First things first

Matthew 6:25–34 KJV 1900

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:

“Therefore” refers us back to verse 24, which summarized the entire sermon in one sentence. Matthew 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.” We must work to provide our earthly needs, but not be enslaved by the treasures of this earth. Remember, we have spent months expounded a single sermon by our Lord. These next verses are a continuation of the words “You cannot serve God and mammon.”

1. To worry about the unknown is enslavement.

Matthew 6:25 KJV 1900

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?

***Thought*** μεριμνάω (Merimao- Mar-eem-now) “Worry, anxiety, distraction.” Jesus is warning us that being worried about earthly things is disobedience to our Heavenly Sovereign. “Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”

Philippians 4:4–8 KJV 1900

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

All of these things are the things that the children of Israel murmured about in the wilderness. (All these are the things that God graciously provided for them!)

Food (Psalm 78)

Drink (Psalm 78)

Psalm 78:12–22 KJV 1900

Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; And he made the waters to stand as an heap. In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, And all the night with a light of fire. He clave the rocks in the wilderness, And gave them drink as out of the great depths. He brought streams also out of the rock, And caused waters to run down like rivers. And they sinned yet more against him By provoking the most High in the wilderness. And they tempted God in their heart By asking meat for their lust. Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, And the streams overflowed; Can he give bread also? Can he provide flesh for his people? Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: So a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also came up against Israel; Because they believed not in God, And trusted not in his salvation:

Clothing (Deuteronomy 29:5 “And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.” )

2. Creation is in total service to Divine Providence.

Divine Providence: Divine Providence refers to the purposeful guidance, care, and governance by the eternal God over all creation. It is rooted in the understanding that the Creator not only originates all things but also continually sustains and directs them toward His sovereign plan. This governance applies to both the grand tapestry of history and the individual details of daily life

Colossians 1:16–17 KJV 1900

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Birds of the air.

Matthew 6:26 KJV 1900

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?

They do not work the land like man:

Genesis 2:15 KJV 1900

And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

Working the land is not a curse: The thorns are the curse. Genesis 3:17-18

Genesis 3:17–18 KJV 1900

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

Can thought alone accomplish anything?

Matthew 6:27 KJV 1900

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

The beauty of creation: Matthew 6:28-29

Matthew 6:28–29 KJV 1900

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.

Even these simple illustrations of creation are used for man’s benefit. Matthew 6:30

Matthew 6:30 KJV 1900

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?\

Grass: χόρτος (Chortos- Ho-toze) Hay. Bread! It is interesting that Christ mentions the oven (making bread) and the fowls of the air. He fed Israel with bread and quail! Psalms 78:23-32

Psalm 78:23–32 KJV 1900

Though he had commanded the clouds from above, And opened the doors of heaven, And had rained down manna upon them to eat, And had given them of the corn of heaven. Man did eat angels’ food: He sent them meat to the full. He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: And by his power he brought in the south wind. He rained flesh also upon them as dust, And feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, Round about their habitations. So they did eat, and were well filled: For he gave them their own desire; They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, The wrath of God came upon them, And slew the fattest of them, And smote down the chosen men of Israel. For all this they sinned still, And believed not for his wondrous works.

3. The Gentiles seek earthly treasure. But our Father knows what we need!

Matthew 6:32 KJV 1900

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

The Gentile’s heaven is on earth. (Present and future)

Your Father is aware of your earthly/temporary needs.

4. We serve our Master by seeking His Kingdom first.

Matthew 6:33 KJV 1900

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Seek first: πρῶτος(Protose - Pro-Tose) “Chief Priority”

Kingdom of God. Romans 14:17

Romans 14:17 KJV 1900

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

His Righteousness. (Obedience to Scripture!)

Matthew 3:15 KJV 1900

And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Matthew 5:6 KJV 1900

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:10 KJV 1900

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:20 KJV 1900

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Romans 10:10 KJV 1900

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Titus 3:5 KJV 1900

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Conclusion: 1. God is a debtor to no man. When you seek Him, He provides for you.

Simply put: God will take care of your business if you’re taking care of His.

This is not a prosperity Gospel. He is providing your needs. Not great wealth and prosperity!

2.Learn to live one day at a time.

Matthew 6:34 KJV 1900

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.

Again, do not worry. This does not mean be idle and unprepared.

We are earthly beings. We are bound to time and other limitations. GOD IS NOT!

Spend your limited time on earth seeking God’s Kingdom and Righteousness. (Bobby Roberson: “What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Just do what you know to do!”)