United We Stand

Eph 4:1-16
Unity - the state of being united or joined as a whole.
1. Unity starts with a common calling - Jesus. v1
2. Unity is achieved through a common characteristic - humility. v2-6. Jas 4:1-3
3. Unity is held together through a common connection - the Holy Spirit. v7
4. Unity is sparked by exercising a common catalyst - our individual gifts. v7-13. 1 Pet 4:10-11
5. Unity ultimately produces a common consequence - maturity. v14-16. Mature believers can sift out the junk. Ps 133:1-2.
*Unity, centered on Jesus, creates space for the Holy Spirit to bring about maturity in the life of believers.

Fear is a Liar: Worship - Our Greatest Weapon

Phil 4:4-9
Worship is our greatest weapon in the battle against fear and anxiety.
We would all like to be in control, but we are not in control. Mt 6:27
God is in control. Sovereignty describes God's perfect control and management of the universe. He is all-powerful. Col 1:15-19; Ps 139:1-2, 4, 16... (the sovereign God in charge of everything also takes the time to know us intimately)
If this is true, we should worship and trust Him in every situation.
Worship, don't worry. "We see the problems of the world and we bend our knees." -Lucado. If I'm truly worshipping him, there is no room for fear or anxiety. "It is possible to talk your soul into a place of hope." -Matt Redman. Gen 22:1-4; 2 Chron 20:11-12, 15, 18; Acts 16:22-25.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."Phil 4:4‭-‬9

Fear is a Liar: Surrender Sincerely

2 Cor 1:4
Surrender - true surrender yields to Christ
1. Surrender is not partial. Prov 16:4. It's not a tug of war with God over control. So back and let Him lead.
2. Surrender takes faith. Prov 3:5-6. We don't need faith if we don't surrender, but we worry a lot more. Lk 12:25 yield to His authority. Heb 11:1, He is who He says He is and He's going to do what He says He's going to do.
3. Surrender asks questions. Mt 7:7-11. Keep asking God.
4. Surrender takes discipline. Mt 16:22. Let go. Give it all to God.