Anxious For Nothing Part 1
Do You See What I See? 03/18/07 AM
Text and Reading: Matthew 6:25-34
[The main thoughts for this sermon and series are drawn from the writings of John MacArthur in his book: Anxious for Nothing.]
Introduction
A.Don’t Worry, Don’t Worry, Don’t Worry
1.Three times in these verses Jesus says, “Do not worry” (V25, 31, 35.) He asks two more times in between “Why worry?” (V27, 28.)
2.If you have the King James Version of the Bible, you’ll notice that it says, “Take no thought for your life.” From that translation some might get the idea that Christians shouldn’t plan for the future. But, of course, that’s not true.
3.In the days when King James commissioned the translation which bears his name, the accepted meaning of the word “thought” was closest to that of the world solicitude, (an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble.)
a.With this meaning in mind, “thought” answers very well to the meaning of the original Greek.
b.Like many other words, “thought” has somewhat changed its meaning over the years, and so today conveys a less accurate idea to most readers.
c.There is a difference between being concerned about the future (and making preparations and taking precautions) and being worried about the future.
4.The words “worry” or “anxiety” now more accuratly express the sense of the original Greek, and is precisely the thing against which the Savior would guard us.
Luke 8:14 “The {seed} which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of {this} life, and bring no fruit to maturity.”
Luke 21:34 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap;”
Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
a.The English word worry comes from an old German word meaning to strangle, or choke. Which is a clear picture of what worry does; a kind of mental and emotional strangulation, which manifests itself in mental and even physical affliction.
b.There is a degree of “thinking” about the things of this life which is proper.
1 Timothy 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
c.“Thought” about the future is right; “anxiety, solicitude, trouble” is wrong.
d.It is proper to have care of the future but it should not be our supreme concern; it should not lead to anxiety; it should not take time that ought to be devoted to seeking “His Kingdom and His Righteousness.”
B.God Wants Us Preoccupied With Him
1.Scripture tells us where our focus needs to be:
Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”
2.To free us to focus on Him, He says “Do not worry about the basics; I’ll take care of you.” Fully trusting in the Father dispels anxiety. And the more we know Him, the more we will trust in Him.
3.Commanded to be responsible (1 Timothy 5:8)
4.Scripture does not imply we should not have a savings account, invest in a retirement or own insurance and none of these things shows a lack of trust in God.
a.Such provisions from the Lord are reasonable safeguards in our society but must be balanced with Jesus’ command to “seek first His kingdom, and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33) and to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20).
5.If after showing proper care and planning, doing all you are able to do, you are still anxious, the Lord says “Don’t worry.”
6.He promises to provide all your needs, and He will:
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
What Jesus Says About Worry
C.Stop and Don’t Start
1.Notice that the verse 25 begins with “For this reason” (Therefore). We need to ask “For what reason?” which takes us back to the previous verse: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Jesus declares that a believer’s only Master is God. When the Bible says that God is our Lord, it means that He controls our lives, not us. When you worry, you stop trusting God and start trying to take control of your life.
2.Meaning of the word “worry” Greek
a.The verb merimnaō is from merizō, which means to divide or split into factions.
b.It is used here in the present imperative with the negative, Jesus is saying “if you are worrying then stop indulging yourself.” In verse 31 Jesus repeats the prohibition with a word tense shift (the ingressive aorist subjunctive) which implies “Do not start worrying,” “Do not grow anxious.”
3.Meaning of the work “life” Greek:
a.The noun psuchē refers to the soul, that as an essence which differs from the body and is not dissolved by death (distinguished from other parts of the body.)
b.Jesus is telling us to realize that life is more than this temporal world, and the food, clothing and shelter associated with it.
Jesus gives us three reasons for not worrying about this life:
Why He Says It
D.Worry is unnecessary because of your Father (vv. 26-30)
1. It’s as if Jesus says in these verses, “Have you forgotten who your Father is?”
a.If our concept of God is right and we know Him as Owner, Controller, and Provider and beyond that as a loving Father, than we know we have nothing to worry about.
b.Matthew 7:9-11 “Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”
2.God providence always cares for His own
a.V26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
b.Job 38:41 and Psalm 147:9 tell us that baby birds cry out to God for their food. Jesus tells us that their heavenly Father hears and provides for them.
c.This doe not imply idleness on our parts. You don’t see adult birds sitting around with their mouths open waiting for food to drop in (that is for baby birds, baby children, and teenagers.) Birds are fed by God through their instinct that tells tem where to find food. And they work hard at it. Birds don’t worry about where they are gong to find food; they just go about their business until they find it, and they always do because God is looking out for them.
d.And Jesus tells us we are worth much more to God than the birds Life is a gift from God. If God gives you the greater gift of life itself. Don’t you think He will give you the lesser gift of sustaining that life?
e.Keeping in mind that like a bird we have to work at life. The scriptures make that clear from the Old Testament to the New Testament.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.”
3.Worry is unable to accomplish anything productive
a.V27 says, “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?” As a trailing edge “Baby Boomer” I can attest that our culture is obsessed with trying to lengthen life. We exercise, eat carefully, supplement our diets with vitamins and minerals, get regular physical checkups, and do countless other such things.
b.Habits which can improve the quality and productivity of our lives, but they will not force God into extending our life’s span. Job 14:5 “Since his days are determined, The number of his months is with You; And his limits You have set so that he cannot pass.”
4.You can worry yourself to death, but not to life. Dr. Charles Mayo, of the famous Mayo Clinic, wrote, “I have never met a man or known a man to die of overwork, but I have known a lot who died of worry.”
E.Worry is unreasonable because of your faith (vv. 31-33).
1.You believe that God can save you from sin, take you to heaven, and keep you forever, so how can you not believe that God will take care of you the rest of your days on this earth?
2.Verses 31 and 32 say, “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”
3.We need to realize that when we worry we are no different than unbelievers. They don’t have a heavenly Father, so they have reason to worry. We have no excuse, though, for worrying. We know we have a Father who loves us.
4.But at times we act as if we are unbelievers. When we think like the world and crave like the world, we will worry like the world, because a mind that is not centered on God is a mind that has cause to worry.
a.Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
F.Worry is unwise because of your future (v. 34).
1.Jesus says in verse 34; “So (therefore) do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
a.So (therefore): because the Father knows and will provide.
b.Once again, Jesus isn’t saying, “Don’t plan for the future; He’s saying, “Don’t worry about the future.” Take things one day at a time.
c.Lamentations 3:22-23 “The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. {They} are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
God will meet our needs as He met the needs of the children of Israel in the wilderness – with what we need for today.
d.Psalm 118:24 “This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Don’t let worries about tomorrow rob you of your joy today!
e.Jesus says: “Don’t worry about how you’re going to handle the problems of tomorrow; focus on the problems of today. There is enough trouble in each day without adding the distress of worry to it.”
Replace Worry With The Right Focus
1.Instead of worrying about your future, Jesus says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (v. 33).
2.The Greek word used here for “first” is prōtos which means: first in time or place, in any succession of things or persons.
3.Our first concerns should be:
To seek God’s kingdom: Seek to let God rule in your life.
To seek God’s righteousness: Seek to do what is right according to God.
Conclusion
Jesus promises, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God promises to meet our needs for today, tomorrow and for every day. We need to see what Jesus has told us to see, the abundant evidence all around us of God’s care for the needs of His children. We need only trust in Him.
Invitation
