Faith Over Fear

Faith Over Fear

Series: Strength In The Struggle Matthew 6:25–34 Theme Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Matthew 6:25–34 ESV

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, 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. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Introduction

“We all get the same 86,400 seconds every day. How we ‘spend’ them determines our peace or our panic. Worry can burn through those seconds before we even step out the door.”

Reality Check: In our congregation, many are carrying two or three “weights” at once — family stress, financial uncertainty, and spiritual fatigue. These create a constant low-grade fear that eventually becomes the norm.

Big Idea: Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6 is a direct command, not a suggestion: “Do not be anxious.” This isn’t God ignoring your problems — it’s God inviting you into a higher way of living.

I. Fear is a Thief

Matthew 6:25 ESV

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Matthew 6:27 ESV

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

A. What does “Anxious” mean?

Greek: merimnaō — “to be divided, distracted, pulled in opposite directions.”

Fear divides our heart: one part wants to trust God, the other wants to control outcomes.

“Not long ago, I was in a season where I couldn’t focus. I would sit down to pray, but my mind was everywhere — bills that needed to be paid, problems in my family, decisions at church, even small things that didn’t matter. It felt like I was being pulled in ten different directions at once. That’s exactly what the Greek word Jesus uses for ‘anxious’ in Matthew 6 means: merimnaō — to be divided or distracted, like your mind is torn into pieces.

I remember one night lying awake, exhausted, staring at the ceiling. My body was tired, but my mind was running — torn between faith and fear, hope and worry. That’s when the Holy Spirit whispered, ‘You’re letting anxiety divide your focus. Fix your eyes back on Me.’

In that moment I realized: anxiety doesn’t just steal your peace — it divides your devotion. It keeps you from giving God your full attention.

B. The Nature of Fear

Fear is a false prophet — it predicts a future where God is absent or powerless.

It does this by playing out scenarios in your mind that may never happen.

It thrives on “what ifs” rather than “God said.”

C. There is a cost to fear

Just like there is a penalty for sin, there is a penalty for fear.

It steals focus (you can’t see God’s promises). When you operate in fear it turns your focus so that you can’t see God’s promises or focus on God’s abilities for you.

It drains strength (spiritual exhaustion before you even act). When you function under fear it exhausts you…

It limits obedience (we hesitate when God says “step out”).

Proverbs 12:25 – “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

D. Fear is a spirit.

2 Timothy 1:7 “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

The moment you give into fear it come in and takes control.

Fear can be introduced at a young age and control an entire lifetime.

Some people need to be delivered from the Spirit of Fear.

II. Faith Remembers Who the Father Is

Matthew 6:26 ESV

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Matthew 6:28–30 ESV

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, 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. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

A. Jesus uses creation as an illustration…

Jesus points to birds and flowers because they don’t strive, yet they thrive.

If God sustains creation without anxiety, how much more His children who bear His image?

B. God’s Track Record

Past provision is the greatest predictor of future faithfulness.

How do you know God can provide?

Psalm 103:2 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,”

C. Practical Remembrance

Keep a Faithfulness Journal: record answered prayers, unexpected blessings, and moments of peace.

This becomes your “evidence file” against fear.

A child doesn’t need to understand their parent’s paycheck to trust dinner will be on the table — their history together proves it.

III. Faith Shifts Focus to Kingdom Priorities

Matthew 6:31–33 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

A. The Order Matters

“Seek first” — priority precedes provision. Why does Jesus say, “Seek First?”

turn your focus on God and His provision, His abilities.

He is ABLE to provide, heal, set free, save and deliver.

It also shows where your priority is.

“Kingdom” — the rule and reign of God in every part of life. Explain what this means?

The word kingdom (Greek basileia) means more than a place — it means authority, dominion, or rule.

So when Jesus says “Seek first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33), He’s not saying “look for a location,” but “submit to God’s rule and His way of doing things.”

When I say “the Kingdom is the rule and reign of God in every part of life,” it means:

In my decisions, I submit to God’s wisdom above my feelings.

In my finances, I honor Him with tithes, generosity, and integrity.

In my relationships, I forgive, love, and serve as He commands.

In my inner life, I allow the Spirit to shape my character, not culture or pressure.

“Righteousness” — living in alignment with God’s character and will.

B. Fear vs. Kingdom Mindset

Fear says: “Survive first, serve later.”

Kingdom says: “Serve first, God will supply.”

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

IV. Faith Lives in Today’s Grace

Matthew 6:34 ESV

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

A. God’s Grace is Daily

Exodus 16: manna — enough for the day, no hoarding for tomorrow.

Lamentations 3:22–23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

B. The Burden of Borrowed Trouble - What does this mean?

Worry is paying interest on a debt you may never owe.

Carrying tomorrow’s load when today’s is already heavy, breaks the back of faith.

Conclusion – The Exchange

Fear will always knock — but you decide whether to open the door.

Faith doesn’t mean ignoring reality; it means interpreting reality through God’s promises.

Today, exchange fear’s lies for God’s truth.

THe only way to break the grip of fear is to release a faith attack.

Fear