Winning Against Worry Series

Slaying The Giants In Your Life Series: Winning Against Worry (3 of 6)

May 12, 2002 FBC, Chester, Illinois Mike Fogerson, Speaker

Introduction:

A sermon about "Worry" on Mother’s Day! (How fitting)

If you’re a Momma, Worry is part of the territory, in the cup of motherhood.

a One of favorite cartoons is "Dennis The Menace" and in this cartoon he’s sitting in the corner and he’s looking over his shoulder and he asks his mother, "If your tryin’ to raise me right, how come I keep gett’in so much trouble?

b Worry is a part of motherhood, "passing school, Proms, ACTS, SATS, GED, Graduation.....Will they ever leave?"

Mothers have not yet cornered the market on worry however.

a I know people who live IN the city of Worryville. They stay worried.

"What if this, What if that...worst case scenario"

b Before we take a close look at worry, I want to give two simple disclaimers....

(1) "Don’t Worry" doesn’t mean don’t plan.

*Jesus spent his whole ministry planning for when he would be crucified, resurrected and ascending back to heaven. Prepared his disciples. "Don’t build the high-rise until you’ve done the paper work.

*It’s not a sin to have life insurance or plan for retirement.

(2) "Don’t Worry" doesn’t mean don’t be concerned.

*Bobby McFarlene had a big hit "Don’t Worry, Be Happy." FORGET ABOUT IT. If your not concerned about your kid wandering into traffic, you’re a terrible parent. There are things you need to be concerned about. THERE’S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CAREFREE AND CARLESS.

*Concern is attached to the present. Worry is attached to the future. We can take action on the present, the future is out of our hands.

Let’s look at winning against worry

MT 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? [26] Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? [27] Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? MT 6:28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. [29] Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. [30] If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? [31] So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?’ or `What shall we drink?’ or `What shall we wear?’ [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

A Jesus told his followers how to deal with worry. (ETS)

a Worry is a giant that can be defeated. (ESS)

b I hope you’ll use the tools to work over your worry this week. (Objective)

B Let’s look at what worry is all about. (T.S.)

a Pray

I Facing The Giant Of Worry

6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

A Worry Is....inconsistent.

a Who made you? Who established the requirements-food, shelter, clothing? GOD!

*If you buy into the idea that God is your creator, you gotta buy into the idea that God is also your sustainer.

b If you believe God is your creator, but can’t provide......your inconsistent.

[26] Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

B Worry is....irrational. (God can provide, but will He?)

a A bird was worth one cooper coin. (1/16th of denari..a day’s wage.)

Merge this Matthew text with Luke 12:6

[6] Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. [7] Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

*You can buy 2 for 1 cent or 5 for 2 cents. (You buy four...you get one free!)

*God cares about even the bird that had no worth at all!