Anxiety
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
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Intro:
Intro:
AG: In Or Out Of Water
In Or Out Of Water
All the water in the world
All the water in the world
However hard it tried,
Could never, never sink a ship
Unless it got inside.
All the hardships of this world,
Might wear you pretty thin,
But they won’t hurt you, one least bit
Unless you let them in.
—Author Unknown
Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 1642). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.
Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 1642). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.
TS: As Jesus continues the sermon on the mount, He now turns to a very timely subject. Jesus addresses the human tendency to worry. He challenges us to give it up and trust God.
RS: If we are like most people, many of us are worrying about something this morning.
ANXIETY – is a thief, it steals…
ANXIETY – is a thief, it steals…
• your thoughts
• your peace
• your joy
• your confidence.
The Problem of Anxiety
The Problem of Anxiety
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Anxiety over Your Needs
Anxiety over Your Needs
Jesus addresses us worrying over daily needs
serving God and Money
You will drive yourself crazy attempting to do so
You will increase your anxiety chasing money
eat and drink
From where is your next meal coming.
Will you have food to provide for your wife and children?
Clothing
Do you have sufficient clothes?
Do you feel inadequate?
Do you loose sleep worrying over keeping up with the latest fads?
Worry consumes us
It uses up our time and intellect imagining what might happen.
It is one thing to think through a decision and count the cost.
It quite different to sit around imagining everything that can go wrong fear that they all will go wrong.
IL: I once had to have an uncomfortable conservation at work. I fretted and worried over all that could go wrong. I had the conversation many times with myself.
In the end, NONE of the objections arose.
All of that lost sleep and practice were wasted.
My time would have been better spent just having my facts straight, and not worry about all that could have gone wrong.
The Futility of Anxiety
The Futility of Anxiety
Jesus asked a very telling question.
By worrying, what can you really accomplish?
Have you added any years to your life by thinking?
Can you change your hair color or numbers by worrying over it?
When we spend time worrying, we are wasting time!
Worry does absolutely NOTHING to solve a problem!
We waste time and energy
We work ourselves up and loose sleep
In the end, the situation is exactly the same as it always was.
Worry does NOTHING toward a solution.
We have examined the problem with anxiety, now let’s look at
The Prescription for Anxiety
The Prescription for Anxiety
There is good news this morning.
We can overcome anxiety!
First, Recognize we are more valuable than nature.
First, Recognize we are more valuable than nature.
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
If God takes care of the animals, don’t you think He will do the same for us?
Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions, having a very great retinue and camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind.
And Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing hidden from Solomon that he could not explain to her.
And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,
the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, and their clothing, his cupbearers, and their clothing, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her.
And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom,
but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not told me; you surpass the report that I heard.
Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!
Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the Lord your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them forever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice and righteousness.”
Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There were no spices such as those that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
Moreover, the servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum wood and precious stones.
And the king made from the algum wood supports for the house of the Lord and for the king’s house, lyres also and harps for the singers. There never was seen the like of them before in the land of Judah.
And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what she had brought to the king. So she turned and went back to her own land with her servants.
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold,
besides that which the explorers and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land brought gold and silver to Solomon.
King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold; 600 shekels of beaten gold went into each shield.
And he made 300 shields of beaten gold; 300 shekels of gold went into each shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold.
The throne had six steps and a footstool of gold, which were attached to the throne, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests,
while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. Nothing like it was ever made for any kingdom.
All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon.
For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Hiram. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.
And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind.
Every one of them brought his present, articles of silver and of gold, garments, myrrh, spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year.
And Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.
And he ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt.
And the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah.
And horses were imported for Solomon from Egypt and from all lands.
Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, from first to last, are they not written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?
Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father, and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.
His temple
His wealth in his palace
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold,
besides that which the explorers and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land brought gold and silver to Solomon.
King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold; 600 shekels of beaten gold went into each shield.
And he made 300 shields of beaten gold; 300 shekels of gold went into each shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold.
The throne had six steps and a footstool of gold, which were attached to the throne, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests,
while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. Nothing like it was ever made for any kingdom.
All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon.
For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Hiram. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.
2 Ch 9:13-
If God takes care of the animals, don’t you think He will do the same for us?
If God takes care of the animals, don’t you think He will do the same for us?
He created us with His hand and in His image.
He breathed into us the breath of life.
He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us.
He promises to hear and answer our prayers.
The obvious answer is that if God takes care of the living things in nature, there is no doubt He cares for us.
Second, Have faith in God
Second, Have faith in God
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Mat 6:28-
Matthew 6:
Solomon was well known for his wealth
His temple
His wealth in his palace
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold,
besides that which the explorers and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land brought gold and silver to Solomon.
King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold; 600 shekels of beaten gold went into each shield.
And he made 300 shields of beaten gold; 300 shekels of gold went into each shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold.
The throne had six steps and a footstool of gold, which were attached to the throne, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests,
while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. Nothing like it was ever made for any kingdom.
All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon.
For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Hiram. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.
Faith is the opposite of worry!
Faith is the opposite of worry!
Faith and worry don’t go together.
We must trust God to care for us.
He must have faith in
His providence
The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition Providence
Providence is normally defined in Christian theology as the unceasing activity of the Creator whereby, in overflowing bounty and goodwill (Ps. 145:9 cf. Mt. 5:45–48), he upholds his creatures in ordered existence (Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3), guides and governs all events, circumstances and free acts of angels and men (cf. Ps. 107; Jb. 1:12; 2:6; Gn. 45:5–8), and directs everything to its appointed goal, for his own glory (cf. Eph. 1:9–12).
His provision
His provision
He actively works to meet our needs.
He knows our needs before we ever even ask.
Third, don’t worry
Third, don’t worry
Sounds like Bob Marley (3 little Birds) or Bobby McFerrin (don’t worry be happy)
BUT, there is good advice there.
“Don’t worry about a thing”
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Jesus directly tells us to stop worrying.
In fact, He says worry is the gentile thing to do.
Gentile refers to the pagans.
Those who didn’t believe in God
Strangers to Him
Fourth, Focus on Today
Fourth, Focus on Today
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Live in the hear and now, not worrying about tomorrow
Live in the hear and now, not worrying about tomorrow
Seek first:
His Kingdom & Righteousness
Make living for Him everyday your top priority.
Spend your time on Kingdom priorities and righteousness.
All these things will be provided
Live for Him today, and He will meet your needs.
Finally, Pray
Finally, Pray
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Prayer changes things.
When worry and anxiety creep in, pray!
Present your petitions to God with thanksgiving.
Notice the outcome:
Thanksgiving
God promises peace
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
God promises peace
Phil 4:
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Today, we have examined the problem with anxiety and seen Christs’ prescription for curing anxiety.
Are you anxious this morning?
What is weighing on your mind and soul today.
Bring that burden to the Lord and leave it in His capable hands.