Finding Freedom From Worry Series

Finding Freedom From WORRY

Good morning MGCC!

And welcome to week 2 of our series…

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. – Galatians 5:1

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free… So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

– John 8:31,32, 36

NOW – last week we talked about finding freedom from FEAR. To Find Freedom from fear…

• Fear God above all

You don’t have to be afraid, even when there is something to be afraid of, because Jesus is greater than what you fear, and because Jesus with You.Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – Matthew 10:28

• Evaluate your fear,

• Attack your fear with God’s truth, and

• Remember Always That Whatever Fear Is Surrounding You, God Is Surrounding It

UNDRSTAND MGCC – our God does not want us to be bound by fear… NOR DOES HE – want us to be bound up by worry.

QUESTION - would you like to find some freedom from those worries. Would like to live a life where you are anxious for nothing… IF SO – you are at the right spot at the right because today’s conversation is about finding FREEDOM FROM WORRY.

NOW – as always I want to pray us into the conversation this morning…

HOWEVER – before we do that, I need to make a brief announcement…

PRAYER

“Finding Freedom from WORRY.

UNDERSTAND MGCC

WORRY – is a thief, a thief who steals…

• your thoughts

• your peace

• your joy

• your confidence

• your courage

NOW – for many years a woman couldn’t sleep at night because she was so worried that her home would be broken into.

I MEAN – it was just this uneasy thought that dominated her mind day in and day out for years.

WELL - one night her husband heard a noise in the house, so he went downstairs to investigate. When he got there, he found a burglar.

AND SO - the husband said to the him, “Hey, could you come upstairs and meet my wife. She has been waiting 10 years to meet you.”

POINT - a thief will steal from you once, but WORRY can steal from you for decades.

OKAY – raise your hand if you have ever struggled with WORRY… Like, has WORRY ever stolen, your…

(thoughts, peace, confidence courage or your joy)?

Raise your hand if you have any WORRY now.

SO – we are not alone in this struggle, are we?

ALRIGHT – let’s do this “Finding Freedom From WORRY.”

AND - here is how I want to attack this conversation…

BY - unpacking 2 statements

1. The problem of WORRY

2. The path to FREEDOM

HOWEVER – before we dive into our study this morning…

I feel that I need to be clear about 2 things…

#1 – I realize that this conversation has limits…

LIKE – I know that one Sunday morning message is not going to solve all the issues we face in regards to worry.

I MEAN – perhaps for some in this room, worry has been ‘the issue’ that you have been facing for years….

AND - what is needed is to see a doctor or a counselor.

AND LISTEN – there is no shame in that, and doing so does not make you a second class Christian. (I’ve been)

SO – yeah I know, this conversation does have limits…

#2 NEVERTHELESS – even with that being said, I still believe

• that because we are sharing truths from God’s word (which is living and active…)

• and because it is God’s desire that we (His children) not live our lives tossed to and fro by the waves of WORRY

• that something supernatural, powerful and life-impacting can happen.

GET IT?

OKAY MGCC – buckle up, and let’s do this!

AND LISTEN – I can think of no better way to begin than to read what I think are the 3 most powerful passages in the entire Bible about anxiety.

SO LEAN IN MGCC – this is the very word of God.

NOW - Jesus in Matthew 6, is teaching on the mountain side by the sea of Galilee, and He says…Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, - Matthew 6:26

QUESTION – what are you worried about?

I MEAN – this covers it all, right?

Jesus says do not worry about your life.