Anxieties & Priorities

Introduction:

Connection:

When priorities are off—anxieties can flourish. When I am only focusing on my temporal labour, providing food for my family, ensuring that my sons have enough clothes for the winter, and making sure that we have clean water to drink—and I neglect prayer, the reading of Scripture, and a laser-eye focus on the Kingdom of Jesus Christ—then it is very easy to become anxious. How am I going to make it financially? How am I going to provide for my family as I head back to finish my studies? You see? When priorities are off—when I’m not looking to the Lord in faith—it’s so easy to become fearful, anxious, and paralyzed. But if our priorities are right—then we can know God’s promises and precepts that lead to true peace. This is my Father’s world.

Theme:

Anxieties & Priorities

Need:

We need our hearts to be resting in our Lord and King—so that we can be focused on His Kingdom and Mission.

Purpose:

To calm our anxious fears, to reset our life’s priorities, and to mobilize us to seek and serve our King and Lord.

Recap:

Last Lord’s Day we saw how Jesus called us to lay up treasures in heaven, to give our hearts to Christ alone, to be filled with the light of His Spirit, and to love and serve our God above all else. This week we continue with one of the potential fears that might bring… if I do all of these things, and I’m doing storing up treasures on earth, then how am I going to pay for….. xyz. This is what Jesus is going to address today through our passage.

Text: Read Matt. 6:25-34 ESV

PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY

(1) Don’t be Anxious, your Heavenly Father Cares for you - v. 25-30

Do you see that in verses 25-30?

(1) Don’t be Anxious, your Heavenly Father Cares for you - v. 25-30

25 “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.

Notice how Jesus begins this portion of the Sermon on the Mount with a therefore. And whenever you see a therefore, you need to ask what it’s there for? Remember last week—and how Jesus called his disciples to serve God and not money—he is continuing his exhortation by encouraging them not to fear. If they live kingdom-minded lives with the way they steward their money, then they will have questions about where future provision will come from. And so Jesus says: therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious.

What an incredible thing to hear from the lips of our Saviour. He is concerns about our hearts. He is concerned about our worries. He is concerned about our fears. He is our compassionate Saviour. He knows what it’s like to live sacrificially, after all, he had no where to lay his head. And so he gathers up his lambs in his arms are he says: do not be anxious. Don’t worry about your life, don’t worry about food or drink, don’t worry about your body, don’t worry about your clothing—do not be anxious. Our Saviour stoops down to our feeble hearts, knowing that our strength is but dust, and he assures of with precious promises. He continues:

Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Dear Christian—your life is so much more than the temporal. So why worry about the world? Why worry about gaining the world? What does it profit a man to gain the world but to lose his soul? What does it profit a man to be anxious about the body, and to neglect the soul?

Dear Christian, Jesus wants you to know that your life is so precious in God’s eyes. That your soul is in his hands, that your body is under his care, and that your life is secure by his promises. And so Jesus, the Word become flesh, the Incarnate Prophet—he turns our gaze to our Father’s world to assure us of our Father’s care:

26 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?

Look at the birds of the air! Go for a walk at Lemoine Point, open your window on a spring morning and hear the song of the flying creatures. They don’t have 9-5 jobs, they don’t plant seeds, and they don’t harvest crops. They don’t store their food in refrigerators or freezers. Yes they do work, they fly, they labour, they exert energy (Jesus isn’t saying to be a lazy sloth) … but the birds don’t worry, they just putter away doing their thing. And yet, says Jesus—your heavenly Father feeds them. Notice that it’s your heavenly Father. If you belong to Christ and His Kingdom, if you are born of His Spirit—then God Almighty, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, is your Father. And if our Father, who has adopted us into his family by the ransom of the blood of His only-begotten Son—if He cares for dumb and irrational birds of the air—how much more does he value you, his beloved children? And so we can cry with confidence, Abba, Father.

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

This one hits home, doesn’t it! This one unravels so much of our unbelief and pride. Jesus says that being anxious, being fearful, and being worrisome, means that you are acting as if you are One who is control of your life. It is to act as if you are God. It is to act as if you are the King. It is to act as if your days are not numbered. But so they are. There is one God. There is one King. There is one Lord. And we are not Him!

As I was preparing for this sermon, at one point I grinned: we can’t add a single hour to our lives through anxiety, but in a sense we can remove hours from our lives through anxiety. It’s been said that anxiety is the silent-killer. It literally destroys us from the inside out. Ever heard of high-blood pressure? Anxiety has a direct correlation with one’s blood pressure.

But the main point here is not that you can lessen your life span, but rather, that only God our Father is in control of our life span. And so we must pray with the Psalms:

Psalm 31:15 (ESV)

My times are in your hand;

Psalm 90:12 ESV

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Unbelief says: I am in control. Therefore I need to fret about every small detail in my life.

Faith says: God my Father is in control. Therefore I can cast all my concerns into His hands.

Jesus continues this point with more illustrations:

28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Jesus makes the same point here. An argument from the lesser to the greater. If God blesses and beautifies the lilies of the field—if God grows them and make them glorious—then why should we be anxious about our clothing? If God provides clothing for flowers—he will provide clothing for his children. Even the glorious King Solomon himself, in all of his splendour, was nothing in comparison to the beauty of a simple lily of the valley. And yet, Jesus says, you have more worth and value than all such lilies in the world put together! You are the children of the living God—the blessed of the Almighty God—heirs of the grace of life—redeemed by the blood of the Lamb—the sheep of his very own pasture.

So do not be anxious, not even about your clothing! And with one last illustration, Jesus hammers the point home:

30 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?

If God sends the rain, and waters the grass of the earth, and causes it to grow up with green lusciousness and beauty—which will be cut down by lawnmowers, thrown into bags, and burned up at 5Stones—how much more will he not clothe his children?

Doriani: Strong faith does not come by introspection, by working up feelings of trust in God. Rather, Jesus says, stronger faith comes by contemplating God’s ways with his creation. Watch the birds. Observe or contemplate the lilies and the grass. The animals and plants point beyond themselves to God, their caretaker. Strong faith knows that he dresses the lower creation and will also dress us.

This is how we grow and strengthen our faith: by beholding the wonderful providence of our God and Father! So then, how foolish is it to believe that God will grant growth to impersonal green grass, that people walk on, that cows chew on, that children play on—and yet, to disbelieve that he will care for the members of his own household? And so Jesus leaves us with a stinging word of conviction: o you of little faith.

Spurgeon: “Little faith” is not a little fault; for it greatly wrongs the Lord, and sadly grieves the fretful mind. To think the Lord who clothes lilies will leave his own children naked is shameful. O little faith, learn better manners!

People of God, we need to gaze through that which is visible, to see the invisible God, our Father, who is reigning through His Son in heaven, and who is working all things for our good and His glory by the Spirit. We need to look at our Father’s World, and remember, that we have been given dominion of the world, and that we as God’s children are more precious than the world. And if we believe this, we can stand in awe and confidence:

Psalm 8:3–5 ESV

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

If our Father has done such amazing things for us? Will he not care for our finances? For our food supply? For our clothing needs? For our housing requirements? Let us believe, Calvary, that our Father is faithful to provide. And if we have any other doubts, the Cross silences them all:

Romans 8:31–32 ESV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 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?

If our Father sent His Son to bleed for us, under the weight of hell itself—how will he not also care for us, and our daily needs? That’s light work for our God!

(1) Don’t be Anxious, your Heavenly Father Cares for you - v. 25-30

This is the first exhortation on anxiety. But Jesus has two more for us this morning. So secondly, then:

(2) Don’t be Anxious, the Lord Jesus Reigns and Rules for you - v. 31-33

Do you see that in verses 31-33?

(2) Don’t be Anxious, the Lord Jesus Reigns and Rules for you - v. 31-33

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

Jesus is just summarizing all that he has just previously said. But then he adds one phrase:

32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

What is he saying here? The pagans worry about such things. They seek them. They devote themselves to trying to control their lives as their own god and king, by their own rules and righteousness. But Jesus says—this ought not to be the case for my people—for God’s children—for those who belong to the Kingdom of God and of His Christ. We ought not to be supremely concerned with seeking bodily things—rather—as Jesus taught us last week, we ought to be supremely concerned with treasuring God, loving God, and serving God. And he says it here in another way. Instead of seeking first after the same things that the pagans seek after, we are to be holy, as unto the Lord. Jesus says:

33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness,

What does that mean? We better understand it! Because in the mind of Jesus it is your ultimate duty! Seek first! Not seek second. Not third. Not seek after your family.

Your own self care is not first. Your family is not first. Your ministry is not first. Your job is not first. Your recreation is not first. Your rest is not first. Your enjoyment is not first. What then are we to seek first? The Kingdom of God and His Righteousness! The Reign of Christ Jesus, the King of kings, who is redeeming and restoring his people and this fallen creation, making us new by the Word and Spirit of God. He transfers us into His Kingdom through conversion, as we are born again by the Spirit. His Kingdom brings new life, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. His Kingdom leads us to submit to the Law of the Kingdom, his righteous commandments and precepts. We are called to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

And that doesn’t merely mean that we seek heaven, way out there—for the kingdom of God has already dawned, down here. The king has already died, risen, and taken his seat on the throne of God. His Kingdom is not of this world, but it is in this world, and it is growing until it fills the earth and blesses every nation, tribe, and tongue. King Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, and he has called us to disciple the nations, to teach them to obey his righteousness—and to take all things captive to obey our Reigning King, and His Righteous Rules!

In summary, how do we seek first the Kingdom? By seeking first the King. By trusting in Jesus. By serving Jesus. By submitting all things to Jesus. By sacrificing for the mission of Jesus. By consecrating all that you are to the cause of Jesus. By hungering and thirsting after obedience to the rules of Jesus. By faithfully praying with God’s people for the glory of Jesus.

HDK: The listeners are exhorted, therefore, to acknowledge God as King in their own hearts and lives, and to do all in their power to have him recognized as King also in the hearts and lives of others, and in every sphere: education, government, commerce, industry, science, etc.

The Kingdom is here—the Kingdom is Conquering—King Jesus is Marching into Battle. Will we follow Him into the fray? Or will we waste our lives with the concerns of the body. Will we commit to building up his church, and supporting local and global missions? Or will we spend our days in anxiety like the pagans around us. The call goes forth: onward, Christian soldiers! Who will heed it? *And come out this evening if you want to meditate on some promises about the Kingdom of God in order to fuel your pursuit of it.

And then Jesus promises his faithful people, that: as we seek first the Kingdom, God will provide for all our needs:

and all these things will be added to you.

What things? Anxieties about our life, food and drink, bodily needs, clothing, and daily concerns. Which are valid. These are all genuine needs. But Jesus says: you don’t get them by worrying about them, you get them by seeking first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness. This is a conditional promise. God has promised to meet our needs. For all Christians universally? No. For those who are seeking first His Kingdom. Only as we are doing this, can we claim the promise that all these things will be added to you. We are a kingdom of priests! Obey my voice, says Jehovah, and you will be blessed. Seek the Kingdom, says Jesus, and you will be provided for in all things. Will we live by faith? Or will we will by fear? Will we serve the King? Or will we feed our anxieties. God give us grace to rest in the grace of Jesus Christ, and to run after His glorious kingdom for all of our days.

Psalm 34:8–10 ESV

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

And in case anyone is thinking that there is a flair of the health and wealth prosperity gospel, let me just assure you—our needs are not defined by us, but by God—and the good that we won’t lack, is that which God sees is good for us. Even in affliction—if you are seeking first God’s Kingdom—he will give you all that you need. Even in trials and tribulations—He will sustain us with his righteous right arm. So take heart, brothers and sisters—be bold and courageous for the Kingdom of God—b/c God is for us!

(2) Don’t be Anxious, the Lord Jesus Reigns and Rules for you - v. 31-33

Our Father cares for us, and Jesus reigns for us—that’s all we need! But Jesus adds one last thing to comfort our weary and weak hearts that are so prone to fear and doubting:

(3) Don’t be Anxious, your Daily Troubles are Enough for you - v. 34

Do you see that in verse 34?

(3) Don’t be Anxious, your Daily Troubles are Enough for you - v. 34

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.

We can’t change the future. All we can do is faithfully live in the present. And as we put our hand to the plow now, we will affect the course of history, by God’s grace. But you don’t win tomorrow’s battles by waiting for them. You win tomorrow battle’s by preparing for them. And how do you prepare for them? By faithfully serving today. By trust Jesus today. By resting in His Gospel of Salvation today. By repenting of your sins today. By casting your anxieties on Him today. By praying to Him today. By seeking first His Reign and Rule today. By committing all your needs to him today.

Today is the way to face tomorrow. Jesus says: tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Don’t worry about it. It’s in God’s hands. So trust Him with today, in His daily mercies which are new every morning, in His Fatherly care which extends to every area of your life, and serve King Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Then he closes and with this final reminder for his beloved children:

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Spurgeon: To load to-day with trials not yet arrived, would be to overload it. Anxiety is evil, but anxiety about things which have not yet happened is altogether without excuse. O my heart, what rest there is for thee if thou wilt give thyself up to thy Lord, and leave all thine own concerns with him! Mind thou thy Lord’s business, and he will see to thy business.

And so some closing verses that come to mind are these:

Philippians 4:6 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV

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.

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Day by day, one day at a time—we need to remember that this is our Father’s world, we need to trust and obey King Jesus, and we need to pray in the power of the Spirit.

Calvary, with all the future transitions and leadership considerations, this word is for us especially. Do not be anxious. Christ is building his church. Trust Him with the future of Calvary. Trust Him to call the right man. And serve Him diligently while we wait on the LORD, eagerly expecting him to do far more than we can think or imagine.

Serve Christ today—and He will bring you through tomorrow—until that final day, when His Kingdom will be consummated, when He shall make all things new, when heaven comes to earth, and hades is cast into hell—there we shall reign with him, forever and ever! Fear shall be banished! Oh to know that peace of God forever and ever!

(3) Don’t be Anxious, your Daily Troubles are Enough for you - v. 34

So hear our conclusion for this morning from our text:

(C) Our Father will Meet all our Needs—so don’t be Anxious but Prioritize—Seeking First His Kingdom Day by Day.

The old hymn can probably summarize this text better than I ever could. Let these lyrics sink deep into your souls, that we might not be anxious as we serve our King of Grace and Glory:

Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here; trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure, gives unto each day what He deems best—lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord himself is near me, with a special mercy for each hour; all my cares He fain would bear and cheer me, he whose name is counsellor and power. The protection of His child and treasure, is a charge that on Himself He laid; as your days, your strength shall be in measure, this the pledge to me He has made.

Help me then in every tribulation, so to trust your promises O Lord, that I lose not faith’s sweet consolation, offered me within your Holy Word. Help me Lord when toil and trouble meeting, e’er to take as from a father’s hand, one by one, the days the moments fleeting, till I reach the promised land.

And so it is—Christ is conquering the earth with His Law & Gospel as we speak, and when he has saved all his elect, and driven all his enemies out before us—then we shall inherit the earth, inherit the world, as coheirs with Christ. Blessed hope indeed! Let us have faith, deep faith, rich faith, abiding faith—in the King of kings.

(C) Our Father will Meet all our Needs—so don’t be Anxious but Prioritize—Seeking First His Kingdom Day by Day.

Amen? Let’s pray.

Discussion Questions:

(1) What phrase does Jesus repeat three times in verses 25-34? What does that suggest about the main point of the text?

(2) Why does Jesus point us to the creation around us? And how does he argue from the lesser to the greater?

(3) How does Jesus grant us such rich comfort by assuring his true disciples that they are children of our Heavenly Father?

(4) What must be our ultimate priority, according to Jesus, if we are going to beat anxiety? And how do we practically live this out?

(5) Why must we only focus on one day at a time? Why does Jesus close this section with this reminder for us?