Physical Health Series

SERMON OUTLINE:

• I look to God to meet all my needs (vs 1)

• I obey God’s instruction about rest (vs 2a)

• I go to God for guidance (vs 3)

• I look I trust God in the dark times (vs 4)

• I let God heal my hurts (vs 5)

• I give God for all my tomorrows (vs 6)

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• Outside the Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen,

• Which is Denmark’s Parliament building.

• There are three stone figures guarding the entrance.

• They represent the earache, the headache, and the stomach ache.

• They were placed there to suggest that if you enter politics,

• You will have all three!

• Now I would have thought all three were linked to being a parent!

• But maybe that’s just my experience (only joking!)

• We live in a very stress-filled society:

• And it effects all of us, not just politicians.

ill;

• Last year for my birthday my wife asked me what would I like for a present,

• I replied; “Just by me something that will make me look sexy and good!”

• When I opened her present, she bought me an exercise bike!

Quote: 10 reasons to Exercise and Be Physically Active:

1. Feel more energized

2. Burn more calories at rest

3. Improve overall appearance

4. Be able to withstand stress

5. Decrease risk of illness

6. Speed up recovery from injury or surgery

7. Keep focused (healthy body, a healthy mind).

8. Build up cardiovascular endurance

9. Improve flexibility

10. Increase lean body mass

As Christians (followers of Jesus) looking after the body is important:

• FIRST: These bodies are the temple of the living God.

• Quote: 1 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 19-20 (NIV)

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.”

• Don’t miss that last line; “Therefore honour God with your body.””

• If we neglect our physical health according to this verse;

• We are dishonouring God!

• SECOND: What happens to the body can also affect our spiritual health.

• Last week our theme was ‘Spiritual Health’;

• And our Bible reference was Romans chapter 12 verses 1-2.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God”.

Notice:

• The apostle did not say “offer your minds to God”,

• Nor did he say; “offer your hearts to God”,

• He quite deliberately said: “offer your bodies to God”,

• Because what we do with our bodies with have a knock on effect spiritually:

• The two are always linked.

• That is why the Bible says; i.e. “Do not get drunk”

• Because that will affect you spiritually.

• i.e. “Do not be sexually impure”

• Because that will affect you spiritually.

• i.e. “Do not pollute your body with addictive substances”.

• Because that will affect you spiritually.

• i.e. “Do not be gluttonous”

• Because that will affect you spiritually.

• What we do with our bodies will affect our spiritual condition.

• Quote: “Our objective should be a healthy body, a healthy mind & a healthy spirit”

Note: There is a key phrase in this Psalm and it is found in verse 6:

• "All the days of my life".

• Note: "Of my 1ife" not “After my 1ife".

• Contrary to popular opinion, Psalm 23 is not a funeral psalm!

• It may bring comfort to those who mourn;

• But primarily this is a psalm for the living!

• The psalmist is talking from present experience:

• This a psalm for daily living and not future anticipation.

• In fact you can apply that phrase to every section of the Psalm:

• Quote: Psalm 23:

"The Lord is my Shepherd,

all the days of my life".

"I shall not be in want,

all the days of my life".

"He makes me 1ie down in green pastures,

all the days of my life".

"He leads me besides the still waters,

all the days of my life".

"He restores my soul,

all the days of my life".

"He guides me in paths of righteousness for his names sake,

all the days of my life".

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,

all the days of my life".

"For you are with me,

all the days of my life".

"Your rod and your staff, they comfort me,

all the days of my life".

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies,