Sermon October 12th – Matthew 6:19-34
Think: What do you worry about?
Reasons not to worry about, not be anxious about.
- what we worry about may not be as important as we think 25. Worry is unnecessary, even for the hard working.
- Worry/Anxiety serves no useful purpose 27. It may paralyse you to act in the present.
- Worry is essentially a failure to trust God. “Little faith”
- Question: how does a lack of faith lead to a load of worry?
- We are not in control. We experience a sense of weakness. This weakness can become an advantage. “If dependence is the goal then weakness is an advantage.” David Robbins. The root cause of worry is ‘little faith’ 30. John Stott says “Worry is useless. Anxious care cannot add a single hour to life. The past cannot be changed. The future cannot be charted. So why worry about things you cannot control.”
- Worry is not a little weakness we all give way to from time to time. It is a sin that is strictly forbidden. R. H. Mounce says, ‘Worry is practical atheism and an affront to God’,
- Worry is blind! What does Jesus tell us to do in verses 26, 28? How does this help counter worry? Jesus argues from the lesser to the greater: if he cares for the birds, flowers, creation then much more for his children. Twice we read that “your Heavenly Father” knows and cares. Is God your Heavenly Father in Christ?
Illustration mentioned at John Stott’s book mentioned below:
– There is, in the life of the fourteenth-century German mystic Johann Tauler, a remarkable story that shows something of the attitude Jesus was looking for in his disciples. One day Tauler met a beggar. ‘God give you a good day, my friend,’ he said.
The beggar answered, ‘I thank God I never had a bad one.’ Then Tauler said, ‘God give you a happy life, my friend.’ ‘I thank God’, said the beggar, ‘that I am never unhappy.’ In amazement Tauler asked, ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Well,’ said the beggar, ‘when it is fine I thank God. When it rains I thank God. When I have plenty I thank God. When I am hungry I thank God. And, since God’s will is my will, and whatever pleases him pleases me, why should I say I am unhappy when I am not?’ Tauler looked at the man in astonishment. ‘Who are you?’ he asked. ‘I am a king,’ said the beggar. ‘Where, then, is your kingdom?’ asked Tauler. The beggar replied quietly, ‘In my heart.’
Does Jesus reign in your heart whatever the circumstances? Reflect on Philippians 4:6-7 and 4:10-20, notice the word “peace” and “contentment”
For further study:
The sermon on the Mount by John Stott (with study guide)
The Lord’s Prayer by Tim Chester (bible study guide for small groups)
