In the real world, is this actually good advice? Last Wednesday, we looked together at Luke 6:43-46, a key passage on biblical counseling. In it, we noted the relationship of root and fruit, and learned together…
There is a direct connection between behavior and the heart
Examples of bad fruit vs. good fruit in our speech
Why behavior modification is not enough
Jesus’ evaluation of the human heart
How idols pop up in the heart
Some practical ways to detect what’s going on in the heart
If you missed the lesson and would like to listen, here’s a link to the audio:
Thanks for listening! This is week two in an 11-week biblical counseling intro called, “Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands.” If you live in the Highland area, you’re welcome to join us Wednesday Nights at 6pm.
Last Wednesday night, we began a new discipleship class called, “Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands” based on the excellent book and video series.
Maybe you don’t feel like you can do much for the Lord. The fact is, every Christian is designed by God to yield to his loving touch and be used as a channel of blessing in the lives of others. Consider these verses:
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
2 Timothy 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
To begin this new series, we learned everyone needs help. In fact, you were created by God with an intrinsic need for guidance and accountability. You need someone to help you understand life, to know how to act, and to interpret your circumstances properly.
This class is a wonderful introduction to biblical counseling. It will teach you how to face everyday problems like anger, worry, grief, lust, abuse, and addiction as you pursue a vibrant relationship with Christ. In the first lesson, I share…
My goal for this course
A fly-over of what we’ll cover in the next eleven weeks
Lessons from Israel’s “rebellion”
Why you can’t properly handle your situations without outside help
Thanks for listening! This is week one in an 11-week series called, “Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands.” If you live in the Highland area, we invite you to join us in person at IBC Wednesday nights at 6pm.
If you found that class helpful, I wanted to let you know about an exciting new opportunity. Several weeks ago, I told Scott Stevenson I’d be interested in teaching another discipleship class on a biblical counseling topic, and asked his opinion of what might benefit our people. He put a copy of Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands on my desk with a note saying this is what he recommends!
If you’re not familiar with this material, it’s an excellent introduction to biblical counseling, and has been used by thousands of Christians across the world to receive basic training on counseling issues. I taught this material several years ago, and am excited for the opportunity to do it again.
We will be starting this new series on Wednesday, August 2, at 6pm in A202. Some of the topics we will discuss include:
The Heart is the Target
Following Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor
Building Relationships that Thrive
Getting to Know People
Applying Change to Everyday Life
And much more!
Galatians 6:1 challenges us that “we who are spiritual should restore others in a spirit of gentleness.” You may not feel qualified to counsel. But as you grow in your walk with the Lord, and better know his word, you’ll be surprised how often God uses you as an instrument in his hands to be a blessing to others. I invite you to join us Wednesday, August 2!
God has a lot to say about fear, worry, and anxiety. It’s as though he knew this would be a common problem! In the final week of our Anxiety class, I summarized what I consider to be some of the key Bible verses on the subject. These will help us battle temptation and equip ourselves against the schemes of the enemy.
Here’s a link to the audio of our final week, as well as hyperlinks back to all the other seven sessions, and a copy of the week 8 handout. For a list of other topical studies and sermon series I’ve taught, check out the Sermon Hub.
What verses do you find most helpful in fighting against sinful fear and worry? Leave a comment below!
FINAL THOUGHTS ON FEAR AND ANXIETY ANXIETY CLASS – WEEK 8 COMPLETE HANDOUT
1. Welcome, Announcements, and Prayer • Encouraging feedback and testimonies already from the course • Continue assimilating and applying this information for yourself and others • Only an introduction. More that could be said. All over Scripture. • Any other questions you have related to this topic?
2. Some key passages we’ve looked at together • 1 Corinthians 10:13 Your struggles are not unique. God provides a way of escape. • Matthew 6:25-34 God cares for you as a loving Father, far more than birds or flowers. • Ephesians 4:22-32 As you put off the sin of anxiety, put on trust. • Philippians 4:6-9 Do not be anxious, but pray to God and think on what is true. • Romans 8:28-30 God causes all things to work together for good. • 1 Peter 5:5-7 Humble yourself and cast your cares on the Lord. He will exalt you. • Hebrews 12:1-2 Lay aside the sin that easily entangles you and fix your eyes on Jesus. • Hebrews 1:14 God uses angels and other people to protect and deliver you. • 1 Thess. 5:12-22 Admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak. • 2 Thess. 3:16-18 Worldly peace is fragile, but God offers peace in all circumstances. • Philippians 2:14-16 Avoid grumbling or complaining. Learn the secret of contentment.
3. Other passages I like to use when fighting my fear and anxiety • Joshua 1:7-9 Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed • Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of death’s shadow, I fear no evil • Psalm 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? • 2 Timothy 1:7 God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love, and self-control • Romans 8:31-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God. 4. Personal Application • Now, how do we use all these passages and principles to overcome anxiety? • Identify the most common sources of anxiety in your life. Think carefully about each (e.g. a child’s health, drama at work, family relationship). Try to get to the root. What are you actually afraid of? How does the Bible answer this? • James 1:12-15. Slow down. Consider where legitimate concern turns into sinful fear. • Share one lesson that stood out to you. It’s helpful to put it in your own words. • Take care of yourself physically. Poor sleep, diet, and exercise affect anxiety levels. • Ask God to help you put these things into practice. Without him, we can do nothing. • Spend time with the Lord. Find a quiet place (Mk. 1:35; 6:32). Life is busy and hectic. Consider a prayer journal. Maybe less social media. Even ten minutes will help. • Go back and review these passages of scripture. Do a deep dive. Look up cross refs. • Complete the personal application questions at the end of each chapter • When do you feel stressed, burnt out, overwhelmed, or begin to panic, talk to a friend. • Sanctification is a life-long journey. You are a work in progress. Celebrate the wins! • Don’t give up. Even if you stumble, ask forgiveness, get back up, and press on. • For further study: Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow, Trusting God by Jerry Bridges, Fear Factor by Wayne Mack
Have you ever been around someone who always seemed grumpy or complaining? We can usually spot it in others, but may not be aware of it in our own lives. This week on the podcast, we learn how to detect and fight back against the sin of complaining. Join us as we learn…
How we convince ourselves a little complaining is OK
The relationship of complaining to anxiety to failing to trust God
Are we ever allowed to be frustrated or dissatisfied with our current circumstances?
How Israel provides a “negative” case study in complaining
A classic Puritan book about contentment
11 Practical Ways to Break the Bad Habit of Complaining
Full audio and notes are below. This is part 7 in an 8 week series on battling fear, worry, and anxiety. We hope this series is helping you think about anxiety from a biblical perspective and to grow in your faith!
DO ALL THINGS WITHOUT COMPLAINING ANXIETY CLASS – WEEK 7
1. Introduction • Have you ever been around a person who always seemed to be complaining? This sin is easy to spot in others, and can get annoying quickly. But what about us? • Part of the challenge is that complaining seems like ________-telling. • Philippians 2:14-16 • Complaining against God is never appropriate. See p. 120.
2. Discontentment in the Old Testament • The Old Testament is written for our instruction and contains many examples, both positive and negative. See 1 Cor. 10:1-13 • Israel provides several examples of what not to do: do not desire evil (6), do not be idolaters (7), do not indulge in sexual immorality (8), do not put Christ to the test (9), do not grumble (10). • Complaining is a deep-seated spiritual problem. See p. 122.
3. Contentment as a Command • The opposite of complaining is contentment. It’s impossible to do both. • Jeremiah Burroughs: “that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise, and fatherly disposal in every condition.” • What do the following verses teach us about contentment? Luke 3:14; 1 Tim. 6:6, 8; Heb. 13:5; James 5:9 • What if our circumstances are not desirable? Are we allowed to pray for change, or even strive to improve our situation? Absolutely! Contentment is not the same as idleness or passivity. We can work hard, pray fervently, and seek to make our situation better. Meanwhile, we must have a heart that rests in the sovereignty of God and finds contentment and joy in all circumstances.
4. Reasons Behind the Command • For Your Own Sake – you are children of God • For the Sake of Non-Christians – your witness is at stake. See p. 127.
5. Eleven Practical Ways to Put Off Complaining • Take note of your speech. Your words, the topics, the tone. Go back and read some of your social media posts or journal entries (James 3:2-5; Ps. 139:23-24) • Memorize a scripture about complaining (Phil. 2:14-16; James 5:9) • Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you when you drift into complaining (Rom. 8:13) • Ask a friend to “buzz” you when you complain (Prov. 27:6; Ecc. 4:9-10) • Think of a time you made a major mistake and someone showed you grace. • Ponder what you actually deserve right now (Rom. 6:23; Rev. 21:8) • Don’t compare yourself to others. Just follow Christ (Jn. 21:23) • Remember God working this out for good (Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28) • Make a list of things you’re thankful for. Ask how is this “good rejoicing practice”? • Develop a heart of compassion for those who have it worse than you (Micah 6:8) • Choose to associate with people who build up rather than tear down (1 Cor. 15:33)
Pinch Of Clay 