Jeffrey Johnson's sermon, based on 1 Corinthians 7, addresses the theme of contentment and serving the Lord within one's current circumstances. Johnson begins with a personal anecdote about a conversation he had with someone who believed God called him to be rich so he could give to the church and missions, yet he admitted to not giving anything at the time. This story serves to highlight a common misconception that one must be in a better financial or social position to serve the Lord effectively.
Johnson argues that this belief is a misunderstanding of what it means to serve God and be content with what one has. He points out that everyone, at some point, has wished for different circumstances under the belief that it would enable them to serve God better. However, he emphasizes that contentment with one's current situation is what the Bible teaches, specifically in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. Paul's message in this passage is to live the life the Lord has assigned and to remain in the condition one was in when they were called by God.
Johnson discusses the concept of "calling," noting that it includes both our spiritual and earthly callings. He clarifies that our earthly situation—our jobs, relationships, and personal circumstances—are part of God's assignment for us. He stresses that contentment does not depend on our external circumstances but on our relationship with God and our commitment to living in obedience to His commands.
Throughout the sermon, Johnson explores the importance of obedience, serving Christ in our current roles, and the fallacy of believing that change in our circumstances is necessary for happiness or effective service to God. He uses biblical examples, including Paul's contentment in various situations, to illustrate that our ultimate calling is to serve Christ, regardless of our earthly status or conditions.
Johnson concludes by encouraging listeners to find joy and contentment in serving the Lord within their present circumstances, reminding listeners that our time on earth is short and our true purpose is to glorify God in all we do. He asserts that true contentment and joy come from fulfilling our calling to serve Christ, not from changing our external conditions.
