#5 Overcoming Worry
Notes
Transcript
The Point: God’s presence provides a way out of worry.
The Point: God’s presence provides a way out of worry.
Last Class
We spoke about joy of the Lord.
We aimed to speak about finding contentment in our lives aside from the circumstances.
This week
We will be talking about Worry.
What Worries You?
This is the emotion that steals your peace.
This is the emotion that robs you of joy.
People that are always worried, can fake a smile but are not truly smiling on the inside.
Many things can cause us to worry.
Our grades.
Our parents.
Our financial situations.
OUR SALVATION!
Should we worry about our salvation?
Yes, or shall I say HELL YES!!!!
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
Some people will say:
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
But this applies to those who live in the Spirit.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
WHy because
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
But even if we sin, we must bring it to the light
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Worried? Turn to God.
The Setting
The Setting
Scholars identify 2 images present in the famous Psalm 23.
One of a Shepard and his sheep.
The second of a Host, tending to their guest.
The world gives us enough to worry about, pandemics, terrorism and crime.
We also face different worries that pertain to our wellbeing, such as income, family issues and school work, etc.
We are not supposed to worry, but that is easier said than done.
Worrying also has medical side effects that can be harmful, such as anxiety, depression even weakened immune system.
In Psalm 23 we are given a now famous chapter for us to always place our trust in the Lord, and He will guide us.
Impart 1
Impart 1
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
These verses present God in three different ways as a Shepard.
He guides us: The Shepard would guide the flock to the best paths. But He knows which ones they are. Do You?????
Here lies the first problem for you and I, we think we know the better paths.
God is above us and can see beyond what we can see, therefore let Him guide you and all will be well.
Instead we stray, and then find ourselves lost, broken and surrounded by wolves.
We wonder what went wrong. The moment we choose our own destiny, is the moment we began to stray.
Now that doesn’t that all of God’s paths will be pleasant, some will be hard and treacherous to the point of almost death.
But it is never in vain. Because in the end He feeds us.
He provides for us:
He will provide our daily nourishment.
We will lack nothing.
Now sometimes we feel like we are lacking many things that others have.
But God says, If you have me I AM all that you need.
He feeds us in our weary travels in this world.
When we come to church and worship God, HE feeds our Spirits and renews us for our weekly walk.
He renews us:
God leads us + then feeds us = Renewal.
Restored from the long walk.
We have struggles every week, and in Him we find restoration.
Be Worshipful In the Pasture—Adequacy (vv. 1–3)
I shall not want”—Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide” (Gen. 22:14)
“still waters”- Jehovah-Shalom, “the Lord our peace” (Judg. 6:24)
“restores my soul”—Jehovah-Rophe, “the Lord who heals” (Ex. 15:26)
“paths of righteousness”—Jehovah-Tsidkenu, “the Lord our righteousness” (Jer. 33:16)
“you are with me”—Jehovah-Shammah, “the Lord is there” (Ezek. 48:35)
“presence of my enemies”—“Jehovah-Nissi, “the Lord our banner” (Ex. 17:15)
“anoint my head”—Jehovah-M’Kaddesh, “the Lord who sanctifies” (Lev. 20:8)
Impart 2
Impart 2
4 Yea, 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 runs over.
You are with me
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
17 “The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, Their tongues fail for thirst. I, the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
Those who do not have the Lord or lost in the pains of life, be we have whom we can turn to.
Although I walk through the valley of death, I shall fear no evil, because YOU ARE WITH ME!!!!
Your Presence will comfort me!!!!!
This the world does not have, when the presence of God comforts us, HE is real in our life.
Notice that sometimes we have to walk through that valley.
As Christians, it does not mean we will not go through hard times, but with Him next to us, it will all be okay.
When His presence shines on us, I can assure you that all is forgotten, because in His presence nothing is important but Him.
He prepares a table, so that you can eat in peace.
Impart 3
Impart 3
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
All the days of my life goodness shall follow.
Even the hard things in our lives are meant for the greater good.
God knows and has planned it for our benefit.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
If God is with us who can be against us
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
If we stay the course, we shall see eternity.
So allow Him to guide you as a Good Shepard
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.