11-14-2021
11-14-2021
Rev. Trevor Johnston (Loxahatchee & Online), Pastor Brandon Weaver (WPB), Rev. Efrain Silva (Español)
Sermon Series: Deep Peace
Week 3: God’s Way Out of Anxiety
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español
Read our memory verse - Isaiah 26:3 - You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
1. Anxiety is an over-anticipation of and hyper-vigilance about possible future threats that impacts our body, mind, relationships, and sense of security. Americans are more anxious than they’ve been in over 80 years. Xanax sales doubled in the past year. Anxiety is especially an issue for younger people. What factors might contribute to the fact that the younger generation struggles so much with anxiety?
2. We’re looking at God’s way out of anxiety. Read Philippians 4:4-9 - 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. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
What do you notice in this passage?
3. The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to Christians living in the city of Philippi around the year 62 A.D. He wrote it to encourage them, even though Paul himself was in prison in Rome awaiting his death and execution at the time he wrote it. What does this tell you about Paul?
4. In Philippians 4:7, Paul mentions “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding.” God promises that something experiential is available to all who follow Jesus. Jesus wants to blow your mind with peace. What do you think about this promise?
God’s way out of anxiety = Look + Replace + Tell + Guard
· LOOK for the good. (Philippians 4:4)
5. In Philippians 4:4, Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” You might be thinking, “Always?”! Remember where Paul is writing this from. He’s not just saying, “Put a smile on it!” What does Paul mean when he says, “Rejoice always” and how is that possible?
6. Note that Paul says to do all this “with thanksgiving.” (4:6) Why do you think God asks us to always look for things to be thankful for? What does thankfulness do for us?
Practical Step: Life is always full of both good and bad at the same time. So focus on the good! Tommy Newberry said, “I have hundreds of problems, but millions of blessings. Try out a new habit of daily writing down five things that are going right in your life and thanking God for those things.
· REPLACE anxious thinking with prayer. (Philippians 4:6)
7. Anxiety is like having an endless loop of conversation with yourself about things that could go wrong. The way out of this isn’t to say, “Stop it!” but rather to stop talking only to yourself and begin talking to God about it. Read 1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” What difference does it make when we add Jesus into our mental conversations about what we’re anxious about?
Practical Step: Martin Luther said, “Pray, and let God worry.” To help you to break the anxiety conversation loop in your head, try out the practical step of saying a prayer out loud or writing your prayer in a journal to make it more concrete.
· TELL God what you want. (Philippians 4:6)
Practical Step: Note that Paul says to “present your requests to God.” More than just telling God about your anxiety, try telling God specifically what you want Him to do for you. It helps not to be vague with just general requests. It’s not that God is a genie in the bottle, but he does encourage us to pray specific prayers. When you’re anxious, state in a prayer what you want God to do.
8. Why would this practical step make a difference with regard to our anxiety?
· GUARD your thoughts. (Philippians 4:8-9)
9. What are some things people in our culture tend to fill their minds with that could be feeding their anxiety?
10. Paul urges us to be proactive about what we think about – to consciously fill our mind with good things. In Ephesians 6:16, Paul uses the metaphor of “flaming arrows” to let us know that Satan, our spiritual enemy, attacks us by sending negative ideas, like flaming arrows, into our minds to get our mind on fire with anxious thoughts. Consider whether there are people, news sources, or other things in your life that you need to stop interacting with. Share about those with your group.
Practical Step: When an anxious thought comes into your mind, question whether it is true. Ask yourself, “Where did this thought come from?” If you recognize it’s not true or comes from a false source, refuse to accept it. Instead choose to think about true thoughts from good, true sources.
11. What was the most helpful idea for you personally from this sermon?
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· Surviving the Holidays – GriefShare - Monday, November 15, 7pm, LOX Campus | Thursday, November 18, 2:30pm WPB Campus
If you’ve lost a loved one, the holidays can be difficult. Join us for this one-time session designed to help you get through this season in a healthy way. Invite a friend! Go to communityofhope.church/care to register.
· Surviving the Holidays – DivorceCare – Thursday, November 18, 7pm LOX Campus | Wednesday, November 17, 7pm Online
The holidays can be difficult in the midst of the pain of a broken marriage. Join us for this one-time session designed to help you get through this season in a healthy way. Invite a friend! Go to communityofhope.church/care to register.
· Angel Tree – Here are two great opportunities to bless people this Christmas:
1. Support 4Kids’ ministry to foster children in Palm Beach County by donating $25 Amazon, Target, or Walmart gift cards so that every foster child has a present to open on Christmas Day.
2. We’re also collecting $15 gift cards to fast food restaurants like Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, and Taco Bell for our homeless neighbors.
Bring your gift cards to the Welcome Desk (on Sundays) or to the Church Office (during the week) before December 5th.
· Kids of Hope Christmas Movie Night – Friday, December 3 at LOX Campus
Kids can come dressed in their favorite Christmas pajamas to enjoy a kick-off to the Christmas season watching the movie The Star together. Popcorn and candy canes will be provided.
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