Matthew 6:25-34, The Antidote for Worry

Text: Matthew 6:25-34

Series Theme: Sermon on the Mount

Title: The Antidote for Worry

Introduction: The definition for ANTIDOTE is a medicine taken or given to counteract a particular poison!

There are so many diseases and sicknesses in the world that there are no cures for, until it could put a person in a dungeon of depression. Diseases like cancer and AIDS that have no cure and cause hurt and pain to the sufferer and those who have a relationship with those with said diseases and sicknesses. A silent killer today is worry. Worry is a dreaded disease. Some of us today have the symptoms/signs of this dreaded disease – hair loss, ulcers acting up, can’t sleep at night (when was the last time you had a good night’s rest?), always on edge-the least small thing frustrates us – these are symptoms. Some are worried about…finances, baby mama drama, baby daddy drama, sickness…do I have this or do I have that, is my husband happy, is my wife happy, is my husband coming home early tonight, will I have job tomorrow, is my child going to ever grow up, will child learn how to make it own his or her own, how will I pay my bill, is my car going to get repossessed today, will my lights be on when I get home…some people cannot even sleep because of worry. Looks like you have it—the disease of worry. It has been diagnosed/identified. Here is the prognosis/probable course and outcome of the disease..here are some things about worry & what it can/will do for you: (25) keeps you from enjoying what you have; (26) makes you forget your worth; (27) worry is completely useless; (30-31) erases the promises of God from your mind; & (32a) it is characteristic of unbelievers, not of Christians. Now that we have identified the symptoms, the disease itself, the diagnosis, and the prognosis…the purpose of the sermon is to see if there is a cure for the dreaded disease of worry/anxiety. God wants us to trust Him supremely—trust Him solely—trust Him simply!

God has, and IS the ANTIDOTE (a medicine taken or given to counteract a particular poison)!

Trust God (32b)

To trust God is more than a mental or verbal assent…it is total dependence on God. (Prov. 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path.”)

God knows what you need. (Phil. 4:19, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”)

Seek God (first) (33a)

First things first – it’s about priority – Mt. 6:24, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” “…notice Jesus said we ‘we cannot serve both God and money.’ ‘He didn’t say ‘should not’ or ‘might not want to attempt to’; he said ‘cannot.’ Jesus teaches us that competing values cannot coexist. One will overwhelm the other.” (The Relationships Principles of Jesus, Tom Holladay)

Seek - to seek (i. e. in order to find out) by thinking, meditating, reasoning; to inquire into; seek for, aim at, strive after; to seek in order to find—with the intention of finding

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God…seek the reign and rule of the Kingdom of God…and you can’t have a kingdom without a King. Seek the King’s will. Seek the King! (Isaiah 55:6, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near…”) (Colossians 3:1-2, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” KJV; The Message translates it like this, “So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.”)

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (cp. Luke 11:9)

Seek God’s Righteousness (33b)

Seek/Desire what’s right. (Isaiah 55:7, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”)

Conclusion (33c) – These things will be added/supplied/provided in God’s timing.

Ira Stanphill was

an accomplished musician and minister.

served with 9 different organizations in the capacities of youth director, music director

preached across America, and in 40 other countries.

On April 23, 1939, he married Zelma Lawson. Zelma, a minster’s daughter, was a gifted musician who “played piano by ear and accompanied her parents on a local radio program.” Ira and Zelma had a son, Ray.

For years, Zelma traveled with Ira and joined him in serving the Lord as they shared the gospel in one crusade after another.

However, life was no perfect and Zelma eventually became disillusioned with the life they had created. Zelma eventually decided that ministry was not for her and left Ira. He is said to be devastated and continued to try to reconcile with her, remain true to his vows and forgive her.

The couple were divorced on October 7, 1948, after almost a decade of marriage. There are varying accounts surrounding their separation including longing to become a celebrity, addiction and other men. What is clear is that the marriage did not last. Zelma would eventually marry John E. Cowan.

Sadly, Zelma died in a car accident on February 12, 1951.

During the years of separation, divorce and her death, Ira is said to have sunk into a deep depression.

Then, he wrote the lyrics to a song that said….

I don't know about tomorrow,

I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from its sunshine,

For its skies may turn to gray.

I don't worry o'er the future,

For I know what Jesus said,

And today I'll walk beside Him,

For He knows what is ahead.

Refrain:

Many things about tomorrow,

I don't seem to understand;

But I know who holds tomorrow,

And I know who holds my hand.

God has the ANTIDOTE!

Worry: John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me…”

A broken heart: Psalm 147:3-6, “He heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! The LORD supports the humble, but he brings the wicked down into the dust.”

A broken heart: Psalms 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Fear: 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Doubt: Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.”

Loneliness: Matthew 28:20, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Loneliness: Joshua 1:5b, “I will not leave you, nor forsake (abandon) you.”

Hurt: Isaiah 53:4-5, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Sin: 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Lost Soul: John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”