July 24, 2022

Worry

Preacher:
Passage: Matthew 6:19-34
Service Type:

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

Example

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?

Personal example

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

Example of George Muller

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