Trusting God

Text: Matthew 6:25-34

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (04/29/01)

Introduction:   

We must trust completely and unreservedly in God.  We must not lean to our own wisdom and understanding, nor upon the material possessions of this life.

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Now it is not wrong to work for some material things and a measure of earthly security.

We have a duty to work in providing for the needs of our family, the needs of others and the Lord’s work.  The Lord does not bless Laziness or sloth.

We ought to work our fingers to the bone if necessary, labouring to the point of exhaustion.

What is wrong is……

1) Ignoring and neglecting God while we work.

2) Working day and night and then worrying over how to keep what we have and how to make more and more.

3) Never being satisfied with the necessities, coveting to have more and more, to have bigger and better, to have as large and as good as the next person.

4) Neglecting the needs of others who have greater needs than we have

I. Trusting God for our Provisions vs.25

A. We are not to dwell upon the necessities of life.

The positive necessities of life are few.

Food, Drink, & Clothing.

1 Timothy 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Jesus says “Take no thought” for these things.

2 Timothy 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Do not allow them to become an entanglement to you!  If worldly necessities consume you to the point of causing you to forget and forsake the things of eternity they HAVE ENTANGLED YOU!!

EXAMPLE: People are caught up in popularity, acceptability, style & fashion, plus judging others based on outward appearance.

The Question:  What is your life dominated by?

B. Life is not to be measured by our possessions.

It is more than meat, drink and clothing.

Luke 12:15  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

II. Trusting God because of our Position vs.26-31

A. Two Illustrations of God’s Provision

1. Behold the fowls of the air vs.26

2. Consider the lilies vs.28

Lilies grow from a deep root. The roots are where they belong, in the soil to receive nourishment. The roots of believers are not to be in the material things of this earth.

Lilies do not toil or spin at spinning wheels to adorn themselves with beauty.  Their beauty comes naturally as they go about their purpose in the world.

There are apparently lilies in Palestine of a dark violet colour suggesting a king in his rich purple robes.

Even the most fragile tender plant is a powerful testimony to the care of God.

B. We are similar to the other creatures

The similarity is seen in the Limitations placed upon us by God.

1. We cannot change the limitations God has set. Vs.27

God has created us as we are.  Some things need to change (our sinful heart) others things will never change.

We can not add to our stature nor to the length of our lives.

Proverbs 27:1  Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

2. The greatest of men are subject to these limitations. Vs.29

Solomon

1 Corinthians 7:20  Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

LOOK UP & READ Philippians 4:11-13

C. We are superior to the other creatures

Job 35:11  Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?

We are made in the image of God, capable of a personal relationship with God.

The difference is marked by the Love that God has bestowed upon us.

John 3:16  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.

“Are ye not much better than they?” vs.26

“Shall He not much more clothe you?” vs.30

LOOK UP & READ Matthew 10:29-31

1. The trouble is not in God’s ability to provide. Vs.30

2. The trouble is in our lack of faith. Vs.30

God is not only our creator, He is our Heavenly Father.  Faith reaches out to receive that truth.

3. The trouble is in our worry/anxious care vs.31

III. Trusting God as our Priority vs.32-33

A. Our priorities should not be the same as the world’s priorities vs.32

“For after all these things do the Gentiles seek.”

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The lost are wrapped up in the things of this world.  They know nothing else.

Ephesians 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Aliens from God’s people.

Strangers to the promises of God.

Without Christ!

Without God!

Without Hope!!

1 Corinthians 15:19  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

B. Our earthly necessities are a priority with God in heaven vs.32

1. He knows all our needs

2. He will provide all our needs

“All these things shall be added unto you.”

C. The heavenly necessities must be a priority with us on earth vs.33

1. First things first.

a. Seek the kingdom of God

We seek our entrance to the kingdom of God and the entrance of others.

This is to be the first priority and pursuit of our lives.

b. Seek His righteousness

Personal righteousness.

That which they are to hunger and thirst after (5:6)

Which ought to exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees (5:20).

Which extends not only to outward acts, but to the inward life (5:21-48).

And which is practiced for the approval of God and not of men (6:1-18).

2. The addition of secondary things.

“All these things shall be added unto you.”

IV. Trusting God in the Present Tense vs.34

We are to live one day at a time.  The world says the same thing and means something entirely different.

The world is saying “Tomorrow depends on chance; therefore try to forget it and enjoy life today”

Christ is saying “Tomorrow and all its wants will be provided for by your heavenly Father; therefore think of it without anxiety, and try to do right and please God today.”

A. Do not worry about tomorrow.

Your anxiousness over the future will destroy your effectiveness for God today.

Leave tomorrow and it’s needs in God’s hands.

B. Do not live in tomorrow’s concerns.

Let tomorrow be tomorrow!

James 4:13-15  Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

14  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

15  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

ILLUS: Neighbours arguing about the weather.

People worry about the environment and not eternity.  How foolish is that?

C. Each day’s provision is sufficient for that day.

Which attitude characterizes your thoughts about the future?

1) A no-care, worldly attitude. A person eats, drinks, and is merry today, letting tomorrow take care of itself. The future is of little concern. It will take care of itself. Earthly pleasure, power, and fame are the major concerns of life. He needs to get all he can now, while he can.

2) A fretful, anxious attitude. A person worries all the time, wondering if he is secure and if he will have enough to take care of himself and his family.

3) A fearful, panicky attitude. In the face of trial and failure, a person can barely function. Tragedy has hit: his job is lost, cutbacks have to be made, adjustments are needed. The strength and confidence to act and to continue on is lacking.

4) A self-assured attitude. A person has complete confidence in himself and his ability. He knows he can make out and take care of himself in this world, and he does it. But there is one thing that this person fails to see and it is fatal: the confidence that he has in himself will end. He will die, and he will only have taken care of himself for a few short years. He will find out that self-confidence cannot bridge the great gulf between heaven and earth, time and eternity, God and man.

5) A calm God-centered and trusting attitude. A person goes about living and working ever so diligently and calmly, trusting God to take care of all. He does all he can about the necessities of life, both for himself and for others, but he seeks God and His righteousness first

Conclusion:     (Review)

If you will be faithful and serve God diligently and yet it seems that you fail, just remember….

1. Your failure is temporary (Romans 8:28).

2. God will supply your needs (Philippians 4:19)

3.God has much better things in store for you.

4. Be faithful (Galatians 6:9).

Remember…. Material things can make you physically comfortable, but they cannot satisfy your soul.

2 Corinthians 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.