Making Peace With
Oneself
INTRODUCTION
1. We have seen that the
peace Christ offers involves...
a. Peace with God
b. Peace with mankind
2. Jesus also offers
peace with oneself, or peace of mind...
a. Defined as: the absence of mental stress or anxiety
b. Also:
serenity, calm, quiet, comfort of mind
[We begin our study of
this aspect of "The Peace Of Christ" by
considering...]
I. THE NEED FOR PEACE
OF MIND
A. THE PROBLEM OF ANXIETY...
1. Anxiety is distress
a. Characterized by mental agitation
and uneasiness, either
mild or severe
b. It primarily has to do with what
may happen in the future,
either near or distant
2. According to the National Institute of
Mental Health (NIMH)...
a. More than 23 million people suffer
from anxiety disorders
b. Anxiety disrupts work, family, and
social lives, with some
becoming housebound
c. It is the most common of all the
mental disorders
3.
Anxiety (or worry) is one of the most counterproductive things
we can do
a. Worry is like a rocking chair: gives you something to do,
but won't get you anywhere
b. Worry is a fast getaway on a wooden
horse
--
Anxiety, or the lack of peace of mind, is a very common problem
B. THE PROBLEM WITH ANXIETY...
1. Christians certainly are not immune to
the problem of anxiety
a. Even faithful disciples can worry
and be troubled - e.g., Lk 10:41
b. Just as anxiety disrupts work,
family, etc., so it can
hinder our service to the Lord
2. It is also a reflection of
"little faith" on our part
a. E.g., worrying about things like
food and clothing - cf. Mt 6:25-30
b. E.g., worrying about preserving
one's life - cf. Mt 8:24-26
3. "The beginning of anxiety is the
end of faith; and the
beginning of true faith is the end of
anxiety." - George Muller
-- Anxiety, or the lack of peace of
mind, is a very serious
problem
[Since anxiety is both a
common and serious problem, consider how...]
II. JESUS OFFERS
PEACE OF MIND
A. HIS PROMISE OF PEACE...
1. He offers "My peace" to His
disciples, so they need not be
troubled nor afraid - Jn 14:27
2. He says that "in Me" they
can have peace, and be of good cheer
- Jn 16:33
-- Thus Jesus promises peace that only
He can provide!
B. HIS SOLUTION FOR PEACE...
1. Prioritize - Mt 6:31-34
a. We must have our right priorities
straight
b. Seek first God's kingdom (reign)
and His righteousness
c. Make His will and His way our
number one priority!
2. Simplify - Lk 10:41-42; 8:14
a. Martha was worried and troubled
about "many things"
b. Many things can "choke"
our ability to bear good fruit
c. Only one thing is really needed; we
thus need to simplify
our lives
a. Faith is the antidote to worry and
fear (i.e., anxiety)
b. Jesus taught faith in God and in
Him as the solution
c. Such faith comes from the Word of
God - cf. Ro 10:17
4. Pray - Php 4:6-7
a. Pray about everything
b. Pray with a thankful heart
-- Four simple steps to enjoying the
peace of mind Jesus offers!
[That we might make the
effort to take these simple steps, let's briefly
note...]
III. THE PEACE OF
MIND JESUS OFFERS
A. IT IS NOT OF THIS WORLD...
1. Not as the world gives - Jn 14:27
2. Peace despite tribulation - Jn 16:33
-- A heavenly peace despite earthly
circumstances!
B. IT IS THE PEACE OF GOD...
1. That surpasses understanding - Php 4:7
2. That guards one's heart - Php 4:7
-- A peace that transcends the mind
and protects the heart!
CONCLUSION
1. Anxiety with its
worry and fear need not trouble the disciple of
Jesus...
a. Jesus has reconciled the disciple back to
the God of peace
b. Jesus has taught the disciple how to
enjoy true peace of mind
2. It all depends on
whether the disciple is willing to heed Jesus by...
a. Prioritizing and simplifying
b. Believing and praying
Those willing to so
follow Jesus have this wonderful promise...
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I
give to you; not as the
world gives do I give to you. Let not your
heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid." - Jn 14:27
No comments:
Post a Comment