Go! And Trust The God Who Clothes The Lilies - Luke 12:27
INTRODUCTION — “A WORLD DROWNING IN WORRY”
We are living in an age where anxiety has become the background noise of everyday life. People today worry about everything — finances, careers, relationships, health, the future, and even the things they cannot name. Worry has become so normal that many assume it is simply part of being human.
But Jesus calls His disciples to something radically different.
He calls us to trust.
He calls us to a life where the Father’s provision, not our fears, defines us.
He calls us to open our eyes to something as simple, as beautiful, and as fragile as a flower — and learn from it the theology of trust.
And so today, in our Go! And… series, Jesus says to you and to me:
“GO! AND… TRUST THE GOD WHO CLOTHES THE LILIES.”
LUKE 12:27 (NLT): “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.”
This is Jesus’ sermon illustration. His command is simple: Look.
The Greek word here is ?ata???sate (katanoesate) — meaning “consider deeply, observe attentively, look with intention.”
Jesus is not asking us to glance at flowers.
He is asking us to learn from them.
I. GO! AND… CONSIDER GOD’S PROVISION
The Lilies Preach a Better Sermon Than Worry Ever Will
Jesus says: “Look at the lilies…”
These lilies were common wildflowers covering the hills of Galilee. No one planted them. They grew because God planted them. They were temporary — alive today, cut down tomorrow — yet God clothed them with beauty exceeding the robes of King Solomon.
The word for “glory” is d??a (doxa) — splendour, brilliance, honour.
Jesus compares the glory of a king to the glory God gives to grass.
Jesus’ argument is simple: If God lavishes beauty on something temporary, will He not care for you — His eternal child?
Matthew 6:26 (NLT): “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest… for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?”
Birds in first-century Israel had no storage barns, yet they survived every season because God provided.
If God feeds creatures without a plan, He can feed you who have a purpose.
Max Lucado once wrote, “If God has a fridge, your photo is on it.”
Lucado captures the heart of Jesus’ teaching. God is not reluctantly caring for you — He delights in doing so!
II. GO! AND… REMEMBER WHO YOUR FATHER IS
The Root of Worry Is Forgetting the Nature of God
Jesus’ teaching on lilies is not about horticulture — it is about the character of God.
We worry when we forget who He is.
Psalm 37:25 (NLT): “Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.”
David says: "God has never abandoned His people.”
Never.
“Abandoned” The Hebrew word is ?azab (?????) — to forsake, to leave behind, to desert.
David’s testimony:
God does not do that. Ever.
The Forgetful Father
A father once left his child behind accidentally at a petrol station. He had driven fifteen miles before the horror struck him — his child wasn’t there!
He immediately turned back, panicked, ashamed.
Contrast that with God.
He never forgets His children.
You will never find God rushing back to retrieve you because He lost track of you.
He carries you.
He watches you.
He provides for you.
Charles Stanley said: “Every day of your life, God is inviting you to trust Him with the things you care about most.”
God does not merely tolerate your trust — He invites it. He is not a distant deity; He is a present Father.
III. GO! AND… SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM
Worry Shrinks Your World, but the Kingdom Expands It
Lilies do not worry because lilies do not pursue the wrong kingdom.
Luke 12:31 (NLT): “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.”
Jesus’ call to “seek” uses the Greek word ??te?te (zeteite) — to desire, to pursue, to worship.
The problem with worry is not the size of our problems but the misalignment of our priorities.
The Tight-Fisted Child
A small child once held a tiny toy so tightly in her fist that she refused to let go. Her mum said,
“Sweetheart, if you would open your hand, I could give you something bigger.”
Some of us are still clutching our worries with white-knuckled fists.
Meanwhile God is saying, “Open your hands… seek My Kingdom… let Me bless you.”
John Piper famously said: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
When your satisfaction is in Christ, worry loses its throne. Trust dethrones anxiety.
IV. GO! AND… TRUST JESUS WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU
The Gospel Is the Foundation of Our Freedom From Worry
Everything Jesus teaches in Luke 12 ultimately points to this truth:
If God did not spare His own Son, then He will not fail to care for His children.
Romans 8:32 (NLT): “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”
Theological Truth
The cross is the ultimate argument against anxiety.
Jesus died for you — proving God’s love.
Jesus rose for you — proving God’s power.
Jesus intercedes for you — proving God’s ongoing care.
Word Study — “Spare” - The Greek ?fe?sat? (epheisato) means to hold back, to withhold.
Paul says:
God did NOT withhold His Son.
How then could He withhold daily bread… daily strength… daily provision?
Tim Keller wrote: “Worry is not believing that God will get it right.”
Jesus always gets it right. The cross is proof. The empty tomb is confirmation. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee.
THE GOSPEL PRESENTATION — THE GOD WHO CLOTHES LILIES ALSO COVERS SINNERS
The lilies in Luke 12 are clothed by God.
But humanity is spiritually unclothed — naked in sin, guilty before a holy God.
Yet Jesus, the sinless Son of God, came to clothe us in righteousness.
He lived the perfect life you could never live.
He died the atoning death you deserved.
He was buried — truly dead.
And on the third day, He rose again in glorious victory.
And now He offers a robe of righteousness to all who repent and believe.
Church — Jesus did not simply come to reduce your worry.
He came to redeem your soul.
CALL TO ACTION — “GO! AND TRUST HIM TODAY”
Stop rehearsing your fears and start rehearsing God’s faithfulness.
Look at the lilies — and remember your Father’s care.
Release your grip on the worries of this world.
Seek the Kingdom — prioritise prayer, Scripture, and obedience.
Trust that the God who saved your soul will sustain your life.
INVITATION TO SALVATION:
If you have never placed your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, today is the day.
You will never overcome worry without Jesus, because peace is not a feeling — it is a Person.
If you will repent of your sin, turn to Christ, and trust in Him alone, He will forgive you, save you, and clothe you in His righteousness.
Pray today: “Lord Jesus, I come to You. I repent of my sin. I trust in Your death and resurrection. Be my Lord. Be my Saviour. I give You my life.”
If you prayed that sincerely — He has saved you.
BENEDICTION / EXHORTATION:
May the God who dresses the lilies dress you with peace.
May the Saviour who gave His life for you give you confidence to trust Him.
May the Holy Spirit fill you with courage to seek the Kingdom.
And may you go from this place knowing that your Father in heaven will care for you today, tomorrow, and forever.
Amen.
