Anxiety

Philippians 2:18-3:1 - Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me. Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Philippians 4:6,8 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God…Finally, brothers, 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.

1 Timothy 5:17 - The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

Conclusions:

• Being anxious is self-centered, counterproductive worry, not legitimate cares and concerns for the spread of the gospel
• Anxiety and prayer are two great opposing forces in Christian experience
• Thanksgiving is the antidote to worry
• All elders were to exercise leadership and to teach and preach, and all were to receive honor
• Those who excelled in leadership were to be counted worthy of double honor
• This was especially true of those who labored at teaching and preaching
• Such honor should include financial support
• Paul understood the influence of one’s thoughts on one’s life
• What a person allows to occupy his mind will sooner or later determine his speech and his action
• The combination of virtues in Philippians 4:8 is sure to produce a wholesome thought pattern, which in turn will result in a life of moral and spiritual excellence

Application:

• Are you anxious or are you thankful?
• Do you honor your elders?
• Do you have a wholesome thought pattern?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible