Matthew 6:31-34 / Don't Be Anxious (part 3)
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
(Point of clarification):
We have been talking about anxiety in regard to specific examples.
The text has specifically pointed to Food, clothing
Material things vs Spiritual things.
Even material necessities.
Does this mean, “Don’t sweat the small stuff!”?
· Phil 4:6 “Do not be anxious about ANYTHING…”
· 1 Pet 5:7 “… casting ALL your anxieties on him…”
For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
Uses gentiles to make this point.
To them the comparison would automatically make sense.
Gentiles = bad
We need to work at it a little harder maybe.
Gentiles
Didn’t know God (pagan)
Not that they weren’t “spiritual”
They worship several false gods.
But they didn’t know THE ONE TRUE GOD.
“Seek after all these things.”
Not just that they desired them – more than that.
This controlled their life to the point of anxiety.
“Your heavenly Father knows that we need them all!”
(illustration) “Can you fix my kite Mr. Smith?”
Becca’s kindergarten class having Kite DAY
Lined up and I would put their kites together
Little girls waiting while I fixed a tricky one.
Teacher said, “Hey can you please get her kite? I know that look”
The little girl didn’t know me.
She was increasingly worried I would forget her.
Becca on the other hand, might have seemed oblivious
She wasn’t… Kite was important to her too
She just knew that I would take care of it.
Being anxious about these material things is actually pointless.
Being anxious about these material things is actually pointless.
For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
“knows you need them ALL”
You all remember how Jesus would know things about people
Nathanael praying…
Samaritan woman had 5 husbands…
With Jesus you have the holy trinity
God Father, Son, Holy Spirit
God knows that you need them ALL
God knows what you need! (Even before you do)
Why does Jesus want me to pray about something God already knows about? Relationship
In the garden that relationship was broken
God set in motion a way for it to be restored.
If you want to know how important that relationship is to God
Just look at the cross.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“But” – shows us that Jesus is making a contrast.
In this contrast we get advice on what we ARE supposed to do.
Make an observation to help clarify Jesus’ point here.
When Jesus just said,
“Don’t be like the gentiles and seek after these things…
Wouldn’t it be fair to say,
“The Jews were doing the same thing.”
All the festivals, offerings, rules for living etc…
Wasn’t it to be blessed by God.
That’s what they made it into…wasn’t supposed to be their motivation.
If a person is doing all this activity “for God”
To increase their likelihood of blessings.
Then they are really doing it for THEMSELVES.
If you are…
Attending festivals
Offering appointed sacrifices
Living a pious life according to the Law
Attending church
Leading a small group
If we are doing all of this SO THAT we are blessed
· Who are you really doing it for?
Instead of living for these material things…
Seek first the Kingdom of God.
“… all these things will be added to you.”
If you desire to be blessed
Don’t seek after the blessing
Seek after God and His activity around you
Then you would receive blessings.
Being anxious about these material things is actually misguided.
Being anxious about these material things is actually misguided.
Being anxious about these material things is actually useless.
Being anxious about these material things is actually useless.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
(illustration) “Anxiety doesn’t take a vacation”
We still talk about the kids
We still need to eat everyday
A worry-free day sounds good
But it’s not reality.
Closing…
This reminds me of the temporary nature of our lives.
There is one eternal reality in your life
That is your soul.
EVERYTHING else is temporary.
Jesus’ parable about the “Rich Fool” LUKE 12
Doing great so he built bigger barns
Jesus said “you fool, this night your life will be demanded of you.”
What will you do when your life is taken from you?
“Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
What will you do when your world collapses.
Isn’t life a house of cards
EVERYONE OF US WILL BE LIKE THAT BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL IN KINDERGARTEN.
Will you be overcome with anxiety wondering who will take care of this for me. Will I be forgotten
Or will you rest easy because you know your father in heaven
And you know there is no need to worry.