November 17, 2024
Kingdom Peace | Ross Slough
Speaker:
Ross Slough
Message Resources
Message Summary
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus paints a picture of what life could be like if the everyday things didn’t weigh us down. The imagery of the flowers and birds used in this passage points us back to Genesis 1, where God created the Garden of Eden, and everything was perfect. Jesus is painting a picture of peace.
Our days will have trouble, and we will have worries, fear and anxiety. Anxiety physically happens in the body. Fear is a normal reaction. Peace is not the absence of emotions. It’s the ability, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to go through trouble without worry taking us down. Anxiety is a normal response and can help us to plan, but left unchecked, it can take over and steal our peace.
All emotions are important, they aren’t something to be fixed. Emotions are messengers designed to give important information to listen to. We do not have to allow emotions to control our thoughts and actions. We can take captive every thought.
The key to a peaceful life is to develop the capacity to recognize how we are feeling. It is important to acknowledge our emotions. Slow down, check in with yourself and have the courage to face your fears. One of the ways we experience peace is through sharing our experiences with others. We tend to isolate when we walk through anxiety or other deep emotional states. A pathway to peace is to let people in. Be honest with yourself and be honest and vulnerable with the safe people around you.
Discussion
1. Fear is focused on the now. Anxiety is focused on the future. What makes you fearful or anxious?
2. What do you do when you feel fearful or anxious? How can you find peace during times of trouble and heartache?
3. What are some techniques you can use to ground yourself when feelings of worry, fear and anxiety overwhelm you?
4. What spiritual practices can you use when you begin to worry, feel fearful or anxious?
5. Are there emotions or an area of pain in your life you are ignoring?
6. What steps can you take to slow down and acknowledge your emotions?
7. How can you find peace and love in your community? What can you do to be more vulnerable with those around you?
Scriptures
Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry -“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 - We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
1st Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Romans 8:38 - And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
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