Anxious for Nothing
Gene Alphin
Anxious for Nothing 1 of 5 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
3 Glory ye in his holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
NEW SIGN
Title: Anxious for Nothing - Ansiosa por nada
Subtitle: The Antidote for Fear - El antídoto contra el miedo
Anxiety is a meteor shower of what-ifs.
Anxiety is living life in a minor key with major concerns. - Max Lucado
What are your fears? -¿Cuales son tus miedos?
Pass out index cards: What are you worried about right now?
It is not God’s will that you live in perpetual anxiety!
Last week we told you you do not have to believe everything you think! - ¡No tienes que creer todo lo que piensas!
Because your brain lies to you… - Porque tu cerebro te miente...
Conquering anxiety and worry requires some work on your part!
You have to do more than “pray” about it or have a friend to pray about it.
We have to be intentional to control our thoughts!
We have to remind ourselves that everyday that God is in control not worry, fear or chaos.
BOTTOM LINE: WHO/WHAT WILL YOU SUBMIT TO?
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
SET: think, hold/form and opinion
56 - cincuenta y seis
3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
4 In God I will praise his word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear What flesh can do unto me.
112 - ciento doce
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
Don’t worry about bad news!
94 - noventa y cautro
19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul.
Hear me: God loves his children. He oversees your world. He monitors your life.
Paul gives us a key ingredient in controlling our thoughts.
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
In Philippians 4:4, Paul offers what could be considered a “prescription” for anxiety and worries.
Interestingly, this prescription begins with a call to “rejoice in the Lord always.”
Paul worked very hard to get his readers’ attention.
First, he uses a verb tense so they would hear, “continually, habitually rejoice!”
Then he removed the expiration date: “Rejoice in the Lord always.”
And if that wasn’t enough, he repeated the command: “Again I will say, rejoice!”
Note: Didn’t say be happy, said rejoice!
But how do you obey this command?
By recognizing the sovereignty of God.
The most stressed-out people are control freaks.
The more they try to control the world, the more they realize they cannot.
Life becomes a cycle of anxiety, failure; anxiety, failure; anxiety, failure.
But when you recognize heaven has an occupied throne, you allow the Lord to be in control.
God then calms your fears NOT by removing the problem, but by REVEALING HIS power!
Your anxiety decreases as your understanding of God increases.
The next time you fear the future, rejoice in the Lord’s sovereignty.
Rejoice in what he has accomplished.
Rejoice that he is able to do what you cannot do.
Fill your mind with thoughts of him.
Philippians 4:6–8 (NASB95)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Thanksgiving = expression of appreciation of benefits!
Peace of God = the guard of your heart!
Where others see the problems, you see the opportunity to have a conversation with your Father!
Intentionally lift up your mind to thoughts about your king.
Don’t get lost in your troubles.
Dare to believe that good things will happen.
Worry reveals what you have faith in!
Source of anxiety:
Unresolved guilt can turn you into a person who is hiding, running, denying, and pretending.
Guilt can suck the life out of your soul.
But grace restores that life and allows you to trust God’s forgiveness.
The result is the ability to rejoice unhindered, confident in God’s sovereignty.
Questions to ask in conclusion:
How is rejoicing a choice?
What does rejoicing in the Lord look like to you?
How would you describe your confidence in God’s control over your life?
What are some ways you have seen God’s sovereign hand at work in your life?
How can spending time each day in God’s presence help you rejoice in the Lord always?