The Father Knows Best (Matthew 6.25-34)

Topic: The Father Knows Best

Text: Matthew 6.25-34

Date: January 14, 2021

Series: Set Me Free

Scripture makes a clear point in 2 Peter 1.3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

The issue in the church is that we’ve focused so much on the Godliness (which is extremely important) that we never really focus on life. Therefore many are wrestling through mental illness alone and wont even seek help due to the fear of being labeled as crazy or even as someone who doesn’t trust God.

I want to first and foremost apologize to those of you who come to the church looking for a place of peace, but instead found a boxing ring. Today, specifically at Faith Community Bible Church it’s our desire to take the gloves off. We dont want you to feel as though you have to defend yourself with things that are beyond your control.

Mental health is one of the most complex and far-reaching issues in our community. It crosses every racial and socio-economic line. It affects 1 in 5 people in the United States. Yet, it is an issue that is greatly misunderstood and our community is woefully under-equipped to serve those struggling with their mental health. Since we are called to actively love our neighbors, we need to learn how to embrace this part of our community. Set Me Free is a series designed to help us process not only our approach to mental illness, but also to fuel us to rest in what the scripture teaches us about it. Our God has the power to free us from the chains of mental illness.

Introduction:

Anxiety has been downplayed for many many years in the church. So much so that many genuine believers wrestle with it and because church leaders have down played it, it goes unaddressed and causes many more issues.

Anxiety is a constant fearful state, accompanied by a feeling of unrest, dread, or worry. The person may not be aware of what is creating the fear. Anxiety is aroused by a number of factors:

— external situations (viewing the nightly news, a fast-paced lifestyle)

— physical well-being (lack of sleep, blood sugar imbalance)

— modeling (parents who were highly anxious)

— trauma (in situations that may be similar to experiences of the past that caused great pain)

Anxiety’s symptoms can include inability to relax, tense feelings, rapid heartbeat, dry mouth, increased blood pressure, jumpiness or feeling faint, excessive perspiring, feeling clammy, constant anticipation of trouble, and constant feeling of uneasiness.

Today, I would like to present you with some information to help those of us who wrestle with some sort of anxiety. No, I don't want to isolate us, but rather I would like to provide for you a platform for you to confess it in a room full of people who if they were honest wrestle with it as well. It’s my desire today for us to rest in the reality that we as children of God never have to be anxious. Anxiety/worry doesn’t have to over take us because Our God knows our needs and He will meet every one of them. (In his timing and His way)

Main Point: Our God knows our needs and He will meet every one of them. (In his timing and in his own way) Why? Because The Father knows Best.

We can count on the Lord to provide for our needs, protect us from evil, guide us, and keep our souls secure for eternity. We may not be able to prevent anxious thoughts from entering our minds, but we can practice the right response. Philippians 4:6, 7 instructs us to "not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Listen Family, Anxiety is something everyone deals with to some degree. The good news is that there's no shame in feeling unsettled about what the future may bring, but operating from a full-time place of anxiety isn't great for you. Listen to this and hear me well, you dont have to feel any shame that wrestle with anxiety. The only difference between you and others is that you have the courage to admit it. You could be the individual that God wants to use to make a difference among those around you who are feeling anxious.

Believer, together we must find ways to calm those fears. That could mean talking to a therapist. Perhaps it's as simple as looking to the Word of God for some Bible verses about strength, which can help bring a peace that can eradicate the anxiety that we experience.

Psalms 94:19

When I am filled with cares, your comfort brings me joy.

Proverbs 12:25

Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.

Psalms 55:22

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Main Point: Our God knows our needs and He will meet every one of them. (In his timing and in his own way) Why? Because The Father knows Best.

Today we find ourselves together at the end of Matthew 6. Here we find Jesus preaching. (Talk about Jesus preaching)

Understanding how this chapter is opened, helps us properly apply this text. In chapter 6, Jesus calls for simple devotion (simple holiness) and how we practice that in front of others. Talking about motives (6:1-4), prayer (6:5-15), and fasting (6:16-18), we are being encouraged to know that we have the responsibility to please God and not others. The purpose of these spiritual endeavors is to do God’s will. We are to be concerned to please God rather than to win human approval. Jesus counsels his disciples to store up treasure in heaven rather than on earth (6:19-21) and then says, “The eye is the lamp of the body,” (6:22)—using the eye as a metaphor for spiritual vision. These verses are related to our text, because they emphasize living a life focused on God—seeking Godly rather than human approval—and seeking spiritual rather than material rewards.

This text is a reminder to us that (Main Point) Our God knows our needs and He will meet every one of them. (In his timing and in his own way) Why? Because The Father knows Best.

Our text today forces us to go beyond “Thanks, God, for all my stuff!” or “Help me to get more stuff!” in our prayers. It forces us to push past the anxiety that we experience by reminding us that we have no need to worry about what we can’t control. It pushes us to not worry about why something happened or how something is going to be handled or even allowing us to become prisoners to our thoughts. How does Jesus do this? 3 times in this passage Jesus, repeats the phrase: DO NOT BE ANXIOUS! Get this, 3 times he says Don’t be anxious! Depending on your translation anxious is replaced with worry.

Our if you have the King James Version you see differently which I believe firmly gives legs to this text. Using that translation Jesus says “Take no thought about your life”.

Take no thought about your life… This points is to this deep trust in the Lord that I dont have to even give head space to my life why, because I know that it is in the hands of someone who holds tomorrow in his hands. My life is led by a man who’s has the power to conform all things to the image of His son. My life is in the hands of a man who:

God’s word is true

God does not lie

God never changes in his being

God never changes his mind

God never changes his plans or purposes

God has never failed to fulfill his word

God is sovereign over all things

God is infinitely wise

God is faithful

God is infinitely loving

It emphasizes that the Father, who has demonstrated his generosity throughout all creation knows our needs—and, if we will seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, “all these things will be given to you as well” (v. 33).

Our God knows our needs and He will meet every one of them. (In his timing and in his own way) Why? Because The Father knows Best. This text shows us 3 clear ways that we can rest assured that we don't have to be anxious. 3 clear truths that we can rest in to know that our needs will be met.

We know that God will meet our needs because:

1. Our Father:

I have 4 children: Triniti, Makayla, Michael and Tyler! As their father, as I raise them, I have the responsibility to provide for them everything that they need. As my children, in the home, they dont have to sweat about eating, how will the bills get paid, how they will get the basic essentials for life. Why? Because their father will make sure that its done. Even as they get older, they talk to their father about it. Even as they move out on their own, they still talk to their father. Even as they grow and are more trusted to make decisions, they still look for the advice and instruction of THEIR FATHER!

Make it spiritual… I dont care how much we grow in the gospel, or how less we grow in the gospel, we will always need our Heavenly father!

Matthew 6.25-29

“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.

Jesus attacks worry here, he attacks anxiety here from the standpoint of God as Creator and omnipotent Lord. God provides for the lilies of the field, who neither toil nor spin yet are clothed in glory that the richest man who ever lived could not match. Further, Jesus adds a note of extravagance to God’s lordly creativity: God expends this creative energy on the beauty of flowers that have an immensely short shelf life. Wildflowers in Jesus’ day were plucked almost daily to be used as fuel in cooking fires, yet God does not hold back in crowning them with colorful glory. Jesus’ point is simple: If God lavishes His goodness and glory on things that very nearly exist only to be consumed, won’t He expend His authority and power as Creator and Lord much more on those He has chosen, called, and redeemed to be His image-bearers?

Anxiety is a soul-cancer that strikes the rich, the poor, and those in the middle:

• The rich person is anxious to get richer still—to accumulate houses, cars, art, clothing, and other possessions to advertise his/her success. He/she must then try to protect these possessions against moth, rust, embezzlement, accounting fraud, inflation, deflation, high and low interest rates, and innumerable other threats. The energy required to maximize profitability, even of a modest estate, is enormous, and there are no guarantees. And, of course, death will sooner or later take it all away—all of it—irrevocably. The more we have, the more we stand to lose—and the more we worry about losing it.

• The middle-class person is anxious about job security, health insurance, car payments, house payments, tuition, the cost of child care, leaky roofs, worn tires, and a host of other concerns.

• The poor person is anxious about keeping a roof overhead and food on the table. Poor people are easily tempted by lotteries and other unlikely get-rich-quick schemes, because they have such desperate needs and so little hope.

The One who is restoring us to bear His image in the world, to exercise dominion on His behalf for the fulfillment of His program (Col. 3:10), who bestows such honor on those who rebelled against that authority, will without question give those men and women what they need. Believing anything less is wicked unbelief.

Jesus first tells us not to be anxious, and then provides the rationale:

• God provides for the sparrow, who works but does not worry.

• God, who gave us life, will provide for our needs.

• God clothes the flowers beautifully, even though they are of minor importance compared with humans—God’s sons and daughters created in God’s image.

• Our worry/anxiety is futile; it does not accomplish anything.

Our Father knows whats best for us and He will supply all of our need according to His riches and glory. (Not our timetable and desire)

2. Our Faith

Not only should we rest in know that our needs will be met because of our father (1), but 2 because of our faith.

Matthew 6.30-32

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.

The call here is not to forego beauty in clothing (or anything else), but to forego anxiety about clothing (or anything else). It is good to enjoy God’s beautiful gifts, but it is not good to worry about them. Again Jesus argues from the lesser to the greater. If God takes care of wildflowers and grass, won’t he also take care of his children?

Our difficulty with this is that Christians often suffer violence or poverty or starvation or illness—just like everyone else. We have been given this idea that being a follower of Jesus makes us exempt from the pains of this world and that just isn’t true.

“There is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked.” Jesus highlights one of these differences, at the level of how our nature affects our understanding of life and reality. Unsaved people are cut off from God as Lord, Father, and Creator. This is a more awful idea than we might first anticipate. Besides the obvious implications for their salvation, this also means they are cut off from the true understanding of the world, how it works, and the meaning of life. They have no fully-orbed nor heart-level, lived-out concept of a sovereign, holy, personal Lord who is involved in very detail of life and has an overarching program and plan for the world, into which all things fit. Jesus’ exhortation falls into two sections; “do not worry…for the Gentiles eagerly seek,” and “do not worry…for your heavenly Father knows.” Do not worry, because unbelievers do that, and they have none of the knowledge or resources you do. Positively, do not worry because you have a heavenly Father who knows—a word which carries the idea of deep and full, often experiential, knowledge—what you need and has all authority and power in heaven and earth to give it to you.

Believer, we must grow in our faith in Jesus to know that He will take care of us.

Faith is the result of believing the Gospel (faith Community definition) — the good news that Jesus died for our sin and made a way for us to be right with God and spend eternity in heaven. When we allow the reality of the Gospel to affect every part of our lives, it changes the way we think which changes how we behave.

Faith causes us to act on what we haven't experienced yet, to believe promises in the Bible that haven't been fulfilled yet, and to trust God when our situations haven't changed yet.

We all want to persevere through the day without melting down or throwing a tantrum (despite how we feel at times). Faith in God is what allows us to experience stability in the middle of instability. When life feels out of control, we take comfort in knowing that God is in control.

Main Point: Our God knows our needs and He will meet every one of them. (In his timing and in his own way) Why? Because The Father knows Best.

Jesus emphasizes here in our text today that the Father, who has demonstrated his generosity throughout all creation knows our needs—and, if we will seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, “all these things will be given to you as well” (v. 33).

We can rest in knowing that because of:

Our Father

Our Faith

And finally:

3. Our Focus:

As you experience anxiety or worry in this life… what is it that has your attention? What are you seeking after?

Give the illustration about focus: from the movie Focus with Will Smith.

Life has a way of duping is to me us feel that what we need is more.

Life has a way of tricking us into thinking that if we would’ve been at a certain place at a certain time then things would’ve been different.

Life has a way of taking our attention and focus off of the one who gave it to us.

But here’s what God said:

Matthew 6.33-34

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.

Too many of us have bought into this idea that we can mix a little bit of God with a lot of the world. Trying to follow isolated things about the word of God. Ill log into worship. Ill give when I feel like it or its convenient for me, but when it comes to really submitting to what God wants we make it all about us.

Losing sight of what God wants and placing our wants and desires first really begins to cause us to lose perspective. People of God, we must prioritize God and His kingdom over all things.

Jesus exhorts His people in a fresh way. Take the energy you would have spent worrying and choose to expend it on your true master and king, and His work. This is ultimately an issue of faith. There is always a little part of us that wants to check and re-check; to ruminate, over-plan, and have back-ups to our back-up plans. We want to fret and fantasize about all the ways things can go wrong, and some of us take pleasure in frustration and setbacks, as if our “victimhood” should earn us pity or sympathy. Jesus forces us into a decision: DON'T WORRY! DON'T BE ANXIOUS.

Throw yourself instead with wild abandon into the pursuit of God’s purposes. The idea is that you can do one or the other, but not both. And that is the problem. We want to trust God, but we also cannot give ourselves fully to Him. What if He doesn’t come through? What if He doesn’t rescue us? And so we sacrifice vital energy and time and mental capacity on something that accomplishes nothing and in fact is detrimental to everything good God wants to give us and accomplish in the world.

Let me give you some truth today. God is going to do just what he said. It may not look the way you want it to, but he going to do it.

Conclusion:

He says: Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. “seek first God’s kingdom” does not mean first in sequence but first in priority. It isn’t that we are to strive for the kingdom of God for a period of time so that we may then be free to strive for other things, but that we should keep the kingdom in the forefront of our concerns always.

When he says dont worry about or be anxious about tomorrow, hes not saying dont plan. He’s saying dont be anxious. Dont worry. Dont fret!

Why? Simply because we have the privilege to serve a God who:

God’s word is true

God does not lie

God never changes in his being

God never changes his mind

God never changes his plans or purposes

God has never failed to fulfill his word

God is sovereign over all things

God is infinitely wise

God is faithful

God is infinitely loving

Main Point: Our God knows our needs and He will meet every one of them. (In his timing and in his own way) Why? Because The Father knows Best.

The Winans came out with a song in 1987 titled: “Aint no need to worry”

In this song they share that:

There's a fear of night fall,

when darkeness comes and covers all the day.

Sometimes we feel pain,

but there are things that we can change, just pray.

Troubles come, but they do past,

heartaches, hurts, oh but, they don't last always.

Sometimes we feel pain,

but there are things that we can change, just pray.

Ain't no need to worry,

what the night is gonna bring,

it'll be all over in the morning.

The Winas give us some biblical instructions here and that’s to pray. As we begin to rest in knowing that the father knows best, today I just want to take some time to pray together. If you are here watching today or here on location and you want to just confess that I find myself many times falling into anxiety, I would like to pray with you today.

You can stand where you are or you can make your way to the alter, but today we are going to pray….