What Jesus Said About God's Provision Series

“Jesus Said”

What Jesus said about the Father

“His Provision”

Michael Wiley

January 18, 2009

Introduction:

A great philosopher once said:

Here is a little song I wrote

You might want to sing it note for note

Don’t worry be happy

In every life we have some trouble

When you worry you make it double

Don’t worry, be happy......

Ooooo, ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo ooeeoo, ooeoo ooeoo, ooooeeoo eooe oo

Ain’t got no place to lay your head

Somebody came and took your bed

Don’t worry, be happy

The land lord say your rent is late

He may have to litigate

Don’t worry, be happy

Look at me I am happy

Don’t worry, be happy

Here I give you my phone number

When you worry call me

I make you happy

Don’t worry, be happy

Ooooo, ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo ooeeoo, ooeoo ooeoo, ooooeeoo eooe oo

Ain’t got no cash, ain’t got no style

Ain’t got not girl to make you smile

But don’t worry be happy

Cause when you worry

Your face will frown

And that will bring everybody down

So don’t worry, be happy (now).....

There is this little song I wrote

I hope you learn it note for note

Like good little children

Don’t worry, be happy

Listen to what I say

In your life expect some trouble

But when you worry

You make it double

Don’t worry, be happy......

Don’t worry don’t do it, be happy

Put a smile on your face

Don’t bring everybody down like this

Don’t worry, it will soon past

Whatever it is

Don’t worry, be happy

Ooooo, ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo ooeeoo, ooeoo ooeoo, ooooeeoo eooe oo

Of course Bobby McFerrin was really no philosopher, but he was very correct in his summation of a happy life.

Transition:

Happiness is not based on the condition of your life, but the condition of your heart.

Grab your point guides, turn them over to the back and let’s get to work.

Today we want to look at Matthew chapter six and see what Jesus said about happiness, or a better word would be contentment c--- first slide

Introduce and review the “Sermon on the Mount”

I can’t jump into the middle of what we know as, “The Sermon on the Mount” without making some comment.

The SOM includes the most in-depth and challenging teaching of Jesus. Thousands of books have been written on this one sermon alone.

John Stott said, “It is the nearest thing to a manifesto he ever uttered.”

Now we come to 6:19

There are several ways to prepare a sermon or teaching, Expository, Textual, Topical, etc.

The teaching itself can be a narrative, segmented, etc.

I have some of my own descriptions I have developed over the years to help me explain, or understand what I am doing in a teaching.

Today we are going to look at what Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-34.

There are several ways to identify a message. I call this message of Jesus a “build” and a “wrap.”

A build is when the speaker opens up with a statement and then builds on it. He ends his message with the same statement but phrased in a clearer and more forceful way.

A wrap is when the speaker opens and closes with the same statement or illustration even if worded differently.

Expound on the text

Matthew 6:19

19-21 --- Key word there is Treasure. Dictionary says, A Treasure is, wealth or riches stored or accumulated -- Something greatly valued. The context here is saying a treasure is something you value, and you should value heavenly treasures over earthly treasures

22-23 – If you take this teaching too literal it makes sense but not in the sense it needs to in this story. We believe Jesus is simply pointing out here, that when you have an eye focused on greed and lust of things, What the Hebrews and The Near Easterners called an “Evil eye”, then your heart will be full of darkness

24 Verse 24 Jesus reminds us that he is still talking about our Life’s focus

“Therefore” here is the beginning of the build

25-27 Therefore (Conjunctive Adverb), Greek = “because of this” NAS - For this reason I say to you

28-32 READ

33-34– Focus on God and what He wants – His kingdom – Let Him worry about your needs

What He is not saying:

Jesus is not saying “Don’t plan for tomorrow.”

Remember a few weeks ago we looked at Proverbs 6:6, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! (NIV)”

Jesus is not saying “You can’t be wealthy.” It’s not the amount of money you have but the contentment of your heart and whether or not you are using your wealth for God’s kingdom or your own.