The Prescription for Anxiety

Opening Comments:

Please meet me in your copy of God’s Word in Luke 12:22-34. Pg 818 in our provided church Bibles. This is God’s Holy Word

Luke 12:22–34 ESV

22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Prayer:

"Dear Heavenly Father,

All of us come today with worries and concerns that weigh heavily on our minds. We confess that often our fears and anxieties drive us to seek security in earthly things, rather than trusting in Your sovereign care.

Help us, Lord, to lift our eyes to You. May Your Word today remind us that You are the One who clothes the lilies and feeds the ravens. May we find freedom from the burdens of worry and anxiety as we seek Your kingdom above all else.

By Your Spirit, calm our troubled hearts and remind us of Your presence. Help us to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth, and to prioritize what truly lasts.

We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen."

Introduction:

The passage before us today is a continuation of sorts from Jesus parable of the rich fool in v.13-21. This teaching however, is not addressed to the crowd but rather he has turned from the crowd now to instruct his disciples. While the parable was all about the dangers of greed, now he is going to speak to his disciples regarding the topic of worry.

Greed and worry are actually very closely connected. Worry is the emotional byproduct of a preoccupation with materialism.

“Greed can never get enough, worry is afraid it may not have enough.”

Leon Morris, Luke (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1974), p. 223 who quotes W. F. Arndt.

R. Kent Hughes, Luke: That You May Know the Truth, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1998).

The reason we know this is a connected teaching is because of the use of the word “therefore.” (Always look and see what it’s there for). This joins Jesus teaching here to v.21 where he cautioned them that only fools lay up treasure here on earth and is poor before the Lord.

The rich fool worried because he had too much and he set out to form a plan for what to do with all he had; but, he left the Lord out of his plan and lost it all.

The disciples had an opposite dilemma their worry wasn’t founded in having too much, they worried because they had too little. Both the unbridled craving for more and the fear of not having enough are forms of anxiety.

Anxiety is something that plagues society which is an ironic truth. Especially in the US because we live in perhaps the most affluent and indulged society ever on earth; yet, we seem to be the most anxiety ridden.

Listen to these facts from an article in Forbes Health dated Oct. 23,2023 titled “Anxiety Statistics And Facts”

-Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the U.S. and affect over 40 million adults, or 19.1% of the population[1].

-Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most common anxiety disorder in the U.S. with 6.8 million adults affected[1].

-Young people are more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety than older adults, with nearly 50% of those between the ages of 18 and 24 reporting depressive disorders or anxiety symptoms[2] .

-Women are more than twice as likely than men to experience an anxiety disorder[3] .

-Anxiety disorders are often very treatable, but more than 60% of people do not seek treatment for it[4] .

At best, Doctors can manage anxiety with medication that will mask its symptoms but it cannot cure it.

While there are some who absolutely need medications to manage there health, most people who are diagnosed with “generalized anxiety disorder” have no clear medical reason and no background of trauma to induce it.

That tells us that anxiety is more of a spiritual problem than a health problem and if it’s a spiritual problem, than the Lord Jesus has what you need to fix it.

The passage we have before us today lays out for us “The Prescription for Anxiety” and it involves the repositioning of our thoughts and actions.

Let’s unpack the teaching of Jesus we see before us and in doing so we will discover how anxiety can be defeated.

1.) Trust in God’s Provision. (v.22-30)

One of our greatest sins is a desire for bigger and better things (Covetousness). Jesus brings this out by his use of food and clothing in v.22

Luke 12:22 ESV

22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.

Life- Lit. soul, but here is used to refer to the whole human being. Including his/her capacity to eat.

Body- The part of you that needs clothing.

In first century Israel the obtaining of food and clothing to survive was a daily challenge. But, the life of a follower of Christ consist of more than just providing for a basic necessities. Our primary purpose in life is to glorify our father by how we live our lives. That what Jesus meant when he said.

Luke 12:23 ESV

23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

When we set out to glorify God in all that we do, we must trust that he will provide for our basic needs. He’s not saying we shouldn't think or plan for caring for our basic needs, but nothing should be so coveted that causes us to have anxiety and worry.

Worry stems from two things, ignorance or unbelief. We needlessly worry because we do not understand the depth of God’s provision for us. Or, we distrust that what God has promised in scripture is true.

Jesus sets out to illustrate this point by pointing us to ravens, health, and lilies.

A.) Consider the Ravens (v.24)

We mentioned this when we studied the sermon on the mount, but the people of Israel are very familiar with birds. because of its position on the Mediterranean Sea it is a major flyway for migratory birds. Millions of birds pass through Israel every year.

Ravens are scavengers and are unclean birds to Jewish people. They are completely incapable to supplying their own food supply and they have no way to store up food like some other animals do.

They survive solely because God has designed and supplies food sources for them.

Scripture reminds us in many places that God cares for the creatures he has created.

Job 38:41 ESV

41 Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?

Psalm 145:15 ESV

15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.

Jesus then asks the question

Luke 12:24 (ESV)

… Of how much more value are you than the birds!

Humanity is the height of God’s creation, he made us to rule and have dominion of everything in nature.

Job 35:11 ESV

11 who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’

God is the creator of the Birds, but if you’re a Christian this morning, he’s not just your creator, he is your father. If God is your father, then that also means you are an heir of all that God possesses.

1 Peter 1:3–4 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

Now, the Raven doesn't just sit in his nest and wait for God to drop food in his lap. He goes out and works to find it. Trusting God’s provision, doesn't mean that we are lazy.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV

10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

But, it means that as we work, we don’t have to worry because we no that God will provide for his children.

B.) Consider your Life span (v.25)

Single hour- literally means a measure of space or distance. A cubit, about 18 inches. But the word can also mean “a time or an age.”

Span of life- can mean height, quality or status gained by growth, but can also mean age.

So, the verse can read either:

Luke 12:25 ESV

25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

or

Luke 12:25 NKJV

25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

There is historical support for both and both are right. From the context of Jesus speaking about the worries of life, it makes the most sense that he is speaking about the fruitless effort of worrying in order to increase your life span.

Whether we are speaking of an hour of life or 18 inches of height, the point remains the same.

Worry is pointless. Just as pointless as trying to add a minute to your life span or an inch to your height.

Bodily discipline is important, but, the greater discipline is spiritual.

1 Timothy 4:7–8 ESV

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Just as God provides for our nourishment, he also is the one who oversees the length of our lives. No amount of anxiety over your life can add to it.

Job 14:5 ESV

5 Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass,

Worry is destructive to our physical well being. We have to trust that our heavenly Father will sustain our life until the end that he has set if we are living according to his purposes.

The rich fool could not add one minute to his life. There was a night appointed for his death.

C.) Consider the lilies (vs.27-28)

Jesus now moves on to a third example, the lilies of the field.

Lilies- a generic name for all types of flowering plants not a specific species.

When we look at a field of wild flowers, they are clothed in beauty yet they don’t work to buy or make expensive clothes. Yet, Jesus says even the great Solomon (the wealthiest and most lavishly dressed man in all of Israels history) dressed in all of his splendor couldn’t compare in beauty.

These flowers, no matter how beautiful they are, serve no purpose but to declare that God is a God of beauty, order, design and variety.

Luke 12:28 ESV

28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

Just as God provides for our food and lives, he will also provide for the basic need of clothing. We are far more important to him than a field of wildflowers. To be consumed with anxiety over such things as this is to be guilty of the sin of having little faith!

A lack of faith expresses that we have a lack of trust in the Lord’s provision. It is saying that we do not trust that he knows our every need and that he has wisdom enough to provide.

D.) Do not seek for these things. (v.29-30)

To spend our lives consumed with anxiety over things like food, health and clothing is doubting God’s provision and care. Look at vs. 29-30

Luke 12:29–30 ESV

29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

Jesus isn’t challenging his disciples to not be filled with anxiety, he is commanding them.

The child of God is to center our life and mind on the Lord and bringing glory to his name in everything we do. We exist for far more than just carving out an existence, we exist for his glory.

Being consumed with anxiety in seeking more and more stuff is worldliness. The world is consumed with acquiring more and consumed with worry they wont have enough. So they spend their life getting all that this world has to offer because they think its all there is. Life to them is food, drink and possessions. The believer is not to seek after these things.

We’re different. We are not to be consumed with the things of this world, we are to trust God’s provision for our daily needs.

Proverbs 3:5 ESV

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

2.) Seek His kingdom. (v.31-32)

A.) When we seek his kingdom, God provides our needs. (v.31)

Luke 12:31 ESV

31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

The child of God should spend his life focused on the Kingdom work of God. We are to leave our welfare in His hands and seek to do what he has called us to do. When we do this God has promised that he will provide the necessities of life.

Colossians 3:2 ESV

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

The focus of our life should be on advancing the Kingdom of God.

Kingdom of God- The sphere of salvation where God rules as Lord.

Everything we do is to be done for the advancement of the gospel in our own lives and in the lives of others.

The gospel begins with repentance, self-denial, humility, mourning over sin that drives you to call out to Jesus and acknowledge him as Lord. But then it goes on to hungering and thirsting after righteousness that results in a life of worship, service and obedience to King Jesus.

Seeking the kingdom of God means that we seek to grow in faith and bring people to Jesus. Who then seek to grow in faith and bring people to Jesus etc…

Those who do this, who set their focus on advancing the kingdom are promised by Jesus that God will meet all their needs.

B.) God will give us the kingdom. (v.32)

Luke 12:32 ESV

32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Notice the affection- “Little flock

Jesus instructs his little flock of disciples not to be worried because the Father had chosen to give them the kingdom by his good pleasure.

Good pleasure- take delight in, gladly

It is the good pleasure of God not just to provide for our basic needs but to give to his children all that his kingdom has to offer.

Romans 14:17 ESV

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:17 ESV

17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:32 ESV

32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

It is foolish for us to be filled with anxiety knowing that God has freely and graciously given of us of the glorious riches of his kingdom.

C.) Focus on eternity not the temporary. (v.33-34)

If we stand to one day inherit the kingdom of God, then the things of this world that I spend so much time fretting over and filled with anxiety about really doesn’t matter as much as I might think.

Thats why Jesus said

Luke 12:33–34 ESV

33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

He calls us to divest ourselves from the riches of this life and to invest in the riches of eternity.

We do this by being generous with what God has given us. Using everything our money, our homes, our possessions, our luxuries, our time, our lives for the sake of the Gospel and bring others to Christ.

Our possesions and our finaces are things of the earth. They are a tool that God has given us to meet our needs and advance his kingdom.

It is not eternal and lasting. It can be stolen by thieves and destroyed by moths. Here today and gone tomorrow.

But, the souls of men are eternal treasure that we can send ahead. So invest in the spread of the gospel.

Our heart and treasure go hand in hand.

Where is your heart this morning?

1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 ESV

19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Conclusion:

Brothers and sisters, anxiety is a plague that affects us all. But as followers of Christ, we have a prescription for anxiety. We must trust in God's provision, seeking first His kingdom and righteousness. We must focus on eternity, not the temporary things of this world.

As we close, remember Jesus' words: 'Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom' (Luke 12:32).

May these words sink deep into your hearts, driving out worry and anxiety.