The Worldliness of Worry

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2001061

Subject: worry; sermon on the mount

Preached Originally: 11/04/01 – Rapid City, SD

 

Introduction:

A.    New section of Sermon on the Mount – but still dealing w/worldliness.

1.    19:24 – deal w/laying up treasures on earth.

2.    25-34 – dealing w/worry about them.

B.    Christians beware!  Satan wants you to think about this world.  To love it.  To lay up treasures here.

1.    Causes us to worry a/b things we need not to.

2.    Worry only seems natural.  Esp. among Americans.  Seems like it almost a “human” thing – part of life’s experience.

3.    But…Jesus does not treat this matter lightly.

4.    It is pictured as a subtle form of worldliness – Jesus treats it under the heading of materialism.

C.   Satan cares little as to whether we consumed w/greed or obsessed w/worry – as long as our minds are set on things – rather than God!

1.    This why Jesus stresses the point by repeating 3 times in 10 verses – not to worry!

2.    6:25; 31; 34 – note His urgency!

3.    We must be aware of the danger that fretfulness over the necessities of life holds for us.

4.    Let’s look at Jesus’ thoughts on this matter:

 

I.  A look at the terms used:

A.    6:25 – do not be worried.

1.        Gk. Wd merimnate.  Term suggests, “being drawn in two directions; to be distracted & therefore anxious; troubled.”

2.        Same word used to report Jesus’ description of Martha’s state of mind when preoccupied w/cooking – Lk. 10:41

3.        Mt. 13:22 – wd also used when talking about those who choked by the cares of this world.

B.    God and His will can be driven from the heart when we live in constant fear that at any moment we could be deprived of life’s necessities.

C.   When Jesus said do not be worried he did not mean:

1.        to advocate irresponsibility.

2.        Some no worry/thoughts about the future at all – they just live by faith and trust in the Lord.

3.        Must not interpret so as to take away personal responsibility.

 

II.  Some General Thoughts…

A.    Jesus dealing w/life.  What we eat/our body/what we wear.

1.    Includes – whole of life – health/strength/success.

2.    6:25 – notice Jesus’ question: is not life more than food & the body more than clothing?

3.    What does this mean?  Life is a gift from God!  If God gave us this great gift – will He not see that it is sustained?

4.    This argument found throughout Scripture.

B.    Rom. 8:31-32

1.    If God gave us the body – surely He will take care of something like clothing/etc.

2.    Could this be the reason for the question in 6:30b?

C.   God has a purpose for our lives!  He is in charge!

1.    He does not start something & then turn it loose!

2.    Heb. 11 – Noah; Abraham; Moses

a)     They had confidence in God.  He would not leave them nor forsake them – but lead and sustained them.

b)     This is why they were so successful spiritually.

 

III.  An even closer look:

A.     6:26 – birds of the air.  Draws attention to them & then draws two vital deductions.

1.    6:26b – God feeds them.

2.    They have something to eat.

3.    Note phrase: your Heavenly Father.  God not just our Creator – He = our Father!

a)    He provides for all men – Mt. 5:45

b)    But He also provides for His children in a special way.

B.    6:26c – are you not worth much more than they?

1.    We important b/c we bear the image of God.

2.    We = important b/c we = His children.  He sent His Son to die for us!

C.    6:27 – worry = futile!

1.    Why?

2.    No one can add one hour to his life.  Not even a second.

a)    it = all in the hands of God.

b)    Despite medical process – it cannot control extent of life.

3.    Conclusion:  don’t worry – do what He expects – leave the rest in His hands.

a)    Do your best & let God take care of the rest.

D.    6:28 – worried about clothing?  Look at the flowers in the field.

1.    Beauty/perfection – Solomon’s riches could not compare.

2.    6:30 – will He not much more clothe you?

a)    Grass of the field passing.

b)    It is cut/dried & then burned.

3.    But – we are eternal beings.  We belong not to time but eternity.

4.    Jesus asks: why do we make our effort to gain lifes provisions such an agonizing struggle – a struggle that winds up consuming our whole personality.

5.    His answer: 6:30b – b/c we have so little confidence in God.

 

Conclusion:

A.      When we b/c anxious a/b the future – keep in mind Paul’s words in Rom. 8:31-32

1.     do people who are ruled by anxious fear over what they are going to eat, drink, and wear really believe that Jesus died for their sins?

B.      The art of teaching = art of repetition.

C.     Jesus stressed repeatedly the importance of keeping our eye fixed upon God & not the things of this world.

D.     6:33-34

E.      I N V I T A T I O N