Anxious for Nothing (3)
Anxious for Nothing 3 of 5 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Last couple weeks:
Last week we spoke on the power of Rejoicing at the sovereignty of God because it changes my perspective.
Let Your Gentleness Be Evident to All
Each of these things are choices you have to make!
Power of prayer
Title: Don’t worry, pray!
What are you to make of this parable?
Is God a reluctant judge?
Are you the ignored widow?
Is prayer a matter of pestering God until he breaks down and gives you what you want?
No, this is a parable of contrast, not comparison.
God is not like the judge in the story.
He is not reluctant in answering the prayers of his people.
As a child of the King, you can turn to him at any moment.
He never places you on hold or tells you to call again later.
God loves the sound of your voice.
ALWAYS! He doesn’t hide when you call.
He hears your prayers.
This is what the Scriptures says about prayer...
Matthew 6:8 (KJV 1900)
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Ephesians 3:20 (KJV 1900)
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
But why present your requests to him at all?
What’s the purpose when he already knows what you are going to ask?
Prayer is actually for your benefit.
It allows you to act in faith on what you know about his character.
When you pray in specific ways
...for the particulars of your problems
...and you see God respond in specific ways
...YOUR FAITH GROWS
You come to trust that God will always be there for you, even in the midst of the most anxious moments.
Prayer is simply a conversation with your creator.
You place your anxieties in his hands and remind him—and yourself—of the promises he has made in his Word.
You find a promise that fits your problem and build your prayer around it.
Sick?
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
2 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
Depressed?
18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, And delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
These prayers of faith touch the heart of God and activate the angels of heaven.
Miracles are set into motion.
You experience less consternation; more supplication.
Fewer anxious thoughts, more prayer-filled thoughts.
Here is the issue:
You have to make the choice to arrest your thoughts!
You have to intentionally stop the thoughts, forcing yourself to think of something else!
WHY? BECAUSE YOUR BRAIN LIES TO YOU!
STOP BELIEVING EVERYTHING YOUR BRAIN TELLS YOU!
Failure can’t steal your joy, because Jesus is greater than your sin.
Disappointments can’t steal your joy, because even though your plans may not work out, God’s plans always will.
Not even death can steal your joy, because Jesus has even conquered death itself.
God is greater than anything you don’t have.
God has the forces of heaven to monitoring and protect you.
So anchor your heart to the character of God.
Treat each anxious thought with a grateful one, and prepare yourself for a new day of joy.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Conclusion:
Do you ever feel like you are pestering God when you pray? How does knowing God is eager to hear from you affect your desire to talk to him?
What attitude do you tend to have when you pray? How would your prayers change if you focused on what God has already done in your life?
What anxious thoughts will you pray for specifically today? How will you remind yourself of God’s faithfulness in the past as you pray specifically for these needs?
“May the Lord bless you and keep you!
May the Lord smile upon you and be gracious to you!
May the Lord shine upon you and bless you with peace!”
Numbers 6:24-26