Introduction

Welcome, dear friends, to this blessed gathering where we come together, not as strangers, but as a family united in faith. We are here to share in the joy of understanding God's word, to be nourished by His wisdom, and to be comforted by His love. Today, we turn our hearts and minds to a passage from the book of Matthew, a passage that speaks to the very core of our human experience - our fears, our hopes, and our faith.

Matthew 6:34, in the Message translation, reads:

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

What a profound and reassuring message it is! In our fast-paced, worry-filled lives, these words serve as a lighthouse guiding us back to the safe shores of faith and peace.

Focusing on Faith not Fear

When we find ourselves in the midst of uncertainty, it's easy to let fear take the driver's seat. Fear has a way of magnifying our problems, making them seem insurmountable. It whispers in our ears that we're not strong enough, not smart enough, not good enough to face the challenges that lie ahead. But the truth is, fear doesn't have the final say. God does. And His word tells us that He is with us, that He is for us, and that He has a plan for us.

God's plan may not always align with our own: It may take us down roads we would never have chosen for ourselves. But we can trust that His plan is always for our good. His plan is to prosper us, not to harm us, to give us a hope and a future. So, when fear tries to take hold, we can choose to focus on our faith in God's plan instead.

Faith is not a feeling, but a choice: It's a decision to trust in God's promises, even when our circumstances seem to contradict them. It's choosing to believe that God is who He says He is, and that He will do what He says He will do. And when we make that choice, we find that our fear begins to lose its power. In the midst of a storm, it's easy to focus on the wind and the waves. But when we shift our focus to Jesus, the one who can calm the storm, we find peace. We find strength. We find hope. And we find that we're not alone. Jesus is with us in the boat, and He's not afraid of the storm.

God is bigger than our problems: No matter how big our problems may seem, God is bigger. He's the Creator of the universe, the one who holds all things in His hands. He's the one who spoke the world into existence, who parted the Red Sea, who raised the dead to life. There's no problem too big for Him to handle. When we truly grasp the magnitude of God's power, our problems begin to shrink in comparison. We begin to see them not as obstacles, but as opportunities for God to show His power and His faithfulness. And when we see our problems in this light, we can face them with confidence, knowing that God is on our side.

Remembering God's faithfulness in the past: When we're facing a difficult situation, it's easy to forget all the times God has come through for us in the past. But when we take the time to remember, to reflect on His faithfulness, it strengthens our faith for the present. God's faithfulness is not just something we read about in the Bible. It's something we've experienced in our own lives. We've seen Him provide for our needs, answer our prayers, and work all things together for our good. And if He's been faithful in the past, we can trust that He'll be faithful in the future.

Leaning on the promises of God: God's word is filled with promises for those who trust in Him. Promises of peace, of provision, of protection. These promises are not just empty words. They're backed by the power and the faithfulness of God. When we're feeling afraid, we can turn to these promises for comfort and reassurance. We can claim them as our own, and stand on them in faith. And as we do, we'll find that they're more than just words on a page. They're a lifeline, a source of strength and hope in the midst of our fear.

Finding Peace in the Present

As we continue our reflections on Matthew 6:34, we find ourselves drawn to the idea of finding peace in the present ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO