WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.120
 My name is Reese Winkler. This is my first time, so prayers are appreciated as we open up the Word of God together this morning.

00:00:10.259 --> 00:00:21.160
 Tiny bit about me, and then a lot about God to follow. So I am a teacher, so I teach Bible class, mostly middle schoolers, so I'm just going to pretend like you're all sixth grade students.

00:00:21.879 --> 00:00:27.039
 It'll make it a lot easier for me. And my wife, Amy, is a nurse at the hospital over in Gainesville.

00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:35.519
 Okay, so let's read together. We're going to be in Matthew 6, again, 25 through 34. I'm going to go ahead and read from verse 24.

00:00:36.500 --> 00:00:38.879
 And this is the Word of God. And it says,

00:00:39.539 --> 00:00:47.039
 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.

00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:50.759
 You cannot serve God and money, or mammon.

00:00:50.759 --> 00:00:58.679
 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.

00:00:59.299 --> 00:01:02.199
 Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?

00:01:03.179 --> 00:01:07.780
 Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns.

00:01:08.180 --> 00:01:09.939
 Yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

00:01:10.659 --> 00:01:12.680
 Are you not of more value than they?

00:01:13.299 --> 00:01:17.079
 And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to a span of life?

00:01:17.079 --> 00:01:19.700
 And why are you anxious about clothing?

00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:22.920
 Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow.

00:01:23.219 --> 00:01:24.799
 They neither toil nor spin.

00:01:25.219 --> 00:01:29.179
 Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

00:01:30.060 --> 00:01:35.759
 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,

00:01:36.579 --> 00:01:39.640
 will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

00:01:40.599 --> 00:01:42.480
 Therefore, do not be anxious, saying,

00:01:42.840 --> 00:01:45.840
 What shall I eat, or what shall we drink, or what shall we wear?

00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:50.659
 For the Gentiles seek after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

00:01:51.359 --> 00:01:56.600
 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

00:01:57.300 --> 00:02:01.820
 Therefore, do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.

00:02:02.420 --> 00:02:04.820
 Sufficient is the day its own trouble.

00:02:04.819 --> 00:02:09.859
 So, at the surface level in reading this text, I just need to tell you guys,

00:02:09.959 --> 00:02:12.000
 this is a hard text.

00:02:12.099 --> 00:02:13.699
 Not so much to preach, it's pretty straightforward,

00:02:14.219 --> 00:02:18.439
 but it's a hard text to hear, especially in our culture.

00:02:18.579 --> 00:02:22.039
 And so know from the outset, there are going to be things that we talk about today

00:02:22.039 --> 00:02:25.280
 that we'll see in the Scripture that are going to challenge you,

00:02:25.340 --> 00:02:26.400
 they're going to push you.

00:02:26.400 --> 00:02:28.420
 And we have this tendency, I think, a lot of times,

00:02:28.860 --> 00:02:32.719
 when we hear a hard word, to brace ourselves against it,

00:02:32.760 --> 00:02:36.259
 and to harden ourselves against what the Word of God is saying.

00:02:36.340 --> 00:02:37.719
 And so I would encourage you this morning,

00:02:38.200 --> 00:02:39.420
 soften your heart.

00:02:39.759 --> 00:02:41.920
 Know that this is meant to be helpful to you,

00:02:41.980 --> 00:02:45.060
 that the Word of God is written, as Nathan says all the time,

00:02:45.180 --> 00:02:48.080
 for God's glory and for our good.

00:02:48.599 --> 00:02:48.840
 Right?

00:02:48.900 --> 00:02:50.580
 This is supposed to hurt a little bit,

00:02:50.580 --> 00:02:52.960
 and if you're not getting hurt ever by the Word of God,

00:02:53.400 --> 00:02:55.740
 then you're either perfect, which is unlikely,

00:02:56.000 --> 00:03:00.480
 or you are not listening to what the Word is actually saying.

00:03:00.600 --> 00:03:03.780
 So I would challenge you this morning, as I speak,

00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:05.800
 I'm going to try to soften it a little bit,

00:03:05.860 --> 00:03:07.500
 and empathize with you,

00:03:07.860 --> 00:03:11.220
 because I'm walking the same path that you guys are.

00:03:11.300 --> 00:03:12.620
 I feel anxious.

00:03:12.820 --> 00:03:15.500
 And what a good first text to preach, right?

00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:17.660
 As I'm preparing, right,

00:03:17.659 --> 00:03:22.120
 I have to look at myself formulating an argument against being anxious.

00:03:22.620 --> 00:03:24.780
 And so join me as we look together

00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:28.240
 at what the Word of God has to say about anxiety.

00:03:28.340 --> 00:03:31.060
 Today it may seem overwhelming at times

00:03:31.060 --> 00:03:34.539
 and seem like a message only pointing out a deep flaw

00:03:34.539 --> 00:03:37.400
 in the way that many of us function on a day-to-day basis.

00:03:37.879 --> 00:03:40.960
 However, I hope that you will see our text as a message of hope

00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:43.199
 as we throw ourselves on to Christ,

00:03:43.199 --> 00:03:47.379
 relying on Him to battle and overcome our anxiety.

00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:51.219
 So society has a lot to say about anxiety.

00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:53.900
 And any time that society has a lot to say about anything,

00:03:54.180 --> 00:03:55.759
 we need to be careful, right?

00:03:56.039 --> 00:04:00.780
 Our world is full of arguments about anxiety.

00:04:01.060 --> 00:04:03.259
 There's so many books, self-help classes,

00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:07.199
 lots of money that has gone into teaching about anxiety.

00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:10.139
 So we've got to be careful not only about how we think about it,

00:04:10.139 --> 00:04:13.780
 but also how we're affected by worldly influence.

00:04:13.780 --> 00:04:20.060
 This also means that we need to undo some of our assumptions we get from the culture, right?

00:04:20.139 --> 00:04:24.060
 So before we explore God's Word, we need to undo some of those things,

00:04:24.060 --> 00:04:26.259
 which makes for a long introduction this morning.

00:04:26.360 --> 00:04:28.800
 But be patient, we will get to the text.

00:04:29.339 --> 00:04:32.199
 So according to the National Institute of Mental Health,

00:04:32.620 --> 00:04:36.240
 anxiety disorders affect the largest percentage of Americans

00:04:36.240 --> 00:04:39.120
 of any other type of mental health disorder.

00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:45.759
 The numbers are around 19% of Americans fall into this category of disordered anxiety,

00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:51.840
 which means that about one in five people self-report that anxiety affects them so much

00:04:51.840 --> 00:04:55.500
 that it interferes with relationships, jobs, and so forth.

00:04:55.600 --> 00:04:57.480
 Now, one in five, you may be sitting there thinking,

00:04:57.620 --> 00:05:00.079
 well, I just got to be four out of five, right?

00:05:00.180 --> 00:05:05.420
 But unfortunately, the news is a little bit more bleak than that, right?

00:05:05.420 --> 00:05:11.819
 Our society's baseline of what is normal anxiety is way higher than what Scripture would call us to.

00:05:12.340 --> 00:05:14.840
 Driven by greed, power, and the desire to be liked,

00:05:15.060 --> 00:05:17.520
 Americans have developed a high tolerance for anxiety,

00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:23.600
 and in large part, the church has been inoculated from the pervasive view of our anxious tendencies.

00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:26.980
 So as we're thinking about anxiety today,

00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:31.540
 I want us to be thinking about how many of our actions on a day-to-day basis

00:05:31.540 --> 00:05:35.400
 are targeted at alleviating feelings of anxiety.

00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:39.620
 The way that you dress to please others or to catch attention,

00:05:40.180 --> 00:05:44.800
 doing something so that you can say that you did or post it,

00:05:45.460 --> 00:05:51.060
 looking like you work hard in front of your employer and feeling anxious about that,

00:05:51.140 --> 00:05:56.020
 or distracting yourself from anxiety with music, video games, God forbid,

00:05:56.019 --> 00:05:59.719
 exercise or outdoor activities,

00:06:00.099 --> 00:06:04.740
 even reading the Word of God, praying, reading Christian books, and coming to church

00:06:04.740 --> 00:06:07.479
 so that you don't have to feel guilt later, right?

00:06:07.539 --> 00:06:11.819
 The focus of doing even good activities is on taking away anxiety

00:06:11.819 --> 00:06:14.899
 and not on the glory of God, then we're doing it wrong.

00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:16.659
 We have the wrong mindset.

00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:20.439
 For many in society, anxiety has become so normal

00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:25.279
 that we're unable to recognize it and call it out in ourselves and in others.

00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:29.180
 And we fail to take personal responsibility for our anxiety.

00:06:29.800 --> 00:06:33.399
 So the world seems to recognize several sources of anxiety.

00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:35.079
 Not all of them are invalid.

00:06:35.319 --> 00:06:36.779
 Certainly there's truth to it.

00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:39.759
 But they normally say some combination of genetics,

00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:41.959
 endless possible life circumstances,

00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:44.560
 and our learned responses to our environment

00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:47.259
 constitute a cause for anxiety.

00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:50.939
 However, the world will never say that anxiety is somehow our fault

00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:55.279
 or that there's some moral weight to being or feeling anxious.

00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:58.659
 Unfortunately, the way that we talk about in the church,

00:06:59.120 --> 00:07:01.399
 think about and respond to our own anxiety

00:07:01.399 --> 00:07:04.599
 would reveal that many of us have bought into this lie,

00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:07.120
 though we may not say it on the surface.

00:07:07.740 --> 00:07:09.980
 John MacArthur in his commentary on the text writes,

00:07:10.199 --> 00:07:14.879
 Worry is the sin of distrusting the promise and providence of God,

00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:20.199
 yet it is a sin that Christians commit perhaps more frequently than any other.

00:07:20.279 --> 00:07:23.240
 So if this is true, if we commit the sin of anxiety

00:07:23.240 --> 00:07:26.159
 as much as we commit any other sin,

00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:28.159
 why are we not talking about it more?

00:07:28.279 --> 00:07:30.120
 Why are we not thinking about it more,

00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:33.079
 encouraging each other more, and so on?

00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:37.500
 And I think a lot of it has to do with the way that we speak about it.

00:07:37.779 --> 00:07:41.040
 We take our language from the way that the culture talks about it,

00:07:41.420 --> 00:07:44.000
 and then that transfers into the way that we think about it.

00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:46.699
 So this morning I invite you, as we look at God's Word,

00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:49.600
 to see what the Scripture has to say about it,

00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:53.100
 but then I would encourage you to examine your own anxious tendencies

00:07:53.100 --> 00:07:54.959
 and the root of them.

00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:58.079
 So our understanding of the cure for anxiety

00:07:58.079 --> 00:08:01.139
 is similarly distorted by society's influence.

00:08:01.720 --> 00:08:04.199
 Their prescription would be some combination of therapy,

00:08:04.779 --> 00:08:06.879
 medication, and self-care.

00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:10.339
 And even though those results from these activities

00:08:10.339 --> 00:08:12.899
 that culture says work on anxiety

00:08:12.899 --> 00:08:16.300
 are barely better than the combination of placebo effects

00:08:16.300 --> 00:08:18.540
 and the natural cycles of human emotion,

00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:22.040
 which normally cycle in and out of periods of anxiety

00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:25.139
 or depression after six months for most people.

00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:26.219
 So in other words,

00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:30.300
 culture's version of the cure or the treatment for anxiety

00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:33.019
 is barely better than doing nothing at all.

00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:38.059
 So we can think about this shallow treatment of anxiety,

00:08:38.220 --> 00:08:40.559
 this symptom-level treatment of anxiety,

00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:43.139
 like treating the common cold.

00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:44.860
 So we've all had a cold before,

00:08:44.939 --> 00:08:47.399
 and we've probably all used some type of symptom relief

00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:49.319
 to try to get rid of its effects.

00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:53.019
 We've also all probably tried to push through a bad cold

00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:54.919
 or take a pill or two

00:08:54.919 --> 00:08:57.039
 instead of giving our body what it really needs,

00:08:57.460 --> 00:08:59.879
 time to rest and recuperate.

00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:00.879
 And like anxiety,

00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:03.620
 you might be able to hold the symptoms at bay for a while,

00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:05.019
 but you won't get better

00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:07.480
 until you give the body what it really needs.

00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:08.439
 Like a cold,

00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:09.759
 anxiety will not get better

00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:12.360
 until we give our soul what it really needs,

00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:15.120
 which is a renewed heart before God.

00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:18.659
 And while we aren't to condemn the use of medication

00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:19.980
 in extreme circumstances,

00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:21.759
 talking it out with someone,

00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:23.399
 or surface-level self-care

00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:26.100
 as a useful symptom management tool,

00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:27.360
 it would be foolish to neglect

00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:29.799
 to examine the spiritual root of anxiety as well.

00:09:29.879 --> 00:09:31.820
 As scripture would call us to do.

00:09:32.820 --> 00:09:34.039
 It would also be foolish to think

00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:36.779
 that simply because anxiety may have biological roots,

00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:40.059
 that there aren't spiritual roots and consequences as well.

00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:41.919
 A tendency towards anger,

00:09:42.340 --> 00:09:44.000
 sexual promiscuity or perversion,

00:09:44.460 --> 00:09:46.919
 and laziness all have biological components,

00:09:47.200 --> 00:09:49.399
 yet we would not excuse a murderer,

00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:51.480
 we wouldn't excuse an adulterer,

00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:53.980
 and we wouldn't excuse slothful behavior.

00:09:54.440 --> 00:09:54.679
 Right?

00:09:54.799 --> 00:09:57.059
 So we shouldn't also excuse anxiety

00:09:57.059 --> 00:09:59.199
 just because it might have biological roots.

00:09:59.719 --> 00:10:01.879
 And we are in a sinful world because of the fall,

00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:04.579
 which means our bodies are corrupted as well.

00:10:04.719 --> 00:10:06.119
 The point of Christian living

00:10:06.119 --> 00:10:07.919
 is not to follow the flesh,

00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:09.500
 but to fight against the flesh

00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:11.279
 for what God desires.

00:10:11.839 --> 00:10:14.239
 So our text this morning strongly denounces the idea

00:10:14.239 --> 00:10:17.259
 that anxiety is a product of factors we can't control.

00:10:17.959 --> 00:10:19.519
 Similarly, we ought not to think

00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:21.119
 that because anxiety is an emotion,

00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:23.500
 that it's totally out of our control.

00:10:24.039 --> 00:10:26.139
 Scripture commands emotions all the time.

00:10:26.139 --> 00:10:28.220
 And if you want a bigger picture of this,

00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:31.100
 there's a great episode of Ask Pastor John,

00:10:31.500 --> 00:10:32.259
 which is John Piper,

00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:34.500
 and it's called

00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:36.519
 The God Who Commands Our Emotions.

00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:38.139
 So some examples of emotions

00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:39.980
 that are commanded are forbidden in the Bible.

00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:42.399
 Some that are commanded are joy,

00:10:42.700 --> 00:10:44.379
 gratitude, fear of the Lord,

00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:45.440
 delight in the Lord,

00:10:45.560 --> 00:10:46.340
 to love God,

00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:47.200
 to love others,

00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:47.779
 to hope,

00:10:48.060 --> 00:10:48.899
 to be sorrowful,

00:10:48.899 --> 00:10:50.220
 to weep with those who weep,

00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:52.100
 to rejoice with those who rejoice.

00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:52.600
 And of course,

00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:54.399
 love is not merely an emotion,

00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:56.240
 and joy is not merely an emotion,

00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:59.220
 but there are certainly feeling aspects to it.

00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:02.600
 The point is that we can't just turn them off and on,

00:11:02.679 --> 00:11:04.579
 but that doesn't mean that they can't be commanded

00:11:04.579 --> 00:11:05.259
 because they are.

00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:06.259
 And then forbidden,

00:11:06.959 --> 00:11:08.659
 we're forbidden from the fear of man,

00:11:08.860 --> 00:11:10.439
 from fear in general,

00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:12.019
 from the love of the world,

00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:13.699
 from sinful anger,

00:11:13.919 --> 00:11:15.100
 and in our text this morning,

00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:17.139
 forbidden from anxiety.

00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:19.519
 So just because you don't have total control

00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:21.019
 at all times to flip it on and off

00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:23.139
 doesn't mean that it can't be commanded.

00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:25.240
 So we've got to get that straight in our minds.

00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:27.819
 Anxiety, like all other emotions,

00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:32.220
 is a result or an extension of belief, right?

00:11:32.319 --> 00:11:34.600
 So an emotion reflects a deeper thing,

00:11:34.679 --> 00:11:35.539
 and that is belief.

00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:37.500
 John Bloom at Desiring God

00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:39.279
 writes in an article on this topic,

00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:42.340
 God designed your emotions to be gauges,

00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:43.480
 not guides.

00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:45.259
 They're meant to report to you,

00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:46.399
 not to dictate you.

00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:48.120
 The pattern of your emotions

00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:49.600
 gives you a reading

00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:50.980
 on where your hope is

00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:51.980
 because they are wired

00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:53.240
 into what you believe

00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:54.199
 and what you value

00:11:54.199 --> 00:11:55.360
 and how much.

00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:57.779
 That's why emotions like delight,

00:11:58.220 --> 00:12:00.360
 affection, fear, anger, joy, etc.

00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:02.620
 are so important in the Bible.

00:12:03.079 --> 00:12:04.459
 They reveal what your heart loves,

00:12:04.659 --> 00:12:05.840
 trusts, and fears.

00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:08.459
 Pleasure is the measure of your treasure.

00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:09.220
 Isn't that nice?

00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:11.799
 Because the emotion of pleasure

00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:13.659
 is a gauge that tells you

00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:14.620
 what you love.

00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:16.860
 Another commentator in our text

00:12:16.860 --> 00:12:19.779
 describes it as Jesus' treasure test

00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:22.440
 in reference to what the preceding passage

00:12:22.440 --> 00:12:25.279
 that Clay preached on last week refers to.

00:12:25.399 --> 00:12:26.039
 So in other words,

00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:27.340
 you can know what you're treasuring

00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:29.720
 by examining your emotional attachment

00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:31.000
 to those things.

00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:32.580
 Christ here in our text

00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:34.320
 specifically ties anxiety

00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:36.419
 to treasure or to worship.

00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:38.220
 So we've got to ask ourselves the question,

00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:39.620
 what does your anxiety,

00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:40.799
 what does our anxiety,

00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:43.039
 tell us about what we worship?

00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:45.240
 Is it our family, money,

00:12:45.459 --> 00:12:46.659
 appearance, providence,

00:12:46.859 --> 00:12:48.240
 or your sense of self-worth

00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:50.620
 before others and before God

00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:51.579
 or a job performance?

00:12:52.079 --> 00:12:53.299
 So a quick word of encouragement

00:12:53.299 --> 00:12:54.500
 before we dive into our text.

00:12:54.579 --> 00:12:56.379
 Maybe you're feeling overwhelmed

00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:58.719
 at the thought of that,

00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:00.799
 wow, my anxiety that I feel

00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:02.579
 all the time is sinful?

00:13:02.819 --> 00:13:03.019
 What?

00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:05.099
 Maybe this is bad news for you.

00:13:05.179 --> 00:13:06.819
 However, our text provides a cure

00:13:06.819 --> 00:13:07.859
 along with it.

00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:09.620
 But we have to be willing to go deep enough

00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:11.940
 in digging out the root of sin.

00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:13.500
 So I want to revisit really quickly

00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:14.779
 our cold analogy.

00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:17.279
 And I know that no analogy is perfect,

00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:18.259
 but with your permission,

00:13:18.800 --> 00:13:21.019
 I'd like to beef mine up a little bit

00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:22.700
 to be a more accurate description

00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:24.100
 of our dealings with anxiety.

00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:26.379
 So I'll invite you into a different dimension

00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.080
 for a second

00:13:27.080 --> 00:13:29.300
 as we change some basic assumptions

00:13:29.300 --> 00:13:32.240
 about colds, medicine, science,

00:13:32.560 --> 00:13:34.159
 and the way that the world works in general.

00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:36.480
 So some of you will find this helpful

00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:38.120
 if you can track with me.

00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:39.560
 So I have bad news

00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:40.779
 and I have good news.

00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:41.779
 So the bad news

00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:43.980
 is that you're going to catch the cold

00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:44.899
 every day,

00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:45.700
 or sorry,

00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:47.340
 every week this year.

00:13:47.420 --> 00:13:48.680
 So no matter what you do,

00:13:48.800 --> 00:13:50.580
 you're going to catch the cold

00:13:50.580 --> 00:13:51.600
 every week this year.

00:13:51.680 --> 00:13:53.860
 But there's good news along with it, right?

00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:55.600
 There's a vaccination for the cold.

00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:56.980
 Hip, hip, hooray, right?

00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:59.500
 So you can prevent the cold

00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:02.120
 or you can take this vaccination

00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.180
 before you get sick

00:14:03.180 --> 00:14:04.960
 or you can take this vaccination

00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:06.160
 after you get sick.

00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:07.560
 Okay, it's your choice.

00:14:08.180 --> 00:14:10.100
 And in this fanciful world,

00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:12.060
 cold medicine is also an option.

00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:13.360
 So you could just kind of

00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:14.420
 knock out the symptoms

00:14:14.420 --> 00:14:15.700
 that are there as well.

00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:17.960
 So this leaves us with a few options.

00:14:18.160 --> 00:14:19.480
 Some are better than others.

00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.960
 So the first option,

00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:22.300
 this is the best option,

00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:24.360
 is to take the vaccination

00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:26.480
 before you get sick, right?

00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.540
 You know it's going to happen,

00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:29.259
 so you take the prescription for it

00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:30.019
 before it happens.

00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:32.159
 Number two is an okay option.

00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:33.100
 Probably not your best one,

00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:33.960
 but you could wait

00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:35.899
 until the symptoms start coming up

00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:38.480
 and then choose to take the vaccination

00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:40.639
 or take the medicine, right?

00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:41.559
 That's an okay option.

00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:43.299
 And then option number three,

00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:44.480
 take the cold medicine

00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:45.399
 that will alleviate

00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.379
 some of your symptoms.

00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:47.699
 So you get sick,

00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:49.039
 then you pop a Benadryl

00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:51.659
 and hope for the best, right?

00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:52.480
 Not a great option.

00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.759
 And then our worst option,

00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:55.679
 we can get the cold every week

00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:58.059
 and accept our new normal.

00:14:58.059 --> 00:15:00.799
 So this should frame the way

00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:03.379
 that we think about the text this morning,

00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:05.219
 how we think about anxiety.

00:15:05.599 --> 00:15:07.599
 And even though there's some bad news,

00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:09.599
 right, that anxiety is sinful,

00:15:10.239 --> 00:15:11.379
 there's good news, right?

00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:13.819
 There's a cure along with it.

00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:16.279
 So we can either seek to prevent anxiety

00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:18.579
 with prayer, meditation on the Word,

00:15:18.739 --> 00:15:20.259
 and renewed daily belief.

00:15:20.719 --> 00:15:22.119
 We can treat anxiety

00:15:22.119 --> 00:15:23.339
 once we're already flustered

00:15:23.339 --> 00:15:25.119
 with prayer, meditation on the Word,

00:15:25.219 --> 00:15:26.259
 and renewed daily belief.

00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:28.879
 Or we can keep using shallow methods

00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:30.600
 to make the symptoms

00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:31.519
 of feeling anxious

00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.819
 temporarily subside.

00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:34.139
 Or we can just settle

00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.240
 for anxious lives

00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:37.960
 and try to get by.

00:15:39.059 --> 00:15:40.120
 So it's bad news

00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:41.720
 that our anxiety is sinful unbelief,

00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.819
 which we'll see.

00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:44.779
 But it's probably worse,

00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:46.039
 and it's probably worse

00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:47.200
 than we originally thought.

00:15:47.439 --> 00:15:48.399
 But we can prevent it,

00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:49.659
 and we can deal with it.

00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:50.600
 And when it does come,

00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:52.480
 we can repent before a God

00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:54.179
 who has offered us grace upon grace

00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:56.259
 to sojourn through this life.

00:15:56.839 --> 00:15:57.859
 God knows our frame.

00:15:58.319 --> 00:15:59.259
 He knows His children

00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:00.879
 that are living in a sinful world

00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.559
 will be tempted

00:16:01.559 --> 00:16:03.259
 by only looking at

00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:04.379
 what's around them in the world

00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.739
 and becoming anxious.

00:16:05.859 --> 00:16:06.779
 So let's call anxiety

00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:07.539
 what it is together,

00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:09.299
 do our best to examine ourselves,

00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:11.019
 and lay our sinful anxiety

00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:12.000
 at the foot of the cross

00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.739
 as we take up biblical prescription

00:16:13.739 --> 00:16:15.699
 for dealing with worry.

00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:17.780
 So anxiety, again,

00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:19.840
 is a symptom of a deeper problem.

00:16:20.280 --> 00:16:21.560
 It's not a cause,

00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.700
 or it's not the issue

00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:23.520
 in and of itself,

00:16:23.540 --> 00:16:24.300
 but it's a symptom

00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:25.940
 of something deeper.

00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:28.240
 Today, we're going to be looking

00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:29.640
 at anxiety as a symptom

00:16:29.640 --> 00:16:30.480
 or as a result

00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:32.120
 of a few common areas

00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:33.540
 of sinful unbelief,

00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:35.240
 how to prevent those things,

00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.400
 and see how our Lord

00:16:36.400 --> 00:16:37.340
 would have us respond

00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.800
 when we recognize feelings

00:16:38.800 --> 00:16:39.879
 of anxiety.

00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:41.259
 So in our text this morning,

00:16:41.680 --> 00:16:42.860
 and from surrounding texts

00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:43.720
 from the Sermon on the Mount,

00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:45.040
 we'll see anxiety

00:16:45.040 --> 00:16:47.379
 as a symptom of unbelief,

00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:48.800
 specifically a symptom

00:16:48.800 --> 00:16:51.019
 of a worldly focus,

00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:53.160
 a symptom of unbelief

00:16:53.160 --> 00:16:54.160
 in God's provision,

00:16:55.180 --> 00:16:56.300
 a symptom of unbelief

00:16:56.300 --> 00:16:57.340
 in God's wisdom,

00:16:58.779 --> 00:17:00.560
 a symptom of the fear of man,

00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:03.279
 a symptom of prayerlessness

00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:04.680
 or wrongful prayer,

00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:06.759
 and then we'll look together

00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:08.860
 at some points of application.

00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.519
 I'll repeat those headings

00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.059
 as we go.

00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:11.819
 So first heading,

00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:13.299
 anxiety as a symptom

00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:14.799
 of unbelief.

00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:16.319
 So like other sins,

00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:17.339
 anxiety is rooted

00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:18.359
 in the unbelief

00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:20.259
 of specific characteristics

00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:22.279
 and promises of God.

00:17:22.379 --> 00:17:23.139
 So any sin,

00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:23.960
 no matter how big

00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:24.779
 or how small,

00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:26.899
 is a statement to God

00:17:26.899 --> 00:17:29.159
 saying our way is better.

00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:29.919
 And we don't always

00:17:29.919 --> 00:17:30.839
 do this consciously,

00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:31.299
 and in fact,

00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:31.899
 most of the time

00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:33.000
 we don't do this consciously,

00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:34.079
 but the action

00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:35.079
 that we take

00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:36.079
 is saying to God,

00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:37.139
 what I wanted to do

00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:37.700
 in this moment

00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.319
 is better

00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:39.599
 than what you've said

00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:41.099
 is the right thing to do.

00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:43.139
 Anxiety and belief

00:17:43.139 --> 00:17:44.339
 are clearly tied together

00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:45.599
 in our passage this morning.

00:17:45.719 --> 00:17:47.179
 If you look back over it,

00:17:47.199 --> 00:17:49.279
 you have this continued echoing

00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:50.699
 of do not be anxious,

00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:53.139
 but believe that God will provide.

00:17:53.459 --> 00:17:54.899
 The command to not be anxious

00:17:54.899 --> 00:17:56.459
 is specifically mentioned

00:17:56.459 --> 00:17:57.259
 three times.

00:17:58.399 --> 00:17:59.399
 In verse 30,

00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.879
 our Lord connects anxiety

00:18:00.879 --> 00:18:01.679
 with belief.

00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:02.559
 He says,

00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:04.039
 But if God so clothes

00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:05.119
 the grass of the field,

00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.579
 which today is alive,

00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.000
 and tomorrow is thrown

00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:08.599
 into the oven,

00:18:08.879 --> 00:18:09.899
 will He not much more

00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:10.799
 clothe you,

00:18:11.179 --> 00:18:12.919
 O you of little faith?

00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:13.759
 Right?

00:18:13.879 --> 00:18:15.359
 So you have those two things

00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.879
 specifically tied together.

00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:18.859
 The belief that God will provide

00:18:18.859 --> 00:18:19.700
 or the unbelief

00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.679
 that God won't provide

00:18:20.679 --> 00:18:22.659
 is a symptom of belief

00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:24.619
 or not having faith.

00:18:25.179 --> 00:18:25.639
 John MacArthur

00:18:25.639 --> 00:18:26.359
 in his commentary

00:18:26.359 --> 00:18:27.919
 on this text writes,

00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:31.359
 Worry is not a trivial sin

00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:32.859
 because it strikes a blow

00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:34.099
 both at God's love

00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:35.079
 and God's integrity.

00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.579
 Worry declares

00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:37.459
 our Heavenly Father

00:18:37.459 --> 00:18:38.579
 to be untrustworthy

00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:39.379
 in His Word

00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:40.199
 and His promises.

00:18:41.159 --> 00:18:42.219
 To avow belief

00:18:42.219 --> 00:18:43.459
 in the inerrancy of Scripture

00:18:43.459 --> 00:18:44.639
 and in the next moment

00:18:44.639 --> 00:18:45.779
 to express worry

00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:47.599
 is to speak out of both sides

00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.099
 of our mouth.

00:18:49.439 --> 00:18:50.899
 Worry shows that we are mastered

00:18:50.899 --> 00:18:51.899
 by our circumstances

00:18:51.899 --> 00:18:54.119
 and by our own finite perspectives

00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:55.000
 and understanding

00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:56.359
 rather than mastered

00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:57.219
 by God's Word.

00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:58.779
 Worry is therefore

00:18:58.779 --> 00:18:59.899
 not only debilitating

00:18:59.899 --> 00:19:00.479
 and destructive

00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.559
 but maligns

00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:03.000
 and impugns God.

00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.700
 God has made

00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:06.200
 abundant promises to us

00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.240
 throughout the Scriptures.

00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:08.240
 The question is

00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.259
 whether or not

00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.360
 we will believe them

00:19:10.360 --> 00:19:11.420
 and hold fast to them

00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:12.299
 in times of trouble

00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:13.839
 or will we live

00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:14.960
 a life of anxiety

00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:16.000
 and worldly comfort.

00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:17.380
 So first question for us,

00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.480
 do we know

00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.960
 the promises of God?

00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:22.500
 Do we have specific things

00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.559
 that we can take up

00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:24.279
 in God's Word

00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:26.180
 to fight anxiety with?

00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:26.779
 Do we know

00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:27.960
 the characteristics of God

00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.880
 as they're expressed

00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:29.560
 in Scripture

00:19:29.560 --> 00:19:30.840
 or is it kind of

00:19:30.840 --> 00:19:31.960
 this like general,

00:19:32.280 --> 00:19:32.420
 well yeah,

00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.200
 God's loving

00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:34.360
 and He's kind

00:19:34.360 --> 00:19:34.980
 and He's powerful

00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.520
 and He's sovereign.

00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:36.400
 We know these words

00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:37.280
 but we need to know

00:19:37.280 --> 00:19:38.740
 things in His Word

00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:40.180
 that we can run to

00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.960
 in times of anxiety

00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.980
 and comfort.

00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.380
 In our chapter,

00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:45.640
 in our text this morning,

00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:46.360
 verse 33,

00:19:46.600 --> 00:19:47.020
 the promise,

00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:48.800
 seek first God's kingdom

00:19:48.800 --> 00:19:50.700
 and all of these things,

00:19:50.780 --> 00:19:51.420
 daily provision,

00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:53.100
 will be added to you.

00:19:53.260 --> 00:19:54.300
 Great promise right there.

00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:55.720
 And then in Isaiah 41,

00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.119
 verses 8 through 10,

00:19:57.639 --> 00:19:58.159
 it says,

00:19:58.659 --> 00:20:00.319
 You whom I took

00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.859
 from the ends of the earth

00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:04.119
 and called from its farthest corner

00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:05.019
 saying to you,

00:20:05.399 --> 00:20:06.240
 You are my servant.

00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:07.240
 I have chosen you

00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.339
 and not cast you off.

00:20:08.899 --> 00:20:09.539
 Fear not,

00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:10.500
 for I am with you.

00:20:10.639 --> 00:20:11.619
 Be not dismayed,

00:20:11.659 --> 00:20:12.599
 for I am your God.

00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.059
 I will strengthen you,

00:20:14.159 --> 00:20:14.980
 I will help you,

00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.940
 and I will uphold you

00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:17.659
 in my righteous right hand.

00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:18.500
 So together,

00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:19.639
 let's look at our next heading

00:20:19.640 --> 00:20:22.200
 as we see specific areas

00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:23.660
 of unbelief

00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:25.400
 that anxiety indicates

00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:26.360
 in our hearts.

00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.460
 So point number two,

00:20:27.580 --> 00:20:28.759
 anxiety is a symptom

00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:30.560
 of a worldly focus

00:20:30.560 --> 00:20:32.360
 or worldly treasure.

00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:34.340
 So worldly focus

00:20:34.340 --> 00:20:35.400
 versus Godward focus

00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:36.440
 has been a major,

00:20:36.540 --> 00:20:37.900
 if not the major theme

00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:39.120
 of the Lord's teaching

00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:40.140
 here in the Sermon on the Mount

00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:41.500
 since at least the beginning

00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:42.940
 of chapter 6.

00:20:43.540 --> 00:20:44.540
 So Nathan taught,

00:20:44.540 --> 00:20:45.740
 and if you didn't hear

00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:46.540
 the series,

00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.020
 we'll call it a series,

00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:50.139
 on the Lord's Prayer.

00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.460
 I would encourage you

00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.019
 to go back

00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:53.039
 and listen to those.

00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:54.379
 But we see God's glory,

00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.500
 not our glory,

00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:57.319
 being the focus of prayer

00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:58.180
 in chapter 6,

00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:59.400
 verses 9 through 13.

00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:00.660
 And then throughout,

00:21:00.859 --> 00:21:02.139
 we have God's reward

00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:02.819
 in prayer

00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:03.799
 and giving

00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.720
 and in fasting

00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:06.559
 instead of the temporary reward

00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:07.740
 of appearing spiritual

00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:09.039
 before others.

00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:09.539
 So again,

00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.420
 we get to choose,

00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.319
 am I going to choose

00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:12.139
 God's reward

00:21:12.139 --> 00:21:13.720
 or worldly reward?

00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.779
 And then seeking

00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.740
 heavenly treasure

00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.920
 over worldly treasure

00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:19.039
 in verses 19 through 24.

00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:20.620
 And then in our passage,

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.800
 seeking God's kingdom

00:21:21.800 --> 00:21:22.740
 and His righteousness

00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:25.200
 instead of our little kingdoms.

00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.460
 We can only choose

00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.340
 one of these two,

00:21:27.420 --> 00:21:28.680
 as Clay put it well

00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:29.400
 last week, right?

00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:31.420
 We only get one choice,

00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:32.620
 and our call throughout

00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:34.180
 is to be singularly focused

00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:35.980
 on God's kingdom.

00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:37.539
 Anxiety, therefore,

00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:39.259
 is a result of treasuring

00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:40.460
 or overvaluing

00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:42.240
 the things of this world.

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.000
 But we are called

00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.620
 to have minds

00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:44.200
 that are set

00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:46.220
 on heavenly things, right?

00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:48.380
 Colossians 3, 1 through 4 says,

00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:49.680
 If then you have been

00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.579
 raised with Christ,

00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.420
 seek the things

00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.079
 that are above

00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:53.059
 where Christ is,

00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:54.420
 seated at the right hand

00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:54.860
 of God.

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.259
 Set your minds

00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:57.120
 on things of above,

00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.980
 not on the things

00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.519
 of this earth.

00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.759
 For you have died

00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.799
 and your life is hidden

00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:02.180
 with Christ and God.

00:22:02.860 --> 00:22:03.660
 When Christ,

00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.460
 who is your life,

00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:04.880
 appears,

00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:06.079
 then you will also

00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.920
 appear with Him

00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:07.839
 in glory.

00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.600
 So if we can

00:22:09.600 --> 00:22:10.460
 treat this world

00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.140
 as passing,

00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:12.559
 treat our life

00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:13.180
 as a vapor,

00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.180
 our death

00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:14.960
 as imminent,

00:22:15.360 --> 00:22:16.580
 your primary citizenship

00:22:16.580 --> 00:22:17.519
 being found

00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.100
 in heaven,

00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.420
 in your life,

00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.200
 as a tool

00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:21.259
 in the hand of God,

00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.519
 then you won't be anxious.

00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:24.640
 One of the primary ways

00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:25.640
 that we tend to fall

00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.880
 into this worldly mindset

00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:28.680
 is in our facade

00:22:28.680 --> 00:22:30.080
 of self-sufficiency.

00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:30.900
 So this brings us

00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:31.680
 to our next point.

00:22:32.560 --> 00:22:33.779
 Anxiety as a symptom

00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:35.039
 of unbelief

00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:36.340
 in God's provision.

00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.360
 And this is point number three.

00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:39.860
 The primary thrust

00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:40.460
 of our text

00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:41.940
 is what we're looking at

00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:42.640
 here, right?

00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:43.620
 The symptom of unbelief

00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:44.460
 in God's provision.

00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:45.700
 So if you look with me

00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:46.340
 at our text,

00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:48.580
 you'll see the pattern

00:22:48.580 --> 00:22:49.000
 or the way

00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:49.660
 that it's structured.

00:22:49.800 --> 00:22:51.200
 We have the overall heading,

00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.980
 then we have this repeated

00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:54.480
 pattern that he uses.

00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:55.820
 So the repeated pattern

00:22:55.820 --> 00:22:56.640
 is a topic,

00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:58.220
 a supporting example,

00:22:58.620 --> 00:22:59.160
 an argument

00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:00.220
 of lesser to greater,

00:23:00.780 --> 00:23:01.440
 and then we have

00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:02.400
 this little argument

00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:02.940
 in between

00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:03.880
 of unproductivity

00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:04.840
 in verse 27,

00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.360
 and then concluding

00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:07.480
 with an exhortation

00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:09.040
 and closing rationale.

00:23:09.520 --> 00:23:11.020
 So we have these two topics

00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:12.259
 of food and clothing,

00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.980
 and then supporting examples

00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.859
 of God's provision

00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:16.740
 for birds and for flowers,

00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:17.819
 and then we have

00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.400
 this argument

00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:19.819
 of lesser to greater.

00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.319
 If he so feeds

00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:22.379
 and clothes them,

00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:23.220
 will he not also

00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:26.420
 feed and clothe you?

00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:28.500
 So the overall heading,

00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:29.240
 verse 25,

00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:30.160
 do not be anxious

00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:31.599
 about what you will eat,

00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.900
 drink, or wear.

00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.500
 And then we have

00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.839
 several reasons given

00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.900
 not to be anxious

00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:36.940
 about food or clothing.

00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.019
 First reason,

00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:39.299
 you are more valuable

00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:41.000
 than birds and flowers.

00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:42.960
 Yet God feeds

00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:43.639
 and clothes them.

00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:44.559
 How much more

00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.619
 will he then feed

00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.960
 and clothe you?

00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:48.319
 In verse 27,

00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.579
 we learn that anxiety

00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.519
 about our lives

00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:51.940
 is totally unproductive.

00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.759
 And if you think

00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.740
 about your own anxiety,

00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.519
 think about what you

00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.220
 have produced

00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.700
 by working yourself up.

00:23:58.539 --> 00:23:59.339
 Nothing, right?

00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.259
 We don't accomplish

00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:01.519
 anything with our anxiety,

00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:03.720
 and that's clearly

00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.379
 our origin scripture.

00:24:05.379 --> 00:24:06.480
 Unbelievers worry

00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.599
 about these things.

00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:09.180
 Our next reason,

00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:09.940
 our next argument

00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:10.980
 is that the Gentiles

00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:12.120
 think in this way.

00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:13.660
 They worry about

00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:14.400
 food and clothing

00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:15.519
 because they don't believe

00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.880
 that God will provide

00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:17.400
 for them,

00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:18.160
 and it would be foolish

00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:19.160
 for us to think

00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:20.420
 like unbelievers

00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.500
 in reference to God.

00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:23.460
 Our next reason,

00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:24.539
 God provides

00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.620
 what we need daily,

00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.940
 and each day

00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:28.079
 has enough things

00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:28.860
 to worry about,

00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:29.759
 so don't worry

00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.839
 about tomorrow.

00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:31.680
 And again,

00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:33.259
 in line with our experience

00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:33.900
 and implication

00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:35.620
 from verse 34,

00:24:35.619 --> 00:24:37.000
 or worrying about tomorrow

00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:38.000
 makes you unable

00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.659
 to accomplish

00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:39.639
 what you're meant

00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:40.479
 to do today.

00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.059
 And all of us

00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:41.639
 have found this

00:24:41.639 --> 00:24:42.539
 to be true, right?

00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.459
 If we spend all day

00:24:43.459 --> 00:24:44.099
 worrying about

00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.500
 what we're supposed

00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.059
 to do tomorrow,

00:24:45.159 --> 00:24:45.919
 we don't get anything

00:24:45.919 --> 00:24:47.479
 done today, right?

00:24:47.479 --> 00:24:48.419
 We know that's true,

00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.899
 and yet we don't have

00:24:49.899 --> 00:24:50.739
 the tools or seem

00:24:50.739 --> 00:24:51.659
 to have the tools

00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:52.659
 in our arsenal

00:24:52.659 --> 00:24:53.879
 to battle anxiety.

00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.879
 When we believe

00:24:55.879 --> 00:24:56.959
 or when we begin

00:24:56.959 --> 00:24:57.779
 to believe that we

00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.359
 are providing

00:24:58.359 --> 00:24:59.139
 for ourselves,

00:24:59.139 --> 00:25:00.299
 we become anxious

00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:01.939
 then when our provision

00:25:01.939 --> 00:25:03.059
 is jeopardized.

00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:04.099
 our anxiety

00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:04.679
 about money,

00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:05.099
 food,

00:25:05.179 --> 00:25:05.659
 and clothing

00:25:05.659 --> 00:25:06.599
 is an indication

00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:07.659
 of unbelief

00:25:07.659 --> 00:25:08.599
 that God will provide

00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.759
 and is declaring

00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.279
 to God

00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.119
 that you have provided

00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:11.839
 for yourself

00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:13.559
 in the past, right?

00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.200
 I hope you're tracking

00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.059
 with me there.

00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:15.899
 There's no reason

00:25:15.899 --> 00:25:16.759
 to be anxious

00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:18.039
 unless you believe

00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:18.879
 that you're the one

00:25:18.879 --> 00:25:19.940
 who has been providing

00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:21.279
 up into this point

00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:21.899
 so far.

00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.379
 So it's actually

00:25:22.379 --> 00:25:22.940
 a statement

00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:24.299
 of pride

00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.240
 to God

00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:26.259
 to feel anxious

00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:27.079
 because we're saying

00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:27.579
 in the past

00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.279
 I've provided

00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:28.819
 and now I'm going

00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:29.319
 to be anxious

00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:30.399
 about how I'm going

00:25:30.399 --> 00:25:31.299
 to provide in the future,

00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:32.379
 but when we have faith

00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.339
 in God,

00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.779
 ask Him to provide,

00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:36.180
 then He gets the glory.

00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:39.460
 So God has sustained us

00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:40.279
 and clothed us

00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:40.919
 and our family

00:25:40.919 --> 00:25:41.899
 every day

00:25:41.899 --> 00:25:42.799
 since we've been alive

00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.599
 and He will continue

00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:44.319
 to do so.

00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:45.819
 The question is

00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:47.119
 will you trust Him?

00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:49.099
 A fabulous example

00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:49.839
 in church history

00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.639
 of this type

00:25:50.639 --> 00:25:51.359
 of reliance

00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:51.940
 on the Lord

00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:53.099
 for life and ministry

00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:54.139
 can be found

00:25:54.139 --> 00:25:55.180
 in the 19th century

00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.779
 missionary

00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.559
 and pastor

00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:58.000
 George Mueller.

00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:59.759
 Moving to Bristol

00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.639
 in 1832,

00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:02.060
 he pastored a church

00:26:02.060 --> 00:26:03.520
 named Bethesda Chapel

00:26:03.520 --> 00:26:05.060
 from then 1832

00:26:05.060 --> 00:26:06.040
 until his death

00:26:06.040 --> 00:26:07.320
 in 1898.

00:26:07.860 --> 00:26:09.140
 In 1835,

00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:10.220
 after seeing hundreds

00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.940
 of orphans

00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:12.820
 in the surrounding community

00:26:12.820 --> 00:26:13.960
 with their basic needs

00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.780
 unattended to,

00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:16.400
 he opened four houses

00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:18.040
 able to take in

00:26:18.040 --> 00:26:19.240
 130 children.

00:26:20.280 --> 00:26:21.200
 In 1846,

00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.580
 he bought more land

00:26:22.580 --> 00:26:23.420
 to begin building

00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.800
 even more orphan houses

00:26:24.800 --> 00:26:26.640
 and then from 1849

00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:28.660
 1849 to 1875,

00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.820
 more houses

00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:30.940
 were opened

00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.820
 that could house

00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:34.200
 2,050 orphans

00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.420
 at one time,

00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:35.960
 all of which

00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:36.860
 are still standing

00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.680
 today.

00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:38.960
 Mueller,

00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:39.840
 throughout his life,

00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.460
 would care for

00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.700
 10,000 orphans.

00:26:42.100 --> 00:26:42.640
 His ministry

00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:43.300
 brought in

00:26:43.300 --> 00:26:43.820
 the equivalent

00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:44.420
 of over

00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:46.320
 112 million dollars

00:26:46.320 --> 00:26:47.100
 of today's money

00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:47.960
 and yet,

00:26:48.060 --> 00:26:48.920
 he never asked

00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:49.700
 for any of it.

00:26:49.780 --> 00:26:50.800
 He never solicited

00:26:50.800 --> 00:26:51.360
 money,

00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.200
 he never said,

00:26:52.340 --> 00:26:52.800
 we're in need,

00:26:52.860 --> 00:26:53.420
 we need this,

00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:54.160
 he just prayed

00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:55.440
 and allowed God

00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:56.100
 to provide.

00:26:56.560 --> 00:26:57.279
 He didn't start

00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.039
 with any significant

00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.580
 amount of money

00:26:58.580 --> 00:26:59.100
 or fortune

00:26:59.100 --> 00:27:00.180
 and he never

00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:01.500
 took a salary.

00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:03.259
 Mueller was a man

00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.180
 of faithful prayer

00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.480
 and trust

00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:06.039
 and God

00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.860
 to meet the needs

00:27:06.860 --> 00:27:08.000
 of his nuclear family

00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:09.560
 and his extended family

00:27:09.560 --> 00:27:10.880
 of over 10,000 people.

00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:13.039
 In A.T. Pearson's

00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:14.039
 biography of Mueller,

00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.279
 he writes of one

00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.019
 of these times

00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.880
 when he was looking

00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:17.420
 at purchasing

00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:18.500
 new lands

00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:20.779
 of pressing

00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.460
 faith in God

00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.080
 to accomplish

00:27:22.080 --> 00:27:22.680
 the building

00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.620
 of those new

00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:24.259
 orphan houses

00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:25.000
 and he writes,

00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.539
 should God provide

00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:27.539
 large amounts of money

00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.299
 for this purpose,

00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.320
 it would still further

00:27:29.320 --> 00:27:30.380
 illustrate the power

00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:30.980
 of prayer

00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:32.240
 offered in faith

00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:33.120
 to command help

00:27:33.120 --> 00:27:33.779
 from on high.

00:27:34.600 --> 00:27:35.420
 A lot of ground

00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.299
 spacious enough

00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:37.320
 would at the outset

00:27:37.320 --> 00:27:38.279
 cost thousands

00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:38.860
 of pounds

00:27:38.860 --> 00:27:40.460
 but why should this

00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.620
 daunt a true child

00:27:41.620 --> 00:27:42.060
 of God

00:27:42.060 --> 00:27:42.640
 whose father

00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.880
 was infinitely rich?

00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.320
 Mr. Mueller

00:27:45.320 --> 00:27:46.039
 and his helper

00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:47.180
 sought day by day

00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:48.259
 to be guided of God

00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.960
 and as faith fed

00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:51.440
 on this daily bread

00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:52.580
 of contact with him,

00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.440
 the assurance

00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.240
 grew strong

00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:54.940
 that help

00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.640
 would come

00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:57.180
 and so it did.

00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.640
 When we ask

00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.480
 and rely on God

00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.100
 for provision

00:28:00.100 --> 00:28:01.680
 and then he provides,

00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:03.060
 he gets the glory

00:28:03.060 --> 00:28:04.060
 for that provision.

00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:05.400
 But when we fail

00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:06.080
 to see him

00:28:06.080 --> 00:28:06.799
 as the provider,

00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:07.880
 we begin to believe

00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:08.759
 that we're the ones

00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:10.000
 providing for the needs

00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.120
 and then we get

00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:12.340
 the glory and success

00:28:12.340 --> 00:28:13.299
 or feel anxious

00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:14.220
 about the threat

00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:15.940
 of failure, right?

00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:17.140
 And so by asking

00:28:17.140 --> 00:28:18.019
 God beforehand

00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:18.820
 to provide,

00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:19.940
 seeing him

00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:20.720
 as the giver

00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.820
 of our jobs

00:28:21.820 --> 00:28:22.960
 and of our provision,

00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:24.700
 he then gets the glory

00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.840
 on the back end.

00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:26.900
 Right?

00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:28.279
 So faith in God's character

00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.279
 and promise

00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:30.519
 cannot coexist

00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:32.500
 with worry.

00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.860
 Mueller once said,

00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.500
 and this quote

00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.279
 is on the front

00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.059
 of your bulletin,

00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:37.000
 he says,

00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:37.519
 the beginning

00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:39.180
 of anxiety

00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:40.440
 is the end of faith

00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.279
 and the beginning

00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:42.100
 of true faith

00:28:42.100 --> 00:28:42.960
 is the end

00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:43.880
 of anxiety.

00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:45.220
 So if we trust

00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:46.280
 God for salvation

00:28:46.280 --> 00:28:49.040
 to perfect us eternally,

00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:50.160
 to cleanse our sin

00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:50.540
 from us,

00:28:50.560 --> 00:28:51.460
 why can't we trust

00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:52.620
 him to meet

00:28:52.620 --> 00:28:53.980
 our daily needs?

00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.400
 Yet isn't it so easy

00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:57.080
 to fall into this trap?

00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:58.080
 It really feels

00:28:58.080 --> 00:28:59.380
 like we're providing.

00:28:59.880 --> 00:29:01.120
 Just as God provides

00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:02.020
 work for the birds

00:29:02.020 --> 00:29:03.300
 to do so that they can eat,

00:29:03.380 --> 00:29:04.620
 he gives us opportunity

00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:06.500
 to work and to provide

00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.300
 for our own.

00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:08.560
 So let's pray often

00:29:08.560 --> 00:29:09.340
 to this end,

00:29:09.820 --> 00:29:11.020
 asking God to help us

00:29:11.020 --> 00:29:12.000
 recognize our dependence

00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:13.660
 on him for our daily need,

00:29:13.880 --> 00:29:15.180
 asking him to provide

00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:16.460
 so then we can thank him

00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.540
 and praise him

00:29:17.540 --> 00:29:18.120
 when he does.

00:29:19.340 --> 00:29:20.120
 So we've looked at

00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:20.800
 several lesser

00:29:20.800 --> 00:29:22.380
 to greater arguments.

00:29:22.560 --> 00:29:23.100
 This argument

00:29:23.100 --> 00:29:23.780
 that if he does

00:29:23.780 --> 00:29:24.540
 this little thing,

00:29:25.080 --> 00:29:26.040
 if he cares for

00:29:26.040 --> 00:29:26.940
 these little birds

00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:27.800
 and these lilies

00:29:27.800 --> 00:29:28.540
 will he not also

00:29:28.540 --> 00:29:29.220
 care for you

00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:30.260
 because you're more valuable.

00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:31.840
 So I'd like to make

00:29:31.840 --> 00:29:33.100
 my own lesser

00:29:33.100 --> 00:29:33.940
 to greater argument.

00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.400
 And technically,

00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.160
 I think it's a

00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:37.180
 less to lesser argument.

00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:39.820
 If God desires for us

00:29:39.820 --> 00:29:40.760
 not even to worry

00:29:40.760 --> 00:29:42.180
 about the basic life needs,

00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:43.480
 how much less

00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.180
 should we worry

00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:45.220
 about the trivial things

00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:45.840
 that we spend

00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:46.740
 most of our time

00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:48.360
 anxious about, right?

00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:49.340
 We're all here this morning.

00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.860
 Most of us are dressed

00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:52.220
 at least pretty nice.

00:29:52.360 --> 00:29:52.860
 All of us,

00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:54.000
 I would assume,

00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:54.799
 don't have to worry

00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:55.740
 too much about

00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:56.539
 where our next meal

00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.320
 is going to come from.

00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:57.840
 We can get it

00:29:57.840 --> 00:29:59.180
 one way or another.

00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:00.080
 Yet we find ourselves

00:30:00.080 --> 00:30:00.740
 worrying about

00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:01.799
 more than just

00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:03.019
 our basic needs

00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:04.620
 being met.

00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.519
 Often we find ourselves

00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:07.160
 not content

00:30:07.160 --> 00:30:08.000
 with what God

00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:09.060
 has deemed appropriate

00:30:09.060 --> 00:30:10.080
 for our lives,

00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:11.259
 which brings us

00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:12.119
 to our next point

00:30:12.119 --> 00:30:13.559
 of unbelieving anxiety.

00:30:14.199 --> 00:30:14.819
 Point number four,

00:30:14.939 --> 00:30:16.259
 anxiety as a symptom

00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.579
 of unbelief

00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.759
 in God's wisdom.

00:30:20.659 --> 00:30:21.379
 And this is where

00:30:21.379 --> 00:30:23.859
 I think most of us,

00:30:24.439 --> 00:30:25.439
 if and when

00:30:25.439 --> 00:30:26.480
 we struggle with anxiety,

00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:28.099
 this in a lot of ways

00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:29.179
 is kind of what comes

00:30:29.179 --> 00:30:30.559
 to mind in my heart.

00:30:30.859 --> 00:30:32.279
 And I think for a lot of us

00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.419
 at CFC,

00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:34.699
 this is really where

00:30:34.699 --> 00:30:35.480
 it hits home

00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:37.000
 because God has promised

00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:38.139
 to provide for us

00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:38.860
 and sustain us,

00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:40.240
 but often we're not

00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:41.740
 content with the basics.

00:30:41.900 --> 00:30:42.740
 We want more

00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.660
 than the basics.

00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:44.860
 We desire more

00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:46.220
 than what God has

00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:47.960
 planned for our lives.

00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.500
 This shows itself

00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:50.460
 in several areas

00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:51.420
 and some common ones

00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:51.880
 as believers

00:30:51.880 --> 00:30:53.120
 are in materialism,

00:30:53.620 --> 00:30:55.000
 the wanting of new things,

00:30:55.060 --> 00:30:55.660
 more money,

00:30:55.840 --> 00:30:56.500
 nice things,

00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.220
 which ultimately

00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:59.060
 only serve for our enjoyment

00:30:59.060 --> 00:31:00.480
 rather than the furthering

00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.340
 of the kingdom.

00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.940
 We're also not content

00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:04.280
 often with our situation

00:31:04.280 --> 00:31:05.520
 or our environment.

00:31:05.780 --> 00:31:07.060
 We want our family situation

00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:08.299
 to be easier or better.

00:31:08.819 --> 00:31:09.759
 We don't want to be

00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.819
 single anymore.

00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:13.099
 We want life to be easier.

00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:14.440
 We want a better job.

00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.980
 We want better grades

00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:17.139
 and fill in the blank.

00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.619
 When we worry about

00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:20.259
 these things,

00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:21.079
 we say to God

00:31:21.079 --> 00:31:22.119
 that what He has given

00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:22.839
 isn't enough

00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:24.559
 and Christ isn't enough

00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:25.299
 to satisfy.

00:31:25.399 --> 00:31:27.019
 I know that may sound harsh

00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:28.539
 again this morning,

00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.579
 but let's look at

00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:30.039
 what the Scripture

00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:30.859
 has to say

00:31:30.859 --> 00:31:31.619
 about the way

00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.720
 that God provides

00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:33.919
 in His wisdom.

00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:35.279
 So a really common verse,

00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:36.160
 but I don't know how often

00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:37.279
 it's necessarily applied

00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:38.759
 to anxiety.

00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:40.359
 Excuse me.

00:31:41.079 --> 00:31:43.099
 Romans 8, 28 through 30,

00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.519
 a common verse again.

00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.940
 And we know that

00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:47.200
 for those who love God,

00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:48.279
 all things work together

00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:48.799
 for good.

00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:50.639
 For those who are called

00:31:50.639 --> 00:31:51.619
 according to His purpose.

00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:53.059
 For those whom He foreknew,

00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:54.259
 He also predestined

00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:55.460
 to be conformed

00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:56.500
 to the image of His Son

00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:58.220
 in order that He might be

00:31:58.220 --> 00:31:58.899
 the firstborn

00:31:58.899 --> 00:31:59.700
 among many brothers.

00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:00.759
 Right?

00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:02.359
 So we have this massive statement

00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:03.160
 at the outset

00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:05.460
 that God works all things,

00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.299
 that He's in control

00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.119
 of all things

00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.259
 and they're working together

00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.379
 for a purpose.

00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:10.700
 So I don't want to skip over that

00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:11.920
 because it's important to know

00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:13.099
 that God's in control.

00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:14.379
 He's working out

00:32:14.379 --> 00:32:15.759
 everything that happens

00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:17.980
 in the universe around us,

00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:19.740
 but also in our individual lives

00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.900
 to an end.

00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:22.160
 And that end is found

00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:23.640
 at the end of verse 29,

00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:25.099
 to be conformed

00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:25.940
 into the image

00:32:25.940 --> 00:32:26.960
 of His Son.

00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:28.359
 That's God's definition

00:32:28.359 --> 00:32:29.000
 of good

00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:30.339
 that He's just said

00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:31.500
 He promised to do.

00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:33.039
 So again,

00:32:33.339 --> 00:32:35.119
 everything in our life

00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:35.959
 is working towards

00:32:35.959 --> 00:32:38.119
 making us more like Christ

00:32:38.119 --> 00:32:39.259
 in the way that God

00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:40.319
 has designed it to be.

00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:42.159
 Another common verse

00:32:42.159 --> 00:32:42.839
 that we know,

00:32:43.159 --> 00:32:44.139
 Ephesians 1,

00:32:44.479 --> 00:32:45.359
 11 through 14.

00:32:45.439 --> 00:32:46.000
 I would encourage you

00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:47.059
 to go ahead and turn there

00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:48.199
 with me for this one.

00:32:48.379 --> 00:32:49.039
 Maybe not as common

00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.619
 as the last.

00:32:49.899 --> 00:32:50.619
 So go ahead and turn

00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:51.519
 to Ephesians 1.

00:32:52.159 --> 00:32:52.859
 We'll be reading

00:32:52.859 --> 00:32:54.459
 verses 11 through 14.

00:32:58.359 --> 00:33:09.559
 And it says,

00:33:09.719 --> 00:33:10.959
 In Him we have obtained

00:33:10.959 --> 00:33:11.599
 an inheritance,

00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:13.479
 having been predestined

00:33:13.479 --> 00:33:14.419
 according to the purpose

00:33:14.419 --> 00:33:14.859
 of Him,

00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:16.579
 who works all things

00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:17.559
 according to the counsel

00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:18.279
 of His will,

00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:20.559
 so that we who are the first

00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:21.500
 to hope in Christ

00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:23.019
 might be to the praise

00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:23.759
 of His glory.

00:33:24.699 --> 00:33:25.639
 In Him you also,

00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:26.159
 when you heard

00:33:26.159 --> 00:33:26.919
 the word of truth,

00:33:27.059 --> 00:33:28.299
 the gospel of your salvation,

00:33:28.359 --> 00:33:29.459
 and believed in Him,

00:33:29.919 --> 00:33:30.639
 we're sealed with

00:33:30.639 --> 00:33:31.659
 the promised Holy Spirit,

00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.459
 who is the guarantee

00:33:32.459 --> 00:33:33.159
 of our inheritance,

00:33:33.639 --> 00:33:34.779
 until we acquire possession

00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.219
 of it,

00:33:35.379 --> 00:33:37.000
 to the praise of His glory.

00:33:37.439 --> 00:33:38.039
 So again,

00:33:38.099 --> 00:33:39.799
 we have this huge statement.

00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:40.279
 Again,

00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:43.059
 God also works all things

00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:44.759
 so that we might be

00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:46.399
 to the praise of His glory.

00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.279
 So when you put those

00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:48.219
 two things together,

00:33:48.319 --> 00:33:49.899
 we have a statement.

00:33:50.059 --> 00:33:51.339
 God works all things

00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:52.159
 together for good

00:33:52.159 --> 00:33:54.099
 to be made more like Christ,

00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:55.339
 that we might be,

00:33:55.699 --> 00:33:56.679
 we might exist

00:33:56.680 --> 00:33:57.660
 for the praise

00:33:57.660 --> 00:33:58.680
 of His glory.

00:33:58.820 --> 00:34:00.019
 So whatever happens,

00:34:00.080 --> 00:34:00.360
 again,

00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:01.039
 in our lives

00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:02.720
 serves this purpose.

00:34:03.360 --> 00:34:03.640
 Therefore,

00:34:03.880 --> 00:34:05.140
 our lack of contentment

00:34:05.140 --> 00:34:05.799
 with what God

00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:07.000
 has placed in our lives,

00:34:07.340 --> 00:34:08.740
 often revealing itself

00:34:08.740 --> 00:34:09.800
 through anxiety

00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:11.059
 about our situation,

00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:12.519
 says that we would rather

00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:13.680
 get what we want

00:34:13.680 --> 00:34:14.519
 than to be made

00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:15.420
 more like Christ

00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:16.159
 in the way

00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:18.000
 that He has decided

00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:18.740
 to do so.

00:34:18.860 --> 00:34:19.320
 So again,

00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:20.400
 let that sink in.

00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:21.840
 A lack of contentment

00:34:21.840 --> 00:34:22.360
 with what God

00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:23.740
 has placed in our lives,

00:34:24.240 --> 00:34:25.200
 says that we would rather

00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:26.399
 get what we want

00:34:26.399 --> 00:34:27.599
 than to be made

00:34:27.599 --> 00:34:28.579
 more like Christ.

00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:30.919
 This includes

00:34:30.919 --> 00:34:31.719
 the process

00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:33.000
 of our sanctification.

00:34:33.219 --> 00:34:34.159
 This is kind of

00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:35.199
 a challenging argument

00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:35.599
 to make,

00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:36.419
 and I want to be clear.

00:34:36.799 --> 00:34:37.379
 When I was talking

00:34:37.379 --> 00:34:38.099
 to Nathan yesterday

00:34:38.099 --> 00:34:38.539
 about it,

00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:39.319
 I just asked him,

00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:39.500
 like,

00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.939
 does that make sense?

00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:41.219
 Like,

00:34:41.259 --> 00:34:42.339
 should I include this?

00:34:42.359 --> 00:34:42.799
 And I feel like

00:34:42.799 --> 00:34:43.619
 it's a really relevant

00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:45.639
 part of the Christian life,

00:34:45.739 --> 00:34:46.679
 this frustration

00:34:46.679 --> 00:34:48.319
 with the process

00:34:48.319 --> 00:34:49.339
 of our sanctification.

00:34:49.679 --> 00:34:51.980
 We often get frustrated

00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:53.379
 to the point of anxiety

00:34:53.380 --> 00:34:55.059
 with the pace

00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:56.460
 at which we're growing.

00:34:56.619 --> 00:34:57.300
 We get frustrated

00:34:57.300 --> 00:34:57.980
 with the fact

00:34:57.980 --> 00:34:58.820
 that we're still

00:34:58.820 --> 00:35:00.820
 battling the same things

00:35:00.820 --> 00:35:02.380
 over and over.

00:35:02.539 --> 00:35:03.099
 So have you ever

00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:04.640
 asked yourself this question,

00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:05.760
 why doesn't God

00:35:05.760 --> 00:35:07.780
 take away my temptation?

00:35:07.940 --> 00:35:09.460
 Or why am I still struggling

00:35:09.460 --> 00:35:10.440
 with the same sin

00:35:10.440 --> 00:35:12.019
 I was five years ago?

00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:12.960
 This is a very common

00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:13.500
 frustration

00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:14.480
 that we have

00:35:14.480 --> 00:35:16.119
 as believers.

00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:18.039
 So in one sense,

00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:19.300
 we should never be content

00:35:19.300 --> 00:35:20.119
 with our relationship

00:35:20.119 --> 00:35:20.900
 with God, right?

00:35:20.920 --> 00:35:21.720
 We want to be zealous.

00:35:21.820 --> 00:35:22.619
 We want to be striving

00:35:22.619 --> 00:35:23.859
 after a deeper relationship

00:35:23.859 --> 00:35:24.400
 with Him

00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:25.460
 and knowing Him

00:35:25.460 --> 00:35:26.440
 to a greater extent.

00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:27.579
 Is that not the purpose

00:35:27.579 --> 00:35:29.259
 of the Christian life?

00:35:29.359 --> 00:35:30.239
 But when this desire

00:35:30.239 --> 00:35:31.259
 turns into guilt

00:35:31.259 --> 00:35:32.920
 as we beat ourselves up

00:35:32.920 --> 00:35:33.659
 for our performance

00:35:33.659 --> 00:35:34.759
 over the last week,

00:35:34.900 --> 00:35:35.799
 the last month,

00:35:35.839 --> 00:35:36.679
 or the last year,

00:35:36.759 --> 00:35:37.759
 it gets in the way

00:35:37.759 --> 00:35:39.199
 of accepting the grace

00:35:39.199 --> 00:35:40.000
 that God has provided

00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:41.539
 as a covering for our sin.

00:35:41.940 --> 00:35:43.019
 We're effectively saying

00:35:43.019 --> 00:35:43.380
 to God,

00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:44.559
 thank you for my salvation,

00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:46.019
 but now it's my turn

00:35:46.019 --> 00:35:47.059
 to make myself worthy

00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:48.519
 to be your child.

00:35:49.239 --> 00:35:50.460
 We often find ourselves

00:35:50.460 --> 00:35:51.500
 guilty or ashamed

00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:52.179
 before God

00:35:52.179 --> 00:35:53.039
 because we feel like

00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:54.000
 we aren't good enough.

00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:55.579
 And we've got to remember

00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:56.920
 that's the whole point

00:35:56.920 --> 00:35:57.559
 of the gospel.

00:35:57.699 --> 00:35:58.820
 That is the message

00:35:58.820 --> 00:35:59.519
 of the gospel,

00:35:59.619 --> 00:36:00.800
 that we're not adequate

00:36:00.800 --> 00:36:02.179
 before a holy God

00:36:02.179 --> 00:36:03.099
 to be a good enough

00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:04.139
 brother or sister

00:36:04.139 --> 00:36:05.679
 or son or daughter

00:36:05.679 --> 00:36:06.380
 or husband

00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.699
 or good enough

00:36:07.699 --> 00:36:08.400
 at our job.

00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:09.219
 But in Christ,

00:36:09.340 --> 00:36:10.539
 we have sufficiency.

00:36:11.239 --> 00:36:12.119
 In Christ,

00:36:12.260 --> 00:36:13.679
 we are, in fact,

00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:15.800
 worthy before a holy God.

00:36:15.820 --> 00:36:16.760
 Not because of our works,

00:36:16.820 --> 00:36:17.380
 but because of what

00:36:17.380 --> 00:36:18.880
 He's done in us.

00:36:18.880 --> 00:36:19.900
 We have to understand

00:36:19.900 --> 00:36:20.820
 our dependence

00:36:20.820 --> 00:36:22.500
 and the synergism,

00:36:22.660 --> 00:36:23.280
 us and God

00:36:23.280 --> 00:36:24.240
 working together

00:36:24.240 --> 00:36:25.460
 on our sanctification

00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:26.840
 according to His will.

00:36:27.640 --> 00:36:27.940
 Paul,

00:36:28.039 --> 00:36:28.780
 writing to the church

00:36:28.780 --> 00:36:29.420
 in Galatia

00:36:29.420 --> 00:36:30.300
 about salvation

00:36:30.300 --> 00:36:32.059
 through faith alone,

00:36:32.260 --> 00:36:33.079
 by grace alone,

00:36:33.240 --> 00:36:34.900
 says in chapter 3,

00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:35.880
 verses 2-3,

00:36:36.680 --> 00:36:38.280
 let me ask you only this.

00:36:39.420 --> 00:36:40.960
 Did you receive the Spirit

00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:42.079
 by works of the law

00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:43.640
 or by hearing with faith?

00:36:44.200 --> 00:36:45.220
 Are you so foolish,

00:36:45.340 --> 00:36:46.700
 having begun by the Spirit,

00:36:46.699 --> 00:36:48.219
 are you now being perfected

00:36:48.219 --> 00:36:49.179
 by the flesh?

00:36:49.519 --> 00:36:49.899
 Of course,

00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:50.759
 the answer to that question

00:36:50.759 --> 00:36:51.159
 is no.

00:36:52.159 --> 00:36:53.299
 Just as the birds gather

00:36:53.299 --> 00:36:54.239
 what the Lord has provided

00:36:54.239 --> 00:36:56.000
 for them without worry,

00:36:56.199 --> 00:36:57.500
 we must learn to do the same

00:36:57.500 --> 00:36:58.639
 in our own sanctification,

00:36:59.379 --> 00:37:00.599
 not full of anxiety,

00:37:00.799 --> 00:37:01.980
 but simply taking up

00:37:01.980 --> 00:37:02.879
 what He has provided

00:37:02.879 --> 00:37:03.659
 for us daily

00:37:03.659 --> 00:37:04.460
 in His Word

00:37:04.460 --> 00:37:05.500
 and the church

00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:06.599
 as we seek to walk

00:37:06.599 --> 00:37:07.759
 with Him in obedience.

00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:09.679
 When we try to repay God

00:37:09.679 --> 00:37:10.639
 back for our salvation

00:37:10.639 --> 00:37:12.339
 and we begin to feel anxiety

00:37:12.339 --> 00:37:13.679
 because we've placed

00:37:13.679 --> 00:37:14.939
 the pressure on ourselves

00:37:14.939 --> 00:37:16.460
 to earn back our salvation,

00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:18.059
 which has been freely given

00:37:18.059 --> 00:37:19.480
 to us by God

00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:20.500
 and we effectively say

00:37:20.500 --> 00:37:21.460
 that the cross of Christ

00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:22.099
 is not enough.

00:37:23.279 --> 00:37:24.139
 Strive for godliness

00:37:24.139 --> 00:37:25.079
 by all means,

00:37:25.599 --> 00:37:26.460
 but don't worry about

00:37:26.460 --> 00:37:27.419
 where God has you

00:37:27.419 --> 00:37:28.039
 in your faith

00:37:28.039 --> 00:37:28.799
 and in your walk.

00:37:29.179 --> 00:37:29.779
 He has promised

00:37:29.779 --> 00:37:31.099
 to sustain us to the end

00:37:31.099 --> 00:37:32.500
 and to make us more like Christ

00:37:32.500 --> 00:37:33.500
 in the process.

00:37:33.659 --> 00:37:34.899
 So, along with the promise

00:37:34.899 --> 00:37:35.799
 that we already have

00:37:35.799 --> 00:37:37.659
 in Romans 8-30,

00:37:37.799 --> 00:37:39.119
 Philippians 1-6 says,

00:37:39.559 --> 00:37:40.480
 and I am sure of this,

00:37:40.559 --> 00:37:41.359
 that He who began

00:37:41.359 --> 00:37:42.259
 a good work in you

00:37:42.259 --> 00:37:43.319
 will bring it to completion

00:37:43.319 --> 00:37:45.359
 at the day of Christ.

00:37:45.360 --> 00:37:47.700
 Oftentimes,

00:37:48.360 --> 00:37:49.320
 we're anxious

00:37:49.320 --> 00:37:50.400
 about the way

00:37:50.400 --> 00:37:52.180
 that we appear

00:37:52.180 --> 00:37:52.900
 before God,

00:37:53.000 --> 00:37:53.900
 but sometimes

00:37:53.900 --> 00:37:54.760
 this anxiety

00:37:54.760 --> 00:37:55.440
 that we feel

00:37:55.440 --> 00:37:56.519
 about our own holiness

00:37:56.519 --> 00:37:57.960
 is a result

00:37:57.960 --> 00:37:59.099
 of not looking good

00:37:59.099 --> 00:38:00.980
 in front of other people.

00:38:01.539 --> 00:38:01.700
 And so,

00:38:01.760 --> 00:38:02.240
 this brings us

00:38:02.240 --> 00:38:03.420
 to our fifth point.

00:38:03.539 --> 00:38:04.620
 Anxiety is a symptom

00:38:04.620 --> 00:38:06.780
 of the fear of man

00:38:06.780 --> 00:38:07.660
 or the desire

00:38:07.660 --> 00:38:09.059
 to please man

00:38:09.059 --> 00:38:10.120
 more than we desire

00:38:10.120 --> 00:38:10.660
 to please God.

00:38:10.720 --> 00:38:11.039
 So, again,

00:38:11.300 --> 00:38:11.780
 the symptom

00:38:11.780 --> 00:38:12.960
 of the fear of man.

00:38:12.960 --> 00:38:15.559
 This is a huge source

00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:16.000
 of anxiety

00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:17.079
 for many in the church

00:38:17.079 --> 00:38:18.000
 and we clearly see

00:38:18.000 --> 00:38:18.619
 this taught

00:38:18.619 --> 00:38:21.019
 already in the Sermon

00:38:21.019 --> 00:38:21.880
 on the Mount.

00:38:22.360 --> 00:38:23.440
 Chapter 6,

00:38:23.740 --> 00:38:24.800
 verses 1-8,

00:38:24.900 --> 00:38:25.860
 we see righteousness

00:38:25.860 --> 00:38:27.220
 either to be seen

00:38:27.220 --> 00:38:27.940
 by others

00:38:27.940 --> 00:38:28.780
 through generosity,

00:38:29.500 --> 00:38:29.940
 prayer,

00:38:30.260 --> 00:38:31.139
 or fasting

00:38:31.139 --> 00:38:32.079
 instead of seeking

00:38:32.079 --> 00:38:33.900
 after the heavenly reward

00:38:33.900 --> 00:38:35.000
 that God gives us

00:38:35.000 --> 00:38:36.619
 for those actions.

00:38:37.079 --> 00:38:37.940
 Anxiety about what

00:38:37.940 --> 00:38:38.860
 others think of us

00:38:38.860 --> 00:38:40.139
 is the fear

00:38:40.139 --> 00:38:40.940
 of man spending

00:38:40.940 --> 00:38:41.759
 significant time

00:38:41.759 --> 00:38:42.259
 worrying,

00:38:42.500 --> 00:38:43.000
 thinking,

00:38:43.420 --> 00:38:44.199
 getting worked up

00:38:44.199 --> 00:38:45.000
 about what others

00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:45.500
 will think

00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:46.900
 is the fear of man.

00:38:47.239 --> 00:38:47.879
 And many believers

00:38:47.879 --> 00:38:48.500
 are raised

00:38:48.500 --> 00:38:49.500
 and function

00:38:49.500 --> 00:38:50.920
 as people pleasers

00:38:50.920 --> 00:38:51.500
 primarily

00:38:51.500 --> 00:38:52.819
 and not as

00:38:52.819 --> 00:38:54.039
 God pleasers

00:38:54.039 --> 00:38:55.119
 and end up living

00:38:55.119 --> 00:38:56.460
 a crippling life,

00:38:56.879 --> 00:38:57.879
 enslaved life

00:38:57.879 --> 00:38:58.699
 to the opinions

00:38:58.699 --> 00:38:59.659
 of others.

00:38:59.759 --> 00:39:00.139
 And this has

00:39:00.139 --> 00:39:01.279
 many consequences,

00:39:01.980 --> 00:39:02.839
 one of which

00:39:02.839 --> 00:39:05.179
 is that it stifles

00:39:05.179 --> 00:39:05.799
 our ability

00:39:05.799 --> 00:39:07.139
 to share our faith.

00:39:07.639 --> 00:39:07.779
 Right?

00:39:07.799 --> 00:39:08.960
 If we're so concerned,

00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:10.059
 more concerned

00:39:10.059 --> 00:39:10.539
 with what people

00:39:10.539 --> 00:39:11.119
 think than what

00:39:11.119 --> 00:39:11.740
 God thinks,

00:39:12.059 --> 00:39:12.679
 then it cripples

00:39:12.679 --> 00:39:13.220
 our ability

00:39:13.220 --> 00:39:14.139
 to share our faith.

00:39:14.619 --> 00:39:15.139
 John Bloom,

00:39:15.240 --> 00:39:15.480
 again,

00:39:15.619 --> 00:39:16.099
 he says,

00:39:16.199 --> 00:39:17.460
 we will obey

00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:18.340
 the one

00:39:18.340 --> 00:39:19.679
 whom we fear.

00:39:19.840 --> 00:39:20.019
 So,

00:39:20.220 --> 00:39:20.880
 whichever one

00:39:20.880 --> 00:39:21.900
 we fear the most,

00:39:22.019 --> 00:39:22.619
 that's where our

00:39:22.619 --> 00:39:23.320
 actions and our

00:39:23.320 --> 00:39:23.679
 obedience

00:39:23.679 --> 00:39:24.880
 will then follow.

00:39:25.059 --> 00:39:25.240
 Again,

00:39:25.300 --> 00:39:25.860
 we can only choose

00:39:25.860 --> 00:39:26.099
 one,

00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:27.000
 the fear of man

00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:28.440
 or the fear of God.

00:39:28.980 --> 00:39:29.940
 Deuteronomy 10-12

00:39:29.940 --> 00:39:30.340
 says,

00:39:30.460 --> 00:39:31.179
 Now Israel,

00:39:31.659 --> 00:39:32.559
 what does your Lord

00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:33.440
 require of you

00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:34.099
 but that you fear

00:39:34.099 --> 00:39:34.820
 the Lord your God,

00:39:34.940 --> 00:39:35.800
 walk in His ways

00:39:35.800 --> 00:39:36.619
 to love Him

00:39:36.619 --> 00:39:37.539
 and to serve

00:39:37.539 --> 00:39:38.139
 the Lord your God

00:39:38.139 --> 00:39:38.900
 with all your heart

00:39:38.900 --> 00:39:40.179
 and with all your soul.

00:39:40.799 --> 00:39:41.599
 If you'll turn with me

00:39:41.599 --> 00:39:44.799
 to Matthew 10-26

00:39:44.799 --> 00:39:45.879
 and following.

00:39:57.039 --> 00:39:57.440
 Again,

00:39:57.500 --> 00:39:58.859
 Matthew 10-26

00:39:58.860 --> 00:40:04.220
 says,

00:40:04.320 --> 00:40:05.280
 this is Christ's teaching,

00:40:05.519 --> 00:40:06.400
 so have no fear

00:40:06.400 --> 00:40:06.860
 of them

00:40:06.860 --> 00:40:08.559
 for nothing is covered

00:40:08.559 --> 00:40:09.599
 that will not be revealed

00:40:09.599 --> 00:40:10.340
 or hidden

00:40:10.340 --> 00:40:11.300
 that will not be known.

00:40:11.940 --> 00:40:12.760
 What I tell you

00:40:12.760 --> 00:40:13.280
 in the dark

00:40:13.280 --> 00:40:14.340
 say in the light

00:40:14.340 --> 00:40:15.400
 and what you hear

00:40:15.400 --> 00:40:15.960
 whispered

00:40:15.960 --> 00:40:16.360
 proclaim

00:40:16.360 --> 00:40:17.380
 on the housetops.

00:40:19.400 --> 00:40:20.380
 And do not fear

00:40:20.380 --> 00:40:21.519
 those who kill the body

00:40:21.519 --> 00:40:23.019
 but cannot kill the soul.

00:40:23.400 --> 00:40:23.760
 Rather,

00:40:23.960 --> 00:40:24.440
 fear Him

00:40:24.440 --> 00:40:25.240
 who can destroy

00:40:25.240 --> 00:40:26.019
 both the soul

00:40:26.019 --> 00:40:26.640
 and the body

00:40:26.640 --> 00:40:27.140
 in hell.

00:40:27.139 --> 00:40:28.059
 Again,

00:40:28.179 --> 00:40:29.119
 Jesus talking about birds.

00:40:29.659 --> 00:40:30.679
 Are not two sparrows

00:40:30.679 --> 00:40:31.599
 sold for a penny

00:40:31.599 --> 00:40:32.799
 and yet

00:40:32.799 --> 00:40:34.779
 not one of them

00:40:34.779 --> 00:40:35.519
 will fall to the ground

00:40:35.519 --> 00:40:36.559
 apart from your Father.

00:40:37.199 --> 00:40:37.960
 But even the hairs

00:40:37.960 --> 00:40:38.579
 on your head

00:40:38.579 --> 00:40:39.279
 are all numbered.

00:40:39.839 --> 00:40:40.420
 Fear not,

00:40:40.619 --> 00:40:41.039
 therefore,

00:40:41.460 --> 00:40:42.779
 you are of more value

00:40:42.779 --> 00:40:43.879
 than many sparrows.

00:40:44.519 --> 00:40:45.539
 We must trust

00:40:45.539 --> 00:40:46.299
 that pleasing God

00:40:46.299 --> 00:40:47.219
 in all circumstances

00:40:47.219 --> 00:40:48.440
 at whatever cost

00:40:48.440 --> 00:40:49.879
 will offend

00:40:49.879 --> 00:40:50.940
 and displease

00:40:50.940 --> 00:40:51.559
 others

00:40:51.559 --> 00:40:52.679
 ever more so

00:40:52.679 --> 00:40:53.879
 in our age.

00:40:53.880 --> 00:40:54.980
 But when we back down

00:40:54.980 --> 00:40:55.640
 in our beliefs,

00:40:55.860 --> 00:40:56.800
 fail to share our faith

00:40:56.800 --> 00:40:57.800
 when we know we ought to

00:40:57.800 --> 00:40:59.240
 or simply live

00:40:59.240 --> 00:41:00.340
 as we ought to

00:41:00.340 --> 00:41:01.880
 for fear of social consequence,

00:41:02.119 --> 00:41:02.920
 losing a job,

00:41:03.400 --> 00:41:03.720
 etc.

00:41:03.940 --> 00:41:04.720
 We say to God

00:41:04.720 --> 00:41:05.300
 that we are making

00:41:05.300 --> 00:41:05.900
 our kingdom

00:41:05.900 --> 00:41:06.680
 the priority

00:41:06.680 --> 00:41:08.300
 instead of His.

00:41:10.180 --> 00:41:10.460
 Okay,

00:41:10.579 --> 00:41:11.119
 last point.

00:41:11.360 --> 00:41:12.180
 Point number six.

00:41:12.340 --> 00:41:12.820
 Anxiety

00:41:12.820 --> 00:41:14.200
 as a symptom

00:41:14.200 --> 00:41:15.579
 of prayerlessness

00:41:15.579 --> 00:41:17.579
 or wrongful prayer.

00:41:17.980 --> 00:41:18.660
 And to see this,

00:41:18.740 --> 00:41:19.380
 we do need to go

00:41:19.380 --> 00:41:20.700
 outside of our text again,

00:41:20.699 --> 00:41:21.559
 but we'll see it

00:41:21.559 --> 00:41:22.559
 in the surrounding teaching

00:41:22.559 --> 00:41:24.339
 on the Sermon on the Mount.

00:41:24.480 --> 00:41:24.699
 So,

00:41:24.879 --> 00:41:25.839
 look back with me,

00:41:26.000 --> 00:41:27.779
 turn back to Matthew 6

00:41:27.779 --> 00:41:28.639
 if you're not there already,

00:41:29.319 --> 00:41:31.139
 and we'll reflect on

00:41:31.139 --> 00:41:32.939
 verses 9-13,

00:41:33.059 --> 00:41:34.279
 the Lord's Prayer.

00:41:34.980 --> 00:41:35.460
 So,

00:41:35.579 --> 00:41:36.259
 as we read it,

00:41:36.319 --> 00:41:36.799
 we'll find that

00:41:36.799 --> 00:41:38.359
 if we have Christ's attitude

00:41:38.359 --> 00:41:39.659
 in prayer as He models,

00:41:40.139 --> 00:41:40.839
 we'll alleviate

00:41:40.839 --> 00:41:41.779
 many of the sources

00:41:41.779 --> 00:41:43.099
 of anxiety

00:41:43.099 --> 00:41:43.939
 we feel today.

00:41:44.399 --> 00:41:44.859
 So,

00:41:45.000 --> 00:41:46.480
 our Father in Heaven,

00:41:46.619 --> 00:41:47.359
 hallowed be Your name.

00:41:47.699 --> 00:41:48.519
 If we trust

00:41:48.519 --> 00:41:49.699
 in the declaration of God

00:41:49.699 --> 00:41:50.579
 as our Holy Father,

00:41:50.699 --> 00:41:51.739
 because of the redemptive

00:41:51.739 --> 00:41:52.519
 work of Christ,

00:41:52.960 --> 00:41:54.500
 our focus will be heavenward

00:41:54.500 --> 00:41:55.379
 for His glory

00:41:55.379 --> 00:41:56.339
 and not for our own.

00:41:56.719 --> 00:41:57.039
 So,

00:41:57.099 --> 00:41:57.659
 the fear of God

00:41:57.659 --> 00:41:58.619
 will far outweigh

00:41:58.619 --> 00:42:00.039
 the fear of man.

00:42:01.259 --> 00:42:01.659
 Next,

00:42:02.019 --> 00:42:02.879
 your kingdom come,

00:42:02.980 --> 00:42:03.939
 your will be done.

00:42:04.059 --> 00:42:04.819
 If we focus on

00:42:04.819 --> 00:42:05.719
 God's will being done

00:42:05.719 --> 00:42:06.739
 and His kingdom coming

00:42:06.739 --> 00:42:07.799
 as our focus

00:42:07.799 --> 00:42:09.139
 instead of our own will

00:42:09.139 --> 00:42:10.139
 and our own authority,

00:42:10.579 --> 00:42:11.299
 we'll be content

00:42:11.299 --> 00:42:12.259
 with whatever He brings

00:42:12.259 --> 00:42:13.000
 into our lives

00:42:13.000 --> 00:42:13.919
 to accomplish

00:42:13.919 --> 00:42:14.980
 His purposes.

00:42:16.539 --> 00:42:17.439
 Give us this day

00:42:17.439 --> 00:42:18.059
 our daily bread.

00:42:18.159 --> 00:42:18.819
 If we trust

00:42:18.819 --> 00:42:20.179
 Him to be our provider

00:42:20.179 --> 00:42:21.039
 for daily provision

00:42:21.039 --> 00:42:21.799
 and forsake

00:42:21.799 --> 00:42:22.679
 the sin of pride,

00:42:23.099 --> 00:42:23.879
 believing we are

00:42:23.879 --> 00:42:24.480
 self-sufficient,

00:42:24.859 --> 00:42:25.819
 we will not be anxious

00:42:25.819 --> 00:42:26.519
 about where money

00:42:26.519 --> 00:42:27.199
 will come from

00:42:27.199 --> 00:42:28.339
 to provide for our families.

00:42:28.639 --> 00:42:29.819
 And we will be content

00:42:29.819 --> 00:42:30.399
 with the grace

00:42:30.399 --> 00:42:31.139
 He gives us

00:42:31.139 --> 00:42:33.039
 daily to sustain us.

00:42:33.879 --> 00:42:34.539
 And then lastly,

00:42:35.119 --> 00:42:36.139
 forgive us our debts

00:42:36.139 --> 00:42:36.759
 as we have forgiven

00:42:36.759 --> 00:42:37.319
 our debtors.

00:42:37.500 --> 00:42:38.599
 Lead us not into temptation,

00:42:38.859 --> 00:42:39.980
 but deliver us from evil.

00:42:40.559 --> 00:42:41.480
 If we trust Him

00:42:41.480 --> 00:42:42.440
 to forgive our sin

00:42:42.440 --> 00:42:44.199
 as He works forgiveness

00:42:44.199 --> 00:42:45.099
 into us

00:42:45.099 --> 00:42:46.159
 and to keep us

00:42:46.159 --> 00:42:46.899
 from temptation,

00:42:46.900 --> 00:42:47.740
 we will not worry

00:42:47.740 --> 00:42:48.380
 about the progress

00:42:48.380 --> 00:42:49.240
 of our sanctification

00:42:49.240 --> 00:42:50.740
 or try to earn back

00:42:50.740 --> 00:42:51.420
 our salvation.

00:42:52.019 --> 00:42:52.860
 And maybe we pray

00:42:52.860 --> 00:42:54.680
 and maybe you feel like,

00:42:54.760 --> 00:42:56.099
 well, I spend enough time

00:42:56.099 --> 00:42:56.519
 in prayer,

00:42:56.619 --> 00:42:57.400
 yet I still struggle

00:42:57.400 --> 00:42:59.320
 a lot with anxiety.

00:42:59.740 --> 00:43:00.160
 Oftentimes,

00:43:00.320 --> 00:43:01.240
 we're not focusing

00:43:01.240 --> 00:43:04.019
 on God taking away,

00:43:04.099 --> 00:43:04.340
 sorry,

00:43:04.440 --> 00:43:05.280
 we are focusing

00:43:05.280 --> 00:43:06.420
 on God taking away

00:43:06.420 --> 00:43:07.440
 painful circumstances

00:43:07.440 --> 00:43:08.660
 which aren't to be

00:43:08.660 --> 00:43:09.519
 the chief aim

00:43:09.519 --> 00:43:10.740
 of our prayer.

00:43:10.860 --> 00:43:11.800
 So maybe our focus

00:43:11.800 --> 00:43:12.619
 is off,

00:43:12.680 --> 00:43:13.380
 maybe we're not doing it

00:43:13.380 --> 00:43:14.660
 often enough,

00:43:14.780 --> 00:43:16.380
 or maybe we're not equipped

00:43:16.380 --> 00:43:17.800
 to specifically pray

00:43:17.800 --> 00:43:18.480
 to the end

00:43:18.480 --> 00:43:19.660
 God would have us do.

00:43:19.700 --> 00:43:20.220
 And we'll take a look

00:43:20.220 --> 00:43:22.160
 at that in just a minute.

00:43:23.579 --> 00:43:23.780
 Okay,

00:43:23.940 --> 00:43:25.519
 and then Philippians 4

00:43:25.519 --> 00:43:26.559
 is another great example

00:43:26.559 --> 00:43:28.099
 of prayer

00:43:28.099 --> 00:43:29.300
 as a prevention tool

00:43:29.300 --> 00:43:30.260
 for anxiety.

00:43:30.360 --> 00:43:32.200
 This is a very common verse.

00:43:33.780 --> 00:43:34.980
 So let's read it together.

00:43:35.599 --> 00:43:36.079
 It says,

00:43:36.220 --> 00:43:37.619
 Rejoice in the Lord always.

00:43:38.119 --> 00:43:38.420
 Again,

00:43:38.460 --> 00:43:39.280
 I will say rejoice.

00:43:39.880 --> 00:43:40.760
 Let your reasonableness

00:43:40.760 --> 00:43:41.860
 be known to everyone

00:43:41.860 --> 00:43:43.079
 for the Lord is at hand.

00:43:43.380 --> 00:43:44.460
 Do not be anxious

00:43:44.460 --> 00:43:45.220
 about anything

00:43:45.220 --> 00:43:46.180
 but in everything

00:43:46.180 --> 00:43:47.640
 by prayer and supplication

00:43:47.640 --> 00:43:48.519
 with thanksgiving.

00:43:49.000 --> 00:43:49.720
 Let your requests

00:43:49.720 --> 00:43:50.660
 be made known to God.

00:43:51.240 --> 00:43:52.180
 And the peace of God

00:43:52.180 --> 00:43:52.900
 which surpasses

00:43:52.900 --> 00:43:53.619
 all understanding

00:43:53.619 --> 00:43:54.940
 will guard your hearts

00:43:54.940 --> 00:43:55.740
 and your minds

00:43:55.740 --> 00:43:56.860
 in Christ Jesus.

00:43:57.400 --> 00:43:57.640
 So,

00:43:57.780 --> 00:43:59.519
 many read this passage

00:43:59.519 --> 00:44:01.800
 as only being a treatment

00:44:01.800 --> 00:44:02.860
 or a prescription

00:44:02.860 --> 00:44:05.039
 once we feel anxious.

00:44:05.260 --> 00:44:05.900
 But in fact,

00:44:05.960 --> 00:44:07.200
 a more straightforward reading

00:44:07.200 --> 00:44:08.160
 of the text

00:44:08.160 --> 00:44:09.160
 simply shows

00:44:09.160 --> 00:44:09.860
 the command

00:44:09.860 --> 00:44:10.800
 not to be anxious

00:44:10.800 --> 00:44:12.059
 and then the means

00:44:12.059 --> 00:44:13.380
 to prevent anxiety

00:44:13.380 --> 00:44:14.179
 through prayer.

00:44:14.340 --> 00:44:14.480
 So,

00:44:14.880 --> 00:44:15.820
 look or listen.

00:44:16.039 --> 00:44:16.259
 Again,

00:44:16.320 --> 00:44:16.880
 it says,

00:44:17.360 --> 00:44:18.259
 do not be anxious

00:44:18.259 --> 00:44:18.980
 about anything

00:44:18.980 --> 00:44:20.179
 but in prayer

00:44:20.179 --> 00:44:21.299
 by supplication

00:44:21.299 --> 00:44:22.380
 let your requests

00:44:22.380 --> 00:44:23.460
 be made known to God.

00:44:23.519 --> 00:44:23.619
 So,

00:44:23.679 --> 00:44:24.960
 it can be done beforehand.

00:44:25.259 --> 00:44:25.599
 In fact,

00:44:25.679 --> 00:44:26.820
 it's not just a tool

00:44:26.820 --> 00:44:28.779
 to respond to anxiety

00:44:28.779 --> 00:44:29.699
 with prayer.

00:44:29.900 --> 00:44:30.340
 And then we have

00:44:30.340 --> 00:44:30.820
 the promise

00:44:30.820 --> 00:44:31.799
 that God's peace

00:44:31.799 --> 00:44:32.719
 will guard us.

00:44:33.059 --> 00:44:33.759
 From what,

00:44:33.860 --> 00:44:34.440
 we may ask.

00:44:34.480 --> 00:44:35.380
 Not the circumstance

00:44:35.380 --> 00:44:36.900
 we prayed for necessarily

00:44:36.900 --> 00:44:39.420
 but from the original anxiety

00:44:39.420 --> 00:44:40.079
 we fight.

00:44:40.440 --> 00:44:41.099
 From the attitude

00:44:41.099 --> 00:44:42.460
 that God isn't in control

00:44:42.460 --> 00:44:43.300
 or doesn't know

00:44:43.300 --> 00:44:43.960
 what's best.

00:44:44.660 --> 00:44:44.780
 So,

00:44:44.860 --> 00:44:45.519
 as we thank God

00:44:45.519 --> 00:44:46.320
 for all he has given,

00:44:46.519 --> 00:44:47.180
 turn our requests

00:44:47.180 --> 00:44:47.840
 over to him,

00:44:48.300 --> 00:44:50.320
 relinquish our perceived control,

00:44:50.780 --> 00:44:51.920
 he guards our minds

00:44:51.920 --> 00:44:52.640
 from anxiety

00:44:52.640 --> 00:44:54.160
 with his peace.

00:44:54.840 --> 00:44:55.240
 So,

00:44:55.320 --> 00:44:55.980
 I want to look together

00:44:55.980 --> 00:44:58.619
 at some more specific application.

00:44:58.780 --> 00:44:59.400
 I hope some things

00:44:59.400 --> 00:44:59.920
 have been coming

00:44:59.920 --> 00:45:00.539
 into your minds

00:45:00.539 --> 00:45:01.920
 as we've been talking

00:45:01.920 --> 00:45:02.660
 but let's think about

00:45:02.660 --> 00:45:04.380
 some specific application.

00:45:04.380 --> 00:45:05.599
 How do we replace

00:45:05.599 --> 00:45:06.840
 our worldly focus

00:45:06.840 --> 00:45:08.340
 with a Godward focus?

00:45:08.480 --> 00:45:09.280
 How do we seek

00:45:09.280 --> 00:45:10.320
 God's kingdom

00:45:10.320 --> 00:45:11.260
 and his righteousness

00:45:11.260 --> 00:45:12.619
 trusting God

00:45:12.619 --> 00:45:13.539
 to provide the rest?

00:45:14.360 --> 00:45:15.800
 The change to a worldly focus

00:45:15.800 --> 00:45:16.539
 can be subtle

00:45:16.539 --> 00:45:17.800
 but it happens quickly

00:45:17.800 --> 00:45:19.380
 to us all, right?

00:45:19.420 --> 00:45:20.099
 We can start

00:45:20.099 --> 00:45:20.900
 like we feel

00:45:20.900 --> 00:45:21.920
 or maybe we go home

00:45:21.920 --> 00:45:22.380
 from church,

00:45:22.480 --> 00:45:22.980
 we're just done

00:45:22.980 --> 00:45:24.039
 with our quiet time

00:45:24.039 --> 00:45:24.840
 and then slowly

00:45:24.840 --> 00:45:25.840
 throughout the day

00:45:25.840 --> 00:45:26.400
 it seems like,

00:45:26.500 --> 00:45:26.599
 man,

00:45:26.660 --> 00:45:28.240
 I've become so focused

00:45:28.240 --> 00:45:29.300
 on what other people think.

00:45:29.360 --> 00:45:30.539
 I've become so focused

00:45:30.539 --> 00:45:32.800
 on my job performance, right?

00:45:32.820 --> 00:45:32.980
 So,

00:45:32.980 --> 00:45:34.180
 how do we get ourselves

00:45:34.179 --> 00:45:34.899
 to a point

00:45:34.899 --> 00:45:35.980
 where we can renew

00:45:35.980 --> 00:45:36.480
 our minds

00:45:36.480 --> 00:45:38.599
 and make it stick, right?

00:45:38.639 --> 00:45:39.319
 It's a hard thing.

00:45:39.419 --> 00:45:39.980
 So, first,

00:45:40.460 --> 00:45:41.359
 we need to take

00:45:41.359 --> 00:45:42.519
 a preventative approach

00:45:42.519 --> 00:45:43.699
 to battling anxiety

00:45:43.699 --> 00:45:45.179
 using regular habits

00:45:45.179 --> 00:45:45.699
 of grace.

00:45:45.819 --> 00:45:46.399
 So, target

00:45:46.399 --> 00:45:47.940
 those daily habits

00:45:47.940 --> 00:45:48.339
 of grace

00:45:48.339 --> 00:45:50.319
 towards your anxiety.

00:45:51.480 --> 00:45:52.519
 Daily orient

00:45:52.519 --> 00:45:53.219
 your mind

00:45:53.219 --> 00:45:53.940
 and your life

00:45:53.940 --> 00:45:54.819
 on God's kingdom.

00:45:55.039 --> 00:45:56.079
 So, when you pray,

00:45:56.219 --> 00:45:57.319
 pray like Jesus prayed.

00:45:57.960 --> 00:45:58.480
 Focus

00:45:58.480 --> 00:45:59.960
 as you're doing it.

00:45:59.980 --> 00:46:00.159
 And,

00:46:00.239 --> 00:46:00.940
 I don't know about you,

00:46:00.940 --> 00:46:01.740
 but when I pray,

00:46:01.840 --> 00:46:02.840
 I tend to become

00:46:02.840 --> 00:46:04.179
 distracted really quickly.

00:46:04.400 --> 00:46:04.579
 So,

00:46:04.840 --> 00:46:05.679
 sometimes it takes

00:46:05.679 --> 00:46:06.000
 a minute

00:46:06.000 --> 00:46:07.019
 to warm up

00:46:07.019 --> 00:46:07.760
 or to settle down

00:46:07.760 --> 00:46:08.420
 or whatever word

00:46:08.420 --> 00:46:09.159
 you want to use

00:46:09.159 --> 00:46:10.500
 to talk about prayer,

00:46:10.579 --> 00:46:10.740
 right?

00:46:10.780 --> 00:46:11.860
 It takes time.

00:46:12.000 --> 00:46:13.400
 So, set apart time

00:46:13.400 --> 00:46:14.800
 so you can be focused

00:46:14.800 --> 00:46:16.079
 on what God

00:46:16.079 --> 00:46:17.019
 would have you focus on

00:46:17.019 --> 00:46:18.519
 which is His glory,

00:46:18.920 --> 00:46:19.159
 right?

00:46:19.220 --> 00:46:20.460
 So, pray like Jesus prayed.

00:46:20.579 --> 00:46:21.920
 Focus on God's glory,

00:46:22.139 --> 00:46:22.820
 His plan,

00:46:23.139 --> 00:46:23.860
 and His purpose

00:46:23.860 --> 00:46:24.519
 for your life

00:46:24.519 --> 00:46:25.179
 as a child.

00:46:25.179 --> 00:46:26.919
 Next,

00:46:27.039 --> 00:46:27.739
 meditate on

00:46:27.739 --> 00:46:28.859
 specific promises

00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:29.440
 of God

00:46:29.440 --> 00:46:30.279
 which reinforce

00:46:30.279 --> 00:46:31.219
 belief,

00:46:32.039 --> 00:46:32.440
 right?

00:46:32.500 --> 00:46:33.319
 There's so many

00:46:33.319 --> 00:46:34.339
 rich texts,

00:46:34.559 --> 00:46:34.739
 right?

00:46:34.779 --> 00:46:35.659
 We looked at a couple

00:46:35.659 --> 00:46:36.039
 today,

00:46:36.139 --> 00:46:36.659
 but there are,

00:46:36.659 --> 00:46:36.940
 I mean,

00:46:37.019 --> 00:46:37.879
 hundreds of texts

00:46:37.879 --> 00:46:39.199
 that you can rely on,

00:46:39.679 --> 00:46:41.819
 memorize those things,

00:46:41.980 --> 00:46:42.779
 know where to turn

00:46:42.779 --> 00:46:43.679
 so you can meditate

00:46:43.679 --> 00:46:45.059
 on those things,

00:46:45.539 --> 00:46:45.759
 right?

00:46:45.839 --> 00:46:46.639
 He is in control,

00:46:46.759 --> 00:46:47.279
 He provides,

00:46:47.460 --> 00:46:48.359
 He knows what's best,

00:46:48.759 --> 00:46:49.279
 His commands

00:46:49.279 --> 00:46:49.919
 are good for us,

00:46:49.940 --> 00:46:50.899
 but it's not quite enough

00:46:50.899 --> 00:46:51.899
 just to like know

00:46:51.899 --> 00:46:53.159
 that knowledge intellectually,

00:46:53.659 --> 00:46:54.819
 but we have to let it

00:46:54.820 --> 00:46:56.260
 sit in ourselves,

00:46:56.260 --> 00:46:57.380
 we have to marinate

00:46:57.380 --> 00:46:58.220
 in the truth

00:46:58.220 --> 00:46:59.140
 of God's Word

00:46:59.140 --> 00:47:00.800
 and let it sink in,

00:47:00.920 --> 00:47:01.080
 right?

00:47:01.120 --> 00:47:01.820
 So, if you struggle

00:47:01.820 --> 00:47:02.860
 with anxiety,

00:47:03.180 --> 00:47:04.340
 then find these promises

00:47:04.340 --> 00:47:05.580
 and don't only know them

00:47:05.580 --> 00:47:06.380
 and memorize them,

00:47:06.440 --> 00:47:07.700
 but sit down with them,

00:47:07.760 --> 00:47:08.559
 take the time to think

00:47:08.559 --> 00:47:08.940
 about them

00:47:08.940 --> 00:47:09.660
 and thank God

00:47:09.660 --> 00:47:10.800
 for those attributes.

00:47:12.000 --> 00:47:12.380
 Secondly,

00:47:12.660 --> 00:47:14.160
 change the way you speak

00:47:14.160 --> 00:47:15.460
 and therefore think

00:47:15.460 --> 00:47:16.660
 about anxiety.

00:47:17.480 --> 00:47:18.940
 If anxiety is sinful,

00:47:19.120 --> 00:47:20.360
 which we've established today,

00:47:20.840 --> 00:47:22.019
 repentance is the

00:47:22.019 --> 00:47:23.280
 appropriate response,

00:47:23.860 --> 00:47:24.039
 right?

00:47:24.039 --> 00:47:24.340
 And so,

00:47:24.420 --> 00:47:25.539
 oftentimes when we

00:47:25.539 --> 00:47:26.719
 talk about anxiety,

00:47:26.820 --> 00:47:27.900
 we're talking to someone else,

00:47:27.940 --> 00:47:28.380
 we say,

00:47:28.500 --> 00:47:29.980
 we're really stressed,

00:47:30.059 --> 00:47:31.719
 we have a lot on our plate,

00:47:31.800 --> 00:47:34.019
 I find myself worrying a lot,

00:47:34.079 --> 00:47:35.980
 but we never go beyond that,

00:47:36.059 --> 00:47:37.320
 we never call sin

00:47:37.320 --> 00:47:37.900
 what it is

00:47:37.900 --> 00:47:38.739
 in our own hearts

00:47:38.739 --> 00:47:41.420
 and we find it uncomfortable

00:47:41.420 --> 00:47:42.880
 to call someone else out

00:47:42.880 --> 00:47:44.460
 on their sinful anxiety,

00:47:44.559 --> 00:47:45.480
 and I'm not advocating

00:47:45.480 --> 00:47:46.400
 when someone says

00:47:46.400 --> 00:47:46.920
 they're stressed

00:47:46.920 --> 00:47:47.719
 in community group

00:47:47.719 --> 00:47:48.219
 to say,

00:47:48.380 --> 00:47:49.519
 you better stop it,

00:47:49.599 --> 00:47:50.000
 you sinner,

00:47:50.619 --> 00:47:50.880
 right?

00:47:50.880 --> 00:47:54.220
 But maybe in smaller conversations

00:47:54.220 --> 00:47:55.320
 where it comes out,

00:47:55.500 --> 00:47:56.940
 like gently remind them,

00:47:57.039 --> 00:47:57.760
 this is a problem

00:47:57.760 --> 00:47:58.460
 of the heart,

00:47:58.579 --> 00:48:00.579
 it's not just a symptom,

00:48:00.820 --> 00:48:01.800
 it's something that goes

00:48:01.800 --> 00:48:03.180
 much deeper,

00:48:03.559 --> 00:48:03.820
 right?

00:48:03.840 --> 00:48:05.099
 So we need to address it

00:48:05.099 --> 00:48:06.000
 with repentance.

00:48:06.860 --> 00:48:07.559
 And then lastly,

00:48:07.820 --> 00:48:08.840
 rehabilitate,

00:48:09.260 --> 00:48:09.800
 it's a big word,

00:48:09.880 --> 00:48:10.019
 I know,

00:48:10.140 --> 00:48:12.260
 rehabilitate worldly responses

00:48:12.260 --> 00:48:13.500
 to anxiety.

00:48:13.680 --> 00:48:15.960
 Habits can be a powerful thing,

00:48:16.180 --> 00:48:16.440
 right?

00:48:16.440 --> 00:48:16.920
 And so,

00:48:17.320 --> 00:48:18.800
 in the brain,

00:48:19.159 --> 00:48:20.579
 going psychology on you,

00:48:20.659 --> 00:48:21.460
 but in the brain,

00:48:21.920 --> 00:48:24.119
 when you do two things together,

00:48:24.260 --> 00:48:24.980
 there's literally

00:48:24.980 --> 00:48:26.599
 a physical connection

00:48:26.599 --> 00:48:28.059
 that happens to,

00:48:28.800 --> 00:48:29.760
 inside of your brain,

00:48:29.820 --> 00:48:31.059
 there's a physical connection

00:48:31.059 --> 00:48:32.900
 between an action happening

00:48:32.900 --> 00:48:34.559
 and then your response to it.

00:48:34.920 --> 00:48:35.740
 So the more often

00:48:35.740 --> 00:48:37.519
 that you put two things together,

00:48:37.519 --> 00:48:38.780
 like anxiety

00:48:38.780 --> 00:48:40.320
 and then just treating a symptom,

00:48:41.099 --> 00:48:43.260
 there actually is a physical connection

00:48:43.260 --> 00:48:44.559
 that becomes stronger

00:48:44.559 --> 00:48:45.279
 and stronger

00:48:45.279 --> 00:48:47.460
 as your habits are formed,

00:48:47.679 --> 00:48:48.179
 right?

00:48:48.259 --> 00:48:49.420
 So if we're going to create

00:48:49.420 --> 00:48:50.299
 godly habits,

00:48:50.299 --> 00:48:51.199
 we have to undo

00:48:51.199 --> 00:48:52.799
 what's already there.

00:48:52.900 --> 00:48:53.900
 So when we're anxious,

00:48:54.279 --> 00:48:55.779
 instead of turning to

00:48:55.779 --> 00:48:57.900
 mere surface level solutions,

00:48:58.440 --> 00:48:59.420
 turn to what the scripture

00:48:59.420 --> 00:49:00.900
 tells us to do.

00:49:01.019 --> 00:49:02.699
 So if our cure for anxiety

00:49:02.699 --> 00:49:04.460
 is only exercise,

00:49:04.960 --> 00:49:05.279
 sleeping,

00:49:05.820 --> 00:49:06.139
 eating,

00:49:06.400 --> 00:49:06.639
 whatever,

00:49:07.179 --> 00:49:08.219
 then you're training yourself

00:49:08.219 --> 00:49:09.699
 to believe that anxiety

00:49:09.699 --> 00:49:11.059
 is merely emotional

00:49:11.059 --> 00:49:12.360
 and not spiritual.

00:49:13.199 --> 00:49:14.239
 So this doesn't mean

00:49:14.239 --> 00:49:15.459
 that doing those things

00:49:15.459 --> 00:49:16.219
 to de-stress

00:49:16.219 --> 00:49:16.799
 or unwind

00:49:16.799 --> 00:49:17.359
 or whatever word

00:49:17.359 --> 00:49:18.000
 you want to use

00:49:18.000 --> 00:49:19.000
 is wrong,

00:49:19.139 --> 00:49:20.639
 but it can't stop there.

00:49:20.739 --> 00:49:21.639
 It's not deep enough.

00:49:21.739 --> 00:49:22.559
 It doesn't address

00:49:22.559 --> 00:49:24.019
 the problem underneath.

00:49:24.459 --> 00:49:25.399
 So thirdly,

00:49:25.479 --> 00:49:27.239
 address the unbelief

00:49:27.239 --> 00:49:27.979
 in your heart.

00:49:29.339 --> 00:49:30.259
 When you feel

00:49:30.259 --> 00:49:31.939
 or when you find yourself anxious,

00:49:32.399 --> 00:49:33.199
 try to identify

00:49:33.199 --> 00:49:35.259
 specific areas of unbelief

00:49:35.259 --> 00:49:37.159
 and then ask God to help

00:49:37.159 --> 00:49:39.000
 to look at specific promises

00:49:39.000 --> 00:49:40.599
 to believe in, right?

00:49:40.659 --> 00:49:42.939
 God is not standing over us

00:49:42.940 --> 00:49:43.840
 in judgment

00:49:43.840 --> 00:49:45.039
 on our anxiety.

00:49:45.240 --> 00:49:45.920
 He knows

00:49:45.920 --> 00:49:47.019
 what we experience

00:49:47.019 --> 00:49:48.500
 and believe it or not,

00:49:48.599 --> 00:49:49.679
 Christ actually

00:49:49.679 --> 00:49:50.559
 had to battle

00:49:50.559 --> 00:49:51.480
 sin of anxiety.

00:49:51.700 --> 00:49:52.300
 He was tempted

00:49:52.300 --> 00:49:54.940
 as we were, right?

00:49:54.980 --> 00:49:55.320
 And yet,

00:49:55.380 --> 00:49:56.179
 He was without sin.

00:49:56.280 --> 00:49:57.440
 So we have this advocate.

00:49:57.579 --> 00:49:58.420
 We have this helper.

00:49:58.579 --> 00:49:59.780
 He's there with open arms.

00:50:00.220 --> 00:50:01.340
 The price has been paid

00:50:01.340 --> 00:50:02.059
 for our redemption

00:50:02.059 --> 00:50:03.500
 so we can go to God.

00:50:03.860 --> 00:50:04.840
 We can ask Him

00:50:04.840 --> 00:50:05.619
 to help us

00:50:05.619 --> 00:50:06.539
 in this unbelief.

00:50:07.059 --> 00:50:08.119
 So let's go to the Lord.

00:50:08.539 --> 00:50:09.920
 Let's take refuge in Him

00:50:09.920 --> 00:50:10.639
 from the things

00:50:10.639 --> 00:50:11.219
 of this world

00:50:11.219 --> 00:50:12.900
 and He can renew your mind.

00:50:13.019 --> 00:50:14.119
 He can change your perspective

00:50:14.119 --> 00:50:15.639
 and He can ease your anxiety

00:50:15.639 --> 00:50:17.539
 as He brings our focus

00:50:17.539 --> 00:50:18.440
 off of us

00:50:18.440 --> 00:50:19.519
 and onto Him.

00:50:19.920 --> 00:50:20.819
 Y'all join me as we pray.