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…Today people everywhere both inside and outside the church seemed to be
gripped by __worry__. We tend to worry about all sorts of things.
This may be the most common __sin__ among God’s children. This
should not be so.
…One man writes, “Worry is a symptom of deep spiritual sickness.” He is
probably right. You __never__ find the Lord Jesus worrying.
Not even as He faced His arrest and death upon the cross. He completely
__trusted__ His Father.
…Jesus presents His second warning regarding personal failures that deprive us
as Christians of spiritual victories: We are to live a worry __free__
life, with the proper ambition, and God promises to care for __all__ of
our needs.
TWO OPPOSITE LIFE AMBITIONS COMPETING FOR YOUR DAILY
PARTICIPATION.
I. You,
As A Christian, Are Not To Live For The Main Purpose Of Providing For Your
Material Needs…
for this is a
__false__ and demeaning reason to live.
(vv.25-32)
…If you do, your life will be filled with all sorts of worry.
A. Jesus
tells us three times in this passage to stop worrying. (vv25, 31, 34)
“You are God’s…” The word “worry” comes from the German word, “to
__choke__,”
it is a kind of mental and emotional strangulation. Spurgeon,
“food, drink, and clothes are the world’s trinity of cares.”
B. Life
consists of
__far__
more than these basic needs.
…Yet, if you read most popular magazines, they tells us that eating, drinking,
and clothing is the essence of life. Jesus tells that there is much more
to life than this __low__ level of existence.
…We are not to just __live__ to live. This is animal-like.
God has intended much more for us.
…This betrays a false view of human beings, as if they were only __bodies__
needing to be fed, clothed, and housed. God intended so much more for a
man’s life.
C. Jesus’
cure, He points us to two things in God’s creation
__reminding__
us of God’s provision. (26-30)
1.
The
__birds__
do not have an elaborate system for food production, yet our Father in heaven
cares for them. (v 26) Our God is a wonderful
__provider__!
…You are much more valuable than the
birds…
…Your worrying will not even add __one__ hour to your life. (v
27) Your life is indestructible until God is done with it here on earth.
2.
The
__flowers__
of the field are beautifully clothed by our Father. (v 28)
…Yet, they last such a very brief time…
…The contrast, you will exist __forever__. Wow! God
will take __care__ of you. Don’t worry!
D. If
you chose to live on this low level of existence, then you will be like the
__ungodly__
who do not have a Heavenly Father who cares for them. (vv31-32)
…”the pagans run after these things.” They know of nothing else
to pursue…
…Don’t live this way, for God knows of all your needs. Have you __forgotten__
Who your Father is? He __owns__ everything, He controls everything, and
__delights__ in providing for His children.
II. You,
As A Christian, Are To Live First And Foremost For The Lord Our God (vv33-34)
We are to
be
__busy__ in kingdom work and growing to be like our God.
(righteousness)
…If you do this, your life will be filled with deep __contentment__,
which is the very opposite of worry.
A.
Jesus commands us to live differently from the unsaved crowd. “But you”
B. The
chief drive in your life should be to live daily under the authority of the
King and to see His
__work__
(kingdom) extended in every possible way. (at home, school, work…)
C. Remember:
Jesus gives us the
__cure__
to worry:
1.
This promise of
provision is for
__Christians__
only…God’s children. Not for others.
2.
If saved, you
must
__add__
to your salvation all you can learn about God’s nature and His ability to care
for His people. Jesus (Matt 11:28-30) “Come unto me, all
you…”
…this will cause you to grow __strong__ in your faith, knowing that He
is able…
3.
Finally, you
need to get into the habit of
__turning__
to God whenever you feel worry approaching. Your reaction to trouble
should be like a conditioned
__reflex__.
(1Peter 5:7)
D. Don’t
even worry about tomorrow, for your Father will care for your tomorrows.
(v.34)
…God gives us grace, but __one__ day at a time. Worry
reveals our __distrust__ of our heavenly Father.
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1. Flowers
and birds teach us that God will provide, all that we need! "Look" and
"Consider"
2.
Never-never forget who your Father is!!! Fix your eye on Him!!
3.
One condition to this great promise: you must seek first His work and grow to be
like Him!
4. You must
not even worry about the length of your life -keep casting your burdens on the
Lord.
5.
This promise is not for you if you're not a Christian: Today, receive the Savior
who died for Sin!
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