Facing Your Worries About Tomorrow Series

INTRODUCTION

Today, in continuing our study of the Sermon on the Mount, Part # 6 deals with the subject of worry. I found it interesting and even God’s timing, Mike & Crystal, that we come to this section of our series when Mike is about to embark on a part of life that many would call the most dangerous time in life – that of war.

People have many fears over different things – Different types of Worry:

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld says,

“According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that seem right? That means to the average person, if you have to go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy” (SeinLanguage, p.120).

Today’s sermon is “Facing Your Worries About Tomorrow”. Or, I could have called the sermon “Facing Your Fears about the Future”.

TEXT: MATTHEW 6:25-34

Three times in these verses notice that Jesus says, “Do not worry”. Notice, if you have a KJV, you’ll notice that is says, “Take no thought for your life.” From that translation, you might get the idea that Christians shouldn’t plan for the future.

But, of course, that’s not true. The literal wording in the GRK phrased it this way, “Don’t be anxious.”. There is a difference between being concerned about the future (and making preparations and taking precautions) and being worried about the future.

ILLUSTRATION: MELVIN NEWLAND TELLS THIS STORY:

I’m told that a man went to the doctor complaining of a number of pains. After examining him the doctor said, "I can’t find anything organically wrong with you. But sometimes physical problems are the result of worry or stress. Maybe you need to find a good counselor & tell him your troubles. He might be able to advise you & make you feel better."

"In fact," he said, "last week I had a fellow who was complaining of pains similar to yours & I couldn’t find anything wrong with him, either. But after talking a while, he told me that he was worried sick about a $5,000 debt he owed & couldn’t pay. Well, we talked about it & I was able to help him."

The man asked, "How did you help him?" "Oh, I told him that life was too short to worry about a piece of paper that said he owed $5,000. I suggested that he tear up the paper & throw it away, & stop worrying about the debt, & get on with his life. So he did. And now he feels great!"

"Yes, I know," said the guy. "I’m the one he owes the $5,000 to."

The English word “worry” comes from an old German word meaning to strangle, or choke. That is exactly what worry does; it is a kind of mental and emotional strangulation, which might cause more mental and physical afflictions than any other single cause.

Worry might be the sin that Christians commit more frequently than any other. Jesus gives us FOUR REASONS WHY WORRYING IS WRONG.

1. WORRY SHOWS UNFAITHFULNESS TO JESUS (v. 25).

Is Lord of your life or not? Notice …

READ VERSE 25

People in Jesus’ day (just like us) worried about the necessities of life: food, drink, and clothing. We also worry about other things, such as cancer, terrorism, losing our jobs, our children’s safety, etc.

Notice that the verse begins with the word “therefore”. When you come to the word “therefore” in the Bible, you should always ask the question, “What is it there for?”

Here “Therefore” takes us back to the previous verse: READ VERSE 24

Jesus declared that a believer’s only Lord (Master) should be God. When the Bible says that God must be our Master, it means that He must control our life. When you worry, you stop trusting God and start trying to take control of your life, showing your doubt in Jesus as Lord!

Paul in Phil 4:19 says “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus”

Doesn’t your worry say that from your actions that God is NOT able to meet your needs – that He is NOT Lord of your life?

Worry is the opposite of contentment, which should be the believer’s consistent state of mind.

Paul said: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Phil. 4:11b-13).

A Christian’s contentment is found in God, and only in God (not circumstances). What does your worry say about your view of Lordship?