FIRST THINGS FIRST Matthew 6:24-34

I. STRAIGHT AND NARROW

· Over The last few weeks, months and years, you and I have read of or heard of some disturbing news stories from worldwide crisis, moral collapse of our society, inflation, COVID crisis, and the list goes.

· Possible you received some bad news this week from friends or family, or even had a conflict either at work or home.

· Maybe you are someone you know has drifted from God.

None of us are immune from giving into worry. God’s word is clear that we can avoid choosing to dive into despair.

The writer of the Proverbs gave a message to his son.

Proverbs 3:5–7 (NASB)

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

See, walking the straight and narrow has less to do with us keeping the rules but is more about how we trust God.

It is when we fail to trust God and instead chose to trust in ourselves that creates worry. We seek to fulfill our needs and desires on our own. We spend time pursuing things that are temporal.

Why is it we experiencing anxiousness? Could it be that we spend to much time seeking after the wrong things when we have available more than we need? We live a life of trying to keep up with the “best new thing.”

Listen to the words of the former Senator Elizabeth Dole

Life is not just a few years to spend on self-indulgence and career advancement. It is a privilege, a responsibility, a stewardship to be lived according to a much higher calling—God’s calling. This alone gives true meaning to life.[1]

The Bible calls us to follow the things of God. That is why we were created and that is the only place to find true contentment.

READ MATTHEW 6:24-32

II. TWO CHOICES

One real problem is that people are following the wrong person. Look what Jesus said.

Matthew 6:24 (NASB)

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

We do not like the thought of absolutes, but Jesus said that there are only two choices on who to serve, either God or mammon. Jesus uses the Greek word mammon here.

What is mammon? It is not just money or wealth, but it is the personification of such things. Literally, Jesus is saying that you are worshiping such things as a false God or idol. This is violating the first and second commandments

Exodus 20:3–6 (NASB)

3“You shall have no other gods before Me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.

5“You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Chasing the wrong things has generation effect on not only you, but your family. Children often grow up to be like mom and dad.

Billy Graham said, “Whatever you love most, be it sports, pleasure, business, or God, that is your god!”

Things you pursue more than God are false gods! God says that those who chase after idols are those who hate Him.

III. WHO ARE YOU SEEKING TO TRUST?

So, why do we pursue after things? Why do we worry? Could it be that we don’t really trust God?

Look what Jesus says next.

Matthew 6:25 (NASB)

“For this reason, I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?

“For what reason?” when you pursue the wrong things it brings worry.

Life can give us much to worry about. In this passage the word worry is referenced six times.

Please do not think Jesus is telling us to have a “I don’t care about anything attitude.” He is not, and Scripture teaches otherwise. We should show concern about people and things to the point of it driving us to our knees.

Paul had concern about the churches he served: 2 Corinthians 11:28-29 (NASB) 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?

God has also given us common sense and instruction about everyday life.

· You lock your house when you leave.

· You go to the storm cellar when a tornado comes.

· You wear your safety belt in the car.

· You follow the advice and treatment that the doctor gives you.

These are not the things that He is not telling us to ignore.

Sometimes we do those things and bad things still happen.

It is good to have concerns.

This includes concerns about:

· Our Family

· Our Country

· Our Friends

· Our Neighbors.

We pray accordingly knowing HE is still in control.

Jesus is telling us to avoid worry that is self-centered.

When you choose worry you are choosing to ignore God and His provision for your life.

Rick Warren said, “Worry is practical atheism. Every time you worry, you are acting like an unbeliever.”

What is it we worry about?

We typically worry about our

· Life,

· Possessions, and

· Our well-being.

Yet it is these things we are told to trust God for.

What does our life in general consist of?

Our health. Our sustenance. Our emotional well-being.

I surely do not suffer from lack of food. When I went to West Africa, the look at an American as being blessed. Why? Because we are well fed.

David said this:

Psalm 37:25 (NASB) I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.

1 Timothy 4:8 (NASB) for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

IV. FIRST THINGS FIRST

Matthew 6:33-34 (NASB) 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.

Jesus addressed our priorities. Our priorities will tell a lot about who we are and what is important to us.

Are you seeking God in your family or does it become an issue of your rights and your needs only.

Look again at verse 33. We are not only to seek “His” kingdom but “His” righteousness.

We read this verse and often miss that part. What does it mean “His righteousness?”

Look at what Paul said to the church at Corinth. Remember that this church was very dysfunctional.

2 Corinthians 5:20–21 (NASB)

20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

21He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

One thing that happened when Christ died, He became our substitute. Not only has He become our righteousness, in the process we become more like Him.

God’s purpose in saving you is to conform you into the likeness of His Son. Philippians 3:12-14 (NASB) 12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do:forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what liesahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

V. WHO IS YOUR MASTER?

We like to think in terms of fence sitting when it comes to our earthly lives. God leaves no room for anyone but Himself. It is said that those who sit on the fence belong to Satan, because Satan owns the fence.

What you are seeking and what you worry about says much about who you serve.

Could it be said that the number one issue in the church is that we have fence sitters? These are those who refuse to make Jesus Lord and Master of their lives. When you came to Christ that is what you committed to do.

Romans 14:10-11 (NASB) 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD."

[1]Citation: Elizabeth Dole, in an address at the National Prayer Breakfast