We are living in times when so much is going on around us that it could cause people to worry, be anxious, and be fearful.
Question: As followers of Jesus, should we be different from the people of the world that don’t follow Him?
People can experience different things that could cause worry.
- Personal things that affect their lives.
- Unfolding things. Things the Bible said would happen or come to pass.
Question: Should we be surprised when Jesus and Paul foretold that these things would happen?
Matthew 24:4-13
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Those who belong to God should experience something different than fear because God has not given us a spirit of fear.
2 Timothy 1:7
The words of Jesus should cut through the noise of fear and worry, bringing peace and confidence to our lives.
- His promises and assurances bring real and lasting peace even amid the storm to those who believe them.
- The Bible is not a book of concepts and facts, but living promises relevant for us today.
Here’s what Jesus teaches about worry:
Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
3 Times Jesus says “do not worry” (25,31 & 34)
KJV says, “take no thought for”
Greek word Merimnaō – to worry ” Be anxious”
Eight lessons we can learn from Matthew 6 that bring us hope:
- God knows about the natural everyday things that His people need. (26&28)
- Understanding your worth and value (26)
- Know that worry cannot provide anything that will increase your life (27)
- What’s coming out of your mouth is what you’re entertaining in your heart (31)
- Your Heavenly Father knows already what you need (32)
- God says we are not to live like unsaved people (32)
- We are to seek first the kingdom
- Treat every day as its own package (34)
The alternative for worry is trust
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
- Trust with all your heart.
- Lean not on your understanding and reasoning.
- Acknowledge Him in all your ways.
- In troubled times believers can develop a deeper trust relationship.
- We know Him as our Father – Matthew 6:9-13
- We know Him as our Shepherd – Psalm 23
What are we to do with our cares, worries and anxieties?
1 Peter 5:7-8 (NIV)
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Choose trust instead of worry. It’s better for you.
Verses on worry to read and think about.
Proverbs 12:25, 29:25
Psalm 34:4, 55:22,56:3-4,94:19