About

Big Apple Chapel is a New Testament based church in New York City, modeled after the pattern of the early church, with a strong emphasis on following Christ as a community of His disciples.

Services
  • Sunday - 10:30 am
  • 520 8th Ave, 16th floor
    New York, NY
  • phone: +1 (973) 837-1041
 

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Confidence in God

2009-01-11 Phil 4:6-7

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Phil 4: 6 “Be anxious for nothing”. Matthew 6:34  “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow.”

God is the Designer, Builder and Sustainer of everything

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding”
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made” Psalms 19:1-2 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge
Universe ≈ 92 billion light-years ;  92 x 1,000,000,000 x 365 x 24 x 60 x 60 x 185,000 = 536,742,720,000,000,000,000,000 miles.
God is ‘larger’ than size because He made size. Universe is 15 billion years old. God is ‘older’ than time because He made time.

Therefore, nothing is impossible for God

Mark 14:36 Abba, Father, all things are possible for You.
Mark 10:27 "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."

God love us, knows our needs, and will give us all good things

John 3: 16. Matthew 6:32 your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”
Psalm 70:5 But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.

But there are conditions:

1. We ask God in prayer according to His will

Matthew 7:11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! John 14:14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 16:23-24 Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full
1 John 5: 14-15 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

2. We have confidence in God, not in ourselves (self-confidence IS overrated)

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Matthew 17:20 for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you Mark 11:22-23 Have faith in God. "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says John 14: 12 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do. Luke 12:25-26 “And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?” Matthew 9:27-28 And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you.

3. We walk uprightly

John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
Psalm 84:11 No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
John 3: 21-22  Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

4. We do not doubt

Matthew 13:58 He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” James 1:5-8

Examples

Hezekiah: 2 Kings 18-19. George Muller. Corrie ten Boom. Brother Yun. Russ Johnston. Tim Tebow. Colt McCoy. BACers

Conclusion

Phil 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

  1. What is the difference between biblical faith, blind faith and presumption?
  2. How do you know if the things that you ask from God are according to His will?
  3. How do you know if you walk uprightly? Can you know that you are pleasing to God without feedback from others?
  4. Why do people tend to trust ourselves, our money and our competences more than God?
  5. Are there areas in your life that are causing anxiety in your life? What can you do in 2009 to “be anxious for nothing?”