Pew2You
March 11, 2018
HIs Glory is Near
Aaron Schlueter
Highlights:
“What we believe determines how we live.” Paul lived according to powerful beliefs.
God identifies with the weak.
Two beliefs we need to avoid anxiety:
God is Sovereign
God is Good
Discussion Questions:
Since the presence of anxiety is unavoidable, how can we avoid the prison of anxiety?
What effect does the belief in God’s nearness have on anxiety?
What beliefs do you hold about God and the life He’s given you that help to combat anxiety?
What would the alleviation of anxiety release you to?
Key Scriptures, Quotes and Definitions:
Philippians 4:4-8 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understand, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, Brothers and sister, 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.”
2 Corinthians 11
Romans 8: 38-39 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor an other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Philippians 4:5-6 “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Anxiety is not a fear of what is, but rather a fear of what if.
Near: G1451 KJV= at hand:
Three kinds of near:
Near in time: predominant use in NT
Near in proximity: near in proximity to another person or God
Near in awareness and affection
Ephesians 2:3-5 “All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.”