Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Don't Worry! Part 22 of 31

TEXT: "Therefore, I say to you, do not worry 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? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:25-34).

IDEA: Our part is to "seek" the values of God's kingdom; God's part is to provide for our needs.

PURPOSE: To help listeners realize that God's promise has limitations.

A chaplain on a cruise ship brought a message to the passengers to be aware that in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus had said that since God took good care of the birds and flowers, he would take care of all of our needs. His text was Matthew 6:33.

How would respond to his sermon?

I. Do you think that God's promises have any limitations?

The promise in Matthew 6:33 is made to Christ-followers and not to all men and women. There is a contrast between Jesus' disciples and "pagans."

The promise is that necessities will be provided (food, drink, clothing), not luxuries. While God in His generosity often provides far more than the essentials, here the promise is for essentials.

Is there an exception to the promise? Christians who are suffering "for righteousness." Our allegiance to Christ's kingdom may require it (Matthew 5:10-12).

II. God does keep His promises.

Can you think of any specifics in your life or ministry?