Not to Worry

#280, Not to Worry, Sunday, 06-24-2007

Text: Matthew 6:25-34
Theme: If God is your Father, you can overcome worry.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Do you have any stress in your life?
2. How is stress different from worry?
   1. Worry is a way we can choose to handle stress. The opposite of worry is trust.
   2. Worry is a faithless attitude we embrace.
   3. Because we all face stress, worry will be a battle.

How do we handle and overcome worry? What does Jesus tell us about “Not to Worry?”

1. Receive the Father’s commands.
   1. Jesus said “do not worry” (three times)
   2. Do not worry about your life (v 25)
   3. Do not worry about daily needs (food, clothing) (v 31)
   4. Do not worry about tomorrow (v 34)
   5. Worrying doesn’t accomplish anything.
   6. It’s like “rocking chair” Christianity.
   7. South African saying: “If you worry you’ll die, if you don’t worry, you’ll die. Why worry?
   8. The Father wants His children to receive His Word.
   9. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
   10. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
2. Reflect on the Father’s creation.
   1. Jesus told us to look around.
   2. “Look at the birds of the air.” (v 26)
   3. “See how the lilies of the field grow.” (v 28)
   4. The birds don’t plant or store up food.
   5. The flowers don’t stress and labor.
   6. “Since God takes such good care of the lower orders of creation, God will certainly take care of the crown of His creation.” – Leon Morris
   7. Apply what you see to yourself.
   8. Have faith in God.
   9. “Oh you of little faith.” (v 30)
   10. He has always provided, He will provide.
   11. Refuse to give in to worry.
   12. Worry won’t add a single hour. (v 27)
   13. Worry just weighs us down.
   14. “An anxious heart weighs a man down” (Proverbs 12:25)
   15. Most of what we worry about never happens.
   16. An average person’s anxiety is focused on:
   17. 40% - of things that will never happen
   18. 30% - of things about the past that can’t be changed
   19. 12% - of criticism by others, mostly untrue
   20. 10% - about health, which gets worse with worry
   21. 8% - about real problems that will be faced
3. Reject the “coping style” of the world.
   1. “For the pagans run after all these things.” (v 32)
   2. People not in relationship with the Father have a lot to worry about.
   3. They run to and fro trying to meet their own needs.
   4. They see themselves as their own god, source.
   5. “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” (v 32)
   6. Wash your spirit of worry by the water of prayer.
   7. Just keep doing what you know is right in the face of worry. (don’t panic)
4. Remain faithful to your Father’s mission.
   1. Three key words to fight worry: Father, faith and first.
   2. Decide to seek God’s Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33)
   3. Take care of God’s will and He will take care of you.
   4. What does this mean to seek God first?
   5. Be faithful in your week (set aside a time to gather)
   6. Be faithful in your day (prayer, word)
   7. Be faithful in your hour (think on Him)
   8. Be faithful in your finances (tithe)

CONCLUSION:

You can overcome worry.

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