Luke 12:22-34
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Stress/tension - Perception of pressure and how our body responds to it. good and bad.
Anxiety - Too much of it
Gk use - to be concerned, anxious; to be intent on or strive after; to be anxiously expectant; to brood, speculate.
Hover between fear and hope
Plural - used for the care of life that disrupts sleep, from which refuge is sought in love or substances.
We live it what has been called the age of anxiety
We live it what has been called the age of anxiety
Barna Study - The Connected Generation research (Young Adults)
Anxiety about important decisions, uncertainty about the future and fear of failure are among respondents’ most commonly reported emotions.
These worries are often tied up in vocation, relationship status or financial means
Hyper connected and emotionally invested in what’s going on around the world
Lack supportive connections
1/3 feel cared for by people around them
1/4 have feelings of loneliness and isolation
Good news: belonging to a faith community helps
Worry and Greed
Worry and Greed
Worry is afraid it may not have enough
Greed can never get enough
Not just about money or things
We worry about what feels important
Fear of the unknown
Pressure to succeed
Comparisons
Lack the things than benefit spiritual, relational and mental health.
What’s important owns our hearts
Going Deeper
Going Deeper
Turns to disciples who were experiencing anxiety, stress
O men of little faith…some had shown anxiety.
Living hand to mouth
Going deeper in what he just told the crowd
Luke 12:22–26 (ESV)
And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
Life is Swayed By Care
Life is Swayed By Care
NT - Usual Greek meaning.
Gk use - to be concerned, anxious; to be intent on or strive after; to be anxiously expectant; to brood, speculate.
Plural - used for the care of life that disrupts sleep, from which refuge is sought in love or substances.
Life is far bigger than the things of it
Life is far bigger than the things of it
Consider the lilies, 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.
Consider: ponder, study. Immerse yourself in; sensory perception with examination that leads to apprehending that You are more important than the dirty birds God provides for.
This is about holistic growth and maturity (discipleship). Discipleship is about entire well being.
Life Is Meant to Grow And Has Limits
Life Is Meant to Grow And Has Limits
Life span. Age; maturity. Span of life.
We like to challenge those limits; grow the results
80/20 principle
And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
About setting your heart on these things - the things that would grow or improve life.
Pay attention to them - we all need them but there’s a difference...
Setting Heart on them: Lining things up because afraid it may not have enough or because can never get enough
Right food
Right clothes
Right people, right friends
Right kinds of social media attention
right church
Right (fill in the blank)
Growth will happen wherever we are
Growth will happen wherever we are
Worry and anxiety is the one thing that can derail all of it
It is the enemy of growth, of life as God intends, of a good sense of well being.
God who takes care of our growth will take care of everything that goes into it (needs).
Here’s How to Live
Here’s How to Live
Seek his kingdom. Concentrate on all that the kingdom involves, its priorities, values, work.
Be people who have said yes to the rule of Jesus in their lives and produce the fruit (conduct) that is appropriate to it.
Healthy attitude toward the things of life
Yes, we have to work, etc but life cannot be made secure by worry, concern. To care for anything more than we care for the way of Jesus for life, leads to anxiety.
Ok to own and use things and money. Not ok for them to own us.
Can’t avoid having concerns.
Freedom from anxiousness can happens when surrendering it; trusting God with it not because he gives us everything we ask for but because in talking with him about these things (prayer) reorients us to his priorities; kingdom priorities; the priority of living life as he intends for us.
Invitation: Introduce your anxiety to Jesus.
Know someone who struggles with anxiety? Invite, draw others into that way of life. This is the way the kingdom grows.