The Virtue of Contentment

Dennis Tuuri

Outline: Hebrews 13:5b,6 The Virtue of Contentment Sermon Outline for March 5, 2006 by Pastor Dennis R. Tuuri Review: See Attached Outline of Proverbs 22:22-23:11 (Ps. 39:6; Ecc. 5:13 ,14) Luke 12:4-7; 13-34 The Text of Luke 12:4-7; 13-34 1. A Command – Beware Covetousness V. 15 2. Is Illustrated by a Parable vv. 16-20 3. Which Jesus Explains v. 21 4. And Then Teaches About It in Detail – vv. 22-34 A. Don’t Worry – vv. 22-30 B. Be Holy – vv. 31-34 Lessons from Luke 12:13-34 As Summarized in 12:15 A. Greed - A Sin To Be On Guard Against 1. It is Insatiable Prov. 27:20; Ecc. 2:10 ,11; 5:10 ,11; 6:7 2. It is Destructive to Self and Society Prov. 15:27; I Tim. 6:10-12; Gehazi, Achan B. Greed - A Sin That Comes In Many Forms C. Greed - A Sin of Idolatry Col. 3:5 Instructions from Luke 12 On How to Avoid Greed A. Be Assured of God's Care and Love 1. For Sparrows v. 6,7 2. For Ravens v. 24 3. For Lilies v. 27,28 4. For You B. Let Kingdom Work Prioritize Your Life v. 31,34 C. Recognize That God Himself Is Our Treasure 21,34 Gen. 15:1; Heb. 13:5 1 Timothy 6:6-12 I. True Gain Contrasted With False Gain v. 5,6 A. Material Gain Is Not Godliness B. But Godliness Is True Gain Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5; Judges 18:23,24 II. Contentment Necessary For True Gain v. 7,8 A. Contentment Without Godliness Is Not True Gain B. But Earthly Contentment With Heavenly Minded Godliness Is Great Gain III. Love For the Symbols of Gain Is Great Loss v. 9,10 A. Desire for Earthly Riches Is A Snaring Root 1 Tim. 6:17; Pr. 23:4; Pr. 30:7-9 B. That Blossoms Into Worthless Fruit Luke 15:13; Pr. 21:20; I Thes. 2:5 IV. A Closing Admonition © v. 11,12 A. Flee the Love For False Gain B. And Follow True Gain V. Steps to Godliness and Contentment A. Practice and Teach Biblical Corporate Worship 1. The Sursum Corda 2. The Lord’s Day, (The Christian Sabbath) 3. The Tithe 4. The Eucharist 5. Almsgiving 6. The Rejoicing Feast 7. The Benediction B. Practice and Teach Biblical Family Worship 1. The Lord's Prayer 2. The Family Altar 3. The Evening Prayer C. Practice and Teach Biblical Stewardship 1. The Proper Use of Money 2. The Proper Value of Money 3. The Proper Use of Discipline The First Ten of the Thirty Sayings of the Wise Proverbs 22:22-23:11 1-1 22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, 23 for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them. 1-2 24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. 1-3 26 Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; 27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. 1-4 28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers. 1-5 29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men. 1-6 23:1 When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, 2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. 3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. 1-7 4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. 1-8 6 Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; 7 for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. 8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments. 1-9 9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words. 1-10 10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, 11 for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.