Matthew 16 15 18 ESV 15 He said

Matthew 16: 15 -18 (ESV) 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am? ” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. ” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

ANXIETY ANGER REGRET PAIN Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free ADDICTION DEPRESSION

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free ANXIETY Mark 4: 3 -4, 7, 18 -19 3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed some seed fell … among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. … 18 And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, 19 but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free ANXIETY

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free ANXIETY “one of the most urgent problems of our day” “the official emotion of our age” “the basis of all neuroses” “the most pervasive psychological phenomenon of our time” Rollo May, Ph. D The Meaning of Anxiety, 1977

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free ANXIETY Danger Threat Conflict Fear Anxiety Worry

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free ANXIETY Danger Threat Conflict Fear Anxiety Worry Acute: high intensity, short duration (panic) Chronic: persistent fear or worry (source not always clear)

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free ANXIETY Danger Threat Conflict Fear Anxiety Worry Effects: ulcers, headache, skin rash, high blood pressure, muscle tension, slower digestion …

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free Psalm 55: 4 -5 (ESV) 4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 5 Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. ANXIETY Proverbs 12: 25 (ESV) 25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free God’s Word to the Anxious ANXIETY Isaiah 41: 8 -10 (ESV) 8 But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen … 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free God’s Word to the Anxious ANXIETY I Peter 5: 7 (NIV) 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free God’s Word to the Anxious Philippians 4: 6 -7 (NIV) 6 Do not be anxious about anything ANXIETY

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free God’s Word to the Anxious ANXIETY Philippians 4: 6 -7 (NIV) 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Anything … every situation … present to God in prayer Search for reasons to be thankful Expect supernatural peace to guard your heart and mind

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? 1. Provide a loving safety net. ANXIETY

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? ANXIETY 1. Provide a loving safety net. I John 4: 18 (ESV) 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. II Timothy 1: 7 (ESV) 7 God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? ANXIETY 1. Provide a loving safety net. II Corinthians 13: 11 (ESV) 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.

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? ANXIETY 1. Provide a loving safety net. 2. Remind the anxious person of God’s promises. Romans 8: 38 -39 (ESV) 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? ANXIETY 1. Provide a loving safety net. 2. Remind the anxious person of God’s promises. Psalm 46: 1 -3 (ESV) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? ANXIETY 1. Provide a loving safety net. 2. Remind the anxious person of God’s promises. 3. Develop fellowship and friendship now. Proverbs 27: 9 (ESV) 9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? ANXIETY 1. Provide a loving safety net. 2. Remind the anxious person of God’s promises. 3. Develop fellowship and friendship now. I Thessalonians 2: 7 -8 (ESV) 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? ANXIETY 1. Provide a loving safety net. 2. Remind the anxious person of God’s promises. 3. Develop fellowship and friendship now.