Church 9/11/2021
Offertory scripture:
Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you.
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%209:6-8&version=NKJV
Sermon message:
Getting victory over the devil.
20 years ago was 9/11. Anxiety, fear. People came to church.
20 years later—midst of a pandemic. Violence across cities including Chicago. Political division at unforeseen levels. For a lot of people, a lot of reasons for fear and anxiety.
But there is good news. We can get victory over fear and anxiety.
Sermon message: God’s loving direction for overcoming fear and anxiety.
What you feed will grow.
What you stop and think about, you are fertilizing.
The Lord’s Prayer is God trying to take out fear and anxiety from your life. Fear and anxiety are not God’s will. Each sentence is an opportunity to release fear and anxiety.
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%206:9-13&version=NKJV
Be careful what you spend your time watching and reading. Don’t seed fear and anxiety. Instead seed faith.
Scripture says that God is love. And if He loves you, He does not want to torment you.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20John%204:18&version=NKJV
Fear gives you vision without Hope. Torment gives you fear, which is what God does not want.
Fear ruins relationships and future relationships.
Fear is like a demonic spirit that needs to be cast out.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Philippians%204:4-7&version=NKJV
Point #1: Look for the good. (Philippians 4:4) God, through Paul, emphasizes rejoice by stating it twice. We often tend to gravitate more toward the negative, so we need to hear the positive more.
Point #2: Make your will your rudder. (Philippians 4:5) Imagine, if you will, a sailboat that is driven by the wind. Our emotions are like the wind that propels the sails. But our rudder sets the course of the boat. Make your will — your faith, your trust in God — be what sets your course. Not your emotions.
Point #3: Replace worrying with praying. (Philippians 4:6a)
Spend more time praying and less time worrying.
We want a resolution to our problems. But God wants a relationship with you.
It’s not pretending that there’s nothing to worry about. But we can — and must make — a decision whether to worry or to pray.
“Pray, and let God worry.” Martin Luther
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Peter%205:7&version=NKJV
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%2011:28&version=NKJV
Point #4: Tell God what you want (Philippians 4:6b)
Point #5: Enjoy God’s presence and peace (Philippians 4:5b,7)