Advent 3 (4)
Notes
Transcript
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 everything, 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.
Have you ever flown in a plane?
At least one of our members has flown in combat during World War II.
Perhaps you have flown in a small plane with a friend.
At least one of our members has flown airplanes. I know of some friends of mine who have flown small planes regularly and my third cousin is a commercial airline pilot for Delta. I knew another man who flew private jets.
Many of us who have flown in an airplane probably did it commercially.
What kind of a passenger are you?
Some passengers are filled with excitement and are eager to see the world from above. They are quick to point out landmarks as they take off and may even exclaim, “I can see my house from here!”
Seasoned passengers quickly sit down, open their book, magazine, or device and calmly go about how to spend several hours entertaining themselves because they really can’t do anything else.
Most passengers appear calm. I may pretend to be calm, but I must admit that I get just a little bit anxious. I will fly if I have to but I try to avoid it as much as possible.
Aside: Who do you think the most anxious people are on an airplane? Those who are going up to sky dive! Realizing that the plan will come down without you and that at some point you are going to jump out of a perfectly good airplane is an adrenaline rush I can do without!
Why do I get anxious about flying?
Is it because I have watched too many Airplane movies in which the plane is about to crash?
Maybe. But I think the real reason is that I am not in control. I am not the person who is piloting the airplane and I have to depend on the pilot and the weather and the integrity of the airplane and the security at the airport etc. etc.
Our text today speaks to me even though I’m sure that St. Paul had anxiety over flying in mind. But he did realize that being anxious about stuff was a common issue that people had. Here he does not specify any particular anxiety. Elsewhere in the Bible we do have examples.
11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
16 As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. 17 Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. 18 He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. 19 God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change— he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
What are You Anxious About?
Recent winter storm caused some concern . . . tornado in Kentucky has caused much devastation and consternation.
Waiting on the results of medical tests or how a procedure will turn out.
State of the economy.
Personal finances.
Major changes in our lives . . . and even some minor.
The Bible instructs us what we really need to be anxious about by nature.
4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Because of sins, we deserved to be condemned by God. And if are not faithful to him, we can forfeit our eternal life. This is one reason why in the sermon on the mount Jesus says don’t worry about what we will eat or drink but instead seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. When we give our attention to God and trust in him concerning our greatest need, the rest of life falls into place.
We studied dealing with anxiety in Bible class right before the Pandemic with a course from Max Lucado “Anxious for Nothing”.
Max Lucado explored God’s promises in Philippians 4:4-8 and showed that while anxiety is part of life, it doesn’t have to dominate life. As you follow God’s prescription for worry—celebrate his goodness, ask for help, leave your concerns with him, meditate on good things—you will experience his peace. You can stop letting anxiety rule your day and fin true calm and contentment in Christ.
St. Paul’s encouragement to not be anxious offers much more hope that the popular song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” from 1988. Don't Worry, Be Happy is the title and principal lyric of a song by musician Bobby McFerrin . In September of 1988, it became the first a cappella song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and held that position for two weeks. On the UK Singles Chart, the song reached number 2 during its fifth week on the chart.
Although the song cites common reasons why someone might be anxious and says, “Don’t worry”. It offers no solution other than making a conscious decision of mind over matter. St. Paul is much more instructive.
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.
This last verse sounds familiar, doesn’t it? It is the standard verse spoken after the sermon has been delivered. The encouragement is that what we just heard from God’s Word should calm us and give us hope in the face of worrisome events.
We don’t need to worry because even though we are not in control (like me flying in a plane), we can trust in the One who is in control. Our faith in God instructs us that the One of created the heavens and the earth and still preserves and protect his creation, will use his power for his children.
Psalm 121:1–8 (NIV)
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Therefore, when we are anxious, we can own our fears and take them to the Lord in prayer.
Cite a verse or two from the trust section to emphasize this showing that hymns are much better sources of hope that happy songs on the radio.
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me
Over life's tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treach'rous shoal.
Chart and compass come from Thee.
Saviour, pilot me.
Though the sea be smooth and bright
Sparkling with the stars of night
And my ship's path be ablaze
With the light of halcyon days
Still I know my need of Thee;
Savior, pilot me
As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boist'rous waves obey Thy will
When Thou sayest to them, "Be still!"
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Saviour, pilot me.
When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
'Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,