Sermon Notes, June
9, 2013
Pastor Jan Sinozich
The
title of Sunday’s sermon was “When the Fasten Seatbelt Sign Comes On.” It was
based on Philippians 4:4-9. There are
three times when the “Fasten Seatbelt” sign comes on: during take-off, during
landing, and during turbulence. You know
what to expect during take-off and landing, but during times of turbulence, you
don’t know what to expect. We are living
in a time of turbulence: nationally, with the economy, terrorism and political
strife; personally, with issues such as illness or not having a job; and as a
church, with the loss of Ross, and the seeming lack of interest our community
has in knowing God.
Scripture
was written in times of uncertainty and turbulence. For instance, Joseph in the pit when his
brothers were deciding whether to kill him or sell him; David, when his own son
was conspiring against him; Paul, in prison and unable to visit the churches
and writing letters instead; even Mary, perplexed when confronted by the angel
Gabriel.
The
lesson for us in all these circumstances—and our own—is that God is in control;
we aren’t.
How
do we respond to uncertain circumstances?
With worry, panic, fear, over-reaction?
Do we try self-centered solutions to kill pain—shopping, eating,
drinking or drugs? We can learn to
follow God through troubling times by following Paul’s advice in Philippians 4;
Pray. Celebrate God in everything: think
about the best, beautiful and praiseworthy things. Don’t be sucked into gloom and doom because
of uncertain circumstances. Let Christ
displace worry.
Don’t
be troubled by cares and fears. Don’t be
anxious—pray. Let your worries shape
your prayers, not to inform God, but to learn what you need or want. Uncertainty reveals fear; place into God’s
hands what you can’t control or what you fear.
Christ displaces worry—hand it off to God. Think on good; the best, not the worst. Pray until peace comes.
“Lord,
if ____________happens, I’m afraid _____________, _____________,
__________________.” Tell God, as Paul
instructs in Philippians 4:4-9. Prayer is your seatbelt in times of turbulence.
No comments:
Post a Comment