Finding Rest in an Anxious World

Intro: Finding it difficult to Trust at times

I love God, I believe in God but I can get just as uneasy about the future as anyone else

We are approaching an election and tensions can be high — political division

What if...

we elect the wrong person? — I lose my job? Get sick? Homeschool for the rest of my Life? What if COVID is forever and I can’t date anyone?

I marry the wrong person? — the wrong kids —

I marry the right person — right kids — wrong job? — Can’t quit cause kids need braces — if they don’t get them, they might marry the wrong person — wrong grandkids...

1 Peter 5:7 NLT

7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Psalm 56:8 NLT

8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

Philippians 4:4–7 NIV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

when I get anxious I usually turn to Psalm 23 in my dad’s Bible...

3 Ways to Find Rest in an Anxious World

1. I find rest in the leadership of Jesus

Psalm 23:1–3 NIV

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

It’s not that God gives me everything I want, it’s that in HIM I have everything that I NEED

In the dry and rocky terrain of Israel the Shepard would have led his sheep to along the RIGHT PATH to find those quiet, still and refreshing waters

I can trust in His leadership because He offers His name (Yahweh)— He allows me to know Him

Prayer: Jesus I am placing the leadership of my life in your hands. Show me how I can know you and trust you even more.

2. I find rest when my Fear of God is bigger than my fear of anything else.

Psalm 23:4–5 ESV

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

God’s leadership doesn’t always stay in the pasture — He leads us through the valley

Darkest of the Darkest Valley

Jesus was talking about persecution once and said, “Don’t fear the one who can kill the body…fear the one who can kill body and soul in hell - Matt.10:28

God’s Correction is a comfort to me

PICTURE: THE TABLE --

who is at the table? — my enemies? — Who is your enemy? — People who don’t like you? — Dems/Reps —

Jesus: Love your enemy --- At the table of the last supper — Judas ate too

This picture reminds me that I can experience God’s presence even the world is ‘not yet’ as God intended it. — in a dark valley or at a table with enemies --

I find rest when I love the presence of God more than absence of things I don’t like

Story: Matt Higa — Jesus: Matt I wish that you would get that bothered when I spoke to you

Prayer: Lord, I choose to trust you even when my path looks dark. Help me to place my trust in You even when my world doesn’t look restored yet.

3. I find rest when I realize that my journey ends in God’s house not mine

Psalm 23:6 NLT

6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

PICTURE — Pilgrim — Sojourners — This world is not our home

The only way to love our enemies is to have this ‘pilgrim’ paradigm

We aren’t fighting over scraps — our inheritance is in Jesus

Election:

Because my hope is not in this world, my hope will not depend on this election

My response: Will be to pray for whoever is elected into the office

FIRST WEDNESDAY SERVICE

1 Timothy 2:1–4 NIV

1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Conclusion:

I find rest in the leadership of Jesus

I find rest when my fear of God is bigger than my fear of anything else

I find rest when my journey ends in God’s house not mine

Transition into the Peace Be Still Video:

Salvation Prayer and Close Service...

Small Group Questions:

Start talking: Find a conversation starter for your group.

Do you think a lot about what might happen in the future, or do you tend to stay in the present moment?

What was your biggest worry when you were a kid?

Start thinking: Ask a question to get your group thinking.

Have you ever obeyed God, even though you didn’t understand what He was doing? What was that like? What did you learn from that experience?

What is something you need to let go of so you can cling to God and His promises?

God is in total control, and He will one day right every wrong and restore the whole earth. How might your life be different if you lived with that truth in mind?

Start sharing: Choose a question to create openness.

Have you considered giving up on something you’ve spent a lot of time and effort fighting for? Talk about your experience. Then, take some time to encourage one another.

How can you obey God and surrender what you can’t control this week?

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

Father, thank You for being totally trustworthy. No matter how chaotic the world may seem around us, You are always in control. Help us to trust in You at all times, knowing that one day You will make all wrongs right. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Start doing: Commit to a step and live it out this week.

Ask God how you can obey Him or surrender something to Him this week, then follow His lead.