Application
Guide: “Sovereignty of God &
Supplication” (Phil. 4:4-7)
June 26th,
2005: Pastor Joe Bartemus, Director of
Adult Education, preached in regards to “Four Commands to Avoid Worry and
Experience Effective Prayer in a Chaotic World.” The message was a healthy
reminder that God position on the throne of heaven should give us great
encouragement and motivation in our lives, and yet so often, we lose sight of
this when we take advantage of opportunities to worry.
- “Rejoice
in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (v.4)
- What life circumstances are you allowing to steal
your joy? In other words, what issues do you worry about? What makes you
tense or stressed out (synonyms to “worry”)?
- What does a worry-filled life reveal about your
trust in God and his promises?
- How can you know you’re rejoicing in the Lord and not just having an
emotional high based on your circumstances? How can we attain that
transcendent position of the heart that is joyful despite varying life
circumstances?
- “Let
your gentleness (reasonableness) be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (v.
5)
- What areas in your life do you find it hard to be
gentle/ reasonable? When do you find it difficult to not demand your
“rights”?
- What does it look like to imitate Jesus in the
area of gentleness?
- How have your expectations of other people caused
disappointment, and even controlled you? In light of the sinful world we
live in, what expectations do you need to change?
- “Do not
be anxious about anything…”
- How do we exercise our will against ineffective
worry? Can we choose our
emotions?
- Do you live like God is sovereign throughout the
week? How can we keep the sovereignty of God on our minds as we go
through our daily life, experiencing trials and making decisions?
- Read Matt. 7:25-34 (think about memorizing it
too!). What truths from this passage are helpful to remember and take to
heart if we are going to live with a trust in God rather than like a
pagan constantly worried about life?
- “…Present
your requests to God.”
- Do you see a direct correlation between the amount
of time you spend in prayer and the degree to which you worry throughout
the week?
- How is your relationship with God going? Do you
present your specific requests to God? Do you think God cares about your
life?