The Supremacy of Christ - Part 14 - Tom Flaherty

·43 min·4 clips

Flaherty recounts how a lawsuit threat gripped him with fear until he chose to surrender the outcome to God.

This episode is part 14 of the series 'The Supremacy of Christ' at City Church, delivered by Pastor Tom Flaherty. It serves as the second part of a message on 'Decisions that Glorify God,' specifically addressing Colossians 3:15-17. Flaherty begins by reading the scripture and praying for peace, then revisits points from two weeks prior: choosing Christ over self and radical love over offense. The core of this episode is point three: choosing to be filled with peace instead of anxiety. Flaherty argues that anxiety is not a given but a choice, citing Isaiah 53:5 and John 14:27 to show that Jesus' sacrifice provides peace. He contrasts worldly peace, which depends on circumstances, with Christ's peace, which is independent of trouble. Flaherty references a medical statistic that 90% of illnesses are stress-related, emphasizing the human need for God's shalom. He then presents three keys to unlock anxiety. Key one is choosing surrender over self-protection, illustrated with the biblical story of Esther and Mordecai, where Esther risks death to save her people. Flaherty shares a personal anecdote from 2012 when City Church faced a lawsuit threat; he describes being gripped by fear until he surrendered the outcome to God, leading to peace even before the lawsuit was dropped. Key two is choosing thanksgiving over grumbling, based on Philippians 4:6-7. Flaherty explains that anxiety stems from focusing on one's inability to fix things, while peace comes from focusing on God's ability. He details how to practice thanksgiving by thanking God for his mighty hand, his care, and his wisdom in timing. Key three is choosing to care without carrying, using the example of Becky praying for her brother Joe. Flaherty describes a vision of a backpack representing burdens and encourages listeners to let Jesus carry the weight while they remain tender-hearted. He concludes by advising listeners to let God's word dwell in them richly and to follow peace in decisions, referencing John 15:7. The episode blends scripture, personal stories, and practical advice in a sermon format aimed at applying biblical principles to daily life.

As heard by us

A Colossians 3 sermon frames surrendered outcomes, a costly lawsuit, and thanksgiving as a practice of peace.

Colossians 3 is treated as a working guide for choices shaped by peace, surrender, and gratitude. The host starts with the limits people inherit rather than choose, including birth, parents, DNA, appearance, and circumstance, then turns to the choices still in play: trusting…

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Why you'd press play

Need help loosening anxiety's grip? This sermon moves from a church lawsuit to ordinary decisions, with peace as the guide.

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