Point of Grace Online Worship 10.11.20

Sermon Notes - “Jesus, Can I thrive in my anxious world?” - My Default Thinking

How are you handling the “anxiety” in you and around you?

Jesus, can You help? … … … can I thrive?

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” -Jesus- (from Matthew 11:28-30)

Matthew 6 contains one of Jesus most profound teachings on “anxiety”.

What does He reveal about His “way” of carrying the loads of life (yoke) which will help us thrive in an anxious world?

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

It’s like Jesus knows that our default “thinking” about God, ourselves and the relationship needs some work.

What some good news?

- Your heavenly Father values you far more than you can imagine. Try to get your mind around the validation this brings you as a gift. If you have that kind of validation, love and care from the God who knows you best, can you imagine how much you “don’t” have to worry about tomorrow and how many things you “don’t” have to strive over and seek to earn to get what you already have.

- Worry is powerless to help but oh so natural to do.

- What is a “pagan” and how do I “not” act like one? (but rather like I have a Father in heaven who loves me very much.)

- If it is not my role to “worry” then what do I do? Where do I exert my effort?

o Seek “first” the Father’s reign over every situation and aspect of life,

o Seek the Father’s righteousness (His right way) which is found in Jesus and His way of living.

- How do these shifts-of-thinking about my Father in heaven, me (with my worry) and our relationship help me thrive in my anxious world?

What are some practical ways I can act in alignment with what Jesus has revealed?

Helps: “Sermon Resources” from Pog.church

The Pause App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

“The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer

“Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” by Pete Scazzero

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge

Join in on “After Thoughts” Thursday at 7 pm – Go to www.pog.church/live to view or through Facebook or Youtube.

Afterthoughts is a live interactive internet conversation about the topic of this week’s sermon. We would love for you to join in to make your contribution to the conversation, share your thoughts and ask your question.

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of the week which help dive deeper into coming to Jesus and His way for thriving in this anxious world. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Matthew 11:25-30 Tue – Matthew 6:25-34 Wed – Mark 6:30-34 Thu – John 17:20-26 Fri – Luke 16:11-32 Sat - Psalm 19

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.