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Scripture Reading:  Philippians 4:4-13

Part 1

Be Anxious for Nothing (Part 2)

Intro.
 

-Review Part 1-

  

III.  OVERCOMING ANXIETY (Be anxious for nothing), Matt. 6:25; Phil. 4:6.

  A.  Arm Yourself with the Mind of Christ, 1 Pet. 4:1-2 (1:13).

    1.  Decide what is really important, Col. 3:1-3.  (Prepare the mind.)

    2.  Jesus faced times where anxiety could have been overwhelming, but He prevailed with “godly fear” & obedience (Heb. 5:7-8).

    3.  Contrast mind of Christ with the “anxious mind” (Lk. 12:29):

      a.  Doubts arise in the heart (Lk. 24:38).

      b.  Produces agitation of spirit (1 Sam. 16:14-16, 23).

      c.  Disruption of relationships (with God, family, brethren, etc.).

  B.  Cast All Your Care upon the Lord, 1 Pet. 5:7 (Matt. 11:28-30).

      -God’s treatment for anxiety addresses the soul.

    1.  By being humble, 1 Pet. 5:5-6 (Jas. 4:10).  (Anxiety consumes us with ourselves; humility consumes us with God & others!)

    2.  By keeping the priorities of faith, Matt. 6:24-25, 30, 33.

    3.  Overcoming anxiety is not a balancing act; it is a complete surrender of self, Matt. 6:24-25; Mk. 4:18-19.

  C.  Solutions the Anxiety (distracting cares), Phil. 4:4-13:

    1.  Praise (worshiping God keeps right focus), Phil. 4:4.

    2.  Patience, Phil. 4:5a (graciousness, forbearance).

    3.  Preparation, Phil. 4:5b (Matt. 24:44).

    4.  Prayer, Phil. 4:6 (Psa. 6).  (Result:  Peace.)

    5.  Ponder, Phil. 4:8 (clearing the mind helps clear the soul), (Matt. 12:35; 15:18-20; Eph. 4:20-24; Rom. 12:2).  Cf. Psa. 119:15

    6.  Practice your faith, Phil. 4:9 (5a).

    7.  Philanthropy, Phil. 4:10.  Divert attention from self to others.

    8.  Power to cope & overcome is in Christ, Phil. 4:11-13.

  D.  Principles to Remember:

    1.  God is in charge (rules over all), Matt. 6:26, 30; Psa. 139:23.

    2.  There are many things we cannot change, Matt. 6:27; Lk. 12:25-26.  Thus, Psa. 39:4.  (Not an excuse but a context for decisions.)

      a.  Time & chance happens to us all (Eccl. 9:11).

      b.  The troubles of the world will always exist, cf. Mk. 4:19 (14:7).

    3.  You are accountable for yourself – not everyone else, Matt. 6:31-33.

      a.  You cannot “make” anyone else do what they ought to do.

      b.  Encourage, exhort, try to persuade, etc.; that’s it (2 Cor. 5:10).

    4.  You can’t change the past, Phil. 3:13-14.

      a.  But, you can repent of the sins of the past & remove anxiety over past sins, 2 Cor. 7:9-11 (no room for anxiety here…“clearing”!).

      b.  But, God can forgive the sins of the past (1 Tim. 1:13-15).

    5.  You can’t predict the future, Matt. 6:34.

      a.  Tomorrow may never come (Jas. 4:14). 

      b.  If tomorrow comes, God will still be in charge, time & chance will still occur & you will still be responsible for yourself.

    6.  Don’t take it so personally!  (cf. Elijah syndrome; “woe is me”); 2 Tim. 3:12; Matt. 5:10-12 (Heb. 11:32-40; 12:3-4).

 

Conclusion

1.  Psa. 94:19 (12-13, 16-18):  “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.”

2.  Do not be distracted from God; it is your choice.