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?
2. WORRY IS UNNECESSARY BECAUSE OF YOUR FATHER (Vs. 26-30)
It’s as if Jesus is saying, “Have you forgotten who your Father is?” If God feeds the birds of the air and clothes the flowers of the fields, will He not provide for you? God is not their Father; He’s your Father. He cares about you much, much more than He cares about birds and flowers. Of course He will provide for you!
Verse 27 says, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
Dr. Charles Mayo, of the famous Mayo Clinic, wrote, “Worry affects the circulation, the heart, the gland and the whole nervous system. I have never met a man or known a man to die of overwork, but I have known a lot who died of worry.”
Let’s Think About What worry reveals about you:
• Worry reveals that you have a defective understanding of God.
• Worry reveals that you do not fully trust God’s promises.
• Worry reveals that you are mastered by your circumstances.
You believe that God can save you from sin, take you to heaven, and keep you forever, so how can you not believe that God will take care of you the rest of your days on this earth?
Ps. 4.3 David says, “Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself, the Lord will hear when I call Him.”
1 Pe. 2:10 “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not receive mercy, but now you have received mercy”
So do you believe or not? IF you are of God then your worry is unnecessary. ARE YOU of God?
3. WORRY IS UNREASONABLE BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITH (vv. 31-33).
READ VERSES 31 & 32,
Jesus says that when we worry we are no different than unbelievers. They don’t have a heavenly Father, so they have reason to worry. We have no excuse, though, for worrying. We know we have a Father who loves us.
Our problem is that we act too much like unbelievers. When we think like the world and crave like the world, we worry like the world, because a mind that is not centered on God is a mind that has cause to worry.
God expects more of us. God expects us to be different from others.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7).
Instead of worrying about your future, recognize that your worry is a signal to you that your faith needs to mature. It is unreasonable because of your faith. Let it be a signal to do what it takes to grow and mature.
Jesus says, READ VERSE 33
Our first concerns should be:
• To seek God’s kingdom: Seek to let God rule in your life.
• To seek God’s righteousness: Seek to do what is right according to God.
• “and all these things (what you eat & drink, what you wear) will be added to you as well”. In other words, get your priorities straight!
4. WORRY IS UNWISE BECAUSE OF YOUR FUTURE (v. 34).
READ VERSE 34
Once again, Jesus isn’t saying, “Don’t plan for the future; He’s saying, “Don’t worry about the future.” Don’t worry about how you’re going to handle the problems of tomorrow; focus (not worry) on the problems of today. There is enough trouble in each day without adding the distress of worry to it.
ILLUSTRATION:
I might find out sometime this year that I have cancer. It does me no good to worry, “How will I ever handle that?” God will give the strength to face it if that ever happens. (Real example: Margie Johnson, St.Matthews)
Paul knew what it was to worry and he learned what to do with his worry:
READ 2 CORINTHIANS 1.8-11
Jesus promises, “My grace is sufficient for you (YOU will not be permitted to sink), for my power is made perfect in weakness(the weaker YOU are, the stronger I am)” (2 Cor. 12:9). God promises His grace for tomorrow and for every day thereafter. But He gives His grace a day at a time as it is needed.
“You will keep in perfect peace him who mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal” (Isa. 26:3-4).
SUMMARY
1. WORRY SHOWS UNFAITHFULNESS TO JESUS (v. 25).
2. WORRY IS UNNECESSARY BECAUSE OF YOUR FATHER (Vs. 26-30)
3. WORRY IS UNREASONABLE BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITH (vv. 31-33).
4. WORRY IS UNWISE BECAUSE OF YOUR FUTURE (v. 34).
ILLUSTRATION: READ THIS PARAGRAPH OF AN 85 YR. OLD LADY:
I came across a paragraph by an 85 year old woman that I think is a classic. Here is what she wrote, "If you live to be 75 years old you will live over 657,000 hours." Did you know that? That’s almost 2/3rds of a million hours that you’re going to live. That’s too much to be anxious about all the time. So don’t worry.
Here is what she wrote, reflecting on her life at age 85. She said, "God, if I had my life to live over, I would relax & ramble around & be sillier than I had been on this trip. "I would take fewer things so seriously, & I would take more chances. I would take more trips & I would climb more mountains & swim more rivers.
"I would eat more ice cream & less prunes." (I like that.) "I would perhaps have some actual troubles but I’m sure I would have fewer imaginary ones. You see, I’m one of those people who have lived sensibly & safely, hour after hour, day after day.
"Oh, I have had my moments. And if I had it all to do over again I would have more of them. Just moments one after another instead of living so many years in a big chair, acting like all those persons who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, or a parachute.
"If I had it to do over again I would worry less. I would laugh more, & I would pick a lot more daisies."
Does WORRY and FEAR consume you? Then today receive the freedom from that worry. Allow it to NO LONGER control your life but give it to Jesus and GIVE HIM BACK the position in your heart that He desires!
