Transforming Worry into Trust: Embracing Jesus' Peace
Summary
Welcome to Church of the Gates! Today, we explored the transformative power of Jesus and the real change He brings into our lives. We believe that when real people encounter the real Jesus, they experience profound transformation. This belief is the foundation of our worship, preaching, and community activities. As we prepare for World Missions Week, we are reminded of the global mission of God and the importance of supporting our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Next Sunday, we will focus on the Persecuted Church, offering opportunities to learn, pray, and support Christians in closed countries. The following Sunday, we will host a mini missions conference to challenge us to be globally-minded Christians.
In today's message, we delved into the topic of worry and anxiety, examining how these emotions can hinder our spiritual growth and trust in God. We discussed the difference between worry and anxiety, noting that while they are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings. Worry is an emotion, while anxiety can be a diagnosable condition. However, both can lead us away from trusting God if left unchecked. We explored how our modern world, with its constant flow of information and social comparisons, contributes to our anxiety. Yet, Jesus calls us to trust Him with every aspect of our lives, reminding us that He cares for us deeply.
We reflected on the teachings of Tim Keller, who emphasized that spiritual formation is not just about behavior but about the formation of our loves. Our Real Change series has been about learning to love what is good and hate what is familiar in our hearts. Today, we focused on the sin of worry, understanding it as a choice to believe that God cannot or will not provide for us. We were encouraged to trust God with the things we value most, recognizing that worry is an opportunity to deepen our faith.
Key Takeaways:
- Real change occurs when we encounter Jesus and allow Him to transform our lives. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous process of spiritual formation, where we learn to love what is good and align our desires with God's will. [37:37]
- Worry and anxiety are not the same, but both can lead us away from trusting God. Worry is an emotion, while anxiety can be a diagnosable condition. As Christians, we are called to trust God with every aspect of our lives, recognizing that He cares for us deeply. [41:34]
- Our modern world contributes to our anxiety through constant information overload and social comparisons. Yet, Jesus invites us to trust Him with our worries, reminding us that He provides for us just as He does for the birds and the lilies. [53:40]
- Worry is a rejection of God's kingship, wisdom, providence, and character. It exposes a small faith in us and invites us to trust God with the important things in our lives. By doing so, we can experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. [57:43]
- Practical steps to reduce anxiety include disconnecting from technology, spending time outdoors, eating well, and getting enough sleep. Spiritually, we are encouraged to capture our anxious thoughts in prayer, trusting that God cares for us and will provide for our needs. [01:05:44]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Introduction to Church of the Gates
[02:30] - Upcoming Events: World Missions Week
[05:00] - Persecuted Church Sunday
[08:00] - World Mission Sunday
[12:00] - Elder Nomination Process
[15:00] - Encouragement to Vote
[20:00] - The Sin of Worry
[25:00] - Understanding Anxiety and Worry
[30:00] - The Impact of Modern Life on Anxiety
[35:00] - Biblical Perspective on Worry
[40:00] - Trusting God with Our Worries
[45:00] - Practical Steps to Reduce Anxiety
[50:00] - Spiritual Practices for Peace
[55:00] - Baptisms and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 6:25-34
Observation Questions:
1. How does Jesus illustrate God's provision in Matthew 6:25-34, and what examples from nature does He use to make His point? [53:40]
2. According to the sermon, what is the difference between worry and anxiety, and how are they often misunderstood in today's context? [41:34]
3. What does the pastor suggest is the core issue behind worry and anxiety, as discussed in the sermon? [56:12]
4. How many times does Jesus command not to be anxious in Matthew 6:25-34, and what is the significance of the word "therefore" in these commands? [55:16]
Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that modern technology contributes to our anxiety, and how might this differ from biblical times? [42:52]
2. How does the pastor interpret the phrase "Oh, you of little faith" in the context of worry and anxiety, and what does this reveal about our relationship with God? [56:12]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between worry and the things we value most in life? How does this relate to our trust in God? [59:15]
4. How does the pastor use the analogy of a child trying to take on adult responsibilities to explain the futility of worry? [01:03:47]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there specific areas where you struggle to trust God fully? How can you begin to surrender these areas to Him this week? [59:15]
2. The sermon suggests practical steps to reduce anxiety, such as disconnecting from technology and spending time outdoors. Which of these steps can you implement in your life this week, and how do you anticipate it might impact your anxiety levels? [01:05:44]
3. Consider the pastor's statement that worry is an opportunity to trust God with the important things in our lives. What is one specific worry you can turn into an opportunity for trust this week? [59:15]
4. How can you remind yourself of God's provision and care in moments of anxiety, as illustrated by Jesus' teachings in Matthew 6:25-34? [53:40]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of capturing anxious thoughts in prayer. What is one practical way you can incorporate this practice into your daily routine? [01:11:01]
6. Reflect on the pastor's prayer for worry. How can you incorporate a similar prayer into your life to help manage anxiety and trust in God's timing and provision? [01:12:50]
7. How can you support others in your community who may be struggling with anxiety or worry, based on the insights from the sermon? [41:34]
Devotional
Day 1: Encountering Jesus for Real Change
Real change occurs when individuals encounter Jesus and allow Him to transform their lives. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous process of spiritual formation, where one learns to love what is good and align their desires with God's will. The journey of spiritual growth involves a deepening relationship with Jesus, where His teachings and presence guide believers to become more like Him. This ongoing transformation is marked by a shift in priorities, values, and actions, reflecting a heart that is increasingly aligned with God's purposes. [37:37]
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:14-19, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel resistant to change? How can you invite Jesus into that area to begin the process of transformation today?
Day 2: Trusting God Amidst Worry and Anxiety
Worry and anxiety, though often used interchangeably, have distinct meanings. Worry is an emotion, while anxiety can be a diagnosable condition. Both, however, can lead individuals away from trusting God if left unchecked. In a world filled with constant information and social comparisons, these feelings can be exacerbated. Yet, Christians are called to trust God with every aspect of their lives, recognizing that He cares deeply for them. This trust is not passive but an active choice to believe in God's provision and care, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. [41:34]
"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?" (Matthew 6:25-26, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific worry or anxiety you are currently facing. How can you actively choose to trust God with this concern today?
Day 3: Overcoming Modern Anxiety with Faith
The modern world contributes significantly to anxiety through constant information overload and social comparisons. Despite these challenges, Jesus invites believers to trust Him with their worries, reminding them that He provides for them just as He does for the birds and the lilies. This invitation is a call to shift focus from the chaos of the world to the peace found in Christ. By trusting in His provision and care, believers can find rest and assurance, knowing that their needs are known and met by a loving God. [53:40]
"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 practical step you can take today to reduce your exposure to information overload and focus more on trusting Jesus?
Day 4: Worry as a Faith Challenge
Worry is a rejection of God's kingship, wisdom, providence, and character. It exposes a small faith and invites believers to trust God with the important things in their lives. By doing so, they can experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace is not the absence of problems but the presence of God in the midst of them. Trusting God with worries is an opportunity to deepen faith and rely on His strength and wisdom rather than one's own understanding. [57:43]
"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." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where worry took precedence over faith. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future by trusting in God's wisdom and provision?
Day 5: Practical and Spiritual Steps to Peace
Practical steps to reduce anxiety include disconnecting from technology, spending time outdoors, eating well, and getting enough sleep. Spiritually, believers are encouraged to capture their anxious thoughts in prayer, trusting that God cares for them and will provide for their needs. These practices help create a balanced life where physical well-being supports spiritual growth. By intentionally incorporating these steps, believers can cultivate a lifestyle that prioritizes peace and trust in God's care. [01:05:44]
"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific change you can make in your daily routine to support both your physical and spiritual well-being? How can this change help you experience more of God's peace?
Quotes
3. "Worry then is an invitation to trust God with the important things of our life. We don't worry about things we don't care about. Like this is the fundamental thing. Worry, every time there's this opportunity to be consumed or to be controlled by worry, really it's an opportunity to trust God with these important things. If you're worried about your kids, it's an opportunity to trust God with them. You're worried about the outcome of a surgery, it's an opportunity to trust God." [00:59:15] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Anxiety and worry teach us to say, God doesn't love me, God can't love me, God doesn't care for me, He doesn't provide and can't provide. What a thing. What a thing to say. I just stop here, like being able to confess this as your pastor. There have been times in my life, in deep worry and anxiety, I question, does God love me? Will God care for me? Will He provide for me?" [01:00:47] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Disconnect it for a week. And what I mean is delete the social apps, no work email on your phone, no games on the phone. Disable all non-life-critical notifications on your phone. Right? Your fantasy football league is not life-critical. Like, just not. Your socials are not life-critical. Your work notifications aren't life-critical. They're just not. Don't watch. Don't watch on your phone. Don't watch your phone before you go to bed. Just disconnect." [01:05:44] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Jesus cares for you. We think about salvation, and it is this beautiful exchange where he dies on the cross, rises from the dead, and he saves us. And there's a real sense, which this becomes so familiar, that we forget that Jesus loves you. Loves us. That he actually cares for us. That his heart is disposed for us. He's concerned for you. He's concerned about you. He sees you. He knows you. He's working." [01:07:21] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If God clothes the lilies in splendor, he'll care for you. If God keeps the planet spinning, he'll keep caring for you. If God cares for the birds who do nothing but be birds, how much more will he care for you? Cast your worries, your anxieties, and concerns on Jesus. He's better at holding them than you are." [01:13:44] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "In order to not be captured by anxiety and worry or controlled by it, we have to capture it with prayer. This is not new. What I'm offering you today is not new news. Most of us who have been Christians say, yeah, we're supposed to pray our anxiety away or whatever you want to say. Look, in order to not be captured by anxiety or controlled by worry, we have to capture those thoughts in prayer." [01:11:01] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If I know my Father, I know my Father has good plans, yes, good plans, good plans. He has, He has good plans. He has good plans. It's good news that the death and resurrection of Jesus prove He has good plans. If He can redeem that and make the most evil act in history a product for our freedom, for our hope. You don't have to be worried about your life. You don't have to be controlled by anxiety. The Lord has good plans." [01:33:30] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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