Navigating Crisis: From Concern to Faithful Trust

 

Summary

In these challenging times, we find ourselves engulfed by uncertainty and the pressing question of what comes next. As I recently experienced in Las Vegas, life can throw us into crisis situations where we must adapt quickly, even while trying to remain grounded in our faith. This is a shared experience, as we all navigate the chaos around us, seeking guidance from our leaders and from God. It's crucial to distinguish between responsible concern and illegitimate worry. Responsible concern involves taking necessary precautions, like social distancing and hygiene, to protect ourselves and our loved ones. However, when concern escalates into worry, it begins to control us, affecting our well-being and peace of mind.

Jesus, in Matthew 6, reminds us not to worry, emphasizing that we have a Father who cares for us deeply. In the midst of chaos, we should remember that God is not only all-powerful but also our loving Father, bringing calm and reducing fear. This crisis is a call to refocus on the spiritual amidst the physical and medical challenges. God is speaking to us, urging us to give Him our undivided attention and to reassess our priorities. The current situation forces us to reconnect with family, reach out to others, and foster unity and care within our communities.

Crises have a unique way of fostering care and unity, prompting us to ask what God is saying to us individually and collectively. This is a time to adjust our lives, to reach out to those we may have neglected, and to ensure that we are caring for one another. It's an opportunity to deepen our faith and trust in God, knowing that He can meet our needs if we put Him first. Let us embrace this time of concern, not worry, and remember that we have a Father who loves us and is with us through it all.

Key Takeaways:

1. Distinguishing Concern from Worry: It's essential to differentiate between responsible concern and illegitimate worry. While concern prompts us to take necessary precautions, worry takes control of our emotions and well-being. God allows for concern but not for worry, as worry indicates a lack of trust in His care. [02:11]

2. God as Our Father: In times of crisis, we must remember that God is not only all-powerful but also our loving Father. This understanding brings a sense of calm and reduces fear, as we trust in His care and provision. Jesus emphasizes this in Matthew 6, reminding us not to worry because we have a Father who loves us. [03:23]

3. Spiritual Reflection in Crisis: Crises are opportunities to refocus on the spiritual amidst the physical challenges. God is speaking to us, urging us to give Him our undivided attention and to reassess our priorities. This is a time to listen to what God is saying to us individually and collectively. [04:51]

4. Fostering Unity and Care: Crises have a unique way of fostering care and unity within communities. We are prompted to reconnect with family, reach out to others, and ensure that we are caring for one another. This is an opportunity to deepen our relationships and support each other. [05:25]

5. Trusting God to Meet Our Needs: In the midst of uncertainty, we are reminded to put God first and trust Him to meet our needs. By doing so, we can navigate the challenges without succumbing to worry, knowing that our Father is with us and will provide for us. [06:27]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Navigating Uncertainty
- [00:34] - Las Vegas Experience
- [01:10] - Chaos and Faith
- [01:40] - Concern vs. Worry
- [02:11] - Responsible Concern
- [03:23] - God as Our Father
- [03:58] - Calming Fear
- [04:51] - Spiritual Reflection
- [05:09] - God's Call for Attention
- [05:25] - Unity and Care
- [06:11] - Reconnecting with Others
- [06:27] - Trusting God
- [06:45] - Time to Be Concerned

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 6:25-34

Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 6, Jesus repeats the phrase "do not worry" three times. What reasons does He give for this command? [03:23]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between responsible concern and illegitimate worry? [02:11]
3. What role does the concept of God as a Father play in reducing fear and worry according to the sermon? [03:38]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding God as a loving Father change the way believers might approach crises and uncertainty? [03:38]
2. The sermon suggests that crises can foster unity and care within communities. What might be some practical ways this unity and care can manifest? [05:25]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God is using the current crisis to speak to individuals and communities? [05:09]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a current concern in your life. How can you differentiate between responsible concern and worry in this situation? [02:11]
2. How can you remind yourself of God's fatherly care when you start to feel overwhelmed by worry? [03:38]
3. What are some specific ways you can refocus on spiritual priorities during this time of crisis? [04:51]
4. Identify a family member or friend you haven't connected with recently. How can you reach out to them this week to foster unity and care? [05:25]
5. Consider a way you can put God first in your life this week. What steps will you take to trust Him to meet your needs? [06:27]
6. How can you use this time of crisis as an opportunity to deepen your faith and trust in God? [06:11]
7. Think of a practical way you can support someone in your community who might be struggling during this time. What action will you take? [05:41]

Devotional

Day 1: Distinguishing Between Concern and Worry
In times of crisis, it is crucial to differentiate between responsible concern and illegitimate worry. Responsible concern involves taking necessary precautions to protect ourselves and our loved ones, such as practicing good hygiene and social distancing. However, when concern escalates into worry, it begins to control our emotions and well-being, indicating a lack of trust in God's care. God allows for concern but not for worry, as worry can consume us and lead us away from faith. By recognizing this distinction, we can maintain our peace of mind and trust in God's provision. [02:11]

Matthew 6:25-27 (ESV): "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?"

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where worry has taken control. How can you shift your focus from worry to responsible concern, trusting God to guide you?


Day 2: Embracing God as Our Loving Father
In moments of uncertainty, it is essential to remember that God is not only all-powerful but also our loving Father. This understanding brings a sense of calm and reduces fear, as we trust in His care and provision. Jesus emphasizes this in Matthew 6, reminding us not to worry because we have a Father who loves us deeply. By embracing this truth, we can find peace amidst chaos, knowing that God is with us and will provide for our needs. [03:23]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed. How can acknowledging God as your loving Father change your perspective and response to similar situations in the future?


Day 3: Spiritual Reflection Amidst Crisis
Crises present unique opportunities to refocus on the spiritual amidst physical and medical challenges. God is speaking to us, urging us to give Him our undivided attention and reassess our priorities. This is a time to listen to what God is saying to us individually and collectively, allowing us to grow in faith and deepen our relationship with Him. By prioritizing spiritual reflection, we can find clarity and purpose even in the midst of uncertainty. [04:51]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Reflection: Set aside time today to be still and listen for God's voice. What is He saying to you about your current priorities and how you can align them with His will?


Day 4: Fostering Unity and Care in Community
Crises have a unique way of fostering care and unity within communities. We are prompted to reconnect with family, reach out to others, and ensure that we are caring for one another. This is an opportunity to deepen our relationships and support each other, creating a sense of unity and compassion. By embracing this call to care, we can strengthen our communities and reflect God's love to those around us. [05:25]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Think of someone in your community who may need support or encouragement. How can you reach out to them today and show them God's love through your actions?


Day 5: Trusting God to Meet Our Needs
In the midst of uncertainty, we are reminded to put God first and trust Him to meet our needs. By doing so, we can navigate the challenges without succumbing to worry, knowing that our Father is with us and will provide for us. Trusting God requires faith and surrender, allowing us to experience His peace and provision in every aspect of our lives. [06:27]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you struggle to trust God fully. What steps can you take today to surrender this area to Him and rely on His provision?

Quotes


well friends I join you in all that's coming at us right now it has engulfed my life my world my family as it has yours the feeling of what's coming up next and how do we make it through figuring all of this out looking to our leaders and they're trying to figure it all out at the same time and trying to bring this crisis under control [00:00:03]

I was in Las Vegas not to gamble we were doing a taping on a Bible study on U-Turn how God can turn your life around in fact we started the Bible study off at the welcome sign in Las Vegas and we ended the Bible study with the goodbye sign where folk leaving in Las Vegas and everybody was leaving Las Vegas because it was shutting down [00:00:31]

I found myself in a semi crisis situation because flights were being canceled the hotel told us we were gonna have to leave and so we're trying to figure stuff out on the run so I like you I'm in the midst of this figuring things out and I'm doing it in the midst of teaching the Word of God isn't that how life works sometimes you're doing something that's consistent with the word of God and there's chaos happening all around you [00:00:55]

when we get into situations like this when we get into scenarios where you know we believe in God we have a knowledge of the Bible but then life hits us and not only hits us it hits everybody around us I mean it's hitting my family and we're talking to each other and I'm calling and checking on them and they're worried about their father who they keep reminding me is now in that vulnerable age group [00:01:34]

there is the temptation and the tendency to turn legitimate concern into illegitimate worry so I want to make sure we understand the difference we ought to be responsibly concerned because this virus is real we ought to be concerned about social distancing we ought to be concerned about our loved ones being protected we ought to be concerned about where we go what we touch and washing our hands because that's responsible concern [00:02:01]

worry is when the situation is controlling you and you're no longer controlling the situation and how you respond to it worry is concern gone haywire it tells you you can't sleep now I'm gonna keep you up it tells you I'm gonna make your heart palpitate it tells you you're gonna sweat now it begins to dictate your well-being when that happens you've crossed over from legitimate responsible concern to illegitimate worry [00:02:39]

if God allows for concern he does not want us to worry because we have a father now we talk about God but when Jesus talked about God in the context of worry he like he did in Matthew 6 he says don't worry don't worry don't worry he said three times and then he says because you have a father and if you can think about God now in the midst of this chaos as a father [00:03:12]

yes he's all-powerful he's all that but he's also daddy you can take a deep breath because that sense of his care in the midst of crisis brings a calming sense into your life into your emotions and it brings down fear you know in that same passage he makes a rather convicting statement he says oh ye of little faith because you've turned concern into worry [00:03:41]

do not let and I'm talking to me too because not only do I have me my family but thousands of people in our congregation and then the community that we're here to serve and then ministering even more broadly I can get a little shaky but Jesus told me don't do that don't let it go there because you have a father I just want you to know that this father that we have loves us [00:04:15]

even though he's allowed this crisis because it couldn't happen nothing happens if it doesn't go through his fingers first to look to the spiritual in the midst of the medical and the physical what is God saying to you individually what is he saying to your family what is he saying to our nation and even our world he is speaking by the way and the basic thing he's saying is I need more of your undivided attention [00:04:47]

crisis has a way of producing caring so people are caring about one another asking about one another we get news reports of people trying to help one another people are talking about unity and can we all get along now because crisis has a way of creating something that the absence of crisis does not do because you can become pretty independent when nothing is wrong [00:05:31]

what I want to come out of this for me and for you and for us is to raise the question God what are you saying I need to adjust it in my life because I've been forced now to sit home I've been forced to talk to family members that I haven't been engaged with yet when courage to reach out to other church members who need a word or some some relative that I haven't called in a while [00:05:57]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Mar 19, 2020. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?