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Introduction:
We are living during stressful times. Statistically, stress levels in our culture and world are rising rapidly and people are at their breaking point. Understanding how to deal with the pressures and pivots of life can help us find rest over stress.
Many people are longing for a more peaceful life, and they are doing whatever it takes to find it. In this collection, we will look at Psalm 23. This familiar Psalm shows us how to experience a peace-filled life in a stress-filled culture.
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Jesus, Matthew 11:28
This collection of talks will help you find rest from the daily stressors of your life and will include:
April 14th/17th Stressed and Worried – Easter Weekend
April 21st/24th Stressed and Busy
April 28th/May 1st Stressed and Emotional
May 5th/8th Stressed and Indecisive - Mother’s Day Weekend
May 12th/15th Stressed and Alone – Special Speaker, Rod Handley
May 19th/22nd Stressed and Grieving
May 26th/29th Stressed and Uncertain
Text: Psalm 23:5-6 (CSB, Old Testament)
Today’s Takeaway: If you are certain of Heaven, you will embrace uncertainty on Earth.
Week 7 - Stressed and Uncertain
I. DIFFICULTIES IN THIS LIFE ARE
(v. 5)
A. Don’t
“If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.” —Matthew 18:15
B. Don’t
“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” —Ephesians 4:32
C. Don’t
“In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” —Ephesians 6:16
II. LET GOD HANDLE YOUR
(v. 5)
A. Let God
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” —Romans 12:17a, 19
B. Let God take
“You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you;” —Matthew 5:43-44
The enemy is going to fight for a seat at the table… but in truth, he doesn’t have one.
III. JESUS PROVIDES
LIFE ON EARTH (v. 6a)
“A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” —John 10:10
A. The quality of this abundant life:
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!” —Psalm 34:8
“Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!” —Lamentations 3:22-23
B. The
“I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 1:6
“This is the day the Lord has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it.” —Psalm 118:24
IV. JESUS GIVES
LIFE IN HEAVEN (v. 6b)
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:16
A. The
“In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” —2 Corinthians 5:8
B. The
“I tell you that many will come from east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 8:11
C. The
“For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands.” —2 Corinthians 5:1
D. The
“Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.” —John 5:24
Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.” —Psalm 23
CONCLUSION: Will you trust Jesus for life on Earth and in Heaven?
DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS:
1. What is your default way of dealing with difficulties?
2. Do you let God handle what you consider to be enemies in your life?
3. How can you better realize God’s abundant life on earth available to you?
4. Are you certain of eternal life in Heaven when you die?