2. Breaking Free Desire…

3. - It's a god we bow down to - Sacrifice for - Become depressed when he's blessed others more than us - Work long hours to please - Go into debt over

4. Materialism!

5. At least he's an American god! But he's been around for longer than America has

6. Breaking Free and Brokenness

7. Breaking Free and Brokenness The Answer is always…?

8. The answer to Materialism Is a question, "Is Jesus enough?"

9. This time of year… Anxiety

10. This time of year… Anxiety Depression

11. This time of year… Anxiety Depression Anger

12. This time of year… Anxiety Depression Anger Giving and Feeling Like Saints

13. That time of year… Anxiety Depression Great Fear Great Lack

14. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

15. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Chairo- cheerful, calmly happy (Disposition, not just exhibition)

16. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. "Celebrate God all day every day. I mean, revel in him!"- Mssg

17. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 2 Things: - Not a put-on! - Independent of Circumstances

18. The Philippian Christians Needed this…

19. The Philippian Christians Needed this… We need this!

20. "Is Jesus enough?"

21. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand…

22. Reasonableness= epieikes: a willingness to yield one’s personal rights and show consideration and kindness to others Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand…

23. Reasonableness= epieikes: a willingness to yield one’s personal rights and show consideration and kindness to others - Reasonableness is the result of Rejoicing in the Lord always- not circumstances Knowing…The Lord is at hand…

24. This world is not what I'm living for + He will set it straight + Coram Deo- Life lived in his Presence = Joyful sacrifice for others because… The Lord is at hand

25. …do not be anxious about anything

26. …do not be anxious about anything - Presents and Shopping - They cut in line! - Debt and not enough $$ - Everyone else has more - My family won't get much

27. …do not be anxious about anything - Our Pastor is in Jail, Death-threats - We're almost starving - They hate us for loving Jesus - Judaizers and Mockers of Paul - Persecution is coming

28. …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

29. …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Implies Trust: Means I lay it down And give it over to God's desire

30. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

31. Peace=eirene- quietness, rest "to set at one again" And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

32. "Is Jesus enough?"

33. In the meantime…

34. 1- Choose what you Feed your Head Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

35. Not…what can I get Not…what must I do Not…how can I get their acceptance and praise But…what do I already have in Jesus?

36. 2- Live what you Know is True What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

37. Living the Truth Brings Peace

38. Living the Truth Brings Peace The opposite is also true!

39. Belief without practice is very American Just not Christian…

40. Materialism… and Belief without Practice

41. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.

42. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Every reason not to send Financial support to Paul Which means it took real Faith

43. We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia…

44. …for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part - 2 Cor. 8:1-2

45. 2 Types of God’s Work in His Creation: Miracles- supernatural intervention into the natural affairs of this world Providence- God working through natural events of this world to accomplish his purposes

46. Providence trusts that God’s ways and God’s timing are always right, even when they allow for suffering and pain

47. Miracles- as they gave out of their lack They experienced God's miraculous provision Miracles- as they gave out of their lack They experienced God's miraculous provision

48. Providence: When the support had suddenly stopped… Paul's boat wasn't rocked

49. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

50. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Contentment is a learned ability That says "Jesus is enough"

51. Content= autarkies- self-contained, without need from outside, independent of external circumstances and the opinions of other people

52. Not that I am speaking of being in need... - Locked-up - Lonely, yet constantly chained to a guard - Continual pain from beatings, etc. - Hungry - In danger of the death penalty

53. - But it just sucks… I can't afford to get the new latest greatest - But...I don’t have the right color shoes to go with this new outfit! - If I could just take one more vacation…

54. "The word 'content' actually means 'contained.' It is a description of the man whose resources are within him so that he does not have to depend on substitutes without" - Wiersbe

55. Whom have I in heaven but you? And besides you, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever- Asaph, Psalm 73

56. The answer to Materialism Is a question, "Is Jesus enough?"

57. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

58. What's the Secret?

59. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

60. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me - Philippians 4:4-12

61. The secret: I can do all things through him who strengthens me NOT: I can change my circumstances BUT- I'll be OK even if the circumstances Don't change!

62. The secret: I can do all things through him who strengthens me "I thank God that you revived your support for me- it was needed… But Jesus would have been enough even if you hadn't!"

63. The Secret of Contentment: Jesus is enough - Even if there's no tree this year - Even if the divorce left scars- and debt! - Even if I'm just happy to have food

64. The answer to Materialism Is a question, "Is Jesus enough?"

65. …if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content - 1 Tim. 6:8

66. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" - Hebrews 13:5

67. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" - Hebrews 13:5 - Where God is - Who God is

68. Know: God's Presence God's Ferocious Love

69. The answer to Materialism Is a question, "Is Jesus enough?"

70. Jesus is enough If Jesus isn't enough to satisfy Nothing else will

71. Jesus is enough If Jesus is enough to satisfy Everything else is to his glory!

72. "It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation…

73. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me…

74. …I am glad that I am blind, for when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!" - Fanny Crosby

75. The Test: What do I have to have Besides Jesus? What promises is my "god" making? Does he deliver?

76. The Test: The sacrifices I make for my god Tells me which god I'm serving

77. The answer to Materialism Is a question, "Is Jesus enough?"

78. A great Holiday Season Starts with Contentment "I can do all things Through Christ who gives me strength…"