Resting in the Lord
What does resting in the Lord Look like in a believer’s life?
Material taken from John MacArthur sermons and commentary. Compiled by Tim Gowens – with Comments etc…
Contentment – Phil 4:4-9
Discontentment is Sin! It is Sin because of these truths:
• It Zaps our Joy and Peace that is ours in the Lord
• It fails to say to God “Do with me as you will”
• It fails to acknowledge that this is God’s best for me!
Eph.1:11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being
predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will
It is not the answer to the situations we find ourselves in – it is about our learning to Trust God through them!
How do we get there?
• Cultivating the Love of others. Don’t be sucked up into yourself! Don’t be focused on you and your circumstances.
Phil. 1: 12-14 12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Rom. 14:19 19 therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
• Rejoice in the Lord not focusing on the circumstance – Learn to Focus on the attributes and the character of God and submit to and Obey it! A discontented Christian does not have Joy and contentment. Acts 5:40 40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
• Learning to accept less that you are due – Learning to die to yourself. We need to learn to put away our rights and put on meekness and gentleness. Phil 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. We need to learn that the Lord is at hand and practice His presence throughout the entire day. Col. 2:9-10 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
• Learn to submit to God’s sovereignty over you! David struggled with this – Read 1 Samuel 21:12 – Ps.118 – Ps.125:1-2 The Lord is NEAR like a bird in the air or a fish is in the water or a root is in the Dirt – He is always near and always in total control over every circumstance in the lives of men. How could God command us to not be anxious about anything if this were not so? Don’t carry God’s burdens. Leave it alone and trust His presence in everything. Peace only comes when we unload our sin of discontentment and begin to rest in Him. Peace is the guard against anxiety and fear. But Peace does not come to the untrusting unbelieving fearful – self focused heart!
• Think on Godly things. Discontentment is always the result of “ negative” “speculative” – “what if” thinking that will always drive a person to depression. Phil. 4: 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
• Follow a good Example – vs 9 – What kind of friendship do you have? Do they challenge you to think correctly? Are they on the pathway of Peace trusting God and pursuing the Lordship of Jesus in their lives? Association that are the wrong type of influence will temp you to remain in your sin of discontentment.
It is not the answer to the situations we find ourselves in – it is about our learning to Trust God through them!