Feeling Peace & Contentment
Notes
Transcript
Opening Prayer: Lord, our prayer is that you will guide us to realize your blessings of experiencing peace and contentment. Help us to trust you in the crush of everyday life, to trust you to handle the challenges we face, and to let go of our own worries and fears. Amen.
Opening Prayer: Lord, our prayer is that you will guide us to realize your blessings of experiencing peace and contentment. Help us to trust you in the crush of everyday life, to trust you to handle the challenges we face, and to let go of our own worries and fears. Amen.
What does it mean to feel peace and contentment?
What does it mean to feel peace and contentment?
Meriam Webster Definition
Meriam Webster Definition
Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions,” and contentment as, “the quality or state of being contented (feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation).
Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions,” and contentment as, “the quality or state of being contented (feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation).
Words that describe feeling of peace and and contentment: still, quiet, calm, happy, pleased, and satisfied
Words that describe feeling of peace and and contentment: still, quiet, calm, happy, pleased, and satisfied
It’s no secret that in today’s world, there are so many things that can put stress on us. These stressors might be pressures from school or work, or emotional events such as a death in the family or a divorce. We may have fears about our health or that of a loved one. We may worry about our finances and obligation to pay the bills. Any one or more of these stress factors can lead to anxiety, excessive worry, and fatigue.
In your experience what types of stress have gone through and how dod you manage it?
In your experience what types of stress have gone through and how dod you manage it?
Jesus’ famous Sermon of the Mount Matthew 6:25-34
Jesus’ famous Sermon of the Mount Matthew 6:25-34
It was given to a crowd on a mountainside overlooking the Sea of Galilee, which specifically addresses the topic of worry.
This was his longest and most popular sermon, from the early part of his ministry when news of his healing miracles was spreading like wildfire and large crowds had begun following him.
25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
What is the overall instruction in this text?
What is the overall instruction in this text?
“Do not worry.”
What examples does Jesus provide that show us we can trust God?
What examples does Jesus provide that show us we can trust God?
What does Jesus say we should “seek first?”
What does Jesus say we should “seek first?”
About a year later, in Matthew 11, we learn that Jesus was confronted by John’s disciples. There were many “wise and learned” people who had witnessed or heard about Jesus' miracles yet remained unrepentant and unbelieving. In Matthew 11:25-30, Jesus gives us these comforting words: READ
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.
26 “Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
27 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
What do you think Jesus means when he says, “take my yoke upon you,” and what are the benefits of doing so?
What do you think Jesus means when he says, “take my yoke upon you,” and what are the benefits of doing so?
What is a yoke? A yoke is a wooden beam normally used between a pair of oxen or other animals to enable them to pull together on a load when working in pairs, as oxen usually do; some yokes are fitted to individual animals. There are several types of yoke, used in different cultures, and for different types of oxen.
Take Jesus yoke upon us is an instruction that we ought to submit to the control and direction of Jesus.
As growing children we needthe continued guidance of God in as much as children need the continued guidance of their parents.
Scripture Lesson:
Scripture Lesson:
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 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.
1. According to Paul how do we overcome anxiety?
1. According to Paul how do we overcome anxiety?
Prayer and Supplication
Prayer is an antidote to anxiety.
Thankful heart (attitude)
By contrasting prayer against anxiety Paul is not implying a complete lack of concern. Nor does it mean Christians are to be careless. Instead, it means that believers should not be fearful, paranoid, or uneasy. Why not? Believers can speak directly with God, the maker of heaven and earth, who has all power and authority, who is in total control of the situation.
Instead of anxiety, believers are to humbly and gratefully approach God with whatever is on their minds. Mature prayer includes thanking God for what He has done in addition to asking for help in areas of need. This is the Christian prescription to reduce anxiety in all areas of life. This does not mean believers are going to live a worry-free life. Nor does it mean additional help won't be required. However, it does show that addressing problems in our lives should begin with prayer.
Another reason not to be anxious is because the Lord is almost coming soon or for sure you are going to Him soon!
Paul continue in Philippians 4:8-9
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. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
2. What is Paul recommending in this Phil. 4:8-9? What is God’s part and what is man’s part?
2. What is Paul recommending in this Phil. 4:8-9? What is God’s part and what is man’s part?
We are to keep ourselves pre-occupied with implementing his teaching.
We are to fill our mind and time in looking for :
whatever is pure
whatever is lovely
whatever is admirable
anything is excellent or praiseworthy
There is an ongoing back and forth throughout Paul's writings, which indicates that God is actively involve in every aspect of our life as a believer.
Our part:
We are to focus our lives on things that please God.
Believers are commanded to live according to God's ways.
He does the work, yet gives us work to do.
Believers are called to trust in the Lord, yet also to serve the Lord.
Paul set an example for how to do both. He was faithful in prayer, yet gave every bit of his life to serve the Lord.
God’s part: He guards our hearts (Philippians 4:7), as we also guard it.
3. Can you think of some good examples of this advice actually put into practice? Any Bad examples?
3. Can you think of some good examples of this advice actually put into practice? Any Bad examples?
GOOD EXAMPLES:
in any or all matters pursue and side with truth.
what are some honorable things to do? Ex. letting go even if it is not your fault for the sake of peace.
letting go of your life agenda to follow God’s.
Being humble is honorable.
What is pure? God’s Word, God’s values.
What is lovely? Forgiveness and reconciliation.
What is of good repute: Honesty and always leading people to Christ either in context of salvation or spiritual development.
What is excellent? Living like Christ.
What is worthy of praise? Serving the Lord, Glorifying Him!
BAD EXAMPLES?
Applying these to promote self instead of God.
Applying this principles verbally. Lots of talk and less action.
4. What does Paul say will happen when we think about and practice living according to the teachings of Jesus?
4. What does Paul say will happen when we think about and practice living according to the teachings of Jesus?
Those who followed Paul's advice can experience the incredible peace that comes from fellowship with God.
Application
Application
In this study, we learn that we should not worry.
As demonstrated by nature, we should seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness and trust that God will take care of us.
It is comforting to know that He is gentle and humble and promises rest for our souls.
Our thoughts are very important to realizing peace and contentment in our lives, and thus we should keep them focused always on Jesus and his teachings.
Through prayer, the peace of God is available to us in every situation.