The Cure
Notes
Transcript
SETUP
WE LIVE IN A CULTURE PLAGUED WITH COMPLAINING
WE LIVE IN A CULTURE PLAGUED WITH COMPLAINING
The “Karen’s” and “Brad’s”
In & Around Oak Ridge = “To the person who...”
Complain about having to go to work // complain about having to stay home
THERE IS A CURE FOR COMPLAINING
THERE IS A CURE FOR COMPLAINING
THE CURE: GRATITUDE
THE CURE: GRATITUDE
SCRIPTURE
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
If you want to look instantly more attractive — SMILE!
Scientifically proven benefits of gratitude
Scientifically proven benefits of gratitude
Eliminates toxic emotions
Reduces pain
Improves sleep quality
Aids in stress regulation
Reduces anxiety and depression
Gratitude is a miracle drug with no negative side effects!
What do you need to exhibit gratitude for in your life?
Gratitude is the gateway to peace — Step through it!
SUBSTANCE
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
“Rejoice” = Chairō = Be glad
Root word = Charis = Grace = God’s unmerited favor
“In” = Emmeso = Among/Because of…
“Always” = Pantote = Always, at all time, at every occasion…
Always, no matter what, be glad because of God, His goodness, His grace, and His working in your life.
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Allow God’s presence to positively influence every aspect of your life, so much so that others see it in you every single day!
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
“Anxious” = To be pulled apart, to be scattered…
“In every situation” = “Always” = Pantote
“By prayer and petition” = Talk to God directly about it!
“With thanksgiving” = eucharistia =
In God’s grace we find the ability to always rejoice!
Reminding ourselves of every time He’s shown up before!
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
“And” = Once you done this, you’ll have this…
A lot of us keep looking for this peace but we haven’t gone to Him with our prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving.
We’ve gone to Facebook. We’ve gone to text messaging. We’ve gone to complaining.
We’ve gone to food, shopping, alcohol, a toxic relationship, and so on…
“Peace of God”
“Peace”
The word for peace is the word where we get “serene”
The best way to really understand it is in opposition to “anxious.”
If being anxious is to be scattered, being at peace is to be gathered”
“Of God”
The peace of God isn’t something He gives you, it is someone He is.
Only in Him will I find the peace that His presence brings.
“Transcends all understanding...”
It literally is better than you could ever comprehend!
“Guard your hearts and minds...
Peace will belong to you the way a criminal belongs to a prison.
How do we guard it?
How do we guard it?
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.
Finally… (Most importantly)
What we think about will transform our hearts, and then out of the overflow of the heart the mouth will speak...
Water Coloring Illustration
SHUTDOWN
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
In a world that is growing increasingly darker and darker, we get a choice...
We can complain and add to the dark...
Or we can shine brighter and brighter!
One of my kids woke up the other morning with a bad attitude…
“I just woke up feeling bad...”
Let’s replace the “I feels” with the “I wills”
1 I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart
I will tell others about the goodness of God
I will be glad and rejoice in God
I will sing/declare the praises of your name