"The Weapon of Worry"
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How many of you would categorize yourself as a “worrier?” Even a chronic “worrier?” You’re not the only crazy one!
o You’re not the only crazy one!
How many of you are married to a “worrier?” You’re not alone!
o You’re not alone!
For those of you that worry, don’t you wish the cure was as easy as some of the great “philosophers?” Hakuna Matata
For those of us that really struggle with worry and anxiety, it’s not funny. It’s serious. It’s spiritual.
o It’s spiritual.
Weapon of Worry
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
· 40% -- things that will never happen 30% -- things about the past that can't be changed 12% -- things about criticism by others, mostly untrue 10% -- about health, which gets worse with stress 8% -- about real problems that will be faced.
· WEBMD STATS à SOUND FAMILIAR?
· The Greek word translated “worry” means “to be pulled in different directions.” The Old English root means “to strangle.”
· Listen…if anyone had reason to worry, it was Paul.
· Listen…if anyone had reason to worry, it was Paul.
Open to Philippians - NOT a model…a mirror.
NOT a model…a mirror.
UNCERTAINTY OF HIS SITUATION [1:12-14]
UNCERTAINTY OF HIS SITUATION [1:12-14]
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
a. Do you realize where Paul is when he’s writing this?
a. Do you realize where Paul is when he’s writing this?
i. PRISON (Roman)
b. His future situation was pretty uncertain, too.
b. His future situation was pretty uncertain, too.
i. Case before Emperor
HIS HEALTH [1:20]
HIS HEALTH [1:20]
as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
2. HEALTH [1:20]
· Paul is wrestling with his own mortality.
· 2 Corinthians “thorn in the flesh”
HIS RELATIONSHIPS
HIS RELATIONSHIPS
3. RELATIONSHIPS
a. External ()
For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
i. Paul had enemies…all throughout his writings and in Acts, Paul faced constant opposition.
b. Internal (
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
b. Internal [4:2-3]
i. Euodia & Syntyche
ii. I struggle! YOU struggle!
iii. We want to be fixers!
HIS FINANCES [4:12]
HIS FINANCES [4:12]
4. FINANCES [4:12]
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
· There were a lot of times Paul didn’t know where his next meal would come from or how he would make ends meet.
ALL OF THESE AREAS OF WORRY HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON :: YOU’RE NOT IN CONTROL. YOU CAN’T FIX IT AND YOU DON’T LIKE IT!
SO…HOW DOES PAUL ATTACK WORRY? HOW ABOUT YOU?!?!
MAKE THE CHOICE TO REJOICE IN THE LORD []
MAKE THE CHOICE TO REJOICE IN THE LORD []
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
· Light – Absence of Dark
· Worry – Absence of JOY
· Let me ask…can you be joyful AND worrisome?
· SO important//SO crucial that Paul says it TWICE!!!!
· Joy – does not depend on circumstances but a deep contentment that is in the Lord…based on trust in the sovereign living God who is ALWAYS available.
· YOU have a choice to make!
A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
· “I’m going to trust in the sovereignty and goodness of God!”
; ;
Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
· “I’m going to choose joy! I’m going to find joy in trusting Him!”
GIVE YOUR WORRY TO THE LORD []
GIVE YOUR WORRY TO THE LORD []
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
· I just love the word play that Paul uses: Anything - Everything
o Anything à Everything
· This really is a hard one for us…why? Because we like to be controlling. We like to be fixers. Then, when we can’t fix it, we worry…and somehow think that our worry will fix it!
· What is Paul saying here?!?! Don’t you think God is FAR MORE qualified to handle your problems?
· God is not in the business of delegating. He is willing, ready and begging us to give him our burdens!
,
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
o
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
· Do you let worry keep you up all night?
no sense in both of you staying up!
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
· READ 4:7
o What is it that you REALLY want/need?
o Paul was chained between Roman soldiers – he says to us, it’s not a soldier that can guard you, it’s the peace of God Almighty. Because God is both sovereign and loving we can entrust our difficulties to him – he rules creation!
· God won’t give you more…WHAT?!?!
· Have you ever stopped to think that MAYBE whatever it is you’re worrying about might just be a test from God?
o He wants to produce faith – trust.
SET YOUR MIND ON THE LORD []
SET YOUR MIND ON THE LORD []
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
· You can let worry consume your mind but it will eventually consume YOU.
· The mind is a powerful thing…have you ever studied the human brain?
· Now…we’re NOT talking about the “power of positive thinking.”
· This is, however, understanding that the battleground of spiritual warfare is predominantly your mind…where temptation begins.
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
– prepare your minds
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
· Our mind really is the control center.
· Will you bring your thoughts under submission to the authority of Jesus?
· What goes in WILL come out…
o &
Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
· God of Peace
DRAW YOUR STRENGTH FROM THE LORD [; ]
DRAW YOUR STRENGTH FROM THE LORD [; ]
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
· These verses deal specifically with Paul’s attitude toward financial worry. But, I think it’s applicable to ALL things (as Paul says).
· He says, “In any and every circumstances, I have found the secret…” Man, we should lean in right here!
· Worry – “strangled”
· WORRY LEAVES YOU WEAK.
· Gallup - #1 worry of Americans - financial
· CONTENTMENT
o I know how to be brought low and how to abound.
o In plenty & in hunger/Abundance & Need
o I don’t let my bank account steal my joy. I don’t let the fear of tomorrow or the fear of an unstable economy dictate my life!
· This doesn’t mean that we live carelessly or that we aren’t responsible with what God has given us. He calls us to faithfulness and honoring Him with our finances, tithing, saving, be good stewards of what He has provided. It doesn’t mean that we’re always going to be “comfortable” but that we truly understand what it means to be “content.” We are content in the sovereign provision of God. We are content the provision of a God who “will supply SOME??? No, EVERY need of yours according to his riches in glory.
· – My God owns the cattle on a thousand hills AND he owns the hills, too!
A Psalm of Asaph.
The Mighty One, God the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.
Our God comes; he does not keep silence;
before him is a devouring fire,
around him a mighty tempest.
He calls to the heavens above
and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
“Gather to me my faithful ones,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”
The heavens declare his righteousness,
for God himself is judge! Selah
“Hear, O my people, and I will speak;
O Israel, I will testify against you.
I am God, your God.
Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
your burnt offerings are continually before me.
I will not accept a bull from your house
or goats from your folds.
For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.
“If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and its fullness are mine.
Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High,
and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
But to the wicked God says:
“What right have you to recite my statutes
or take my covenant on your lips?
For you hate discipline,
and you cast my words behind you.
If you see a thief, you are pleased with him,
and you keep company with adulterers.
“You give your mouth free rein for evil,
and your tongue frames deceit.
You sit and speak against your brother;
you slander your own mother’s son.
These things you have done, and I have been silent;
you thought that I was one like yourself.
But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.
“Mark this, then, you who forget God,
lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver!
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!”
RESTATE THESIS//MAIN POINT ::
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