6 Worry & Anxiety “I have a problem with worrying, what do I do?”
Two Types of worry
1. Worry as a benefit…we call it concern. “I am concerned that I may fail a test” the response is study. This is beneficial when you are dealing with a problem that needs and has solutions
2. Worry as a detriment… about things that we cannot control, happened already or may never happen. This is worry about things that have no solution or the solution is long gone.
“Good theology gets you through tough times”
Overcoming Worry
What causes worry?
-Irrational/rational fears: Mark Twain I am an old man and have known great many troubles; but most of them never happened.
Pliny the Younger: Grief has limit, whereas apprehension has none. For we grieve only for what we know happened, but we fear all that possibly may happen.
Heb 13:6 “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear, what can man do to me?”
-Wanting control Matthew 10:19, when we want to control a situation we often ignore the situation we are in.
-Lack of Faith: Romans 14:23 Worry is a lack of faith and it is sin
Don’t confuse people who don’t worry with people who don’t care and don’t lie to your self and say your worry is because you care so much.
-Wrong Focus: Luke 10:41 Martha (service for the wrong reason, worried about getting credit) also note Luke 12:26
-Won’t accept forgiveness Psalm 38:18 worrying about sin causes guilt
What worry does to you…
Wastes your time Matthew 6:25-34
Weighs you down Proverbs 12:25
Physically affects Proverbs 14:30 & 17:22
Martin Luther: Heavy thoughts bring on physical maladies; when the soul is oppressed so in the body.
What to do… SPEW
-Surrender
Hands up…I give up
I can treat myself, my body, my loved ones and God like this.
Mary Crowley: Every evening I turn all my worries to God. He is going to be up all night anyway.
Swindoll “If you can’t handle it why are trying to handle it, if you can’t change it why are you worrying about it”?
1 Peter 5:7
Maybe you have not surrendered your life to Jesus. GOSPEL
-Prayer Phil 4:6
If you are consumed by worries use that time to talk to Jesus
-Educate
The more Bible you know the more you will be equipped not to worry.
Example
-2012, I don’t worry cause I know God’s plan taught in the Word
-When people are opposing me I know they hated Jesus first
-When I am trying to live a life after God I know I will have trouble
-When things are going wrong I know that Jesus works it out for His good which will ultimately be for my own good. Rom 8:28
Important verses to keep you free from worry
Jer 17:7-8, Psalm 55:22, Isaiah 26:3-4
-Worship
Daniel 6
Mary she had some serious things to worry about but she worshipped God for who he is. Rather then her situation. 1:46-49 replace worry with worship
Evidences of God’s Grace: (not power of positive thinking) but actually the reality of what God has done in and around your life.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Difficulties Week 5
What about psychics and the New Age movement?
1 Sam 28
Vrs 3-6 Samuel dies and Saul put out all the spiritists and mediums.
Vrs 5 Saul was afraid of the Philistines army and Vrs 6 went to the Lord
Saul at this point when he went to the Lord it was faintly and with a cold heart, he was unstable and if he did not hear from the Lord was willing to go to the devil.
Saul’s track record was pretty bad, Hated and persecuted Samuel and David, killed the Lord’s high priests, was he surprised the Lord did not answer him?
At this point if Saul was not sincere in pursuing the Lord why would he put out all the mediums? Some suggest because Saul had a (1 Samuel 16:14) Troubling spirit. Many people become zealous against things they struggle with. A person who abuses alcohol becomes a prohibitionist, they feel that alcohol hurt them so no one should have it. They don’t have a concern for the glory of God as much as a blame and hatred to sin.
Vrs 7-10 Saul goes to a medium. This is directly against Deut 18:9-14
Vrs 11 Saul asks for Samuel
Vrs 12 Women was afraid because she found out it was Saul
Vrs 13-14 Saul perceived that it was Samuel
Why I don’t believe this is Samuel
1. Spirit ascended out of the earth
2. Saul’s perception was that it was Samuel, in distress people believe what they want to believe. 2 Thess 2 let us know that those who don’t love the truth may be given to strong delusions and believe a lie
(Our perception can be skewed if we are not walking in the truth)
Vrs 15
3. There are no rewards for disobedience. If the Lord did not answer Saul in the first place why would he now answer him after he did the wrong thing. (If you are doing wrong and you think the Lord will bless, think again)
Vrs 16-19
4. What the false Samuel’s message is… (Remember Satan wants to kill and destroy)
• V16 God does not care
• V17 reminds him David is going to be king
• Speaks with an air of religion “the Lord spoke through me”
2 Cor 11:13-14 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
Luke 4:34 Demons can speak truth
• V18 Reminds him he is disobedient “you are a loser” (maybe this is what Satan is doing in your life)
• V19 this is the verse that for many seals the deal that it is Samuel because he offers prophecy. I would say no. Satan and his demons realize what will happen when the two forces go to war and when people disobey
5. Vrs 20 The desired result of Satan…defeat, guilt and shame
6. If it were Samuel it would be deceptive for believers today or anytime period to think that this could happen. In moments of weakness and distress any person would cave in and go see a person that they believe could contact their departed loved one.
7. No turning back: David talks of his deceased son and says I can go to him but he cannot come to me, and the story of Lazarus tells us that they cannot go to and fro.
8. There is no message of healing from the false Samuel
The result for Saul 1 Chron 10:13-14 he died
Responding to this as a Christian.
1. Stay away…you are opening the door for Satan
Pastoral advice on what to steer clear of…
Evil movies, O Board, tarot cards, boardwalk psychics, horoscopes, demonic images in cards video games etc.
2. Realize Spiritual interest: People who are interested in this are spiritually searching and may be closer then you think to the truth but Satan is trying to steer them away.
In Articles from Summa Theologica by Aquinas
“The operation of the demon thrusts itself into those divinations which are based on false and vain opinions, in order that man’s mind may be entangled in vanity and falsehood”
3. Pray against: Ephesians 6 “battle against spiritual forces”
CS Lewis says that the two errors that many make about the devil are to have an unhealthy interest and to deny his reality altogether.
4. Share the GOSPEL: you don’t need false promises in your life when you have the truth of the Gospel.
1 Sam 28
Vrs 3-6 Samuel dies and Saul put out all the spiritists and mediums.
Vrs 5 Saul was afraid of the Philistines army and Vrs 6 went to the Lord
Saul at this point when he went to the Lord it was faintly and with a cold heart, he was unstable and if he did not hear from the Lord was willing to go to the devil.
Saul’s track record was pretty bad, Hated and persecuted Samuel and David, killed the Lord’s high priests, was he surprised the Lord did not answer him?
At this point if Saul was not sincere in pursuing the Lord why would he put out all the mediums? Some suggest because Saul had a (1 Samuel 16:14) Troubling spirit. Many people become zealous against things they struggle with. A person who abuses alcohol becomes a prohibitionist, they feel that alcohol hurt them so no one should have it. They don’t have a concern for the glory of God as much as a blame and hatred to sin.
Vrs 7-10 Saul goes to a medium. This is directly against Deut 18:9-14
Vrs 11 Saul asks for Samuel
Vrs 12 Women was afraid because she found out it was Saul
Vrs 13-14 Saul perceived that it was Samuel
Why I don’t believe this is Samuel
1. Spirit ascended out of the earth
2. Saul’s perception was that it was Samuel, in distress people believe what they want to believe. 2 Thess 2 let us know that those who don’t love the truth may be given to strong delusions and believe a lie
(Our perception can be skewed if we are not walking in the truth)
Vrs 15
3. There are no rewards for disobedience. If the Lord did not answer Saul in the first place why would he now answer him after he did the wrong thing. (If you are doing wrong and you think the Lord will bless, think again)
Vrs 16-19
4. What the false Samuel’s message is… (Remember Satan wants to kill and destroy)
• V16 God does not care
• V17 reminds him David is going to be king
• Speaks with an air of religion “the Lord spoke through me”
2 Cor 11:13-14 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
Luke 4:34 Demons can speak truth
• V18 Reminds him he is disobedient “you are a loser” (maybe this is what Satan is doing in your life)
• V19 this is the verse that for many seals the deal that it is Samuel because he offers prophecy. I would say no. Satan and his demons realize what will happen when the two forces go to war and when people disobey
5. Vrs 20 The desired result of Satan…defeat, guilt and shame
6. If it were Samuel it would be deceptive for believers today or anytime period to think that this could happen. In moments of weakness and distress any person would cave in and go see a person that they believe could contact their departed loved one.
7. No turning back: David talks of his deceased son and says I can go to him but he cannot come to me, and the story of Lazarus tells us that they cannot go to and fro.
8. There is no message of healing from the false Samuel
The result for Saul 1 Chron 10:13-14 he died
Responding to this as a Christian.
1. Stay away…you are opening the door for Satan
Pastoral advice on what to steer clear of…
Evil movies, O Board, tarot cards, boardwalk psychics, horoscopes, demonic images in cards video games etc.
2. Realize Spiritual interest: People who are interested in this are spiritually searching and may be closer then you think to the truth but Satan is trying to steer them away.
In Articles from Summa Theologica by Aquinas
“The operation of the demon thrusts itself into those divinations which are based on false and vain opinions, in order that man’s mind may be entangled in vanity and falsehood”
3. Pray against: Ephesians 6 “battle against spiritual forces”
CS Lewis says that the two errors that many make about the devil are to have an unhealthy interest and to deny his reality altogether.
4. Share the GOSPEL: you don’t need false promises in your life when you have the truth of the Gospel.
Difficulties Week 4
“Love Them?”
GK Chesterton
“To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.”
Luke 6:32 The question Jesus has for you…
How do we love the unlovable? Jesus says…’What credit is it for you to love the ones who love you
3 areas of unlovable people I want to focus in on today.
1. Loving your enemies Matt 5:43- Luke 6:35-
Pro 25:21-23 Talk about this passage
When Narvaez, the Spanish patriot, lay dying, his father-confessor asked him whether he had forgiven all his enemies. Narvaez looked astonished and said, "Father, I have no enemies, I have shot them all."
How:
• Apply the Gospel, we were enemies of Jesus and He died for us.
• Understand that they need the Gospel (if a Christian they need to apply the Gospel) Pray
• Don’t seek revenge, or have a vengeful spirit 1 Peter 3:8-10
2. Loving those that are hard to love. annoying, clingy, disobedient, spiteful, needy or what we perceive as a lower class then us.
Tim Keller: It is difficult to love someone who is emotionally a wreck. There is no way to completely love that person and stay emotionally intact yourself.
Remember two weeks ago we talked about how there is a cost to following Jesus. This would be one of those times that it cost a lot to pursue people who are a wreck
I would venture to say the main reason we have a hard time loving these people is because it inconveniences us
How:
• Apply the Gospel, It cost Jesus so much, don’t for a minute think that you are not unlovable…but God still loves you Romans 5:8
• Have compassion Matt9:36 Jesus “moved with compassion”
Most of the time people act in certain ways because they have certain issues that need to be dealt with. As a Christian, Christ is calling us to have compassion on these people. How that looks for each situation will be different.
• Attitude Phil 2:5
(For each one) There is always a deep rooted need. When we are only thinking of ourselves and our own personal comfort we forget that a needy annoying person had a deep rooted need and maybe God has called us to assist in meeting that need.
• Patience Col 3:12 Put on
3. Loving the oppressed
It is very easy for us to turn a blind eye to the fact that there are people hurting in this world and they need love that only Jesus can give but they don’t have anyone to display that love to them.
Zechariah 7:8-10 We need to execute justice and help the oppressed, the consequence is God is displeased.
-Some only care about justice when it affects them.
A socialist once came to see Andrew Carnegie and soon was railing against the injustice of Carnegie having so much money. In his view, wealth was meant to be divided equally. Carnegie asked his secretary for an assessment of everything he owned and at the same time looked up the figures on world population. He did a little arithmetic on a pad and then said to his secretary. "Give this gentleman l6 cents. That's his share of my wealth."
-Many times we become paralyzed because we either think problems are too large or that we cannot make a difference or we don’t know what to do.
What do we need to do? Isaiah 1:17
How do we find these things out?
• Spiritual Community- (-Community Groups When we are in groups like this we get to know what the needs of the people are in our spiritual community (Church) and the local community around us. We designed the Community Group for that reason Community. If Bible study happens great, but they are not necessarily Bible studies they are for you to be in community with one another for prayer discussion and meeting one another’s needs.) Gal 6:10
• Local Community-Being in-tune with the community around you, we don’t just care about our church and spiritual community but the community around us. Because they need the Gospel -Grace Initiatives (Kara Gerisi)
If every Christian in their community did this the Gospel would be more of a presence.
• Worldwide-Resources for Gospel centered ministries world wide. We don’t just meet physical needs we need to meet spiritual as well.
What is out there for you to get involved in? Post things on the 5 site
-Fathers Heart October 9th
-Salvation Army human trafficking
-World vision or Compassion International Sponsor a Child
We don’t do these things because the people will appreciate it. People do appreciate it but don’t be deflated when they don’t. If your motive is for thanks and praise, when you don’t get it you become bitter.
Isaiah 58 Is speaking of those who do everything right as far as worship and praise but ignore justice. God tells us when we help the poor and those who are in need of justice our light goes forth (58:9) and the result of that is beauty.
Our hearts have to be convicted to do it. And then our testimony or light for Jesus will go forth.
GK Chesterton
“To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.”
Luke 6:32 The question Jesus has for you…
How do we love the unlovable? Jesus says…’What credit is it for you to love the ones who love you
3 areas of unlovable people I want to focus in on today.
1. Loving your enemies Matt 5:43- Luke 6:35-
Pro 25:21-23 Talk about this passage
When Narvaez, the Spanish patriot, lay dying, his father-confessor asked him whether he had forgiven all his enemies. Narvaez looked astonished and said, "Father, I have no enemies, I have shot them all."
How:
• Apply the Gospel, we were enemies of Jesus and He died for us.
• Understand that they need the Gospel (if a Christian they need to apply the Gospel) Pray
• Don’t seek revenge, or have a vengeful spirit 1 Peter 3:8-10
2. Loving those that are hard to love. annoying, clingy, disobedient, spiteful, needy or what we perceive as a lower class then us.
Tim Keller: It is difficult to love someone who is emotionally a wreck. There is no way to completely love that person and stay emotionally intact yourself.
Remember two weeks ago we talked about how there is a cost to following Jesus. This would be one of those times that it cost a lot to pursue people who are a wreck
I would venture to say the main reason we have a hard time loving these people is because it inconveniences us
How:
• Apply the Gospel, It cost Jesus so much, don’t for a minute think that you are not unlovable…but God still loves you Romans 5:8
• Have compassion Matt9:36 Jesus “moved with compassion”
Most of the time people act in certain ways because they have certain issues that need to be dealt with. As a Christian, Christ is calling us to have compassion on these people. How that looks for each situation will be different.
• Attitude Phil 2:5
(For each one) There is always a deep rooted need. When we are only thinking of ourselves and our own personal comfort we forget that a needy annoying person had a deep rooted need and maybe God has called us to assist in meeting that need.
• Patience Col 3:12 Put on
3. Loving the oppressed
It is very easy for us to turn a blind eye to the fact that there are people hurting in this world and they need love that only Jesus can give but they don’t have anyone to display that love to them.
Zechariah 7:8-10 We need to execute justice and help the oppressed, the consequence is God is displeased.
-Some only care about justice when it affects them.
A socialist once came to see Andrew Carnegie and soon was railing against the injustice of Carnegie having so much money. In his view, wealth was meant to be divided equally. Carnegie asked his secretary for an assessment of everything he owned and at the same time looked up the figures on world population. He did a little arithmetic on a pad and then said to his secretary. "Give this gentleman l6 cents. That's his share of my wealth."
-Many times we become paralyzed because we either think problems are too large or that we cannot make a difference or we don’t know what to do.
What do we need to do? Isaiah 1:17
How do we find these things out?
• Spiritual Community- (-Community Groups When we are in groups like this we get to know what the needs of the people are in our spiritual community (Church) and the local community around us. We designed the Community Group for that reason Community. If Bible study happens great, but they are not necessarily Bible studies they are for you to be in community with one another for prayer discussion and meeting one another’s needs.) Gal 6:10
• Local Community-Being in-tune with the community around you, we don’t just care about our church and spiritual community but the community around us. Because they need the Gospel -Grace Initiatives (Kara Gerisi)
If every Christian in their community did this the Gospel would be more of a presence.
• Worldwide-Resources for Gospel centered ministries world wide. We don’t just meet physical needs we need to meet spiritual as well.
What is out there for you to get involved in? Post things on the 5 site
-Fathers Heart October 9th
-Salvation Army human trafficking
-World vision or Compassion International Sponsor a Child
We don’t do these things because the people will appreciate it. People do appreciate it but don’t be deflated when they don’t. If your motive is for thanks and praise, when you don’t get it you become bitter.
Isaiah 58 Is speaking of those who do everything right as far as worship and praise but ignore justice. God tells us when we help the poor and those who are in need of justice our light goes forth (58:9) and the result of that is beauty.
Our hearts have to be convicted to do it. And then our testimony or light for Jesus will go forth.
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