The Red Letters: Worry Not

Worry Not

Main Point: Jesus instructs us how to be disciples and one way we do that is by putting our trust in Him

How many of us have worries in this world today? The culture of fear has been rampant and we are exposed daily to someone telling us that we should be afraid of this or that.

As an American we worry about the economy, the presidency, the national debt, the decaying moral society.

As a parent we worry about our children, the schools they go to, the neighborhood they live in, and the friends they associate with.

As an individual we worry about our finances, our house, our car, our retirement, our happiness, and sometimes our walk with God

Our teens worry about social rejection, saying or doing the write thing, the clothes they wear, etc.

Some of us feel that if we are not worried we should be worried about that.

Recent statistics show that the fastest growing psychological disorder of anxiety is fastest growing in the millennials. Research also shows that the millennials are the least churched, a Pew research study found they the least likely generation to have any kind of or agree with any kind of religious affiliation.

What does God’s word tell us about worry?

The Sermon on the Mount—Historical concepts, meaningfulness of what Jesus is telling us.

The economy in Jesus’ day

Matthew 6:25–34 (NIV)

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

The idea of worry = sin. The Greek Grammar here implies this is an imperative, three times, versus 25, 31, and 34 say “do not”. The Greek grammar here is equal to Cease and Desist.

We tend to make make this a “respectable sin”

Jerry Bridges wrote a book called “Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate” in it he addresses the church views and stances on cultural issues like homosexuality, adultery, murder, abortion and transgender which are all what we call big sins but what about the respectable sins we live with in the church like gossip, greed, envy, and anxiety.

Sin is Sin and that should speak to us this morning

R. Mounce says that Anxiety/worry is more than sin it is in fact practical atheism and an affront to God: It is in effect not believing you have a heavenly Father above providing for you

How do we react to someone who confesses a chronic addiction to pornography versus someone who confesses to being a chronic worrier. John Wesley the founder of the methodism stated “I can no more worry than I can swear and curse”

The New International Version Chapter 6

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

What are we focused on? Are material things going to dominate our thoughts and our concerns.

Point 1 Life is more than materialism. The therefore, takes a backwards to the prior verses on storing up treasure in heaven. In the end we are told we cannot serve two masters, either we will serve God or we will serve mammon. Worry is about material goods.

Jesus wants us to not just obey His commands He wants us to have the same heart and desires to be his disciples.

At this point it is enough for Jesus to say do not do it. He does not have to explain why but He does; He gives us three reasons not to worry.

Matthew 6:26–30 NIV

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

Point 2: You are more valuable than a bird or any animal or the grass.

First reason, Are you not more important than a bird? Does God not provide for His children. Dogs and Children example

Number 2 is what does it do for you? It is not only sin it is unproductive sin.

Last, the grass they sat in was used for fired to bake their bread, warm their homes, etc. If God clothes the grass where do you think you fit as God’s creation, in His image He made us.

He formed us in the womb and gave us breath that we were born and then He gave us another birth in Christ Jesus as our personal savior that we would have life ever after. If this is the God that gives us life twice why would we doubt that He is going to take care of the little things.

Oh ye of little faith!!! Who was He looking at when He said that is a question that comes to mind. Charles Spurgeon the preachers preacher addressed this simply by saying that little faith is not a little fault but an affront to God

“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!”—Charles Spurgeon

Philippians 4:4–6 NIV

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Point 3: Have faith that your Heavenly Father loves you and will provide for you

Matthew 6:31–34 NIV

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Point 4: Jesus is inviting you to have a freedom in Him, but first you must seek Him

Do not worry about tomorrow, today has enough concerns for you. Let God the Father carry that burden as it was intended from the beginning.

Are you trusting the Father? Are you a practical atheist and did not know it?

ACTION| Trust Him, recognize that He has provided the greatest provision for you already—eternal life in Jesus Christ our Savior