Sermon Central
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Worry? That’s For The Birds!
Contributed by John Gaston on Jul 31, 2019 (message contributor)
Summary: Birds and flowers are two of the small creations Jesus cites as examples of God's care and provision. His idea is, "If God cares about them, how much more does He care about you?" So why are we worrying?
WORRY? THAT’S FOR THE BIRDS!
Matt. 6:25-34
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
1. A guide was conducting a group of tourists around the Empire State building. On the elevator ride to the 102nd floor, a nervous woman asked, "What if these elevator cables should break? Would we go up or down?" "That," the guide said, "depends entirely on the kind of life you've been living."
Church, when you ride an elevator, do you worry that the cables might break? If you don't, it's a matter of faith. It's a matter of faith in something or someone.
2. An airplane flew into a violent storm and was soon swaying and bouncing around. One very nervous lady happened to be sitting next to a preacher. She said, "You're a Man of God. Can't you do something about this?" He replied, "Sorry, ma'am, I'm in sales, not management."
Have you flown anywhere lately? Does it make you nervous? If not, is because you have faith in the plane, the pilot, or the greater Pilot.
B. TEXT
25 “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? 26 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? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers (Kjv -lilies) of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 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? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
C. THESIS
1. Do any of you ever worry about anything? I know that sounds like a stupid question but when I asked that, something probably popped into your head.
2. Right now I want you to think of the one thing you worry about most. Picture that thing in your head. It could be money, your job, your car, house, health, grades, anything.
3. I am a person who worries. I’ve worried about everything from toys, to girls, to jobs, to church issues. I’ve always worried about something, but it isn’t really necessary.
4. The Lord Jesus told us to look at birds and flowers as examples of God’s provision and care. Before we leave tonight, I’m going to ask you 3 questions, the answer of
which should end your fears for good.
5. Title of this message: “Worry? That’s for the Birds!”
I. LIFE FOR US HUMANS
A. WORRIES ABOUT OUR LIVES AND BODIES
1. FIRST WORRY: OUR LIVES.
a. The Lord Jesus says “do not worry about your life…” We have a lot of worries about our lives;
b. Am I going to be able to make ends meet? Will I be able to pay my rent/mortgage, find a husband, pay my student debt, have a child, will I remain healthy? The stuff that hits you week in and week out.
2. SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO WORRY!
a. “I always feel bad when I feel good because I know I’ll feel bad after a while.”
b. One lady said she liked worrying, because if she didn’t do that, she’d be bored.
c. One man claimed that since 90% of what you worry about doesn’t happen, that was proof that worrying works!
d. Someone said, “If you have no ulcers, you’re not carrying your share of the load!”
3. SECOND WORRY: OUR BODIES.
a. Men and women worry about their looks: their clothes, their hair, their makeup, their accessories. We all want to give a good appearance. The focus is to look good.
b. The majority of us (56%) take between 11 and 30 minutes getting ready every morning. 21% men take over 30 minutes and 38% women do. If you figure an average of 30 min./day, that’s 1½ years of your (70) life! Add in hair salons and finger/toe nails – prob. 2 years of your life!
