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Why Worry? - Part 4

Sermon: Why Worry? – Part 4

Theme: Overcoming Anxiety Through Faith

Scripture References:

• Matthew 6:25-34 – “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life… But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

• Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

• Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

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Introduction

Worry can overwhelm us, making small problems feel insurmountable. In Part 4 of the “Why Worry?” series, we focus on how faith in God helps us overcome anxiety and trust His provision and guidance.

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1. God Cares About Every Detail

• Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

• Illustration: Think of a loving parent watching over a child. Every need is noticed and cared for. God’s attention to our lives is even greater—He knows and provides for every need.

• Application: Stop fretting over what seems uncertain. Trust that God sees your situation and will provide what you need in His perfect timing.

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2. Strength Comes Through Christ

• Scripture: Philippians 4:13

• Illustration: Like a runner drawing energy from a supportive coach, we can draw strength from Christ to face challenges beyond our own ability.

• Application: When worry feels overwhelming, remember that God strengthens you. You are not relying on your own power but on His infinite strength.

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3. Trust God’s Guidance

• Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

• Illustration: A hiker uses a map to navigate a trail safely. Trusting God is like following His guidance—He knows the path and will direct your steps.

• Application: Lean on God rather than your own understanding. Submit your decisions, fears, and anxieties to Him, trusting that He will guide you safely.

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Practical Steps to Overcome Worry

1. Pray About Your Concerns: Bring your worries to God immediately.

2. Rely on God’s Strength: Remember that you are empowered through Christ.

3. Trust His Guidance: Let God direct your steps instead of overthinking or controlling everything.

4. Focus on the Kingdom: Prioritize spiritual growth and trust God for daily needs.

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Conclusion / Call to Action

Faith is the antidote to worry. By trusting God’s care, drawing strength from Christ, and following His guidance, we can experience peace even in uncertain times.

Call to Action:
Ask yourself: Am I trusting God with my fears, or am I carrying them alone? Commit today to rely on His strength and guidance in every situation.

Closing Prayer:
“Lord, help us to trust You fully and not be consumed by worry. Strengthen us through Christ, guide our steps, and remind us daily of Your care and provision. Amen.”

About Giving

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Pastor's Power Points

 

Greater Love Hath

    No Man Than This...
 

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay 

down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

Pastor Michael Fugatt Please visit 

http://www.slwcmemphis.org/

Greater Love Hath No Man Than This…

Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” These words remind us that true love is sacrificial, selfless, and unconditional. Real love isn’t measured by words alone—it’s shown through action, through giving of ourselves for the good of others.

The Example of Christ
The greatest demonstration of love was Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. He didn’t just talk about love—He lived it and ultimately gave His life for all of humanity. His love was not dependent on our actions, our worthiness, or our ability to return it. It was pure, unwavering, and sacrificial.

Love in Action
We may not all be called to lay down our lives physically, but we are called to live sacrificially in everyday ways. Loving your neighbor, forgiving someone who wronged you, giving time and resources to those in need, or standing up for someone who cannot stand up for themselves—these are acts of love that reflect Christ’s heart.

Remember the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30–37). The Samaritan risked his own time, energy, and safety to help a stranger in need. That is love in action—the kind that goes beyond convenience, comfort, or obligation.

The Power of Sacrificial Love
Sacrificial love transforms lives. It brings hope to the hopeless, light to the dark places, and peace where there is chaos. It demonstrates God’s presence in a world that desperately needs it. Every act of selfless love is a reflection of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and a testimony to His greatness.

Takeaway

• True love is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional.

• We follow Christ by putting others’ needs above our own.

• Small acts of love can have a profound impact.

• Sacrificial love reveals God’s heart to the world.

Closing Prayer
Lord, teach us to love as You love. Help us to put others before ourselves, to forgive, to serve, and to give without expecting anything in return. Strengthen our hearts to show sacrificial love every day, and may our actions point others to You. Thank You for the greatest love of all, shown through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

Why Worry? - Part 3

Sermon: Why Worry? – Part 3

Theme: Releasing Anxiety Through Prayer

Scripture References:

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Introduction

Worry often feels like a heavy burden that we carry alone. In Part 3 of the “Why Worry?” series, we focus on releasing anxiety to God through prayer and trusting His care.

1. Bring Your Worries to God

Scripture: Philippians 4:6

Illustration: Carrying a heavy backpack slows your steps. Giving it to someone strong frees you to walk comfortably. Prayer is how we hand our burdens over to God.

Application: Don’t try to solve everything on your own. Bring all your worries, big or small, to God in prayer.

2. Trust God’s Care and Concern

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

Illustration: Just as a loving parent cares for every detail of their child’s life, God watches over and cares for each of our concerns.

Application: Remember that God cares deeply about every detail of your life. Cast your anxieties on Him, knowing He will sustain you.

3. Find Rest in God’s Presence

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Illustration: Imagine lying down after a long, exhausting day and feeling complete relief. Jesus offers that kind of rest for our souls.

Application: When anxiety rises, seek God’s presence through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and worship. His peace restores and refreshes your spirit.

Practical Steps to Release Worry

Pray Regularly: Make prayer your first response to anxiety.

Cast Your Cares: Verbally or silently give your worries to God.

Meditate on Scripture: Focus on verses that remind you of God’s faithfulness.

Rest in His Presence: Take time daily to sit in God’s peace and trust His plan.

Conclusion / Call to Action

Worry loses its power when we surrender it to God. Through prayer, trust, and seeking His presence, we can experience a peace that surpasses understanding.

Call to Action:

Ask yourself: Am I holding onto anxiety, or am I giving it to God? Commit to handing your worries to Him today and resting in His care.

Closing Prayer:

“Lord, help us to bring all our worries to You in prayer. Teach us to trust Your care, release our anxieties, and find rest in Your presence. Guard our hearts and minds with Your peace. Amen.”

 

Why God Allows Suffering

God allows suffering for several reasons. While we may not always understand why tragedies occur, Scripture gives us guidance to help make sense of it. Often, suffering arises from human choices and actions. Sometimes, however, the reasons remain hidden from us in this life.

We must remember that Jesus Christ will return as King of Kings to establish a kingdom of peace, prosperity, and purpose for all. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was central to His teaching.

What Should You Do in Suffering?

If you are suffering, bring your burdens to God in prayer and faith. Ask Him for comfort and encouragement. King David, in the book of Psalms, repeatedly cried out to God for relief from his suffering.

Jesus Himself came to earth to ease humanity’s suffering. He knows our pain and offers comfort, help, and hope. As He said:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest for your souls.” — Matthew 11:28-29

We need not be discouraged by the evil and suffering in the world. Understanding that suffering occurs for valid reasons can help us cope. God is sovereign and ultimately in control, and He has promised to free the world from suffering—not now, but when Christ returns to establish His Kingdom. In the meantime, He tells us to pray for the coming of that Kingdom and to wait patiently (Matthew 6:9-10; Luke 21:19).

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Our Responsibility

For our own lives, we must surrender to God through genuine repentance, as Jesus commanded (Luke 13:3,5). When Christ came to earth 2,000 years ago, He found a world burdened with injustice and pain. Of that world, He said:

“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” — Matthew 4:16, NIV

The light Jesus spoke of was Himself and the truth of God He revealed. He called people to turn to God, saying:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” — Matthew 4:17

By turning to God, we can experience comfort and hope even in the midst of suffering, looking forward to a world free of pain.

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Finding Strength in God’s Promises

Take courage and hope from God’s promises. Even amid sorrow, we can experience joy by living according to His will today and trusting His revealed truth about the world to come.

Paul explained that:

“The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us.” — Romans 8:18

The pain of today will seem small and fleeting compared to the eternal joy we will experience in God’s Kingdom. Paul also reminds us:

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” — 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, NLT

Even in suffering, we can find peace, strength, and hope as we trust God’s promises and look forward to the world He has prepared for us.

Why Worry? - Part 2

Sermon: Why Worry? – Part 2

Theme: Understanding the Futility of Worry

Scripture References:

• Matthew 6:25-27 – “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life… Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

• Luke 12:22-26 – “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear… Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”

• Psalm 37:7 – “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways.”

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Introduction

Worry is a natural human response, but it is often unproductive and draining. In Part 2 of the “Why Worry?” series, we focus on the futility of worry and why trusting God is a better choice than fretting over life’s challenges.

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1. Worry Cannot Add to Your Life

• Scripture: Matthew 6:25-27

• Illustration: Trying to control every outcome in life is like trying to make a clock run faster—it won’t change the time. Worry does not solve problems or extend life.

• Application: Accept that worrying is unproductive. Focus on faith and action instead of anxiety.

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2. Trust God’s Provision

• Scripture: Luke 12:22-26

• Illustration: Birds do not sow or reap, yet God provides for them. Humans, created in God’s image, can trust that He knows our needs and will provide.

• Application: Stop obsessing over needs and provision. Trust that God will meet your needs according to His wisdom and timing.

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3. Be Patient and Still

• Scripture: Psalm 37:7

• Illustration: Like waiting for a seed to sprout, God’s timing is perfect. Anxiety cannot hasten His plan.

• Application: Practice patience and stillness, relying on God’s plan rather than fretting over outcomes.

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Practical Steps to Stop Worrying

1. Recognize Worry’s Futility: Understand that fretting changes nothing.

2. Trust God for Daily Needs: Believe that He knows and provides for every detail.

3. Practice Patience: Wait for God’s timing without anxiety.

4. Focus on Faith-Filled Action: Do what you can and leave the rest to God.

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Conclusion / Call to Action

Worrying is a waste of energy and faith. By trusting God’s provision and timing, we can experience peace and focus on purposeful living.

Call to Action:
Ask yourself: Am I letting worry control me, or am I trusting God’s care? Commit to releasing what you cannot control and focusing on God’s promises.

Closing Prayer:
“Lord, teach us to recognize the futility of worry. Help us trust Your provision, be patient in Your timing, and focus our energy on faith-filled action. Grant us peace in every situation. Amen.”