Jesus’ Teaching on Worry
Jesus’ Teaching on Worry
Main Passage: Matthew 6:24-34
Bottom Line: we are an anxious and worried generation of people.
KEY CONCEPT:
- The higher degree of devotion you have for something then;
- The higher degree of influence that thing has over your thinking and feelings
- And the higher potential for stress and worry.
- Relevant Passage: Mat. 6:24 Our concern about money impacts almost every area of our lives
- God, also wants to engage every area of our lives
- Thus, the conflict between these two will be pervasive and persistent.
- Your life is more than the stuff you own or the money you have (Mat. 5:24-25).
- You are more valuable than a name brand or logo
- So, don’t equate your life with the temporal things that you buy.
- Your life is more valuable than birds (Mat. 5:26).
- Your heavenly Father feeds the all the birds of the world (and they don’t even do the work of sowing and reaping that you do).
- You are more valuable to God’s cosmic plan than all of the animal kingdom.
- So, if God feeds 50 Billion birds everyday, then do you think he can take care of you?
- Your life cannot be extended by worry (Mat. 5:27).
- Worry, just doesn’t work.
- Your response to stress should be different than those who are not theistic in their thinking (Mat 5:31-32).
- People that don’t know God personally, tend to worry more intently.
- So, if we are connected in a personal relationship with God, we should trust in His care for us.
One Major Shift (with a surprise promise): …but seek first, the His kingdom and his righteousness…”
- This means doing God’s work in God’s way
How to Seek God’s Kingdom First:
- Attend the Body of Christ regularly
- Serve the Body of Christ faithfully
- Give to the Body of Christ sacrificially
