For When You Worry

INTRO

The Way of the Kingdom

Sermon on the Mount

Jesus was the coming King that nobody expected. Everyone expected a high and lofty authoritative figure. So when Jesus of Nazareth stepped into the scene, claiming that He was the long awaited Messiah, He was met with much confusion. Who is this guy? What is He about?

After He assembled His 12 disciples, He decided to sit them down and teach.

BODY

What is worry?

As defined by the American Psychological Association, worry is “n. a state of mental distress or agitation due to concern about an impending or anticipated event, threat, or danger.”

Now, worry isn’t always a bad thing. At times, we use our worry as a means of protection. We worry for the safety of our children, our families, and even ourselves.

If I’m swimming at the Fort Myers Beach and see a SHARK, worry tells me, “Hey, Rhidge, you should swim away.”

On the other hand, worry can stunt our ability to fully experience life.

The Effects of Worry (verses 25-27)

Worry distorts our priorities (v25)

Worry moves us. It is our response mechanism when problems arise. If we are worried about finances, we work. We work to gain more money, but is money really the main priority?

Too often, there are stories of good-hearted parents and spouses working hard to provide for their families. But hard work can lead to abandonment.

A PSYCH STUDY: "Work time, work interference with family and psychological distress," published in the June issue of the Journal of Applied Psychology, (Vol. 87, No. 2) concludes that long hours at work increase work-family conflict and that this conflict is in turn related to depression and other stress-related health problems, according to lead author Virginia Smith Major

Worry taints our perception of God (v26)

Worry is a response to trouble in our lives. When something isn’t working how we expect it to, we worry. Sometimes, we even allow worry to taint our view of God. We might question God, and wonder why He put us here in the first place.

We may look at nature, and see how God provides for them. We might even think, “God, when is it going to be my turn? When am I going to be a recipient of Your love?”

Worry has no benefits (v27)

Being worried and impatient in a situation benefits us nothing. We cannot make time go by faster if we are worrying. We cannot improve the quality of a situation by worrying.

If anything, worry affects our performance to maintain that which we are able to.

SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE (verses 28-32)

The Alternative to Worry (verses 33-34)

Release control (v33a)

Seeking God’s Kingdom enables us to release the control we have over our lives. Trusting that God is in control will soothe the worry that seeks to enslave us.

Kingdoms are run by Kings. And the King that runs cosmos is a King that can be trusted.

Let God love you (v33b)

What is righteousness?

Righteousness = holiness = likeness to God = love. THUS, righteousness is love.

Seeking God’s righteousness inevitably leads us to God’s heart towards us. His righteousness empowers us to obey Him and love those around us.

Live presently (v34)

There is something so powerful about remaining in the present. Worry has the tendency to have dwell on things that have not yet happened. In other words, worry only lives in the future. Very rarely do we ever worry about things that are happening right now.

The key to subduing worry? Live presently. Because it is in the now—this present moment—where God decides to meet you.

CONCLUSION

You can insert whatever thing you are worrying about in that statement.

My mother is going to be alright.

My finances are going to be alright.

My family’s relationship is going to be alright.

Because God loves me,I am going to be alright.