Identity - Being a Non-Anxious Presence
Reading
Colossians 3:15-17 NIV
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Erwin McManus - The Way of the Warrior
When we are anxious, we lose our strength. When we are afraid, we lose our courage. When we have found peace, we have both the strength and courage to live the lives we were created to live.
Content
Core Learning - When we know who we are we walk in Peace.
Confidence and Self Esteem
We need Godly confidence.
We have a grocery bag that becomes valuable because of what's inside it
We have a cup of coffee that is valuable because of what is in the cup
We have a box for a pizza because we want a pizza in it
Depending on what is on the inside means it has more value.
1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV
'Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.'
Antiques Road Show - old TV show about people old stuff being worth heaps.
Worth comes from what someone is willing to pay for something.
Our worth and value is found in what God says we are worth, and God said we are worth dying for.
Jesus' worth was in who he was not what he did.
He hadn't done any miracles when he was baptized but God the Father still said he was pleased with him.
Jesus was fully man and fully God
If we want to know what God fully looks like - We look to Jesus
If we want to know what being fully human looks like - We look to Jesus
Proverbs 4:23
“Guard your heart above all else for everything you do flows from it’
Philippians 4:6-7
“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.”
Hebrew word Shalom - the peace and wholeness of God
Also health and Saftey
But it also means Completeness
Jewish Rabbi and family therapist - Edwin Friedman
Coined the term a 'Non-Anxious Presence' which means:
The ability for a persons calm and peace to empower someone else to feel at peace also
When we walk in the understanding of our value and worth, it gives us confidence in who we are and who God made us to be.
When we do that, we can be a non-anxious presence to those who are still working out who they are
Exercise or Practice
Group conversation
How do you feel confident in what God is doing with your life?
What effects the way you feel about yourself? People's affirmation? Praise? Performance?
How do you manage your thoughts and feelings when things don't go the way you want?