Live One Day at a Time

Open Text to Matthew 6:25-34

Matthew 6:25–34 NASB95

25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

INTRODUCTION

CENTRAL IDEA: Worry—Anxiety: do not worry—live one day at a time.

The believer is not to be preoccupied with tomorrow and its affairs. He is to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness today, leaving tomorrow and its needs in God’s hands.Christ is not forbidding a man to take care of tomorrow. He is striking at man’s obsession with getting more and more and ignoring and neglecting God and His righteousness.

Thought 1.

There are five attitudes about the future.

(1) A no-care, worldly attitude.

A person eats, drinks, and is merry today, letting tomorrow take care of itself. The future is of little concern. It will take care of itself. Earthly pleasure, power, and fame are the major concerns of life. He needs to get all he can now, while he can.

(2) A fretful, anxious attitude.

A person worries all the time, wondering if he is secure and if he will have enough to take care of himself and his family.

(3) A fearful, panicky attitude.

In the face of trial and failure, a person can barely function. Tragedy has hit: his job is lost, cutbacks have to be made, adjustments are needed. The strength and confidence to act and to continue on is lacking.

(4) A self-assured attitude.

A person has complete confidence in himself and his ability. He knows he can make out and take care of himself in this world, and he does it. But there is one thing that this person fails to see, and it is fatal: the confidence that he has in himself will end. He will die, and he will only have taken care of himself for a few short years. He will find out that self-confidence cannot bridge the great gulf between heaven and earth, time and eternity, God and man.

(5) A calm God-centered and trusting attitude.

A person goes about living and working ever so diligently and calmly, trusting God to take care of all. He does all he can about the necessities of life, both for himself and for others, but he seeks God and His righteousness first (Ep. 4:28).

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” (Mt. 6:25).

“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful” (Mt. 13:22).

“And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind” (Lu. 12:29).

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkneness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares” (Lu. 21:34).

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Ph. 4:6–7).

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Pe. 5:7).

CONCLUSION

Tony Evans Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More Than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking Worry

A MAN was in a hurry to catch an airplane. He ran, huffing and puffing, down toward his gate. He passed a guy who was dressed in a pilot’s uniform. The guy said to the breathless man, “Where are you in a hurry to?”

“Oh,” the man said, “I am late for my plane. I don’t want to miss my plane.” He proceeded to tell the guy what flight he was hurrying to.

The uniformed man said, “Don’t be in a hurry, I am piloting that plane.”

If the pilot is chilling, you chill too. Don’t stress yourself out about things unnecessarily. Wait on God and trust that if He’s taking His time, you can too.1056