ALL-WEATHER Series: CLOUDY by Ptr. Jay-R Ramirez (Victory Caloocan)

WEEK 3: CLOUDY (Peace in CHRIST)

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." —Philippians 4:4-9

INTRO:
Illustration: African Impala

Known for their leaps, impala can jump about 10 feet high and when running, about 33 feet ahead! However, faced an obstacle in front of it, it will never jump aboard because it doesn't know what lies beyond it.
*ANALYSIS PARALYSIS

We are all faced with uncertainties, anxieties and worries.Common Triggers of ANXIETY:
1. Uncertainty of the future.

2. Financial concerns.

3. Responses of People

Common Cause of ANXIETY: LACK OF CONTROL

Brief background to text:Euodia and Syntyche, two prominent women in the church having misunderstanding, and the whole church is affected with their relational conflict.

Paul's Reminders on the issue of ANXIETY/WORRIES

1. Rejoice in the Lord always. (v. 4)
-Anxiety is a joy-stealer.

2. Let your gentleness be evident to all (v.5a)

-Anxiety makes you grumpy.

3. The Lord is near. (v.5b)
-Anxiety will distract you.

Matthew 6: 25-33

John 14:1

Anxiety is a cause of sin when it distracts us from trusting God.

-Romans 14:23

-Psalm 56:3-4

PAUL'S ANTIDOTE FOR WORRY/ANXIETY

I. Prayer with thanksgiving (vv. 6-7)

-Psalm 107:1

-Turn your worries into prayers, not Facebook status!

II. Meditating on God's Word (v.8)

-What does God say throug your situation right now? What does He promise you?

-Romans 4:18-19

-Psalm 1:1-3

-Flood your worries with God's word!

III. Applying God's Word (v.9)

-Luke 6:46-49

-Defeat worries with faith-filled action!

-Stop saying, "What if...?"

-Do what you need to do.

CONCLUSION: Philippians 3:20-21

"Peace is not a state of mind; not a condition nor location, but a Person—and that is Christ!"
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