20/2/2022 [Sunday Message]                                                                                                                                             www.lifechurchmissions.com 

 

Turn from Anxiety to God <Lk 12: 22-26, 29-34; 1 Co 7:32-33; 2 Co 11:28-29; 1 Pe 5:6-7>

 

1. Is anxiety a sin?

1When the Bible mentions anxiety, it is mostly a negative command (“do not” be anxious), but in a few verses, we see that believers can also be concerned (anxious) about the right things.

* Read <Lk 12:22; 1 Co 7:32-33>.

* Do not be anxious about “affairs of this world”.

* But we can have the right concern about “the Lord’s affairs”.

* Read <2 Co 11:28-29>.

 

2But because many people’s concerns are often about affairs of this world and about themselves, most of our anxieties are sinful.

* Often, our anxieties are due to our selfish desires and our unbelief.

* Our worries often lead us to commit sin.

* Or, some of our worries are also a result of our sins.

 

3What matters is: What is the thing you are anxious about? What is your reaction to anxiety?

 

2. Although we cannot stop anxiety from attacking us, we can respond to it in a blessed way.

* In the Bible, God’s people were also not exempted from certain distressing situations, yet they could enjoy profound peace in their hearts.

* Thus, difficult as it is, it is still possible to “be not anxious” in the Lord.

1Opposite of anxiety: Trust in God.

* We get anxious because of little faith.

* Instead of lamenting that it is hard for us to believe, think about how we can strengthen our faith.

* Build our faith on God’s word and truth.

 

2In order to be not anxious, do not put our hearts on worldly things, but change the treasure of our hearts.

* Read <Lk 12:22-26, 29-34>.

* Sin made us unwilling to live for God but for ourselves, thus we are miserable.

* Only when our hearts consider God and His Kingdom as our greatest treasure, then we can have complete peace.

* Overcoming anxiety is not just hoping that “things will get better tomorrow”, but to battle with the idea that “God is not enough”, till we are convinced that “it is enough to have God”.

* Read <1 Pe 5:6-7>

 

3. Learn to convert anxieties into blessings.