Participation III - Security

3.23.25

Scripture: Philippians 1:8; 1 John 4:7-21

God has inward affection for us that goes deep.

·      V 8 Christ’s affection

o  Christ has an affection towards us; He longs for us

o  Tender

o  Deep longing- speaks of inward parts

·      Perfect love drives away fear (1 John 1:18)

o  What insecurities do we tolerate in life for fear of the otherwise/ change

o  Are we stuck? What will change first… us or our circumstances? What if our circumstances never change unless we first change?

o  How do we change?

·      My broken front door

o  My broken front door provides a false sense of security

o  It will cost me something to repair it

o  Most likely somebody I don’t know will come to have to fix it

§ It will invite a foreign exchange – I face exchanging/ surrendering a broken area of my life; an insecurity.

§ The exchange is foreign but not anxious. It is uncomfortable but only like trying on new clothes for the first time. It leads to a new-found joy, peace, and confidence

·      I know longer rely on myself for security- my abilities or inabilities. I rest

·      Zepheniah 3:17 (ESV)

The Lord your God is in your midst, a might one who will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness;

He will quiet (be deaf, keep, be silent) you by His love;

He will exalt over you with loud singing.

o  Jesus was literally in our midst on earth and is literally in our midst in me

o  His love quiets or makes us deaf to our fears, insecurities (Rocky III “I’m afraid”)