Join Pastor Matt and Luke for a conversation about anxiety, fear, and finding peace in Christ. In this episode, they dive deep into the new sermon series "Anxious for Nothing" based on Philippians 4:4-7, sharing personal stories of overcoming anxiety and practical steps for trusting God in difficult circumstances.

What You'll Discover:
- How to cultivate joy even in challenging circumstances
- Practical steps for battling anxiety as a Christian
- Real-life stories of trusting God during family emergencies
- The difference between happiness and biblical joy
- Why "The Lord is at hand" changes everything about our anxiety

Featured Scripture:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

In this opening message of a series on anxiety, Pastor Matt shares personal experiences with anxiety, including worrying about a sleepwalking child and awaiting his wife's medical test results. While acknowledging that anxiety is on the rise in our society, he emphasizes it's not a new problem but rather a spiritual one at its core—a divided mind and restless heart weighed down by fear instead of trusting God.

Pastor Matt examines Philippians 4:4-9 as a battle plan for anxiety, focusing this week on verses 4-5. He unpacks the surprising command to "Rejoice in the Lord always," explaining that joy isn't mere happiness but a deep, Holy Spirit-given delight in God regardless of circumstances. This joy is possible because "the Lord is at hand"—God's nearness is our greatest source of stability. The simple solution to anxiety is fully surrendering to Jesus Christ, who brings three levels of peace: peace with God through salvation, peace within that surpasses understanding, and peace with others through reconciliation.

Join Rick Myers, Hope Church's Groups Director, as he shares his journey from tragedy to transformation and explains why small groups are essential for spiritual growth. In this episode, Rick opens up about losing his brother in high school, finding faith in college, and discovering the power of authentic community through men's groups.

Discover how groups at Hope Church create space for real relationships, practical care, and spiritual growth that goes beyond Sunday mornings. Whether you're new to groups or considering your next step, this conversation reveals why "doing life together" makes all the difference in walking with Jesus.

Key Topics Covered:

• Rick's personal story and calling to groups ministry
• The difference between community groups and discipleship groups
• Practical challenges like childcare and how groups handle them
• Why same-gender groups often go deeper
• The upcoming fall semester focus on anxiety and Jesus' "I Am" statements