Lesson 8
Don’t Worry, Give Thanks
August 12, 2007
Bro. Gary Johnson
Adult Sunday School
1 Thessalonians 5:18
In addition to having a lot to give thanks for we also can give thanks in two ways. We seem to most often give thanks “by sight”. In other words we give thanks for the visible, tangible ways, in which God has blesses us the things we see. The other way in which we can give thanks is “by faith.” In times of distressing circumstances our thanksgiving will mostly be by faith. It is in these times of trouble that we need to deliberately focus our minds on God’s promises for deliverance.
Certainly it is easier to give thanks by sight. However as we obey God by giving thanks at all times, even when it is difficult to see good things to be thankful for. God will strengthen our faith and fill us with His peace. Remember Paul said in 1st Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Thanksgiving ought to be a habit. Worship and supplication also ought to be a habit. We must train ourselves to turn to God for help every day and in every situation.
The fourth step we should investigate is to let our requests be made know to God. Paul instructed us in the end of Philippians 4”6 “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
As we turn our minds to worship and prayer, with an attitude of supplication and thanksgiving. We are then to ask God specifically for our needs. James 4:2 B says; ye have not, because ye ask not. And in Matthew 7:7 & 8 Jesus promised: Vs 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Vs 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Jesus was teaching several things in this passage, and one of them is that we can and should be specific about the things we ask of God. However, when we ask, we must realize that everything we receive from God is by His grace. We deserve nothing and He owes us nothing. So when we are tempted to worry, we should cast the burden on God and ask Him for the specific help that we need at that particular time.
If we make a regular practice of including these four items into our lives, there would be far less anxiety in our lives. Worship, supplication, thanksgiving in everything, and specific requests for help are an essential part of strengthening and increasing our faith. They are an antidote for worry because they take our focus off ourselves and our circumstances and place it in God, where it belongs.
The next way we can strengthen our faith for the purpose of overcoming anxiety and fear is by learning to think properly. In other words we must learn to put off incorrect teachings and ideas and put on the mind of Christ.
The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, in Romans 8:6-8 Jesus emphasizes the importance of right thinking. VS 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Vs 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. VS 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. And in Matthew 6:25 which we have read several times before, He reminds us as He was wanting His disciples to understand that since God had given to them their very life,(a very great gift) He could be trusted to give them their basic needs. (a much lesser gift). Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
And back to Romans 8:32 where Paul tells us : He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Here Paul is reminding us that if we trust God for our Salvation, for the forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternity in heaven. Why would we not be willing to trust Him for our substance that is infinitely less important than our Salvation?
When we allow ourselves to worry it is because we are not trusting God with these lesser things.
This is recapped and emphasized by Jesus in our also oft read by now, Matthew 6:25: Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Here He is challenging us as He was challenging His disciples to think logically about their needs, so that they (nor we) should not be tempted to worry. And he really gives then (and us) more to consider when He continues in Vs 26: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? I do not believe any of you, I do not care how humble you want to say you are, think you are less important then those birds.
Throughout this passage Jesus is challenging us to think about who we are, and what we have as believers.
He also use the comparison with the difference between us and those that are not believers in 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Here I hope you realize that the reference to “the gentiles” is the unbelievers. These people are an enemy of God and can not understand God’s way. They live to fulfill their own passions and desires which are not provided by God and since they have no real security in life they do NEED to worry.
On the other hand, as believers we do have security in life. We are children of God, and VS 32b which we just read the entire verse ends with “for your heavenly Father knowest that you have need of these things. Therefore it is not logical for us to worry about our physical needs, for God has promised to provide them and is more than capable of doing it. In fact He wants to do it as we see in 1st Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. “ All we need to do is learn to think rightly.
In Philippians 4 Paul likewise urges us to think rightly in order to overcome anxiety. He follows his exhortation in Vs. 4 with “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” And Vs 6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. “ And Vs 8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. In other words, do not let your mind dwell on your difficult circumstances, your weakness, or your ignorance. Rather, let it dwell on God’s purposes, God’s power, and God’s wisdom.
Peter also teaches us to think properly in order to combat the enemy of anxiety in 1st Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Then he says in Vs 8, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: and 9, Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. Here in Vs 9, Peter is reminding us that other believers are experiencing similar temptations and difficult circumstances (should we be surprised) and they are being victorious (now we are surprised) No we are not alone in our suffering. So another promise from scripture that we need to remember and claim is 1st Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Yes there are many that have faced the same temptations to worry besides you and me. God has helped them and He will help us.
Next Peter wants us to think about the fact that there is an end in sight. He points out that the sufferings that we are experiencing are Vs 9 again “Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” And going on in Vs 10 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you” Yes a time is coming when we will be free from suffering. When we are tempted to be anxious and worry we need to think about the fact that although troubling things are going to occur in our lives here on earth (in this world) they are going to come to an end. Just remember John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
By His grace God has called us to spend eternity in glory with Him, We have this hope because we have His word promising us a future of perfect peace but not a present one.
Next we are taught in these verses to remember that these experiences of suffering are being used in our lives to accomplish a purpose. Many times we cannot see the purposes of God in our circumstances. I know I have wondered and prayed that if this is for something I should be learning that he teach me fast so I can go on with this lesson and have to stay in class so long and even asked if there might be another way that He could teach me this particular lesson. And yes some of these difficulties can make us anxious and turn to worry if that is all we are looking at, at that time. That is when we need to remember another promise from Scripture Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Next in these verses Peter is reminding us that God is a God of all grace. In Vs 10 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.” Yes Gods grace is more than enough for us Remember 2nd Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” There is no situation in life in which God’s grace will not be enough He said it would be “sufficient” When tempted to worry just remember these words of promise .
Next we are reminded that we are “in Christ.” We can be sure of God’s help because it is promised to us through Christ, We are not worthy of God’s grace, but we are by grace recipients of it because of Christ. In 2nd Corinthians 1:20. “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” We do not need to doubt that God will help us in any of our times of need. Remember 2nd Timothy 2:13 “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”
Next Peter wants us to think about the fact that as believers, God is personally working in our lives to make us more Christ like. Continuing in 1st Peter 5 Vs 10 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you”. Yes as believers we have God personally involved in our lives. He knows all about us, and He has a personal interest in each one of us. He is going to see to it that certain things are accomplished in each one of us, Maybe what He has for me He does not have for you but if so, He has things for you that He does not have for me.
First, He is going to see that we are perfected, made thoroughly complete and fully equipped to accomplish all the things that we were appointed to accomplish. Second, He is going to see that we are confirmed: unburdened of all our insecurities, totally dependent upon Him and trusting in Him for all things.
Third, He is going to see to it that we are strengthened and established: made capable of enduring and overcoming all difficulties because in Philippians 4:13 He promises : I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Lastly Peter reminds us in Vs 11 “To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” When we are tempted (and we will be) to worry, we need to think about the fact that God is sovereign. He is in control and has all power and all authority in heaven and on earth. Daniel 4:35 asserts And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
All of these things that Peter wants us to learn in 1st Peter 5:9-11 are truths that we need to focus our minds on at all times, but especially when we are tempted to worry.
In our battle against falling into the sin of anxiety and worry we need to strengthen our faith by worship, and prayer, and by thinking properly. We also need to strengthen our faith by developing godly relationships with other believers. In Hebrews 3:12-13 we are warned. Vs 12 “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Vs 13 “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
As believers, we are responsible to admonish, edify, encourage, and pray for each other at all times.
Many other verses in Scripture support this idea, Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us” Vs 24 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” Vs 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. First Thessalonians 5:11 teaches us Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
It is vital that we do not isolate ourselves from other believers because one of the duties of all believers is to encourage and build up others. If we separate ourselves, we cut ourselves off from this help that God has planned for us within the body of believers. When we do (and we will) experience anxiety, we need to make sure that we surround ourselves with godly people who can encourage and admonish us, (That is why we meet on Wednesday nights to share our praises and our petitions with others so we are not the only one [though that is sufficient] that is praying for our needs. We prayed enough that Aetna insurance company was persuaded by God that my request for a continuous glucose monitor was a need not a want. Not to mention getting Billy Russell out of the hospital and a unnumbrable long list of other answers to prayer. ) In other words, people who can lift our spirits, but who also can rightly point out our sin in a loving manner.
Another way we need to remember as a method to fight against anxiety is by utilizing our faith. (ie) Putting it into practice. In Philippians 4:9 Paul urges us to do this by saying “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” This is a very clear instruction and promise that Paul gives to usb but it is still up to us to put it into practice. If we want to know God’s peace we need to obey Him in the things that He teaches through His word. We must make a concentrated, deliberate effort to practice them in our everyday life.
It is not enough to know that anxiety is a serious problem we must be willing to address it. It is not enough to know about the solution, we must seek after it. It is not enough to know what our symptoms are, we must look for and acknowledge them. It is not enough to recognize the sin that causes our anxiety, we must repent of it. It is not enough to learn or even understand the biblical guidelines for overcoming anxiety, we must use them.
We have to work at our relationship with Jesus Christ. We have to prepare ourselves for action by being informed about the sources of worry. And we have to do the things that are necessary to strengthen and use our faith, turn our minds to worship and prayer, learn to think properly, develop relationships with godly people, and utilize our faith. We must do all of these things.
Hebrews 5:14 says: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
First Timothy 4:7 Exhorts us: But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
Overcoming anxiety is not the battle of a day: it is the ongoing war of a lifetime. This war requires soldiers who have trained for battle by the regular practice of obedience to God’s commands, As Psalms 119:165 says, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”
We have been given a promise that if we are faithful in training ourselves we will experience the peace of God on this earth in Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” We also have been given a promise for God’s help in doing this, in Isaiah 41:13 . “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee”.
May God help us to hear His Word regarding those things and put into practice His plans for overcoming anxiety. 2Th 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.