms about what this is like…

- Psalm 5:11 - But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You.

- Psalm 31:20 - You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.

- Psalm 61:4 - Let me dwell in Your tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.

- Psalm 91:1 - He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

- isn’t that exactly what Jesus invited us to do?... Matthew 11:28–29 - Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

- and of course Jesus was able to make this invitation because He anticipated His death, burial, and resurrection which would pay for the sins of all who would repent and believe – and therefore for those place their faith and trust in Him – we can then enjoy this kind of secure relationship where we find our refuge in Him…

- that’s why Paul could argue in Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30 that we believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of promise…

- or Jesus could say…John 10:27–29 - My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

- here’s the point –point to a person who’s contented – and it’s highly likely that individual has learned the ability to regularly take their refuge in God…you’ll find them early in the morning or late in the evening or at some regular time/place with their Bible on their lap and their list of prayer requests in their hand – quietly….quietly…taking refuge in their God…and they would say that’s one of their greatest delights…

- God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him…

- now, please keep in mind that this is a Messianic Psalm…so could we find evidence of Jesus living this way?...

- everywhere, huh?...

- Luke 5:16 - But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

- 1 Peter 2:23 - and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

- Luke 23:46 - And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

- now that leads to a pretty obvious question, doesn’t it?...and please keep in mind that Paul said we learn the art of contentment…

- so friend – have you acknowledged your sin and placed your faith and trust in Christ as Savior and Lord…and secondly, are you learning to be satisfied in God because of the security of that relationship?...are you taking refuge in Him?...

- you know – that really defines much of our efforts across our ministry platforms…

- Colossians 1:28 - We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.

- so we want to be a church family of people who are finding our satisfaction in Christ…

- we don’t need drug abuse, we don’t need alcohol abuse, we don’t need illicit sex, we don’t need endless material goods, we don’t need the world’s affirmation and applause and on and on – why?...because we’re finding our refuge in Him…

- it also relaxes our expectations of others around us…

- our refuge isn’t in having a perfect spouse, or perfect kids, or a perfect job, or a perfect lawn…

- when you’re secure in your relationship with the Lord, you’re not so demanding of other people…which leads us to the point of verses 3-4

B. Because of a delightful family – vv 3-4

- and here we see both the positive and negative side of the point:

1. Positively

- Psalm 16:3 - As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.

- this is the privilege and pleasure of living life in community with others…

- so we can surround ourselves with brothers and sisters who are also seeking to find their satisfaction in Christ…

- and their encouragement and their example (and their confrontation if necessary) is such a helpful aspect of finding contentment…

- Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 - Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

- one of the best ways to be a contented person…is to surround yourself with contented people…and think about it from the other perspective…

2. Negatively

- Psalm 16:4 - The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied;

- one of the reasons we want to find our joy and satisfaction in Christ and encourage others to do the same is because of the profound sadness and destruction that comes from seeking contentment in any other source…

- ask anyone is drug abuse ever took them to a good place…

- or explosive anger…or surrounding yourself with fools…or filling your life with endless noise and busyness and material things…

- this is a promise and a warning from the God of heaven – the sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied…

- think about how this plays itself out…

- why have we had a community based biblical counseling center for 40 years?...

- because we want to have gospel-focused resources available for persons and families in our town who are struggling in some way…

- and we’re glad for the opportunity to point others to a personal relationship with God through faith in our crucified/resurrected Savior and a place in our church family where we can link arms and continue to grow together…

- why are we glad that God blessed us over a decade ago with our Vision of Hope ministry for young ladies who might be helped by residential care?...because we love it when others are learning to take their refuge in God…and living life in community with other growing followers of Christ…it’s the power of Christ-centered relationship…

- then layer on what is happening with our new men’s ministry…and so many of the other ministries around here…it’s people who are trying to grow in contentment inviting others to join us in the journey…

- and by God’s grace it’s working in big ways and small…

- someone was telling me this week about a conversation he had with neighbor who said he wasn’t a religious person at this point in his life but he made the off-handed and unsolicited comment – “but I know a lot of people from Faith – they’re good people”…if that means – people who are contented and confident and finding their satisfaction in their relationship with God and others…we’ll take that, huh?...

- last Sunday we shattered our attendance record…last Easter we had 2477 persons join us – last week we had 2740 persons at our 2 campuses…

- and while we’re not interested in numbers as an end in themselves – we’re certainly interested in people – in souls – individuals who all will spend eternity somewhere…

- we can also be contented and confident….

C. Because of our incredible stewardship.

- Psalm 16:5–6 - The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.

- the language here is reminiscent of the allocation of the promised land to the twelve tribes of Israel…

- and if you review that period of history – not every tribe was equally pleased with what they received…but in comparison to what every one of us truly deserves from the hand of a holy God…we can all say that the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places…we have been given much…

- Paul picks this same theme up in the NT when he says…

- 1 Timothy 6:6–10 - But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

- As we walk through these verses – are you allowing the Scripture to do its work in you?...how would you rank yourself in the area of contentment and confidence in Christ?... Occasionally weep deeply over the life you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Then wash your face. Trust God. And embrace the life you have.

- sure we all have trials…we all have disappointments…I really like what Piper said about that...Occasionally weep deeply over the life you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Then wash your face. Trust God. And embrace the life you have – John Piper.Occasionally weep deeply over the life you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Then wash your face. Trust God. And embrace the life you have.

- David goes on and talks about how we can do this…

D. Because of supernatural counsel.

- Psalm 16:7–8 - I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

- please think about the logical progression we’re seeing…how do you get to verses 7-8 where you’re reviewing God’s truth while you’re lying on your bed at night?...

- it’s the culmination of finding your refuge in Him…and surrounding yourself with others heading in a similar direction, and learning to be thankful for all that God has given you…and then immersing yourself in His Word…you’re allowing the Lord to counsel you…and the result is a person who is contented and confident…

- I don’t say much about this topic around here because I don’t have to…but there are implications to what we’re studying this morning to way we give financially…

- you would agree with this, wouldn’t you?...

- discontentment leads to greed, and envy, and hoarding our resources…

- whereas what we’re studying this morning leads to generosity…

- here’s an interesting stat…our attendance is up modestly year over year and when we look at what is happening right now in evangelical churches across the country right now – we praise God for the numerical growth…

- but our giving this year…is up 11%...with me or anyone else saying practically nothing about it…

- so yes, the love of money is the root of all evil – it’s a terrible god…

- but when you’re finding your contentment in Christ, money can be a powerful tool…

- because we understand that all these ministry platforms to others take money – God has built that into His world…

- but we don’t want to just talk about inviting as many people as possible to enjoy what’s promised in Psalm 16 – we want to sacrifice financially to make that available to as many people around the world as possible…

- and we don’t talk about this passage very often – but I personally believe we’re seeing it fulfilled right before our eyes…Malachi 3:8–10 - Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, “How have we robbed You?” In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

- the latter half of that passage is a promise…

- and I believe the evidence suggests that there are a lot (not a few) people who are learning to live a Psalm 16 kind of life…or perhaps better stated – allowing our Messiah – the Lord Jesus Christ who first lived these principles on earth now live them in and through us…

- but as a result – this is church is receiving an overflowing amount of blessing from the windows of heaven…

- so there are plenty of reasons to have contentment and confidence in this life…but Psalm 16 doesn’t stop there…it’s also possible to be…

II. Contented and Confident in Christ When Facing Death

- friend, if verses 9-10 don’t light your fire – your wood is wet…

- Psalm 16:9–10 - Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

- and it’s an open question of exactly what David meant by all of this although it’s fascinating that Peter says in Acts 2 that David was a prophet…

- but we know at least this – David knew his soul would not be separated from God at death…

- Psalm 23:6 - Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

- but as we saw at the beginning – in two seminal places in the NT – Acts 2 and Acts 13 – both Paul and Peter explained that this was talking about the resurrection of Jesus Christ – 1000 years before it occurred…

- that’s why ultimately we can be…

III. Contented and Confident in Christ when Contemplating Eternity

- Psalm 16:11 - You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

- and the beauty of all of this is – our Messiah – the One whose life is prophesied in this passage lived this way…

- He knew He could find His refuge in the Father…

- He knew death would not hold Him…

- and he knew He would return to the Father’s right hand…

- and so – we agree with the writer of Hebrews…who calls on us to…

- Hebrews 12:2 - fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

- [Conclusion – Marilyn Baldwin’s memorial service]