Sermon Tone Analysis

July 19, 2015

*Intro* – A guy goes to his psychiatrist and says, “Sometimes I think I’m a tepee; sometimes I think I’m a wigwam.”

The psychiatrist says, “Your problem is simple -- you’re two tents!”

Pretty universal these days!

Someone said, “If you can keep your head while all about you are losing theirs -- you’re probably not paying attention!”

Isn’t it ironic that while we are the most affluent society in history, we are also the most stressed out, worried and anxiety-ridden society in history!

No worry goes unnamed, undefined, undiagnosed or unmedicated.

Yet relief is unattainable.

Why?

Because humanistic philosophy has defined God out of existence – at least in terms of having an active interest in our existence.

But that has significant implications.

It is terrifying to think that no one is home guiding meaningless cosmic processes that are going nowhere! Pile on the stress of daily life and no wonder we have anxiety disorders driving a $55 billion psychological and counseling business.

The solution to anxiety is in Heb 12:1-2: “. . .

let us also lay aside every weight (worry), and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”

Trust a great God and anxiety has to leave the building.

On the other hand, coddle anxiety and we diminish and deny God.

How?

*I.

Destroys God’s Peace (22, 29, 32)* – The very word “anxious” means to be fragmented, distracted, looking for answers everywhere but God.

*II.

Defies God’s Perspective (23)* – God’s view is v. 23, “For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.”

If this life is all there is, then survival would be the greatest good.

But Jesus has come from beyond to testify to an eternal existence which changes everything.

*III.

Devalues God’s Provisions (24, 27-28)* – Anxiety rejects God’s provisions in favor of my own definition of what I need.

All the time God has provided what I really need to accomplish His mission for my life.

*IV.

Denies God’s Providence (27) *– Worry tries to control things outside our control.

Time wasted on such things is a denial of God’s providential care in my life.

Now, let’s look at the last 3.

*V.

Disavows God’s Parenthood (30)*

30) For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.”

Fascinating!

Why does Jesus suddenly start talking about the nations?

He’s reminding these disciples that they are different.

The nations don’t have a Father to supply their needs.

They should worry.

Their anxiety is well-placed.

They’re on their own.

They should worry from sun-up to sundown and then wake up in the middle of the night to worry some more.

They have no heavenly Father.

They are alone in the universe!

But it’s totally different for believers!

“Your Father knows that you need them [food and clothing].”

Quit living like the rest of the world.

Anxiety disavows God’s Fatherhood.

You look like the unbeliever who has no recourse when you have the greatest Father ever.

So live like it!

Pursue His agenda and not only will you increase your happiness exponentially, not only will you fulfill your God-ordained mission and find meaning in life, you’ll be laying up treasure in heaven.

Why get to the end of a worry-filled life only to find that everything your worried about was in your salvation package the whole time.

You wasted your worried life away.

Wouldn’t that be a bummer?! Going to happen to a lot of people who are disavowing their heavenly Father.

When believers cherish the same ambitions, chase the same goals, utilize the same manipulations, attend the same parties, read the same literature, prefer the same songs, suffer the same anxieties and pursue the same remedies as the world, something is drastically wrong.

They either really are not part of the family at all, or they are living as tho they were not.

We have Phil 4:19: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

So why worry?

“Your Father knows that you need them,” and He has promised to supply them.

Why worry?

I’ll tell you why.

It’s because we’re pursuing our agenda, not His.

We should worry.

We’ve left the embrace of the Father to pursue the world’s agenda.

We should worry!

My first day of school.

We lived on a farm near Columbus, NE, and I headed off to District 54 -- a country school of 25 farm kids from K-8.

The school was about a mile from home, most of what was a lane from our house to the main road.

It was an adventure as I started out, lunch pail in hand.

But the farther I went, the more I began to consider ominous possibilities – like our neighbor’s vicious black angus bull.

It was no idle concern.

I had seen that bull get loose, wander up to our farm and pick a fight with our normally docile Hereford, Oaky.

It was scary stuff to watch that fight, so the longer I walked that morning, the more I remembered and the slower I went.

And the slower I walked, the more I thought about that bull getting out until pretty soon, I wasn’t headed toward school at all.

I was headed back home as fast as I could go.

Naturally Mom and Dad wanted to know what the problem was, and shortly I was once walking toward school, quick as you please and without a care in the world.

Why?

Because my hand was in the big farmer hand of my Dad, and I didn’t fear anything.

I knew Dad wouldn’t let anything bad happen.

The circumstances did not change one iota.

But my companionship with my father made all the difference.

Is your hand in the hand of the Father, Beloved?

There is no fear there.

But it takes two things.

First, you have to seek Him out and put it there.

He’s not going to chase you down.

Second, you have to go in His direction.

Seek His kingdom.

Give up your own empire.

Live like a citizen of heaven rather than a stooge of this world.

Don’t disavow the Father by anxiety; embrace Him.

*VI.

Deflates God’s Pleasure (31-33)*

V. 32 is wonderful: ““Fear not (don’t worry), little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

What’s Christmas like as a parent?

Is it all about getting presents?

Is that what revs your engine at Christmas?

Of course not!

It’s about seeing your kids open their presents, isn’t it?

That’s a turn-on.

And that’s the feeling that Jesus appeals to here.