Philippians # 9 - Being Content
Time Stamps
00:00 - Welcome
01:45 - Being Content - Jack Mariner
05:20 - Paul's Teachings on Contentment
08:23 - Contentment and Strength
16:35 - Contentment in Christ
19:08 - Practising Gratitude
22:42 - Conversation Street
24:07 - Practising Contentment
30:55 - Consumerism and Contentment
33:21 - Contentment and Action
36:57 - Contentment vs. Happiness
41:41 - Contentment and Age
Finding Contentment in a World That Breeds Discontent
Ever noticed how hard it is to feel content these days? In a world of targeted ads, social media comparisons, and endless upgrades, contentment can feel like a distant idea. This week at Crowd, Jack Mariner unpacked our final passage from this Philippians series, where Paul talks about learning to be content in any situation - yes, any situation.
Now, before you roll your eyes thinking this is another "just be grateful" message, stick with me. Because what Paul shares (and what Jack unpacked) might just change how you think about contentment.
“Contentment is not found in being strong. It’s not found in being strong, but it’s about accepting our weakness.”
Three Must-Know Insights About Contentment
1. It's Not About Being Strong
True contentment isn't found in gritting your teeth and pushing through. It's actually found in acknowledging our weaknesses. As Jack pointed out, we often bring this very British, stoic trait into our faith - the "keep calm and carry on" mentality. But Paul's secret wasn't about being tough enough; it was about finding strength in Christ.
2. It's Not About What You Have
In a culture that constantly tells us we need more to be happy, Paul suggests something counter-cultural: contentment isn't based on external circumstances at all. Writing from prison (not exactly five-star accommodation), Paul had discovered a peace that had nothing to do with his situation and everything to do with his relationship with God.
3. It's Found in Christ
Contentment comes from knowing who you are and whose you are. When you know you're a child of God, when you understand your purpose, and when you grasp where you're headed (spoiler: this isn't our final destination), it changes everything.
“Our culture breeds discontentment, like advertising, social media, all of the stuff that we’re exposed to all the time, it’s designed to make us feel uncontented all day long so that we buy more stuff.”
The Questions We're All Asking
During Conversation Street, Anna and Beth tackled some brilliant questions from our community:
Can you be content and still want change? Absolutely. Sometimes contentment actually looks like taking action, but from a place of peace rather than desperation.
What's the difference between contentment and happiness? While happiness often depends on circumstances, contentment runs deeper. You can be content even in unhappy situations because it's rooted in something (or rather, Someone) more permanent than your current circumstances.
Does being content mean giving up on goals and desires? Not at all. It's about holding those desires with open hands and putting God first.
The Practice of Contentment
One practical takeaway? Gratitude. Jack challenged us to make thankfulness a daily practice. Not in a forced, fake-positive way, but in a genuine acknowledgment of God's presence and goodness, even in tough seasons.
As Beth shared during Conversation Street, sometimes the most powerful moments of contentment come when we choose to worship even when we don't feel like it. It's in those raw, honest moments with God that transformation often happens.
“It’s so easy, isn’t it? It’s so funny how quickly we can go from being content from needing nothing to suddenly something rocking our world and something like a new pair of brown shoes.”
What Now?
If you're wrestling with finding contentment in your own life, or you're just curious to hear more, watch or listen to the full service below. Links are above.
Trust me, Jack's story about brown shoes alone makes it worth it!
RECENT EPISODES
RECENT LIVESTREAMS
More from this series
At Crowd Church, we are committed to creating a space for you to explore the Christian faith, regardless of where you are on your faith journey.
What happens at Crowd Church?
Every week we livestream our online church service and release a new story on What’s The Story Podcast. We have weekly online community groups that meet up and all of that good stuff. You can find out more about everything that goes on at Crowd by browsing through this site, and you can reach out to us via our contact page.
Come and Join In!
Are you interested in joining in with what is happening here at Crowd? We would love to meet you!
Come and join our in-person service in Liverpool.
Join in with the Church Livestream
Subscribe to Crowd Church Podcast & What’s the Story Podcast
Follow us on Instagram
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel
New to church? If so - check out the New Here link.
Any questions? Please connect with us via our Contact Page, or via WhatsApp: +44 7984 530 429