Why Worrying is Worrisome
Teachings on the Life and Ministry of Jesus • Sermon • Submitted
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Why Worrying is Worrisome
Why Worrying is Worrisome
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Sermon Series - Expository Preaching from the Life and Ministry of Jesus
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. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 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? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 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. 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? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:
Anecdote on Worry
Death was walking toward a city one morning and a man asked, "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to take 100 people," Death replied.
"That's horrible!" the man said.
"That's the way it is," Death said. "That's what I do."
The man hurried to warn everyone he could about Death's plan.
As evening fell, he met Death again. "You told me you were going to take 100 people," the man said. "Why did 1,000 die?"
"I kept my word," Death responded. "I only took 100 people. Worry took the others."
The moral of this story = Worry Can Kill.
Interesting story, can be funny too, the process of worrying and the consequences of it may be something we tend to overlook, but there is a reason why Jesus talked about it in His Sermon on the Mount.
Big Idea: Jesus warned us not only about the futility of worrying but also about the danger of it.
What is worry?
Worry is different from concern. Concern is a legitimate emotion that helps you focus on real problems and gives you energy to bring real solutions.
Concern is positive while worry is not.
In fact this is a good definition for worry:
Worry
To torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts.
To be torn apart by the circumstances around you.
I. The objects of Worry. (verse 25, v28)
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. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
A. Basic Necessities (Food Clothing Shelter)
If we are going to make Jesus’ words applicable to our current context and time in the America of 2019,.
Food, clothing and Shelter are not the biggest object of worry.
Government provides assistance, the church as well.
“homeless man” that seemed very happy.
B. The “Non-Necessities”
We live in a post-slavery world, but do you know that today:
People Are Enslaved to the Master of Materialism
Many today are so concerned with maintaining their lifestyle, their standard of living.
1. This is why our jobs are a focal point of stress (Finding a job, the situation and performance at the job, keeping the job)
Christians compromise their values in order to protect their position at work.
2. Running Out of Money
Pray for those in dire situations.
Self-inflicted concerns arising from self-imposed goals.
II. The Causes of Worry. (v. 25b, v26)
25b “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? “
A. Lack of Purpose
We have to be thankful about life itself.
A. Lack of Purpose
Not understanding the meaning of life
Your Significance and Pursuit in life (I preached on this)
The side effects manifest as worry.
B. Lack of Contentment
We have to be thankful about life itself.
“Enjoy the Little things in life, because one day you will look back, and realize they were the big things”.
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?
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.
Matthew 6:26
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
One thing the birds of the air and the lilies of the field cannot do is to be afraid of their future.
One thing the birds of the air and the lilies of the field cannot do is to be afraid of their future.
One thing the birds of the air and the lilies of the field cannot do is
B. Fear
They say there are 365 times that the word “fear not” appears in the Bible. You have one reminder to “not be afraid” for each day of the year.
Not sure if that count of 365 is accurate but let me tell you that if the God of the universe tells us “Fear Not”, ONCE IS ENOUGH.
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Fear of the future is one big fear.
The consequences of Worry.
III. The consequences of Worry. (v. 27)
One consequence of worry is its inconsequence - it is useless!
A. Its Uselessness
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Stature versus Years (study this)
Stature versus Years (study this)
(People who want to be taller)
B. Its Harm.
Life Span of people who lived in Jesus’ Time was around 55 years. Reasons, lack of proper nutritional knowledge, lack of cure, people didn’t go to the gym at that time, and then the civilization and politics of their time. Roman Empire gave some semblance of order and civilization but there was always an outside threat from barbarians, there is the political threat of Roman oppression, or the internal threat of just people killing each other because of the lack of law enforcement. People must have worried that they can die anytime.
Jesus was addressing their anxiety about how long they will live.
He said:
“Worrying does not Add Years to Your Life”
Now, fast forward, we are blessed to live at this time of advanced western civilization and medical knowledge.
American’s average life span is now around 80 years.
To bring Jesus’ words into our context.
“Worrying does not Add Years to Your Life, It May Even Shorten It”
Evidence here of medical findings of the effects of worry to health..
There's a hormone called cortisol, that's secreted when someone is feeling threatened or stressed. Too much cortisol has been shown to lower the immune system and affect heart health.
IV. The Sin of Worry (v 30-32)
“O you of little faith” is Jesus’ indictment of people for their lack of trust.
Worry is doubting God in His Word, His Power and His Character.
A. Doubting God’s Word.
verse(s) here about the promises of God.
Worry is like saying Lord I don’t believe you will keep your promise.
B. Doubting God’s Power
Verse(s) here about the power of God
Worry is like saying “Lord I don’t believe you are capable.”
C. Doubting God’s Character.
Verse(s) here about the Lovingkindness of God.
Worry is like saying “Lord You Don’t Really Care”.
This is why Worrying is a Sin!
Jesus adds in verse 32: “For the Gentiles seek after all these things”
What are Gentiles? They are non-Jews, Jesus said that in the context of that time because the gospel had not spread to non-Jews. But in our context, this refers to the heathen, the unbelievers, or PAGANs.
To put it bluntly, Jesus meant:
You Act Like a Pagan When You Worry!
V. The Antidote to Worry (vv. 33- 34)
A. Seek first the Kingdom of God..
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Does not mean you abandon your responsibilities and do full time ministry.
Does not mean you abandon your responsibilities and do full time ministry.
Word Study for “seek”
ζητέω “seek”
Desire God.
Problem is people’s minds are focused on the object and not the source.
Stop Desiring Material Wealth. Desire the Source of Spiritual Blessings.
How about issues in relationships? ---- these are just symptoms of our wrong desires and priorities.
What is the greatest cause of conflict in marriages today? (Look this up - money)
Couples worry, and they turn on each other, they disagree on the solution, they can’t give up their pride and then its downhill from there!
Jesus said seek the Kingdom of God.
Verse about the Kingdom of love being about joy and righteousness.
If you have renewed your mindset.
You will know that God loves you and your family, He is able to take care of you and that He has a greater plan for you!
You are meant to have an impact in the lives of others!
The Outcome of Seeking God
“All these things will be added to you”.
I believe this, in God’s economy, He will provide for
I believe Jesus did not mean materials this to be the ultimate outcome.
God wants us to get past the basic necessities and enjoy the reason He created us For.
You will have peace and freedom, you are made set free that focus is no longer on yourself and your trouble but on others and being an active part of the Kingdom of God.
B. Trust Him One Day At a Time
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthe
There is joy in the journey of Faith!
There is joy in the journey of Faith!
There is joy in the journey of Faith!
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Why is this effective and how does this bring peace? Well it says make your requests known to God by prayer and supplication. This means you take all your concerns and problems and you have already given it to God and you have already thanked Him for it! The problem is we have to leave it to God, don’t try to get it back. God has it in His hands, He now has full control let go. Release to God the prayer you have already given to Him and thank Him!
6 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 7 Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Let Christ Displace the Worry of Your Life.
Worry magnifies the size of the problem. Trust decreases the size of the problem and magnifies the greatness of God.
May Your Life show the Awesome Greatness and Glory of Jesus Christ. Stop worrying and Trust Him today!