The Father Cares
Notes
Transcript
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? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Introduction
Introduction
Matthew 6 is part of the portion of the Gospel of Matthew that is known as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has gone onto a mountain and the people have come to hear His teaching. The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most familiar sermons that Jesus preached. Throughout this sermon, He uses the name “Father” to designate God. The truth of the Trinity is found here for the discerning listener. God the Son is pointing out to the people listening the nature of God the Father. He tells the people,
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
God the Father is over creation despite the presence of evil and good. Also Jesus says,
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
The picture of God that Jesus is teaching is that the Father, in heaven, is interacting with His creation. But below this surface truth, we see a greater truth. God wants us to be righteous before Him. The Sermon on the Mount has this theme throughout: God wants His people to be obedient to Him. How specifically can we be obedient? Jesus answers this throughout the Sermon.
What we see in our specific passage this morning is a progression of thought and a combination of multiple concepts that at first glance would not go together. The progression is from our material needs to the physical beauty and working of God’s creation. The progression carries the discussion back to our material needs being met by God. What are those concepts that Jesus combines here? He combines the idea of the Father with the idea of provision.
God is our Provider and He cares for us, His creation. God cares about us. As we think about fathers today, we need to think of the perfect Father, the One loved His earthly creation so much that He sent His Son to die for them!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
In The Effective Father, Gordon MacDonald writes:
It is said of Boswell, the famous biographer of Samuel Johnson, that he often referred to a special day in his childhood when his father took him fishing. The day was fixed in his mind, and he often reflected upon many things his father had taught him in the course of their fishing experience together.
After having heard of that particular excursion so often, it occurred to someone much later to check the journal that Boswell’s father kept and determine what had been said about the fishing trip from the parental perspective. Turning to that date, the reader found only one sentence entered: “Gone fishing today with my son; a day wasted.”
What a terrible father! God is not that Father. We will see the truth this morning that God is a Father who cares for His own and knows exactly what they need. He cares for His own!
Declaration
Declaration
“Don't Worry!” God is commanding us in this passage. Why? Because, God provides for the birds. He clothes the flowers. God knows you and your needs. We are commanded to take our care and invest it in the kingdom. “Don't worry”, Jesus says, because your Heavenly Father cares for you. There are three spiritual deductions here from the heavenly Father’s care.
1. There is Something More to Life
1. There is Something More to Life
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? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
A. Application v. 25
A. Application v. 25
The application of verses 22-24 is that we are not to worry about our life. Jesus commands His hearers to choose not to be anxious about what might happen or what bad thing could take place. One person said it this way,
Matthew Matthew 6:34
Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted.
Three aspects of life are mentioned here by Jesus. They are our food, our drink, and our clothing. All of our daily cares could be summed up in these three things. These are the things we need someone else to provide for us. These are the things that we work for. These are the things that we save for and worry about.
We see our food and our drink as what gives us the ability to function and the energy to life. Our food and drink come directly from the production of God’s creation. Even in the Garden, God provided these things for mankind. God is our provider of food and drink.
And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Our clothing is what we use to cover ourselves as a result of our sinful condition. God provides us with the means to clothe our selves and to keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Jesus says, “Don’t worry”. We know that God will provide our clothing.
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
B. Explanation v. 25
B. Explanation v. 25
A question is posed here. What is life made of? The word for life here is the word that we get psychology from. It has the idea of life not just from breathing but the life of the soul and the life of the mind. This is a life that is sustained by God’s provision. The explanation of this first application is a question that moves to the heart of our daily existence. Our answer to the question of Jesus determines our spiritual outlook!
If life is just physical, then we can say that what we see is all there is.
If there is more to life than the physical, what is it? It must be spiritual.
What is your answer to this question? It explains why Jesus is teaching us to choose to not worry. We should not worry because there is more to life than the physical.
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
C. Illustration v. 26-27
C. Illustration v. 26-27
Jesus uses a simple illustration to show the truth that God is caring for our needs. He encourages His audience to look up at the birds that are flying overhead. They work for their food but God is the one who ensures that they are fed. Agriculture has been around since the early chapters of Genesis. Adam and Eve were gardening in Eden. But the birds don’t garden. They cry out to God for what they need.
Who provideth for the raven his food?
When his young ones cry unto God,
They wander for lack of meat.
The illustration points us back to God as Father. We see here that Jesus called God our heavenly Father. He is the Father of those who believe on Him. The heavenly Father is who provides for the birds. Are we more valuable to God then the birds? Several chapters later, Jesus says
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Another question is raised by Jesus to make His hearers think. Can we add height to our stature? The word here for stature is often translated in the King James with an idea of time. The question could also be “Can we add days or years to our life?” We cannot add one year to our life or one day to our length of days. God is saying that we cannot do anything about how long we will live. Only God is able to give us life.
A Cambridge University study published in January 2018 found that anxiety and worry results in a shorter life span. One synopsis of this study had this to say, “In total, 1066 (2.1%) people with anxiety disorders died during an average follow-up of 9.7 years. The risk of death by natural and unnatural causes was significantly higher among individuals with anxiety disorders…compared with the general population. Of those who died from unnatural causes, 16.5% had comorbid diagnoses of depression…”
Their conclusion? “Anxiety disorders significantly increased mortality risk.” Their study showed that worrying causes your chance for death to increase.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/increased-mortality-among-people-with-anxiety-disorders-total-population-study/9AB16A73A5EE6055FBC6181EEB566AFD
Not only can we not add even a single year to our lives, we are more likely to cause ourselves to lose one by our worrying! What is more to life is that God can be our heavenly Father. There is Something more to Life and that something is a relationship with Him!
There is Something More to Life
2. There is a Someday after Life
2. There is a Someday after Life
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
A. Illustration v. 28-29
A. Illustration v. 28-29
Jesus moves from food and drink to the topic of clothing. The illustration that He gives for clothing is the lilies of the field. Jesus calls His hearers to take notice of and learn from the flowers. These were the wildflowers that were around Him as He taught. These are the anemone coronora or a type of poppy that is known for its many colors. It is found throughout the Mediterranean area. The countryside would have been filled with these flowers in the spring. They would have been familiar to the Jewish people.
Jesus says we are to consider the flowers. He makes us think about how these flowers came to be as they are. How do these flowers grow? Is it work that they do? Do they make garments for themselves? Do they make themselves more beautiful? Unlike the tailor who spends time producing clothing for his customers, the flowers do not spend any time to change their appearance. Scientifically, they cannot. There is no “life” in them because they have no self-consciousness. They have no life as we do. They grow because of the hand of God working in their lives to provide for them!
We grow only by God working directly in our lives as well. We can only see the beauty as God is the one who brings it forth each and every day.
Even Solomon could not compare with these flowers. When he put on his royal finery, when all of his wealth was on full display, the flowers still outshone the greatest king in Israel’s history. The connection by Jesus to Solomon is not surprising. The lily was part of the decoration that Solomon included on the Temple that was built in Jerusalem. We see it in
And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits.
This illustration shows us that God truly does care for those who are totally dependent on Him! God cares even about what we put on to cover our body. He cares intimately about what we put on in the morning.
B. Explanation v. 30-32
B. Explanation v. 30-32
These lilies will be placed into a furnace and used to heat it up to make clay pots. This word for oven could also be the hot desert wind that caused the flowers to wilt. The flowers only last for a short time. There is no permanence for the lily in eternity.
If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Jesus ask whether God will clothe man who is an eternal creature. A word is used here at the end of Jesus’ question that is only found in the New Testament in a narrow context. That word is where we get the English phrase “O ye of little faith”. This Greek word is only used of the disciples and is only found in the Gospels.
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Do you have little faith?
An Exegetical Summary of The Sermon on the Mount, Second Edition (Matthew 6:30)
Having little faith is a failure to apply what one knows -Martin Lloyd Jones
The hearer should know that God will provide for both the plants and mankind. Our faith needs to increase. The only way that we can increase our faith is through our growing dependence on God and our faithful work for Him. The disciples asked Jesus,
And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
Is your faith increasing? Jesus gives us the questions of the faithless in verse 31. The Gentiles spend time with questions about whether and how God will provide. The Gentiles here are more than just those who were not Jewish. The Gentiles are those who put their faith in what they can do and will miss out on the working of God. The miracle of the beautiful flowers in spring is only possible for a heavenly Father who cares about His creation and who is able to work freely.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
God knows that we need food, drink and clothing. He knew it before we asked but He still wants us to ask.
C. Application v. 33
C. Application v. 33
Jesus’ application for His hearers focuses on the future. It is simple and easy for us to follow.
Seek His kingdom. The word seek carries the idea of going in pursuit of or searching diligently for. We need to be looking to spend our energy in the service of the kingdom of God not on worrying about our physical needs. What is the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God is the realization of the program of salvation that was set in motion by God before time began. It is the body of saved people worshipping and dwelling with the King who reigns forever. This is the Someday after Life. Will you be a part of it in the presence of the heavenly Father?
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Seek His righteousness. Jesus is looking for people that will focus on having a right relationship with God. Our righteousness is nothing. His righteousness is everything!
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee:
He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Are you seeking your will? Are you worried about your legacy? Are you focused on your future? Jesus says to His listeners, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Are you seeking those today?
There is Something More to Life
There is a Someday After Life
3. There is a Somehow beyond Life
3. There is a Somehow beyond Life
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
A. Explanation v. 33
A. Explanation v. 33
God gives a promise here in response to the application at the beginning of the verse. God says that all of these concerns will be taken care of by Him. We will have the food we need. Our thirst will be quenched by our heavenly Father. The clothing we need will be provided both the necessary and the beautiful.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
God doesn’t promise wealth. God doesn’t skimp and give us poverty. God promises sufficiency. Today we can trust in a sufficient God! Abraham knew the sufficiency of God. He called God “the Provider”. In Hebrew, the word “provision” and the word “see” are the same. God sees the need and meets it!
And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.
B. Application v. 34
B. Application v. 34
There is application here again for our daily walk. The command of the Master is again, “Don’t Worry!” We must need this to be repeated because Christ does it three times in this passage. Jesus tells us specifically not to worry about tomorrow. Though I often worry about today, I can definitely agree that I need a greater application in my own life to not worry about tomorrow!
On the subject of this word for care, one writer gives us the truth of freedom from our care.
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume (μεριμνάω, προμεριμνάω, μέριμνα)
Liberation from it comes as one casts it upon God, not because God grants every wish, but because prayer grants freedom from care.
Why should we not worry about tomorrow? Tomorrow is already taking care of itself. There will be challenges and concerns tomorrow, but Jesus speaks to us today that those need to be left in tomorrow. This is a reference to a Rabbinic proverb found in the Babylonian Talmud. Unlike the Rabbis, Jesus is not teaching that they should focus on the possibility of death as the reason to not worry. Jesus is reminding them that there will be sin but we cannot do anything to change that evil. Instead, let’s trust God to be the one that is in control. God is accomplishing His will of the redemption of man. God is the Somehow beyond Life as He works behind the scenes of our life.
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
C. Illustration v. 34
C. Illustration v. 34
What is the illustration of the truth of the Somehow beyond life? The illustration is the evil of the day to come. There is evil in tomorrow. There is sin. There are problems. There will be hardship.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Matthew 6:34
Someone has said that the average person is crucifying himself between two thieves: the regrets of yesterday and the worries about tomorrow.
But God has known this from the beginning. He has purposed His will and He will bring all things to His purpose. Evil cannot stop our heavenly Father.
Remember the former things of old:
For I am God, and there is none else;
I am God, and there is none like me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times the things that are not yet done,
Saying, My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all my pleasure:
Calling a ravenous bird from the east,
The man that executeth my counsel from a far country:
Yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass;
I have purposed it, I will also do it.
Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted,
That are far from righteousness:
I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off,
And my salvation shall not tarry:
And I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Here in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is teaching to those who are gathered to hear. They all have cares and concerns. They all faced the same hopes and fears then that we do today on a daily basis. He tells them three times “Don't Worry!” Jesus says to “Take no thought” Why? God provides for the birds. He clothes the flowers. One commentary said it this way,
Matthew–Luke Matthew 6:25–34
Humans work and worry; birds work but do not worry; and wildflowers neither work nor worry.
God knows you and your needs. Instead, you should take your care and invest it in the kingdom. Don't worry because your Heavenly Father cares for you.
David was acquainted with both wickedness and righteousness in his life. He had seen the effects of the fall of Saul on the land of Israel. He had seen the constant fear and jealousy that were brought on because of the sin of the king. As king, he had seen sin affect his own life and family. This had brought about suffering and death.
In Psalm 37, David is recording wise sayings regarding the ultimate outcome of life for both the wicked and the righteous. We often feel as David does in verse one and two.
Fret not thyself because of evildoers,
Neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
He goes on to call the reader back to a proper relationship with God. This is the distinguishing feature of the righteous against the evildoers in this psalm. What we know from this psalm regarding the end for the righteous brings us back to the practicality of our passage this morning.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord:
And he delighteth in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
For the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
I have been young, and now am old;
Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his seed begging bread.
He is ever merciful, and lendeth;
And his seed is blessed.
God will bless the righteous. He is their heavenly Father. Is He your heavenly Father? He can be today. Instead of defeat and destruction, your life can be filled with the provision and blessings of God. Don’t spend your life worrying about what God’s voluntary job includes! He does a better job anyway.
Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He’s going to be up all night anyway.
- Mary C Crowley