Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Thinking about v25 onwards
- Reading v32
- It is a worrying time for many people
- Examples - cost of living, war, personal health
- It is good to look at what Jesus says about worry
- Several passages about worry:
- Matt 6
- Phil 4 - we are to guard our hearts and minds
- 1 Peter 5
- These verses were written to persecuted Christians
- Jesus was speaking to ordinary people (in the Sermon on the Mount [Matt 6])
- Example of the disciples who were dependent upon God's provision
- Example of subsistence living
- People in these situations could easily be overwhelmed with worry and anxiety
- Being biblical - sound doctrine, living appropriately, worshiping God, church governance
- What about our emotions, feelings and stresses?
- Jesus wants us to be free of needless worry and anxiety
- Sometimes we are the source of our anxiety
- Examples
- We cannot serve both God and money
Thinking ahead/planning is not wrong
- God plans and applies His wisdom to His purposes
- We have to make plans
- Examples
- Planning ahead should not be a source of worry
- Worry can be come excessive
- Are you pessimistic?
- Do you worry about the future?
- We like to be in control
- Example of weddings
- Constant control and obsession - wears people out
- Example of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42)
- Do we choose the better things / that matter the most?
- Are our worries what we need to have or are they of our own making?
Advice on coping with worry
- People are more important than things - v25
- We are more important than things
- Do not be obsessed with the outward
- People are most important
- Do not make judgments on how people are presented
- People with little are often content
- Christians are very precious to God the Father - v26
- God makes provision
- v28-31
- Even Solomon was not arrayed like the beauty of flowers
- Example
- We are much more valuable than these / very valuable in God's sight
- Worry is futile - v27
- It does not even add one step to our lives
- It will likely short our lives
- Worry is a sign of lack of trust in our heavenly Father
- The disciples have little faith
- They need to exercise trust in God
- Are we of little faith?
- Are we growing in trust in God?
- There were times when the disciples lacked faith
- Do we find it easier to trust God as we have seen His faithfulness?
- Examples
- He knows what we need
- Do we have trust and confidence in God?
- He already knows our needs - and will provide for them
- Example
- Seek first His kingdom and righteousness - v33
- All these things will be given to us
- We can easily lose focus in our materialistic society
- We are not concerned with the things that God has called us to
- We are not focusing on the things that really matter
- Psalm 37:25-26
- Can you recount God's provision
Closing Remarks
- We cannot change what will happen tomorrow but we can deal with today
- Seek first His kingdom
- Be like Mary and not Martha
- Consider these words were spoken by Jesus - God provided for Him
- Pray about your situations, worries and anxieties
- God provides for us