Jesus on Worrying
Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV)
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.
Good morning, brothers and sisters. Today, we are here to reflect on a topic that affects each and every one of us: worry. Worry is something that we experience at some point in our lives, regardless of age or background.
"What keeps you up at night?" It is a phrase that is often used to inquire about what worries, concerns, or struggles a person is going through. Those issues that may cause anxiety or stress.
Let us look at some of the most common causes of worry nowadays:
Financial concerns: Financial concerns can be a significant source of worry for many individuals and families. They worry about income, debt, expenses, mortgage payments, educational expenses, retirement, and overall financial stability.
Health Issues: We also worry when we face health concerns such as chronic illness, serious illness, age-related health concerns. Also, when we need to undergo surgery or medical procedures. Those can be a significant source of worry.
Relationship Struggles: Concerns related to conflicts, breakups, family issues, loneliness, or maintaining healthy relationships.
Work-related Stress: Pressures associated with job performance, deadlines, evaluations, career advancement, and job security.
Social Pressures: Social pressures related to appearance, status, and achievements can contribute to feelings of anxiety. Social media platforms often lead to people to compare themselves to others and compete for validation. They feel anxious when they fail to meet the standard portrayed in the media.
Future Uncertainty: Apprehensions about what lies ahead, including career prospects, housing, family planning, and personal fulfillment. Worry about the future of children, their education and development.
In a world filled with uncertainties and challenges, it is easy for worry to consume our thoughts and steal our peace. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to a different way of living. Our main emphasis for today's sermon sounds simple "Do not worry", but you probably know from personal experience that it is not easy to do.
But here's the good news, the Bible is filled with wisdom, guidance, and promises from a loving God who understands our tendency to worry. In fact, Jesus, in his sermon on the mount, addresses this very issue. He provides us with some powerful insights on how to break free from the grip of worry.
As we turn to the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34, we will find a blueprint for finding peace in the middle of life's uncertainties. So, whether you find yourself with a lot of worries right now, or you're here to gain wisdom for the challenges that lie ahead, I invite you to open your hearts and minds to the message that awaits us in these verses. Let’s examine the teachings of Jesus on how we can overcome worrying so that we can embrace a life filled with peace, hope, and trust in our God.
I. The Command to Stop Worrying
In the bible, worry is defined as excessive concern or fear about the future. Another definition is the feeling of being choked, the feeling of being pulled in different directions. When we're worried, our minds can be divided between various concerns, responsibilities, or potential outcomes. In today's passage, Jesus mentioned "therefore do not be anxious" three times. Now let's look at why Jesus commanded us to stop worrying.
A. We have a God who knows our needs
In this verse, Jesus uses the example of birds to illustrate the idea of God's providence and care for his creation. He points out that birds do not engage in farming or storing food, yet God ensures they are provided for. Jesus then emphasizes the value of humans in God's eyes, suggesting that if God provides for the birds, He will certainly provide for us.
He is not caught by surprise, but rather has a plan in place to meet our needs.
These examples are used by Jesus to challenge excessive worry about the essentials of life (food and clothing). Reflecting on these examples invites us to trust in God's character as our Provider, recognizing His goodness, faithfulness, and love. We are called to trust in His care and have faith that He will meet our needs.
B. We have a God who values us (v.26)
"…Are you not of more value than they?"
Jesus emphasizes our value in God's eyes, suggesting that if God provides for the birds, He will certainly provide for us, as we are of greater value.
Here are a few reminders for us to remember our value in God's eyes:
• We are created in the image and likeness of God.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
No other creation was created in the image of God. We have this unique quality that sets us apart from other creations.
• The Bible emphasizes that God created humans intentionally and with purpose (Psalm 139:13-16 & Ephesians 2:10). Each one of us has a unique identity and specific purpose in the unfolding of His kingdom.
• God desires a personal relationship with each individual. This relational aspect points to the value He places on every one of us.
1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
• We are entrusted with the care and stewardship of God's creation. Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
C. We have a God who is capable of providing for us
Matthew 6:28-29 (ESV)
28And 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.
Here, Jesus teaches us about God's provision for His creation. He pointed out how lilies grow without laboring or spinning thread to make clothes yet they are more beautiful compared to King Solomon's extravagant clothing. We know King Solomon is the richest
king who reigned over Israel, yet his extravagant clothing is nothing compared to what God provides for the lilies. If God provides for the lilies and the grass which are here today but gone tomorrow, how much more will He provide for His beloved children.
We should not worry about the basic needs because God can definitely provide for us. This verse from Romans 8:32 says:
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
This verse affirms that if God has already given us the ultimate gift in Jesus, there is no good thing that He will withhold from us. It assures us that in Christ, we have access to all that we need for life. This shows God’s generosity extends beyond salvation.
II. The Craziness of Worry
Matthew 6:27 (ESV)
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
This teaching reminds us of God's sovereignty. It serves as a reminder that our lives are in the hands of a loving and capable God. He is the one who holds the measure of our days and knows our needs better than we do. Worrying cannot add a single hour to our lives. In fact, studies show that it can actually impact our physical and mental health.
Worrying is exhausting our mental and emotional energy on things we cannot control. Most of the time we worry about things we cannot control. It is useless because no matter how much we worry, it does not change the situation.
Time spent worrying is time lost. It doesn't contribute to our well-being, growth, or happiness. Instead, it often hinders our ability to make clear-headed decisions and take constructive action. Excessive worry only hinders our ability to fully embrace and enjoy the present moment.
Jesus' statement emphasizes the futility of worry and invites us to redirect our focus towards faith, trust, and responsible stewardship. Instead of worrying, we are called to be good stewards of our time, talents, and resources. This involves responsible decision making and seeking God's guidance in all aspects of our lives.
Consider this quote from Glenn Turner. A great analogy of the futility of excessive worry.
“Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere.” ― Glenn Turner
A rocking chair puts you in motion, but it doesn't get you anywhere. You're just stuck in a cycle that provides no positive outcome.
So, as we’ve just learned the foolishness of worry, let’s move on to the next and see how we can avoid worrying.
III. The Cure for Worry
We often think our worries are perfectly valid, but Jesus said otherwise. Jesus could not be clearer in this passage. He doesn’t want us to fear the future. Anxiety is living out the future before it gets here.
In verse 32, Jesus begins by drawing a contrast between His disciples and the Gentiles. "For the Gentiles seek after all these things"
As followers of Christ, we are called to live differently from the world. Our faith in God should set us apart from those who are consumed by anxiety about their basic needs. Jesus acknowledges that our Father in heaven is fully aware of our needs. He knows our needs even before we recognize them.
God knows that worry and anxiety affects our relationship with Him. This is why God demands the priority in our lives.
A. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (v.33)
"Seek first the kingdom of God":
• This phrase emphasizes the priority that Jesus assigns to seeking God's kingdom. It means making God's kingdom reign, His rule, and His purposes the foremost focus of our life. It involves aligning one's desires, goals, and actions with the values and principles of God's kingdom.
"and his righteousness":
• Seeking God's righteousness means living in accordance with His moral and ethical standards. It involves pursuing a life of holiness. It signifies a commitment to do what is right in in the eyes of God, reflecting His character in our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
"and all these things will be added to you":
• This is the promise Jesus attached to seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first. "All these things" refers to the material needs mentioned earlier in the passage (such as food, drink, and clothing). Jesus assures that when we prioritize God's kingdom and live righteously, He will take care of our physical needs. It's a promise of God's faithful provision.
Verse 33 encapsulates the central message of seeking God's kingdom and righteousness as the primary pursuit of our lives, with the assurance that God will
provide for our essential needs. It invites us into a deeper level of trust, surrender, and alignment with God's purposes.
We need to trust in His provision and live with confidence, knowing that our Heavenly Father is faithful. If we are going to overcome worry, we must trust God’s providential care for us.
When Jesus said "For the Gentiles seek after all these things". He meant the primary concerns of pagans are temporal, not eternal. They live in a constant search for those desires. However, believers are not only citizens of this earth but of heaven.
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
When we focus on eternal matters, it will deliver us from worries and give us the peace of God.
B. Live one day at a time (v.34)
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
We have the tendency to worry about the future and this can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety. But Jesus reminds us that each day has its own challenges, and worrying about tomorrow only adds unnecessary burdens. Instead, He encourages us to focus on the present and trust that God will provide for their needs as they arise.
A few weeks ago, we were taught about the model prayer. In
Matthew 6:11 "Give us this day our daily bread". In this specific line, Jesus instructs his followers to pray for their daily sustenance, symbolized by the term "daily bread." By living one day at a time, we can learn to trust in God's providence and not to worry excessively about the future. We must learn how to cultivate trust in God and live with a sense of peace and contentment, even in the face of uncertainty.
Even in the Old Testament, there is a significant event where God provided for the Israelites when they were in the wilderness (Exodus 16:19-20). God provided manna for the Israelites on a daily basis. God's instruction was to gather it in the morning, and they were to gather only as much as they needed for that day, with the exception of Sabbath. God allowed them to gather double portion on the day before Sabbath. When some of them disregarded this instruction by collecting extra manna to store up for the next day.
But instead of finding it preserved, it became spoiled. Israelites were taught to trust, obey and rely in God's daily provision.
Likewise, for us, worrying about tomorrow shows a lack of trust in God. We must trust in His promise that He’ll care for us daily and believe that that He’ll come through each time. When we're uncertain about tomorrow, God wants us to look to Him and trust that He will guide us thru our daily struggles.
“Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
― Corrie Ten Boom
As I close the sermon, let us be reminded that our God speaks directly to our anxieties and concerns. He invites us to release the burden of worry and to trust in God's unwavering care. By seeking first His kingdom and righteousness, we position ourselves to receive His abundant blessings. I hope and pray that as we leave this place, our hearts will be filled with faith, knowing that our Heavenly Father is faithful and will provide for all our needs.
Let me read these passages from Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
These words from our Lord carries a promise of rest and comfort for our weary souls. It is an invitation that reminds us that no matter who we are or what we carry, we are welcomed by Jesus to find rest in Him. And this is not just physical rest, but a deep, spiritual rest that brings peace and contentment. As we respond to His invitation, may we experience the rest that only He can provide.