Responding to Anxieties

**Turn to 1 Peter 5:6

Recap

CONCLUDING STUDY in 1 Peter:

EXILES & sojourners who DON’T FIT IN…set-apart people of God..will bring trials at times.

ENDURING trials w/ LIVING HOPE…secure inheritance.

Last week:

LEADERS- lead w/ HUMILITY, by example.

Those who are YOUNGER, humbly SUBMIT to leadership

EVERYONE, CLOTHE yourselves w/ HUMILITY toward one another…HUMILITY in RELATIONSHIPS.

Read text & pray

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Intro:

(Q) Does anyone here absolutely love asking for help?

MEN especially,... HURT YOURSELF moving something HEAVY? - CHIROPRACTOR

A lot of us STRUGGLE to ACKNOWLEDGE our INSUFFICIENCY and NEED to depend on OTHERS,

but it’s OFTEN WISE and GOOD for us.

WEIGHTLIFTING …BENCH PRESS W/ SPOTTER

If you DON’T HAVE a SPOTTER you HAVE to LIFT IT, which can be good or bad.

WISE to HAVE a SPOTTER who can HELP if you aren’t strong enough.

Need:

WISE to keep this in mind IN LIFE TOO...There are TIMES we are NOT STRONG ENOUGH…

Who’s spotting you?

Sometimes the PRESSURE of LIFE and the CARES/WORRIES we face in life are TOO MUCH for us.

So what do we do?

See, we need this text today, because it shows us what to do when we’re overwhelmed with the cares of life that inevitably come our way.

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Text

Thought 1: The Believer’s Humility (v6-7)

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Piggybacking from last week: (V5)

“THEREFORE” ....because GOD gives GRACE to the HUMBLE...HUMBLE YOURSELF under mighty hand of God.

Tom Schreiner- RED SEA DELIVERANCE... “Just as the Lord delivered his people from Egypt, so he would vindicate his people in Asia Minor who suffered. The image of a mighty hand emphasizes the power of God. Believers humble themselves before a mighty God, the all-powerful one.”

SOVEREIGN LORD —MAKES HUMILITY EASIER...

GREATER than US...

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RESULT of HUMILITY = EXALTATION.

NOT a GUARANTEE you’ll be WEALTHY, or the CEO...

FAVOR in THIS LIFE NOT PROMISED...

FOCUS should be on our EXALTATION when we are JOINED w/ our SAVIOR in glory!

We will be united with him and experience the glories of heaven that are beyond comprehension.

HUMBLE NOW....GREAT GLORY AWAITS.

EXALTATION in this LIFE = small POSSIBILITY...

But our FUTURE INHERITANCE and exaltation in glory is a PROMISE we can take to the bank if you are in Christ.

(CH. 1) Future INHERITANCE is IMPERISHABLE, UNDEFILED, UNFADING & KEPT in HEAVEN for us by God!

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(v7) CASTING all our CARES = HOW we HUMBLE OURSELVES.

**Some TRANSLATIONS begin with “CAST” as its own COMMAND, which is NOT a GREAT TRANSLATION.

we humble ourselves before God, by casting all our anxieties on him.

ACT of HUMILITY, WE NEED HELP.

We have to ACKNOWLEDGE we CAN’T HANDLE these things ALONE and we NEED GOD’S HELP, this is our expression of humility!

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CASTING cares = LITERALLY THROWING or hurling something.

WORD is found 2x in BIBLE...

THROWING CLOAKS on COLT...

HEAVE our ANXIETIES on GOD in PRAYER

SUFFERING for CHRIST...

HEALTH

CONCERN for KIDS. & SALVATION

FUTURE SPOUSE

WORK

NATIONAL TURMOIL/POLITICAL DIVISION

FINANCIAL STRUGGLES

etc.

ILLUSTRATION (BAGS): THESE THINGS WEIGH US DOWN!!! BAGGAGE IN LIFE

(Q) Yet, how many of us hate asking for help & avoid it at all costs?

ASKING for HELP = NATURAL to LITTLE KIDS…QUICKLY GROW OUT of IT—SELAH

It’s in our nature to be independent, but God wants us to rely on Him.

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We easily FORGET that WORRY is SINFUL.

LACK of FAITH

Often MAKES US the PROBLEM SOLVER, which is NOT OUR ROLE!

It is NOT our RESPONSIBILITY to FIX EVERY area of STRESS & anxiety in OUR LIVES, we can’t.

WHEN POSSIBLE, DO IT…NOT ALWAYS the CASE...

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PERSONAL STRUGGLE:

PERPETUAL ANXIETY w/ physical symptoms in COUDY.

Easily OVERLOAD SCHEDULE and overwhelm myself.

**THIS WEEK I STRUGGLED!

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BEST PART: We CAST our CARES, because GOD CARES for us!

Literally this means that we are of a concern to him (BDAG).

God isn’t sinfully worried, yet HE HAS CONCERNS, WATCHES over US, cares for us!

***DON’T MISS THIS

The Lord of heaven and earth, the Sovereign all-powerful God, He cares for you.

COMFORTING TRUTH!!

PEOPLE LET DOWN…GOD = ALWAYS THERE. & HE CARES!!

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ACKNOWLEDGE our own INSUFFICIENCIES , OUR NEED for HELP....CAST CARES on HIM

HE DESIRES to BE our BURDEN BEARER.

The Christian life is never meant to be self-sufficient, only God is sufficient!

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BEFORE I was SAVED---RELIGION = CRUTCH.

After coming to Christ, I’ve found in a LOT of WAYS LIFE is HARDER EVEN THOUGH it’s BETTER.

denying ourselves,

serving others,

putting others first,

living as holy set-apart people,

not giving into sinful desires,

believing in the exclusive claims of Christ in a pluralistic world

These THINGS are HARD!

JESUS often SCARED away POTENTIAL FOLLOWERS with the COST of FOLLOWING him!!

But in the MIDST of the DIFFICULTIES we can REST in the FACT that our GOD CARES and HE DESIRES to BEAR our BURDENS.

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He’s NOT a CRUTCH, HE’S the very AIR I BREATHE, he’s my LIFE-SOURCE!

It’s ONLY THROUGH HIM that I have the STRENGTH to make it FROM DAY to DAY.

In MANY WAYS, LIFE = HARDER,...but we HAVE HOPE that NONBELIEVERS DON’T HAVE, and we have a SAVIOR WHO CARES for us.

Transition: After concluding on the topic of humility, Peter moves on to addressing the need for believers to remain sober-minded and ready to suffer. Look at verse 8.

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Thought 2: The Believer’s Adversary (v8-9)

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Admonishments for Christian living:

LIVE HUMBLY before GOD.

STAY AWAKE & ALERT, because we HAVE an ADVERSARY!

SATAN WANTS to DESTROY the CHURCH, destroy our FAITH

He WON’T PREVAIL & we can RESIST & HE’LL FLEE (James 4:7-8)

Yet, we should BE AWARE that we HAVE an ADVERSARY. He’s working to deceive the world.

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EASY to be LULLED into SLEEP in life when you’re COASTING.

(Q) Anyone else frequently struggle to stay awake while driving?

It’s EASY to do SPIRITUALLY as well. We MUST REMAIN INTENTIONAL and ALERT in LIFE. Pay attention.

WHEN DRIVING & sleeping, MIX IT UP...

PSA - sunflower seeds.

SPIRITUALLY we must REMAIN ALERT and AWARE of the DEVIL’S SCHEMES to try and pull us away from Christ.

GOD is still SOVEREIGN, SATAN needed PERMISSION to TEST JOB, but the devil still works in the world to try and deter us.

GOD USES TRIALS in our LIVES to STRENGTHEN & PURIFY our FAITH...

but the DEVIL will TRY and convince us otherwise and to TURN us from the FAITH.

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(v9) DEVIL TRIES to DESTROY FAITH…REMAIN STEADFAST.

CHRISTIAN FAMILY around WORLD SUFFERS TOO…WE’RE NOT ALONE.

ESP. for AMERICAN Christians…if we FACE TRIALS because of our faith, CONSIDER our BROTHERS & SISTERS in AFRICA, CHINA, and ELSEWHERE...

Transition: After sharing about the believer’s adversary, Peter is going to move to share about the final outcome of a believer’s suffering. Look at verse 10.

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Thought 3: The Believer’s End (v10-11)

10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Our HOPE = THERE’S an END of SUFFERING.

NO ETERNAL SUFFERING for THOSE IN CHRIST!

EVEN PHYSICAL AILMENTS TEMPORARY- RESURRECTED BODIES!!

GOSPEL:

ONLY FOR THOSE IN CHRIST! OUTSIDE of CHRIST ETERNITY is the BEGINNING of SUFFERING…But YOU can HAVE HOPE TODAY!

Remember, TIME on EARTH is a SPECK in light of ETERNITY. Our SUFFERING is so FLEETING when we consider this!

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Four things God will do for us: (not subjunctive)

he will RESTORE you, which means to put you back into proper condition.

he will CONFIRM, to bring about an inner firmness and commitment into us.

Third, he will STRENGTHEN us.

Last, he will ESTABLISH us, giving us a strong foundation and sure footing.

True saving faith that brings someone into the Kingdom of God is persevering faith.

GOD who CALLS US will NOT FORSAKE US & NO ONE can SNATCH us OUT of his HAND.

HE who BEGAN a GOOD WORK will BRING it to COMPLETION at the day of Jesus Christ!

Then PETER CONCLUDES with a BRIEF DOXOLOGY for all DOMINION to be to our SOVEREIGN LORD. This is all for his glory and honor in this life.

Transition: Now, after finishing on the topic of suffering and an encouragement to persevere, Peter is going to conclude his letter with a few final thoughts and personal addresses.

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Thought 4: Final Greetings & Conclusion

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.

13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.

14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Silvanus/SILAS = LETTER CARRIER, entrusted to carry & explain letter

CONCLUDES this LETTER outlines GRACE we’ve RECEIVED, admonished to REMAIN in GRACE...

**WORK of CHRIST came FIRST. Grace received. then we continue in grace & obey.

Our OBEDIENCE is always BECAUSE of our SALVATION, NOT THE CAUSE of it.

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(v13) she who is at BABYLON = CHURCH @ ROME.

final REINFORCEMENT of EXILE/sojourning THEME.

BABYLON POINTS back to the CAPTIVITY of ISRAEL away from homeland.

LIKEWISE, GREETINGS came from MARK. (Gospel author & companion of Paul)

PETER CONCLUDES w/ BENEDICTION of PEACE, we ALL NEED! But esp. during suffering!

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Big Idea:

As believers we must humble ourselves, by casting all our cares on the Lord & rely on His strength to persevere through trials and against our adversary.

Intention:

And so we worship this morning by taking our sources of anxiety, struggle, or suffering to God in prayer, asking for Him to bear the burden for us and to strengthen us in this life.

We aren’t to go through life passively, but with an active dependence on God and an active resistance to temptation and the devil.

Cross:

Consider CHRIST PRIORITIZED PRAYER & HELP from the FATHER.

He got tired, he HAD NEEDS, & he PRAYED.

Angels helped him, Holy Spirit helped him.

He GOT UP EARLY to pray, went to DESOLATE PLACES to pray, would PRAY FOR HOURS...

***If anyone could have done it on their own it would have been God in the flesh, Jesus Christ…yet he in his humanity still depended on his heavenly Father!!

If he needed help, how much more do we!?

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Garden of GETHSEMANE- PRAYING & pleading over GOD’S WILL

ANXIETY so bad = SWEATING BLOOD, taking concerns to God.

Yet, he NEVER SINNED!! He didn’t have a sinful worry DESPITE this GREAT WEIGHT that was ON HIM!

Our SAVIOR CARES because HE KNOWS WHAT we GO THROUGH.

He’s been there.

Our God came down to earth and walked in our shoes as His creation!

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JESUS MODELED a DEPENDENCE on the FATHER & obedience that CULMINATED @ CALVARY.

The FATHER TURNED His face AWAY…

now WE NEVER HAVE to FEAR him FORSAKING US or leaving us…he never will be forsaken because Christ was forsaken...

GOD CARES for us, & we DON’T HAVE to WORRY.

Gospel: **THIS IS ONLY FOR THOSE IN CHRIST...

but the OFFER is OPEN to all TODAY.

PUT your FAITH in CHRIST as LORD, BE RECONCILED to GOD TODAY...

For THOUSANDS of YEARS ISRAEL had to go THROUGH PRIESTS to ACCESS the presence of GOD…

now WE WHO BELIEVE can go BOLDLY to the THRONE of GRACE to find GRACE to HELP in our TIME of NEED!!

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Takeaways:

we are CALLED to HUMBLE OURSELVES, knowing that we will RECEIVE EXALTATION LATER.

SUFFERING is on the ROAD to GLORY!

We HUMBLE OURSELVES BY CASTING our CARES on the LORD

ACKNOWLEDGE our NEED for HELP & DEPENDENCE on him.

CHRISTIAN LIFE ISN’T SELF-SUFFICIENT... only GOD IS SUFFICIENT!

As Christians we have an ADVERSARY who WANTS to DESTROY our FAITH.

REMAIN ALERT & ACTIVE in life. Don’t fall into passivity, DON’T be LULLED to SLEEP.

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Application:

LOOK at your LIFE & WHAT YOU’RE CARRYING...We’re all carrying something...

TAKE your CARES/concerns/sources of anxiety, CAST them ON the LORD TODAY in PRAYER…(& IN LIFE DOWN THE ROAD)

DON’T PRIDEFULLY THINK YOU can HANDLE IT, GO TO HIM today.

Give away stress balls, tangible reminder.

You don’t have to carry the burden alone. Go to the Lord today and receive His grace to help in your time of need.

**Close in prayer