Series: Jesus Model – P3 – “Handling Stress Like Jesus”

Sermon Series:  The Jesus Model – Part 3

 Message Aim:  Jesus didn’t come to just tell us what to do, but to model how to handle stress.

 Sermon Title:    “Handling Stress Like Jesus”

 Scripture:   1 John 2:1-6

2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. ³ We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.⁴ Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. ⁵ But if anyone obeys his word, love for God^[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: ⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Message Synopsis:

We’re in this series on “The Jesus Model.”  Today we want to look at how Jesus handled stress.  Is there anyone here under stress?  But the truth is there’s only one person who’s ever really carried the entire weight of the world on his shoulders, His name was Jesus. 1 John 2:2 says “Jesus is the one who took God’s wrath against our sins upon himself.  [He carried all the weight of all of our sins on himself.] And he brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world’s.”  [The sins of all the world are finding forgiveness in Jesus Christ.]

Nobody carried greater stress in life than Jesus.  He not only carried the weight of the world on the cross but during His ministry there were constant demands because people wanted to see him, wanted to be healed.  There were people who were trying to trap him.  There were people trying to kill him.  Nobody has probably ever experienced greater stress than Jesus did.

Yet if you look at his life he doesn’t seem to be out of control by it.  He handles all the pressure with peace.  Don’t you want to learn how to do that.  I want to learn how to be at peace under pressure.  I want to know the secrets of handling stress.  So today I want us to look at the seven secrets of stress management in the life of Jesus.  If we will do these things our stress is going to go down and our joy and fulfillment is going to go up.  Let’s take a look at what Jesus did to handle stress.

1. First is the principle of Identification. Know who you are.

2. Second is the principle of Motivation. That is, know what you’re living for.

3. The third thing Jesus showed is the principle of Vocation: know your calling.

4. The fourth is the principle of Concentration. That means just focus on what matters most.

5. The fifth principle is That is listen to God.

6. The sixth principle of stress management –is Collaboration: be part of a small group.

7. The 7th principle to reduce stress is Recreation. Recreation is this: take time to recharge.

There’s one more thing we need.  This is gift of Salvation.  Give your all to Jesus.  If you want to overcome your stress you give it all to Jesus.  Jesus said in Matthew 11, “Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest ….and you will find rest for your souls.”