Rejoice Always Series

A. Philippians 4:4-8 (READ)

1. Today we begin a series of lessons corresponding with our Small Group Study entitled: “ANXIOUS

FOR NOTHING” based on the book by Max Lucado, who based his book on this passage.

2. This is a timely SUBJECT, because ANXIETY has greatly increased over the last 30 years ever since

the Internet has become a prominent fixture in most people’s homes.

a. Today with SMARTPHONES in our hands, we are able to read about and see HORRIFIC EVENTS

happening all over the WORLD in REAL TIME.

b. Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat—has created an environment for ANXIETY.

(1). There is the “COMPARE & DESPAIR FACTOR”.

ILLUSTRATION:

The happy-go-lucky PHOTOS of your friends’ VACATION on a BEACH in Hawaii seems to

make your Steak & Shake-filled weekend PAIL in comparison. (Not to mention the friends who

went on an Alaskan Cruise.)

ANXIETY builds as you DESPAIR over why “ALL YOUR FRIENDS” get to have great VACATIONS while you are STUCK here at HOME. Or why all your friends’ RELATIONSHIPS are so much more LOVING and HAPPIER than your relationship with your HUSBAND or WIFE of 25 years.

(2). There is the “I’LL SAY IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA BUT NOT TO YOUR FACE FACTOR”

ILLUSTRATION:

I have been on Facebook for over 12 years. There have been times when I’ve read some of the most CRUEL and INSENSITIVE remarks made TO and ABOUT some of my FRIENDS and

FAMILY… from other FRIENDS and FAMILY.

A 2017 study of over half a million 8th through 12th graders found that the number exhibiting high levels of ANXIETY increased by 33 percent between 2010 and 2016. In the same period, the SUICIDE rate for girls in that age group increased by 65 percent. The contributing factor was what was being SAID about them on SOCIAL MEDIA platforms.

(3). There is the “SOCIAL MEDIA INFIDELITY FACTOR”

ILLUSTRATION:

Social Media might be a good way to CONNECT with old FRIENDS, but it’s also a way to resurrect ROMANTIC feelings for old boyfriends or girlfriends. It’s a good way to connect with new friends at work or school, but it often leads to flirting and even affairs. Recent studies have revealed that one in three DIVORCES now start as ONLINE AFFAIRS. Imagine the ANXIETY that builds between husbands and wives, parents and children as a result of all the DISTRUST, the SECRECY, the JEALOUSY, the SUSPICION, the SNOOPING of each other.

B. Paul- “Do not be anxious about anything”- v. 6.

ILLUSTRATION:

How many of you have ever suffered with ANXIETY or have been ANXIOUS about something?

How many of you were ANXIOUS about admitting that you’ve been ANXIOUS about something?

Some of you were thinking: “Fred just read from the Bible that we ‘shouldn’t be anxious about anything’, so should I RAISE my hand or not.” …It was only after you looked around and saw other hands up that you felt comfortable about raising your hand.

1. When we read these words from Paul, we feel GUILTY because EVERYONE of us have experienced

anxiety or worry at one time or another.

2. Paul wrote this phrase in the present active tense in the Greek, which implies an ongoing state.

a. It’s the life of “perpetual anxiety” that Paul addresses—a CONTINUAL state of ANXIETY.

b. For the next few weeks we will be studying from Paul’s words on what we can do to DEAL WITH

and even ELIMINATE much of our ANXIETY. It begins with “Rejoice in The Lord Always”

MESSAGE:

I. REJOICE IN THE LORD’S SOVEREIGNTY

A. This section of Scripture (Philippians 4:4-8) sounds like Paul wrote it while VACATIONING on a

TROPICAL ISLAND somewhere.

1. It would be pretty easy to write the words “Rejoice in the Lord always” while LYING on a BEACH

SOAKING up the SUN.

a. But that’s not where Paul is. (His Facebook posts wouldn’t have BEACH PHOTOS.)

b. The apostle is in Rome under HOUSE ARREST chained to two Roman guards around the clock.

c. The CHAINS are a constant reminder that he doesn’t have the FREEDOM to come and go as he

pleases.

2. The reason he is IMPRISONED is because the Jewish Sanhedrin Council in Jerusalem have accused him of BLASPHEMY for preaching that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of Living God”,

which was punishable by DEATH. (That’s why they crucified Jesus.)

a. Before they could lay down a DEATH SENTENCE, however, Paul, being a Roman Citizen as well as an Israelite, exercised his right to appeal to Nero, the emperor of Rome, even though

Nero had no FAVORABLE view of Christians, either. (He would execute them for sport.)

b. Paul is now waiting for his ACCUSERS to come to Rome so that he can be TRIED and possibly EXECUTED, if found GUILTY.