IMG_9163INTRO

Video: Paul Anderson’s 402 Pound Overhead Press: The Strongest Man in History

“I’ve got the strongest shoulders in America….”

TENSION

Even Brian Shaw has limits. There are some weights that even his strong shoulders can’t bear.

What is the weight that you bear on your shoulders? What keeps you up at night?

  • Fear that the past will repeat itself
  • Fear of forgetting something
  • Fear of what people will say or do/react
  • Fear of the unknown (the “What-ifs”)

Anxiety, simply defined, is fear run amuck.

  • God created our imagination for good (Name the animals).
  • Satan loves to twist our minds to work against us and God.
  • Dreaming of cars to anxious about car crashes.
  • Dreaming of love to fearing rejection.

Anxiety, whether clinical or not, can be absolutely crippling.

What is the weight that you bear on your shoulders? What keeps you up at night?

God’s shoulders are broader than you could ever imagine.

TRUTH

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-7

Background

  • Written to “the elect exiles of the Dispersion,” Jewish Christians who were scattered by both the exile and persecution (They had plenty to be anxious about).
  • Theme of 1 Peter: How to live as Christians in a non-Christian society, and overcoming that society by being prepared to bear oppression.
  • Chapter 5 is about having the right mindset. Pastors, don’t lord your authority over others. Young guys, don’t write the old guys off. Everyone be clothed with humility toward one another.
  • Final mindset: Humble yourself before God.
  • This passage is full of imperatives, not indicatives.
  1. God calls us to push the reset button on our minds.

 

 

What we think about is what we worship. Fear, or God?

If I’m bigger than God, and my problems are bigger than me, where do I go?

Therefore – Points back to verse 5.

  • Verse 5 is a quote from Proverbs 3:54 (“Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.”)
  • Also referenced in James 4:6 (“Submit to God, resist the devil, draw near to him”)
  • “God resists the proud…”
      • Prov. 6:16 – One of the 7 deadly sins is “haughty eyes”/pride
      • Satan turned on God because of his pride
      • Both here and in James 4:6, “resist the devil”
      • Satan’s method to destroy your life: Discontent in God -> Fear -> Anxiety
  • “Gives grace to the humble…”
      • Isaiah 57:15 – “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
      • Part of the grace God extends to the humble is freedom from fear and anxiety.

Mighty hand of God – denoted God’s sovereignty in the O.T.

  • Job 30:21 – “You have turned cruel to me; with the might of your hand you persecute me.”
  • Exodus 3:19-20 –  “But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go.”
  • Ezekiel 20:33-34 – “As I live, declares the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out I will be king over you. I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm…”

God’s mighty hand shows up big in the lives of those who, although suffering, humble themselves to him.

 

2.  God calls us to rapidly throw our anxiety onto his shoulders.

 

Casting all your cares on him…

  • Adverbial participle – the main imperative is not to cast, but to humble ourselves.
  • “Humble yourselves” answers the “WHAT,” and “Casting” answers the “HOW.”
  • epiriptō – To throw upon, place upon
  • This word was used in Luke 19:35 to describe how the disciples threw their cloaks on the back of the donkey Jesus would ride into Jerusalem.

He cares for you.

  • This phrase answers the “WHY” of the passage. Why should we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, throwing our cares on his shoulders?
  • BECAUSE: He cares for us!
  • Peter knew this personally.
        • Jesus healed his mother-in-law (Mk. 1:29-31).
        • Jesus provided fish when he couldn’t catch a cold (Lk.5:1-11).
        • Jesus paid the tax Peter owed when he didn’t have any money (Matt. 17:24-27).
        • Jesus saved Peter from drowning in the sea (Matt. 14:24).
        • Jesus forgave and restored Peter after he denied Jesus 3x (Jn. 21).

How does God care for me?

A. He gives us the courage to face our fears instead of running away.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

B. He gives us wisdom to understand the situation.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” – James 1:5

C. He gives us strength to act when action is required.

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

D. He gives us faith to trust Him when we’ve done all we can do.

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” – Psalm 37:5

 

3.  God calls us to rest in his care.

 

Rest in his: Power, Timing, and Goodness

That God may exalt you… POWER

  • Exalt (hypsoō) – To be lifted up, out of trouble
  • The thing you’re fearing? God will lift you “out of” it.
  • Last week – God working in our sanctification will result in our glorification
  • God has done this in the past
        • Job – restored his life
        • Israel – slavery to deliverance to prominence
        • Exiles – regathered
  • Phil. 2 is our roadmap
  • Exalting ourselves doesn’t result in God’s glory, and makes us miserable and anxious in the end.

At the proper time…. TIMING

  • Maybe you’re not ready for the big thing God is going to do in your life (Dark room).
  • “One of the evidences of our pride is our impatience with God.” – Warren Wiersbe

God’s plan is for my good and his glory. (Rom. 2:28-29) GOODNESS

The end of fear is found inside a personal relationship with a good and sovereign God.

APPLICATION

Casting your anxiety onto the broad shoulders of God…

#1 – Confess your need of a Savior.

Humble yourselves by admitting you can’t save yourself from any circumstance.

#2 – Cultivate a lifestyle of worship.

Worship with your life. Worship = Worth-ship

  • Why do we come together to sing about Jesus? He’s praiseworthy.
  • Why do we give Jesus total control of our lives? He’s trustworthy.
  • Why do we open our Bibles and learn everything we can about Jesus? He’s noteworthy.
  • Why do we tell everyone we know about Jesus? He’s newsworthy.

#3 – Choose rest over amusement.

You can’t entertain your way out of anxiety. Once Netflix gives you your brain back, the fear is still there.

#4 – Consistently engage with the Bible.

Develop a Bible-reading plan (LMBC App). Put together an index card with “Grounding Verses” for when anxiety strikes.

#5 – Curb anxious thoughts by praying immediately.

When anxiety strikes, pray now and later.

#6 – Curate a collection of BFFs who will listen to you and pray for you.

Anxiety hates company. Send a prayer request in via the app. Text a TAG leader or TAG mate. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.