A. SCRIPTURE
“Don’t worry about things – food, drink and clothing. For you already have life and a body – and they are far more important than what you eat and wear . . . will all of your worries add a single moment to your life? So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they
take pride in all these things, and are deeply concerned about them” (Matt. 6:25, 27, 31-32, LB). “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added
to you” (Matt. 6:33, KJV).
1. Jesus tells us three times, “Do not worry” (vv. 25, 27, 31).
Do Not Worry Does Not Mean
Don’t make plans for future.
Don’t think about what you do.
Don’t pray to change or overcome things.
2. Worry originally meant “to strangle” or “to choke.”
3 Greatest-International 3 Greatest-USA
Food
Clothing
Shelter
Cancer
Terrorism
Losing job
3. Why is worry wrong?
• You probably can’t change circumstances.
• You are controlled by the thing you worry about.
• You have not fully trusted God.
• Worry can’t give you what you want.
• Worry will kill you.
“Worry affects the circulation, the heart, the glands, and the whole nervous system. I have never met a man who worked himself to death, but a lot who have died of worry.” ~Dr. Charles Mayo
B. SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD
1. What is your purpose in living?
• The kingdom’s wealth. Don’t live for money.
• The kingdom’s destination. Let’s go to Heaven.
• The kingdom’s principles. Live by God’s laws.
• The kingdom’s central focus. You must seek God Himself.
2. What are you doing?
• The word seek (root) is “to perceive keenly.”
• How to seek – (a) to search; (b) to ask; (c) to discover; (d) to attempt; (e) to acquire or gain.
• Most of the Bible references (248) refer to seeking God. “Early will I seek Thee” (Ps. 63:1).
Life Is Not Concerned Primarily With:
• Money
• Clothes
• Houses
• Food and drink
• But with the Person of God
• How to seek – (a) with all your physical energy; (b) with your head to learn; (c) with all your emotions; (d) with choices, i.e., put God first.
• When to seek – (a) when you are young; (b) when beginning occupation; (c) when beginning marriage; (d) when beginning family; (e) all the time.
3. What does the word FIRST mean?
• Comes from root meaning (ordinal) one.
• You make God – (a) first before others in priority; (b) first before others in importance; (c) first before others in time (beginning);(d) first in excellence (first class); (e) original (firsthand knowledge).
C. AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
1. Not me. “There is none righteous no, not one” (Rom. 3:10).
2. Not good. “All our righteousness is as filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6).
3. Not mine. Abraham’s faith was counted to him for
righteousness” (Rom. 4:9).
4. Righteousness is not what we do, but what God does in us and through us.
D. ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED TO YOU
1. You get what you seek in life.
Sow a thought, reap a habit.
Sow a habit, reap a character.
Sow a character, reap a destiny.
WHAT IS WORRY?
Worry is a grave digger.
Worry is borrowing problems.
Worry is a disgrace to God.
2. The Bible does teach fatalism, but aggressive obedience to God.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
To receive this lesson, log on to www.elmertowns.com. You will find it under Sunday School lessons. To email Dr. Towns, eltowns@liberty.edu. For more information on the class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.
