TOPIC:‌“Making God Your Anchor”

               by Reg Dr. Reg Dunlap

 

TEXT:‌‌Philippians 4:4-7

 

“The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything” (4:5, 6, NIV)

 

‌At the beginning of this message we must answer this question: Do the words of Paul “the Lord is near” or as the KJV has it: “The Lord is at hand” refer to the near return of Christ or are they intended by Paul to convey his unquestionable confidence in the loving presence of Christ by His Holy Spirit? The Bible scholars are divided on the issue. Though it could refer to both meanings, I believe it has reference to the all encompassing presence of Christ among believers.

 

‌I like the thoughtful rendering by Phillips: “Never forget the nearness of your Lord,” meaning that we have the presence of the living, risen Lord right here and now. Thus we hear Paul saying to each one of us, “Brother believers, if you will remember the nearness of your Lord as your precious Anchor, you need have no anxiety or fear." Instead you may do as Paul declared in verse 6: “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (KJV).

 

‌Let us now consider the abiding presence of Christ as we live in a world of panic and peril. I want us to think about four things that relate to our stability amidst a society of fear and anxiety.

 

I.

 

‌Consider, first of all, the PROVOCATION that causes us to fret and be anxious. Notice Paul's words in verse 6: “Do not be anxious about anything.” I like the NLT here: “Don't worry about anything.” Fret and worry by believers indicate a lack of trust in God's wisdom and provision.

 

‌Now these words by Paul are in the imperative. We are commanded both by Paul and Jesus not to worry. To be anxious is always wrong because it is a lack of faith in our all-powerful heavenly Father to take care of us. Listen to these words of Jesus: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear…do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:25, 34). There Jesus is telling us not to let the worries about tomorrow affect our relationship with God today. There you have one of the evil effects of worrying.

 

‌I ask: What are some of the things that cause you to be anxious and fret over? Your job, are you going to lose it? Your health, are you going to keep it? Your children, are they going to respect you? Your money, do you have enough . . .