John Lloyd - Finding Strength in the Storm

Strengthen Your Core Series

Finding Strength in the Storm

September 22, 2019

Pastor John Lloyd

Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles.  If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly.  God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus.  This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices and be like Jesus, CORE virtues.   We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God.  The journey of becoming like Jesus begins by thinking like Jesus. When we start thinking like Jesus, we are well on our way to becoming like Jesus.  Today, we will look at how God brings peace to our soul in the midst of storms. 

John 14:25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Key Idea:  I have found peace with God, peace with others and peace with myself.

Key Question: How do I find peace in the storm?  Where do I find strength to battle anxiety and fear?

I.               Supernatural peace with God comes through ____________.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Colossians 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.  Colossians 1:20, I Jn 3:20

Takeaway: 

II.  Seek God’s ______________ for peace with others.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

I Kings 3:7 And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

“The outcome of Solomon’s decision is recorded below. If we want greater peace in our lives, we should first seek to live in obedience to God and then apply his wisdom to find peace in our relationships with others.” Frazee

Matthew 5:23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Romans 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.  Romans 12:17-21, I Timothy 2:1-2, Titus 3:2-5

 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.  (See question 4)

Peace principles:  Settle issues as they arise, ask for wisdom, be obedient to God as the foundation, pursue peace not division, sow seeds of peace with everyone, receive it from God and let it rule in your heart.  Write out what is making you anxious about the relationship.

Takeaway: 

 III.  The ____________________ is the source of supernatural peace.

John 14:25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 6:31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

“If it is something big enough to be anxious about, it is something God wants you to pray about it.”

I Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (Spend some time on question 6)

“The peace of Christ brings an end to our soul’s search for security. The peace of Christ brings the proper response to a hurting world.  The peace of Christ brings us an invitation to the atmosphere in heaven while on earth. If we daily surrender to Christ when the storms of life threaten, his peace will keep us grounded and secure.”  Randy Frazee

Peace, use a scale of 1-6 rate how fully your life demonstrates the statements below (1 does not demonstrate at all, 6 demonstrates fully). Which statement is challenging for you?  Why? 

___ I know God has forgiven me because of what Jesus has done.

­­___ I am not angry with God, myself, or others.

___ I forgive people who have hurt me deeply.

___ I have inner peace from God.

Spiritual Growth Questions for September 22, 2019

(take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

1.     Which of the statements below are easy to declare with certainty? Which are more challenging? Why?

I know God has forgiven me because of what Jesus has done.

I am not angry with God, myself, or others.

I forgive people who have hurt me deeply.

I have inner peace from God.

2.     Although true peace is available to all who call on Jesus Christ as Lord, many continue to live with fear and anxiety.  Why do you think that is the case?

3.     Read Romans 5:1-11, Ephesians 2:11-22.  How do we receive peace with God?  Write down every word that describes peace in our relationship with God? What did the apostle Paul want the Roman and Ephesian Christians to know?  What verse stood out to you in this reading? How is this helpful in your relationship with God? 

4.     Reflect on this statement: “I am not angry at God, myself or others.” If you or someone was angry with someone else, what should they do? Read Matthew 5:23-24, Matthew 18:15, Galatians 6:1, Romans 14:19, Ephesians 4:3 for guidance.

5.     What are some biblical ways to overcome fear and anxiety? What have you found to be the most successful?

6.     Read Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:4-9 two times.  What verse/s stands out to you?  Why?   What role does prayer play in combating anxiety?  Can you think of an example from your own life or someone’s else?

7.     What is impeding your ability to experience God’s true peace? What one action could you take to overcome these obstacles?  Reflect deeply on the two passages below as a first step. 

Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Memory Verses:  Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.