Sunday 7th Apr 2013 - The Kingdom Of God - A Worry Free Zone - Brian Nish

THE KINGDOM OF GOD A ‘WORRY- FREE’ ZONE INTRODUCTION (Math 6v25-34 + Phil 4v6-8) 1) Some experts say 60%-90% of all health problems are caused by worry? There is a recognition that worry is a major disease 2) Most people worry about ‘something’ Some people worry about ‘everything’ e.g. Poor people worry about having enough money to live on Rich people worry about losing the money they have 3) Some people come from a long line of worriers (in the family line) 4) Worry can have a positive side if you call it ‘concern’ It is good to be ‘concerned’ about paying your mortgage and bills on time It is good to be ‘concerned’ about a healthy diet and keeping fit etc But when ‘concern’ changes to ‘worry’ the problems begin 5) Worry doesn’t add to our life – it subtracts – in hours, days, months, years 6) Worry is mainly caused by anxiety about the future 7) Health Warning – “Worrying can seriously damage your health” 8) Definitions – (1) A divided mind, a distraction, a preoccupation with things causing anxiety, pressure, and stress (2) A runaway mind (A) SOME DANGERS OF WORRYING 1) We can lose our perspective – because of the ‘worry mountain’ 2) It can damage our health – headaches, backaches, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart problems, depression etc 3) It can affect the way we treat others – we can become harsh and lash out at those around us 4) It can disrupt our walk with God – it can stop us praying, reading bible. worshipping, enjoying God, church, and life 5) We can suffer from the ‘what if syndrome’ ‘What if’ – I get sick? I get fired? I have no money? People don’t like me? Everyone leaves the church? We have burglars? (B) HOW CAN WE STOP WORRYING AND ENJOY LIFE MORE? 1) Believe you can learn to stop worrying. If Jesus said ‘Do not worry’ it must be possible 2) Believe God cares more about you than the birds of the air (Math 6v26) 3) Seek first the kingdom of God (Math 6v33-34) 4) Turn your worries into prayer (Phil 4v6-7) 5) Take every thought captive to Christ (2 Cor 10v5) Stop living by your ‘wits’ – and start living by the ‘word’ 6) Keep a thankful heart (Phil 4v6) 7) When tempted to worry – by thoughts or feelings – choose to trust God and His word 8) Keep close to God. Spend time in His presence. The closer you feel to God the less you will be tempted to worry ‘OVERCOMING WORRY’ HANDOUT 1) Recognise that worry is the opposite of faith. Replace worry with faith in God and His word 2) Every morning speak this faith phrase out 3 times - “I believe in God” 3) Say to yourself “I can overcome any habit, even worry, with God’s help” 4) Pray the following: “Father, this day I place my life, my loved ones, my work in Your hands. There is no harm in Your hands, only good. I believe You love me and will take care of me this day” 5) Memorize verses that speak of love, faith, hope, happiness etc 6) Commit to speaking positively instead of negatively 7) Do not participate in ‘worry conversations’. Inject faith and hope into such conversations 8) Cultivate friendships with positive people, who think and speak faith 9) Actively help other people to overcome their worry habit. In helping others you will grow in power to overcome worry yourself 10) When tempted to worry remember that God is IN YOU and Jesus said He will be WITH YOU always 11) Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4v7) 12) God isn’t sitting in heaven biting His fingernails and worrying what’s going to happen next – He’s the Sovereign Lord God Almighty, as well as our loving Father, and He’s got it all worked out!!! CONCLUSION . 1) SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD and DO NOT WORRY 2) Believe the kingdom can become a WORRY-FREE ZONE for YOU 3) Ask God to change YOU from a ‘WORRIER’ into a ‘WARRIOR’!!!