Sermons

Scripture: Isaiah 43, 44

Fear not, God is in control. How are we to respond Fear of rejection, judgement and provision, in light of who He is? .

- Who is God? (Isaiah 44:1-8)

- Our Creator who chose us (v.1,2a)

- Our Helper (v.2b)

- Generous Giver (v.3)

- Personal & intimate (v.5)

- The ONLY God (v.6b-7a)

- Controls the future (v.8)

2. Our approach when we fear or anxious (Isaiah 43:18-21)

- Don’t be discouraged by past (v.18)

- Positive hope for future (v.19)

- Confidence in His provision (v.20)

- Proclaim praise to God (v.21)

Scripture: James 4:13-17

- Pay attention to what God says (v13a)

- Don't trust in our plans (v13b, v14a)

- Our life and plans are temporary (v14b)

- Put plans in submission (v15)

- Beware of arrogance and boasting (v16)

- Confident in knowing God's plans (v17)

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26

Do you know the difference - healthy anger and unhealthy anger?

There are 3 ways of responding to anger. Do you know which is the right way to respond?

- Open aggression

- Passive aggression

- Assertive anger

Scripture: Job 9:27

How do you manage hurt?

- Allow yourself to feel the pain, injury, wound of hurt (Job 9:27 MSG)

- Allow yourself to be healed (Job 5:18)

- Allow yourself to forgive (Job 42:7-11)

- Allow yourself to keep faith in God and remain in His steadfast love (Job 42:2)

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:24

Why do we feel these things?

- Our feelings are built-in sensors and indicators

- Our feelings are instruments of connection with God and others

- Our feelings allows us to embrace the experience of others

- Our feelings allows us to fully live life

8 Primary Feelings (Chip Dodd, The Voice of the Heart)

- Hurt indicates our need for healing

- Anger indicates our hunger and passion for life

- Loneliness indicates the value of intimacy

- Fear awakens us to danger and wisdom

- Sad expresses value and honour

- Shame instructs us to maintain humility and mercy

- Guilt instructs us to repent and asks for forgiveness

- Glad reminds us of the hope of our heart

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2

Why do we feel these things?

Pete Scazzero: “our churches are filled with people who remain emotionally unaware and socially and spiritually immature” (The Emotionally Healthy Church)

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

7 Steps to Overcoming Negative Thoughts (O.B.S.E.R.V.E.):

- Observe

- Breathe

- Surf

- Expand

- Refocus

- Values

- Engage

Scripture: Numbers 14

10 Negative Traits of Thoughts That We Need to be Aware:

- Jumping to Conclusion

- Mental Filtering

- Labelling

- Emotional Reasoning

- All or Nothing / Black and White

- Over-generalisation

- Catastrophising

- Personalisation

- Should and Shouldn't

- Disqualifying the Positive

Scripture: Numbers 13

Results of not managing the negative mind:

- Forfeit living life fully

- Forfeit living in the place of rest in God

- Forfeit living in victory, renewed and restored in Christ

The truth of the negative mind:

- Negativity is not a defect. It’s a defence mechanism.

- Negativity is not unalterable. Our minds can be renewed, rewired, reset.

- Negativity is not unmanageable. Our minds can be managed to function well.