Finding Peace and Purpose in Troubling Times

 

Summary

In these challenging times, marked by the global crisis of COVID-19, fear and anxiety have permeated not only the world but also the church. This moment, however, presents a unique opportunity for the church to stand firm on the unchanging foundation of God's Word. As we navigate these turbulent times, we are reminded of the importance of proving the gospel we profess to believe. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, teaches us that knowing God as our loving, caring Father frees us from hypocrisy and anxiety. Our lives are secure in His hands, and this assurance anchors us, enabling us to minister to others with the comfort we have received in Christ.

Prayer is a powerful antidote to anxiety, as highlighted in Philippians 4:6-7. We are encouraged to take everything off our worry list and place it on our prayer list, trusting that God will grant us peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace is not about changing circumstances but about divine insulation for our hearts and minds. As we face the reality of our fears and anxieties, we must run to the Lord with them, casting all our cares upon Him because He cares for us more than we can imagine.

In times of suffering, we are called to repentance and to seek God's face. Suffering exposes our frailty, our need for God, and the sinfulness of our condition. It is a summons to return to the Lord, to humble ourselves, and to take our theology seriously. As we live as lights in a darkened world, we must embody the peace and hope that come from knowing Christ. Our witness is not just in what we do but in who we are, living out the gospel with poise and peace.

The church must adapt to these times, utilizing technology to maintain connection and community. While we may not gather physically, we can still be the church, caring for one another and reaching out to those in need. This is a time for pastors to shepherd their congregations with love and care, relying on the wisdom and unity of the church's leadership. As we navigate social distancing, we must find creative ways to serve and support each other, demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways.

Key Takeaways:

- Knowing God as our loving Father frees us from anxiety, anchoring us in His unchanging Word and enabling us to minister to others with the comfort we have received in Christ. [03:30]

- Prayer is the antidote to anxiety, as we are encouraged to take everything off our worry list and place it on our prayer list, trusting God to grant us peace that surpasses understanding. [05:45]

- Suffering is a call to repentance, exposing our frailty and need for God. It is a summons to return to the Lord, humble ourselves, and take our theology seriously. [16:40]

- Living as lights in a darkened world means embodying the peace and hope that come from knowing Christ, living out the gospel with poise and peace. [41:58]

- The church must adapt to these times, utilizing technology to maintain connection and community, and finding creative ways to serve and support each other, demonstrating the love of Christ. [22:05]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - Current Crisis Overview
[00:59] - Building on God's Word
[01:47] - Addressing Fear and Anxiety
[03:04] - Deliverance from Anxiety
[05:03] - The Power of Prayer
[07:09] - Casting Cares on the Lord
[09:26] - Facing Economic Concerns
[12:07] - Praying Through the Crisis
[13:59] - Responding to Suffering
[19:19] - The Lord's Day and Community
[23:10] - Utilizing Technology
[30:41] - Navigating Social Distancing
[35:49] - Living as Lights in the World
[45:55] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 4:6-7
2. Matthew 6 (Sermon on the Mount)
3. 1 Peter 5:7

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Philippians 4:6-7, what is the relationship between prayer and anxiety? How does this passage suggest we handle our worries? [05:45]

2. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks about knowing God as our Father. What two things does this knowledge deliver us from, according to the sermon? [03:04]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of suffering in our spiritual lives? What are we called to do in response to suffering? [16:40]

4. What are some ways the church is encouraged to adapt during times of crisis, according to the sermon? [22:05]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does knowing God as a loving Father help believers overcome anxiety and hypocrisy? Discuss the implications of this understanding in daily life. [03:04]

2. The sermon mentions that suffering exposes our frailty and need for God. How might this perspective change the way believers view their own suffering and the suffering of others? [16:40]

3. In what ways can prayer serve as a "divine insulation" for our hearts and minds, as described in the sermon? How does this concept differ from expecting God to change our circumstances? [06:18]

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of the church adapting to maintain community. What are some creative ways churches can continue to serve and support each other during times of social distancing? [22:05]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current worries and anxieties. How can you actively transfer these concerns from your worry list to your prayer list this week? [05:45]

2. Consider a recent time of suffering or challenge in your life. How did you respond, and how might you approach similar situations differently in light of the call to repentance and humility? [16:40]

3. Identify one way you can embody the peace and hope of Christ in your interactions with others this week. How can you be a light in a darkened world? [41:58]

4. With the current limitations on physical gatherings, what is one practical step you can take to stay connected with your church community? How can you use technology to support this effort? [22:05]

5. Think of someone in your life who is experiencing fear or anxiety. How can you offer them comfort and support, drawing from the comfort you have received in Christ? [04:34]

6. Reflect on your prayer life. What specific changes can you make to ensure that prayer becomes a more central part of your daily routine, especially in times of crisis? [05:03]

7. How can you encourage your church leaders and fellow members to embrace the challenges of this time as opportunities for growth and ministry? What role can you play in this process? [27:23]

Devotional

Day 1: Freedom from Anxiety through Knowing God as Father
Knowing God as our loving Father provides a profound sense of security and peace, freeing us from the grip of anxiety. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasizes that understanding God as a caring Father liberates us from hypocrisy and fear. This knowledge anchors us in His unchanging Word, allowing us to minister to others with the comfort we have received in Christ. In these challenging times, marked by global crises, this assurance becomes even more vital. As we rest in the security of God's hands, we are empowered to extend His love and comfort to those around us, demonstrating the peace that comes from knowing Him. [03:30]

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you struggling with anxiety? How can you remind yourself today that you are secure in the hands of a loving Father?


Day 2: Prayer as the Antidote to Anxiety
Prayer is a powerful tool that God has given us to combat anxiety. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to take everything off our worry list and place it on our prayer list, trusting that God will grant us peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace is not about changing our circumstances but about providing divine insulation for our hearts and minds. As we face the reality of our fears and anxieties, we are invited to run to the Lord with them, casting all our cares upon Him because He cares for us more than we can imagine. In doing so, we experience a peace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. [05:45]

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific worry you can turn into a prayer today? How can you make prayer a more integral part of your daily routine to experience God's peace?


Day 3: Suffering as a Call to Repentance
Suffering often exposes our frailty and our deep need for God. It serves as a summons to return to the Lord, to humble ourselves, and to take our theology seriously. In times of suffering, we are called to repentance, recognizing the sinfulness of our condition and our dependence on God. This process of turning back to God allows us to experience His grace and mercy anew, reminding us of the hope we have in Christ. As we navigate through suffering, we are encouraged to seek God's face, allowing Him to transform our hearts and minds. [16:40]

"Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and do good; teach me your statutes." (Psalm 119:67-68, ESV)

Reflection: How has suffering in your life revealed areas where you need to repent and turn back to God? What steps can you take today to seek His face and embrace His grace?


Day 4: Living as Lights in a Darkened World
As followers of Christ, we are called to live as lights in a darkened world, embodying the peace and hope that come from knowing Him. Our witness is not just in what we do but in who we are, living out the gospel with poise and peace. In these challenging times, we have the opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ through our actions and attitudes, offering hope to those around us. By living out our faith authentically, we can shine brightly in a world that desperately needs the light of Christ. [41:58]

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you be a light to those around you today? How can you embody the peace and hope of Christ in your interactions with others?


Day 5: Adapting the Church to Serve in Challenging Times
The church must adapt to the current times, utilizing technology to maintain connection and community. While physical gatherings may be limited, we can still be the church, caring for one another and reaching out to those in need. This is a time for pastors and church leaders to shepherd their congregations with love and care, relying on the wisdom and unity of the church's leadership. As we navigate social distancing, we must find creative ways to serve and support each other, demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways. [22:05]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use technology to stay connected with your church community? What is one practical way you can serve someone in need this week, even from a distance?

Quotes


Well, if no one else is going to attempt an answer, this is a time for us to prove in our own lives the gospel that we've always professed to believe. And just to start the conversation, in the passage that probably is best known to most true Christians in which Jesus gives us teaching about living the Christian life in the Sermon on the Mount, he has a whole section there where He underscores for us that the knowledge of God as our loving, caring, heavenly Father delivers us from two things. [00:02:23]

Because we know that no matter what happens, our lives are in His hands, that our lives are secure, as our fathers used to say. You know, our life will never be done until the Lord's numbering of our days is completed. So for ourselves as Christian believers, I think this is what anchors us, much else in Scripture that anchors us. [00:03:30]

It gives a very clear, direct, simple strategy for overcoming the anxieties and worries and fears of life and that answer is prayer. And so, it's important during this period that the saints are just stepping up their devotion to spiritual disciplines, being in His Word and communing with God in prayer. He bids us to take everything off of our worry list and put it all on our prayer list. [00:05:03]

The promise attached does not bid that God will change circumstances, even though He is able, as Paul will say in Ephesians 3 to do that, to do beyond what we could ask or think. But he says if we give all of the matters we are attempted to worry about to God in prayer, God will give us peace that surpasses all understanding, to guard our hearts and minds. [00:06:11]

The Bible tells us, it doesn't just suggest it to us, but it tells us to cast all our cares upon the Lord because He cares for us. So the Bible is allowing for the reality that we do have cares and that various concerns and anxieties will indeed bubble up in our lives. And we all know people in our lives, friends and family who are certainly more or less given to anxiety, given to great concern and worry. [00:07:37]

The question is, what do we do with those worries? What do we do with those fears? What do we do with those anxieties in our lives? And the question that we need to answer for ourselves and as we strive to lead our friends and our families and our churches is that we don't run to the answers that the world gives us or even the answers that our own flesh might give us, that we run to the Lord with our worries. [00:10:00]

I think the second thing to say is that from a biblical point of view, all suffering that we experience exposes one, our frailty; two, our need of God; three, the sinfulness of our human condition; and four, our need for repentance. And think of, for example, what Jesus says when people come in Luke 13 and people come and say, "What about these people that Pilate slaughtered? Were they worse than others?" [00:15:54]

And certainly, the pattern all the way through Scripture of this kind of event in a nation, or now, on the face of the earth is that written into it, coded into the language of this cosmic affliction, really, for us, is, we do need to repent. And I actually think that, you know, in the midst of all the suffering, the great issue for us in the West is whether we will heed that call. [00:17:02]

We are talking among our elders and our staff about just what it means to be the church when you can't, in the vernacular of the tradition I grew up in, how to be the church when you can't have church. You, know, we're not able to hold our meetings, but what does it mean for us to be the church? It makes me also grateful for technology. [00:20:47]

And then we're just encouraging just the human connection by whatever means we have to mutually care for one another, which I think is reminding us of the importance of being the church right now because of the church and our size. There are some people who are attracted to a church like ours because it's easy to hide out and show up to a service and not be required of much and we work on that to challenge a participating membership and the connections now relationally really, I think, and Romans 12 just kind of fleshing out our community of fellowship with one another. [00:23:29]

And my observation is we've all...we've got different resources in order to serve the people around us. We've got different gifts in doing that. You know, there are some people who know exactly what to do and then there are the people like me who say, "Is there anything I can do?" And we need to help one another in that. But it seems to me the absolutely fundamental thing is, who we are in what we do. [00:40:27]

And I think we must have confidence in the Spirit's ministry to use what God has done in our lives, to speak through the service that we render to the people who are around about us, especially those who are most anxious. Living out what we believe in the gospel and as you said, Dr. Ferguson, that means living with a certain peace. This is a time I think for Christians to really show forth the calm that we can have, that we take proper precautions but we don't overreact, that we are able to live out truly the fruit of the Spirit with a calmness and a steadfastness. [00:41:58]

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Transcript
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