Contentment of cows is for cows, but Jesus’ contentment is different.

Steve Brown:
Contentment of cows is for cows, but Jesus’ contentment is different. Let’s talk, on Key Life.

Matthew Porter:
Key Life is a radio program for struggling believers sick of phony religion and pious clichés. Our host and teacher is seminary professor Steve Brown. He teaches that radical freedom leads to infectious joy and surprising faithfulness.

Steve Brown:
Thank you Matthew. If you have your Bible, open it to the first chapter of the Book of Philippians. We’re talking about when bad things happen to good people, or specifically when bad things happen to Christians. And we’re looking at Philippians 1:12 through 18. The apostle Paul’s in jail, and he’s not there for a parking ticket. I mean, he’s in serious trouble. And you have to remember that when you read the entire Book of Philippians. The central theme is joy, rejoice, that’s no big deal if you’re at a party, but if you’re in a jail, that’s a very big deal. So, bad things happen to people and we have seen first that you should always look at the principle of commonality. If it happens to them, it happens to us because we’re not outsiders of the human race. And that’s what God uses to show the difference. We’ve seen the fact of control, nothing happens to the believer that doesn’t first pass through a nail scarred hand. We’ve seen the necessity of communication, in other words, when bad things happen to us, it is a showcase for the world, so that they can see and we need to communicate. We saw the reality of community yesterday. That we’re here for them, but we’re here for each other too. I used to say I’m happier with my friends in a bar than I am with my friends at church. And that was silly, and I repent. I wish I’d never said anything like that. You know why? Because when my mother died, my brothers and sisters in Christ loved me and held me when I cried. Same thing happened when my father died. Same thing happened when I had made a horrible mistake. Same things happened. Same thing happened when I had made a public fool of myself, that’s the importance of community, that’s why God put us together, because we can’t do this by ourselves. Now, let me show you the result of everything I’ve been teaching you, and that’s the result of contentment. Contentment of cows is only for cows, but there’s a different kind of contentment that only comes from Jesus. Look at Philippians 1:18a.

What does it matter?

Oh, what, what do you mean what does it matter? You’re in jail, turkey. I mean, you’re in trouble, man. You, what do you mean, but what does it matter? That’s a statement of contentment. And then look at Philippians 1:18c.

And because of this, I rejoice.

Do you know what gives me the greatest contentment? Let me tell you. When I’ve done everything I can about a problem. I mean, struggled with it and done everything I can, and finally just give up. Yesterday, here at Key Life, one of our staff members accidentally locked her office door. And you say, no big deal, you get a key and open it. Well, we tried that, but we didn’t have a key. I mean, we went, I just can’t tell you what we all went through with screwdrivers and hammers, and George Bingham, the president of Key Life with a doctorate, was doing everything he could to get, and we couldn’t get, we finally had to call a locksmith. And the locksmith came and opened the door and everything’s okay, but you know, when I called that locksmith, that was a sign that I can’t do anything more, and neither can George, and neither can Jeremy, and neither can John, and neither can Robin, we’ve done all we can do. And we were laughing. Why were we laughing? Cause that’s all we could do. And that’s what Paul was saying. I’ve done what I was supposed to do, and what does it matter? Walter Knight has written something that’s really good. Let me read it to you.

Pressed out of measure, and pressed to all length, pressed so intensely it seems beyond strength. Pressed in the body, and pressed in the soul, pressed in the mind till the dark surges roll. Pressed by foes, pressure by friends, pressure on pressure till it never ends. Pressed into loving the staff and the rod. Pressed into knowing no helper but God. Pressed into liberty where nothing clings. Pressed into faith for impossible things. Pressed into living a life of the Lord. Pressed into living a Christ life outpoured.

Another way to say that is, it doesn’t matter. I mean, you’ve done all you can do. And once you do that, then there’s a contentment that comes from no other place. It’s in God’s hands, and God will do it. I think I’ve told you about the man in India who put everything he owned in a suitcase, got on a train, and went across the whole nation of India. But he knew on the train, there were thieves, who would steal his suitcase. So, he put it in a rack above him and watched it intensely. But about three o’clock in the morning, he couldn’t keep his eyes open and he fell asleep just for a few seconds. When he opened his eyes, he looked up and his suitcase was gone. That’s when he said, thank God now I can get some sleep. Guys, do all you can, the rest doesn’t matter. You think about that. Amen.

Matthew Porter:
That was Steve Brown teaching us from Philippians 1:18 about contentment. What a good word. More to discover tomorrow, be sure to join us. Have you ever wondered if we’re weak by God’s design? If you haven’t previously, I hope that question intrigues you right now. We discussed that subject with author Eric Schumacher on our talk radio show, Steve Brown Etc. Eric’s new book is called The Good Gift of Weakness: God’s Strength Made Perfect in the Story of Redemption. Take a listen to part of that conversation, then I’ll be back to tell you about a special free offer.

Eric Schumacher: But you know, this book, it’s a theological book, as it traces the theme of weakness through Scripture, but it’s not a theology project for me. In some ways, this is a life or death hanging on by white knuckles sort of thing, where I tried long enough in Christian world to be strong and impressive and great, and figured that all of my happiness and joy would come from being an awesome spectacle of spiritual strength, and the Lord brought me to the absolute end of myself. And I was collapsed and on the floor in a heap at the end of myself not wanting to live anymore because I couldn’t do it. And I needed grace, and this project was really my way of looking and seeing is there is a place for weakness in the Bible for weak people like me? And the answer is, yeah, it’s the only kind of people that make it into God’s kingdom is weak people.

Steve Brown:
You know, the great thing about your book, I get the weakness thing, been there, done that, made a fool of myself enough. I always tell God, you could have been gentler. I mean, if you really loved me, I would have gotten around to it. You didn’t have to do that, but he’s not very gentle. He’s the lion of Judah. And sometimes, sometimes it hurts like hell and you just think I can’t do this anymore where you were. But I get that. And those of us who work at Key Life, we get that, that’s a part of our message. But what is so new and absolutely wonderful about your book is the way you trace weakness as a central factor from Genesis to Revelation throughout the story of the people of God. If I were God, frankly, I would’ve included, there’s some things I wouldn’t have said. I mean, I’d have left out a lot of people, frankly, but he didn’t. Were you surprised when you started doing research at how often that’s the central factor?

Eric Schumacher: I figured it would be. I had an inkling, but I was surprised, and especially when you start reading through the storyline of Israel, you know, God makes this promise that this Redeemer is going to show up. He’s going to be someone who crushes the head of the serpent. So, you’re looking for this strong, conquering figure. The rest of the Old Testament is looking for this guy to show up and redeem us. And as you’re watching this line of progression, looking for him. The family of Abraham that the promise is going through, I mean, the only thing they deserve is like a recurring spot on the Jerry Springer show. I mean, they make Duck Dynasty look normal. Like if they had a reality TV show, they’re messed up. And I think the other surprising thing was how the steps God takes that he goes through to highlight weakness. You know, you get into the Judges and you have Gideon, this chicken hearted man, who’s hiding in a, he’s hiding to avoid things because he’s scared and God calls him this valiant warrior, which is kind of tongue in cheek. And then he gives them an army and he’s like, your army is way too big, we need to cut it down to 30,300 or whatever. God just goes to great lengths to show, I’m going to do all the work through weak people. I’m going to do it in a way that shows I’m the only one who did the work.

Matthew Porter:
That was a great conversation with Eric. So great, in fact, that we put the entire episode on CD and we would love to send it to you today for free. Just call us at 1-800-KEY-LIFE that’s 1-800-539-5433. You can also e-mail [email protected] to ask for that CD. Or to mail your request, go to keylife.org/contact to find our mailing addresses. Just ask for the free CD featuring Eric Schumacher. And finally, if you value the work of Key Life, would you join us in that work through your financial support? Giving is easy. You can charge a gift on your credit card or include a gift in your envelope. Or you can now give safely and securely through text. Just pick up your phone and text Key Life to 28950 that’s Key Life, one word or two. It doesn’t matter. Just text that to 28950 then follow the instructions. Key Life is a member of ECFA in the States and CCCC in Canada. And we are a listener supported production of Key Life Network.