Don't Worry, Follow Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Are you a worrier? How many of you like the Lion King? How many of you love the song “Hakuna Matata”? It is a very popular song, and the phrase is a real Swahili phrase. They say that the phrase is their problem-free philosophy. Problems come in this life, yet Jesus wants us not to worry, but rather follow Him. I do not know exactly how God is working in everyone’s life, but God might be calling some of you to ministry. He might be calling some you to have a different plan with your life. He might be calling you to serve Him in a certain way, but rather than following Him you are worried. Some of you might be missing out on a opportunity to follow God today, because you are worried about tomorrow. Maybe there is something in your life that you need God to answer, about some sort of physical need. Do not worry, trust that God will provide.
Here we are in the Sermon on the Mount, and Jesus is now talking about worry, after talking about where you put your treasure. The reason why these passages follow each other is because the disciples were using these reasons as not to follow Jesus. That is why there is the command to seek first the Kingdom of God. It is very common for people not to follow God, because they worry. They are worried about finances, they are worried about God’s provision. Jesus knows this and tells them not to worry, as He knows that worry will keep them from following Him the way they should. That is why He says “Take no thought”. He wants them not to be worried about food and clothing which is why He says it in v. 25.
God is calling you to follow Him, and many Christians do not follow Him because they are worried about God providing. Yet you do not need to worry about God providing. Also other Christians just worry about different things that
Why should you not worry?
God provides for
Jesus uses two examples to represent the needs food and clothing, and also to represent lesser creatures
Notice also the word father, Jesus is referring to God has their heavenly Father, just a like a earthly father provides for his children, God provides more for His children, and He knows what we have need of.
Jesus uses the examples of the birds and says that their food source ultimately comes from the heavenly father. He is saying that God provides for the birds every day. Now, there was a study used to figure out if the founder of Walmart, take what he is worth would be able to feed the birds for one day. So they found what he is worth, found a credible estimate for the bird population for the world, and the cost of bird food, and realized that Sam Walton could not feed all the birds in the world for a day. Yet God provides everyday.
Psalm 50:11–12 “I know all the fowls of the mountains: And the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: For the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.”
God also clothes the grass, which is cast into the fire the next day, are you not more important. He mentions the lilies which are beautiful, yet are cast into the fire the next day.
Liam should not worry about me providing for him, when I provide for the cat. If someone cannot afford to have a child then they should not try to have a pet, because the child is more important. Also we have a couple different things that we can afford for entertainment, yet they will not be staying if we need extra money for our kids. People are short money yet have a dog, or have spend money on stupid things, yet God is not like that. Jesus is saying that since
1 Timothy 6:6–8 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
So rather than worrying about food and raiment, trust God and follow Him.
Accomplishes nothing
He asks and says how many of you can add a cubit to your stature? Can any one think about growing physically and grow? Meaning can one worry and grow taller. No. One reason why worry does not accomplish anything is because
It does no good to worry because you cannot control it, as God is ultimately in control. You could do everything in your power to try to control a situation, and God could just totally undo what you did
Distracts from your responsibilities
Worrying about tomorrow, will just add to your plate
You have daily responsibilities, yet when you worry about the future it distracts you and makes you feel more stressed
Jesus is saying don’t focus on tomorrow because you have enough to focus today. Do not worry about what is going on tomorrow, when you have work that needs to get done today
Are you a worried person? Jesus tells you not to worry
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