A THANKFUL HEART

TO A FAITHFUL GOD
Philippians 4: 6-7

Introduction:
Paul commands the believer to
rejoice. This word means to be
glad. Now lets face it, much of
life does not lend itself to our
happiness.

Introduction:
In fact, when Paul penned these
words, he was bound between two
soldiers in a roman prison. [Acts
16:16-40].

Introduction:
Still, Paul knew that regardless of
the circumstances of life, God
never changes. That is why we are
told to rejoice in the Lord. People
will change, circumstances will
change
and
life
constantly
changes, but the Lord never
changes.

1. UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF

ANXIETY

1) If anyone had good reason to be

anxious, it would have been Paul.
a. His friends in Philippi were
fighting
Phil. 4:1-3

1. UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF

ANXIETY

1) If anyone had good reason to be

anxious, it would have been Paul.
b. Paul and Silas was jailed in
preaching the gospel.

1. UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF

ANXIETY

2) Paul is saying that the reality of

our faith should be demonstrated
in how we deal with other people.
a. If the focus of our lives is on
ourselves, then when people
hurt us, slight us, cross us, etc.
there will be a desire to
retaliate and get vengeance.

1. UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF

ANXIETY

2) Paul is saying that the reality of

our faith should be demonstrated
in how we deal with other people.
b. Paul wants us to get the focus of
of ourselves, and get it on others.
When we are focused on those
around us, we will be less likely to
hurt by what other people do.
What they say wont sting us so
bad. How they act can be passed

2. ANOTHER THOUGHTS ON ANXIETY

From a human perspective, anxiety

is:
a. Wrong THINKING and wrong
FEELING about circumstances,
people and things.

2. ANOTHER THOUGHTS ON ANXIETY

From a human perspective, anxiety

is:

b. Anxiety [worry] is so
dangerous because it allows
the mind to conceive false
notions about God. [Worry says
If there is a God, He obviously
doesnt care about me and my
situation].

2. ANOTHER THOUGHTS ON ANXIETY

From a human perspective, anxiety

is:

c. Both of those statements are

false, God is alive and He cares
[Heb. 4:15]

3. WINNING THE VICTORY OVER ANXIETY

THE ANTIDOTE IS THE RIGHT KIND

OF PRAYING

1. In which we pray about

everything

a. Like the hymn, Paul counsels

us to take everything to God
in prayer.
b. Dont worry about ANYTHING,
but pray about EVERYTHING

3. WINNING THE VICTORY OVER ANXIETY

THE ANTIDOTE IS THE RIGHT KIND

OF PRAYING

1. In which we pray about

everything

c. We are prone to pray about

BIG THINGS, and forget to pray
about the LITTLE THINGS [but
little things left unattended
grow up to become big things].

3. WINNING THE VICTORY OVER ANXIETY

THE ANTIDOTE IS THE RIGHT KIND

OF PRAYING

2. In which by prayer and

supplication

a. Prayer is the general word

for making requests known to
God, it carries the idea of
ADORATION, DEVOTION, and
WORSHIP.

3. WINNING THE VICTORY OVER ANXIETY

THE ANTIDOTE IS THE RIGHT KIND

OF PRAYING

2. In which by prayer and

supplication

b. Supplication is where we
begin making our requests
known to God, it involves an
earnest sharing of our problem
and needs [Heb. 5:7]. He did
so, with vehement cries and

3. WINNING THE VICTORY OVER ANXIETY

THE ANTIDOTE IS THE RIGHT KIND

OF PRAYING

2. In which by prayer and

supplication

c. Thanksgiving prayer is
always to be offered at the
same time we make our
requests.

CONCLUSION:
This wonderful peace, this
freedom from anxiety, is the
result of letting our requests
be known to God through the
right kind of praying:
a.Praying about everything
b.Praying with prayer and
supplication
c.Praying with thanksgiving

CONCLUSION:
All this is possible through
Christ Jesus He is the source of
every spiritual blessing from
God, including the peace that
surpasses
understanding
[Eph.1:3].

TO GOD BE THE GLORY