DON’T WORRY, BE PRAYERFUL
KEY TEXT: “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.” (Phil. 4:6-7).
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7, NLT).
INTRO: This past week our lives were like a country & western song!
• Our van broke down, fridge stopped freezing, dog ran away, water turned brown!
• ANOTHER STORY: when I preached a message on “What to do in the day of trouble” = we had a car accident on the way to church.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU’RE HAVING A BAD DAY?
• You wake up face down on the pavement
• You call suicide prevention and they put you on hold
• You turn on the news and they’re showing emergency routes out of the city
• The bird singing outside your window is a buzzard
• Your car horn goes off accidentally and remains stuck as you follow a group of Hell’s Angels on the highway
SONG: There wsa a song from the 80’s by Bobby McFerrin called, “Don’t’ Worry, Be Happy”
1. TROUBLE WILL COME IN YOUR LIFE!
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
• Jesus said we WILL have trouble in life, but we can still have peace IN HIM!
Peter said, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12).
• Don’t be surprised when trouble comes! We will have TESTS in life!
2. WHEN TROUBLE COMES, DON’T WORRY.
• Worry defined: to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts.
“25 "So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. 28 "And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! 31 "So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. 32 Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, 33 and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. 34 "So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:25-34).
• My first pastor, Erwin Dyck, preached, “Why Borrow Sorrow from Tomorrow?”
• Opposite of worry is to trust our faithful, loving Heavenly Father
3. WHEN TROUBLE COMES, BE PRAYERFUL.
STORY: The story of a day in the life of King Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 20:1-2).
“After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. Messengers came and told him, "A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at… En-gedi.”
• How did the King respond? Did he freak out? Wring his hands in fear? NO!
v. 3: “Jehoshaphat was alarmed by this news and sought the LORD for guidance.”
• When trouble comes, be prayerful – seek the Lord!
a. When you pray, remind yourself of WHO GOD IS.
v. 6: “He prayed, "O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!”
b. When you pray, remind yourself of WHAT GOD HAS DONE.
v. 7: “O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham?”
c. When you pray, ASK GOD TO HELP YOU.
QUOTE: “Invite this very same God of power and wonder and compassion to step into your situation and make a difference in your life… If you focus on God, the obstacles will always shrink because of your changed perspective.” (Ron Mehl, A Prayer that Moves Heaven).
4. WHEN TROUBLE COMES, BE THANKFUL.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess 5:16-18).
• Again, note the connection between prayer, being thankful, and having joy.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.” (Psalm 100:4).
• In God’s presence there is fullness of joy! (see also Philippians 4:4).
• We worry when we focus on what we don’t have, instead of being thankful for what we do have.
• This week when our fridge broke down, I immediately started thinking of people who live in third world countries, and how much we have compared to them.
BACK TO THE STORY OF JEHOSHAPHAT:
“14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel… a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ’Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s… 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you… 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: "Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever." 22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.” (2 Chron. 20:14-17,21-22).
• God’s Word to the people in trouble: “Do not be afraid, this is my battle!”
• The people trusted God and praised Him, and God brought the victory.
CLOSING: A SONG OF PRAISE – TO DANCE BEFORE THE LORD & GIVE HIM THANKS!
Cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you!
Chris Jordan is the lead pastor of Beausejour Community Church in Beausejour, Manitoba, Canada.
For more sermon outlines, and online audio sermons, go to www.beausejourchurch.ca.
