Encourages replacing worry with trust in God's provision, focusing on His Kingdom, and finding wholeness through prioritizing heavenly matters.
Good morning, dear friends. In the words of Billy Graham, "God doesn’t want us to be consumed with worry and anxiety . . . Instead, He wants us to turn our worries over to Him, and to trust Him for the future." It is my prayer that today, as we gather in this sacred space, we will not only learn about God but also experience the joy and peace that comes from truly trusting Him.
Let us turn our hearts to the words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 6, verses 25-33:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
In this passage, Jesus invites us to a life of trust, a life of faith, a life where our worries are replaced by the peace of knowing that we are cared for by a loving Father. We are called to a life where our focus is not on the things of this world, but on the Kingdom of God.
Our sermon today will focus on three main points. First, we will discuss the Worthlessness of Worry. Second, we will consider the Wisdom in Seeking the Kingdom. And finally, we will reflect on achieving Wholeness through Heavenly Priorities.
As we prepare to delve into these truths, let us bow our heads in prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today with open hearts and minds. We pray for your guidance as we seek to understand your Word. Help us to let go of our worries and trust in your provision. May our focus be on your Kingdom and your righteousness. And may the peace that surpasses all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Let’s get started!
In the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of worries. We worry about our jobs, our families, our health, our finances, and the list goes on. We find ourselves trapped in a cycle of anxiety and stress, constantly preoccupied with the what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. But what does Jesus say about this? In the passage we just read, Jesus presents a different perspective. He tells us not to worry about our lives, what we will eat or drink, or about our bodies, what we will wear. He points us to the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, reminding us of God's provision for them. If God takes care of these, won't He take care of us too?
Nature is taken care of: The birds of the air do not sow or reap or store away in barns, yet they are fed. They don't worry about where their next meal will come from. They don't stress over the changing seasons or the availability of food. They simply live, trusting in the provision of their Creator. Similarly, the flowers of the field don't worry about their appearance. They don't fret over their colors or their shapes. They don't compare themselves to the other flowers around them. They simply bloom, displaying the beauty that their Creator has given them.
A reminder for us: If God cares for the birds and the flowers, how much more will He care for us? We are, after all, much more valuable to Him. This is not to say that life will be free from challenges or difficulties. But it does mean that we can trust in God's provision and care for us.
The futility of worry: Jesus asks, "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" The answer, of course, is no. Worrying doesn't change our circumstances. It doesn't solve our problems. It doesn't add to our lives. In fact, it does the opposite. It robs us of our peace, our joy, and our ability to fully live in the present moment. Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere. It consumes our energy, our time, and our thoughts, leaving us drained and exhausted. It distracts us from what truly matters, causing us to miss out on the blessings and opportunities that are right in front of us.
The misplaced focus that often accompanies worry: When we worry, our focus is on our problems, our needs, and our desires. We become consumed with trying to control and manipulate our circumstances, forgetting that we are not in control. Jesus tells us not to worry, saying, "For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them." Our Heavenly Father knows what we need. He is aware of our situations. He is not oblivious to our struggles. And He promises to provide for us.
The alternative: Instead of worrying, Jesus tells us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. This is where our focus should be. Not on our problems, but on God. Not on our needs, but on His kingdom. Not on our desires, but on His righteousness.
The promise that accompanies a life free from worry: Jesus tells us, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." When we put God first, when we seek His kingdom and His righteousness, He promises to provide for our needs. This doesn't mean that we will never face difficulties or challenges. It doesn't mean that we will always have everything we want. But it does mean that we can trust in God's provision. It means that we can live with a sense of peace and contentment, knowing that our Heavenly Father is taking care of us.
As we continue to reflect on the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 6, we find ourselves drawn to the command, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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