WEBVTT 00:00:00.500 --> 00:00:08.740 The chapter we read in Matthew's Gospel, Matthew chapter 6, I'm going to read from verse 25 on to the end. 00:00:08.839 --> 00:00:11.740 We've already read it, but it says at the beginning, 00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:18.559 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:21.339 nor about your body, what you will put on. 00:00:22.280 --> 00:00:24.300 And then it says down in verse 33, 00:00:24.300 --> 00:00:27.440 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, 00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:30.300 and all these things will be added to you. 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:34.960 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself, 00:00:35.640 --> 00:00:37.880 sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 00:00:40.320 --> 00:00:46.280 Now the word anxious comes from a word which means to divide, 00:00:46.540 --> 00:00:53.920 and you and I know that there is nothing in life that divides us quite like anxiety. 00:00:53.920 --> 00:00:59.579 When we're anxious over anything, there's always this kind of divided mind. 00:01:00.380 --> 00:01:04.579 Now when Jesus says here that we are not to be anxious, 00:01:04.939 --> 00:01:06.500 let us not therefore be anxious, 00:01:07.460 --> 00:01:13.000 we've got to realize that he's not saying to us that there will never be any point in your life 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:18.140 when you're not to be anxious about things. 00:01:18.140 --> 00:01:20.879 Because it's very specific here what he's talking about. 00:01:21.239 --> 00:01:24.439 It says, therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, 00:01:24.760 --> 00:01:28.760 what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:34.359 He's talking here about the basic lifestyle as it were. 00:01:35.099 --> 00:01:38.540 Because you and I know that there are loads of things that crop up, 00:01:38.780 --> 00:01:40.900 very difficult things, very painful things, 00:01:40.900 --> 00:01:46.820 very harrowing things that inevitably will bring a level of anxiety. 00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:52.180 But the principles that Jesus talks about, even into these things, 00:01:52.620 --> 00:01:55.920 these principles do bear upon us here. 00:01:56.920 --> 00:02:01.640 And it shows us that so often in life we are anxious 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:05.140 over things that we shouldn't really be anxious about. 00:02:05.140 --> 00:02:09.319 And often our anxiety, often, not always, 00:02:09.460 --> 00:02:13.139 but often our anxiety comes about through a lack of trust in the Lord. 00:02:14.039 --> 00:02:20.659 And the great truth that if we, the Lord tells us that if we seek first the kingdom of God 00:02:20.659 --> 00:02:22.860 and his righteousness, all the other things, 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:25.719 often these things that we are anxious about, 00:02:26.020 --> 00:02:28.960 the Lord promises that these will be added to us. 00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:32.719 Now, in the AV, it says, 00:02:33.140 --> 00:02:37.040 take no thought for your life rather than don't be anxious. 00:02:37.900 --> 00:02:41.379 And again, sometimes translators, 00:02:41.540 --> 00:02:45.600 they have a little bit of difficulty in figuring out just exactly what's being said. 00:02:46.240 --> 00:02:48.060 But people think that when it says, 00:02:48.460 --> 00:02:49.939 take no thought for your life, 00:02:50.540 --> 00:02:53.740 that people are not to make any plans for life. 00:02:53.819 --> 00:02:56.860 So you just, you take every day and you just go with it, 00:02:56.860 --> 00:03:00.760 that you don't do any preparations or plans or anything like that. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:02.080 Well, that's absurd. 00:03:02.780 --> 00:03:07.100 Because when Jesus tells us to look at the birds, to focus on the birds, 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:09.600 but remember birds make preparation. 00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:13.040 They build nests, they migrate, they do all these sort of things. 00:03:13.580 --> 00:03:16.600 So that's not what Jesus is talking about here. 00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:22.300 So we're not to have this idea that we're not to have any sort of preparation 00:03:22.300 --> 00:03:24.520 or in life or anything at all. 00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:31.960 But Jesus is here showing not to be anxious about the basic things in life. 00:03:32.300 --> 00:03:35.860 And if we are, we are showing, as it were, little faith. 00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:38.900 That's what it tells us in verse 30. 00:03:39.260 --> 00:03:43.300 Oh, you of little faith, if you're anxious about these things. 00:03:43.300 --> 00:03:52.160 And the Lord is reminding us that our heavenly Father knows all about us all the time. 00:03:52.760 --> 00:03:57.540 And Jesus uses two very simple and powerful arguments 00:03:57.540 --> 00:04:02.920 to show of how the provision for life is being made. 00:04:04.060 --> 00:04:07.020 Now, I think one of the things that we've got to remember is that 00:04:07.020 --> 00:04:13.540 when the Lord promises to provide, he's promising to provide, look after us, 00:04:13.860 --> 00:04:18.160 to provide food and clothing and the basics of life. 00:04:18.860 --> 00:04:25.199 Now, if we went back, say, three, four generations, three generations, or even less, 00:04:26.639 --> 00:04:31.019 back then, the people were simply our forefathers, 00:04:31.019 --> 00:04:36.019 our, probably going back to certainly even fathers when young, our grandfathers, 00:04:37.019 --> 00:04:40.039 it was basic, their lives were basic. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:42.659 It was the essentials of life. 00:04:43.139 --> 00:04:44.019 There weren't luxuries. 00:04:44.459 --> 00:04:45.779 There were no luxuries then. 00:04:46.759 --> 00:04:49.120 We're living in a day we've been kind of spoiled. 00:04:49.699 --> 00:04:53.959 We've grown up at a time, as time has developed on, 00:04:54.899 --> 00:04:57.099 where we have received so much. 00:04:57.939 --> 00:05:02.019 And I fear that we have received so much, and I'm talking nationally, 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:05.439 we have received so much, and we've received it from God, 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:08.540 that we haven't returned thanks to him. 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:12.860 And I fear that more and more we're moving back into a place where 00:05:12.860 --> 00:05:18.779 all these almost like luxuries and extras that we had in life, 00:05:18.839 --> 00:05:21.160 that maybe they're starting to get less and less. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:25.000 Because God said to his people, remember when they were crossing the Jordan 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:26.899 and going into the promised land, 00:05:26.899 --> 00:05:28.899 and he said, you know what I'm going to do? 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:29.819 I'm going to bless you. 00:05:30.519 --> 00:05:32.179 And you're going to build good houses, 00:05:32.179 --> 00:05:34.939 and the produce of the land will be rich, 00:05:35.319 --> 00:05:39.399 and there'll be lots of resources there for you. 00:05:39.459 --> 00:05:41.039 You're going to get on really well. 00:05:41.799 --> 00:05:42.279 Beware. 00:05:42.519 --> 00:05:44.579 This is where the Lord, he's underlining this. 00:05:44.659 --> 00:05:45.739 You'll find it a few times. 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:48.860 And beware that you forget not the Lord your God. 00:05:49.579 --> 00:05:52.560 But it is the Lord your God who gives you these things, 00:05:52.960 --> 00:05:55.540 gives you the abilities to get these things, 00:05:55.780 --> 00:05:57.600 who provides these resources. 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:01.199 And then he goes on to warn that if you forget me, 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:04.480 then I will take these things from you. 00:06:05.340 --> 00:06:06.720 And you know, that's in a sense, 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:09.540 I would say that it's almost what we're seeing 00:06:09.540 --> 00:06:12.060 in the very day that we're living in. 00:06:12.760 --> 00:06:16.620 So we lived through very often in that time 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:20.160 where different to our parents and grandparents, 00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:26.340 who very often struggled and just had the bare minimum, 00:06:26.520 --> 00:06:27.960 the bare existence. 00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:30.540 There weren't the luxuries of life. 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:33.180 And God doesn't promise us the luxuries of life, 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:37.200 although in his goodness, he does give us these as well. 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:40.379 But he has promised us, as it were, 00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:43.560 the basic provisions of life. 00:06:44.779 --> 00:06:49.920 And in order to do this, Jesus tells us, 00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:54.120 and he argues, as it were, from the greater to the lesser. 00:06:54.379 --> 00:06:55.399 And the Lord is saying, 00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:59.399 if God is looking after you as a person 00:06:59.399 --> 00:07:02.500 and caring about you, 00:07:02.759 --> 00:07:05.219 don't worry about the smaller things. 00:07:05.220 --> 00:07:06.720 And he was saying, 00:07:07.080 --> 00:07:08.180 Jesus is saying, 00:07:08.760 --> 00:07:10.060 in order to emphasize, 00:07:10.300 --> 00:07:11.360 like in verse 27, 00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:11.780 he says, 00:07:11.900 --> 00:07:12.720 which of you, 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:14.220 by being anxious, 00:07:14.400 --> 00:07:17.740 can add a single hour to his life? 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:21.400 That's what we see him saying there in verse 27. 00:07:21.840 --> 00:07:22.400 Now, again, 00:07:22.520 --> 00:07:24.140 translators struggle with this 00:07:24.140 --> 00:07:27.400 because you'll notice that it's down, 00:07:27.540 --> 00:07:29.080 if you have the Bible there, 00:07:29.220 --> 00:07:29.440 it's got, 00:07:29.580 --> 00:07:30.880 it's got down to the margin. 00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:31.899 It tells, 00:07:32.300 --> 00:07:35.139 or a single cubit to his stature. 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:37.259 A cubit was about a foot and a half 00:07:37.259 --> 00:07:38.939 or 45 centimeters. 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:40.219 It tells us that there. 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:43.300 So translators struggled with this actual, 00:07:43.540 --> 00:07:45.019 what exactly it means, 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:46.939 because it can go either way. 00:07:47.219 --> 00:07:48.300 But the point is this, 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:51.819 whether it's adding a foot and a half 00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:53.199 to our height, 00:07:53.639 --> 00:07:55.939 or whether it's adding an hour 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:57.420 to the length of our life, 00:07:57.560 --> 00:07:58.639 we can't do either. 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:03.719 I can't think myself any taller than I am. 00:08:04.039 --> 00:08:04.939 In fact, I'm shrinking. 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:06.379 And I think it's one of the things 00:08:06.379 --> 00:08:07.139 as we get older, 00:08:07.279 --> 00:08:08.379 we discover, 00:08:08.519 --> 00:08:10.079 I wish you could make yourself a little, 00:08:10.159 --> 00:08:10.819 but you can't. 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:12.599 It's impossible. 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:14.060 That's what the Bible tells us. 00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:15.439 We are the height we're at. 00:08:15.919 --> 00:08:16.719 God has given us. 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:17.819 This is what he's made us. 00:08:18.779 --> 00:08:21.399 And we cannot add to the days of our life. 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:22.459 Disappointed, 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:24.899 and to a man once to die, 00:08:25.159 --> 00:08:25.959 and after death, 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:26.459 the judgment. 00:08:26.459 --> 00:08:28.379 There is a time to be born, 00:08:28.479 --> 00:08:29.699 and a time to die. 00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:33.519 And God is overruling all these things. 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:35.559 And in the framework of his care, 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:38.600 this is all part of where we're at. 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:40.120 Even although there are many things 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:42.579 we don't understand in his providence, 00:08:42.579 --> 00:08:44.679 and in the way that he works. 00:08:45.419 --> 00:08:49.439 So we've got to remember that we can't add, 00:08:49.939 --> 00:08:51.699 or subtract, or anything like that. 00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:55.860 And so God is the one who is looking over our life, 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:59.220 and he ultimately is the one who holds our life together. 00:09:00.660 --> 00:09:01.620 And in Jesus, 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:02.160 as it were, 00:09:02.259 --> 00:09:05.800 he's from the lesser to the greater. 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:08.460 And Jesus points to the birds, 00:09:09.160 --> 00:09:10.800 and he shows that God feeds them. 00:09:11.220 --> 00:09:13.440 And he points to the flowers of the field, 00:09:13.860 --> 00:09:15.360 that God clothes them. 00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:16.460 And he's saying, 00:09:16.560 --> 00:09:17.820 if God feeds the birds, 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:20.539 and clothes the flowers of the field, 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:23.919 how much more is he going to care for you? 00:09:24.519 --> 00:09:26.519 And we've always got to remember that. 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:27.580 Now, 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:28.580 when Jesus says, 00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:30.360 to look at the birds, 00:09:30.419 --> 00:09:31.500 or consider the birds, 00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:34.320 it's not like a casual glance, 00:09:35.100 --> 00:09:37.039 but that we're actually to study them. 00:09:37.980 --> 00:09:38.300 And you know, 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:39.700 we learn a lot from nature, 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:42.120 that we are to actually study, 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:45.600 it's like a measured consideration. 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:47.440 Fix our eyes upon them. 00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:49.799 And the Lord, 00:09:50.060 --> 00:09:51.120 Jesus himself, 00:09:51.259 --> 00:09:55.159 used the creation often to illustrate things. 00:09:56.179 --> 00:09:58.039 And that's what Jesus is saying to us, 00:09:58.100 --> 00:10:00.560 to fix our eyes on them, 00:10:00.659 --> 00:10:04.560 and we learn a lot of spiritual truths from them. 00:10:05.860 --> 00:10:06.019 Now, 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:07.480 God, of course, 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:10.659 doesn't feed the birds, 00:10:10.740 --> 00:10:11.200 as it were, 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:13.139 by dropping things from heaven. 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:15.019 And he doesn't feed us, 00:10:15.019 --> 00:10:17.920 by dropping meals from heaven. 00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:18.159 You know, 00:10:18.200 --> 00:10:18.820 you go to the shop, 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:20.519 and you get ready meals. 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:21.940 God doesn't do that. 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:25.659 But God has made provision, 00:10:26.139 --> 00:10:26.920 for the birds. 00:10:28.259 --> 00:10:30.120 And God has made provision, 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:31.039 for us as well. 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:31.340 Yes, 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:32.519 the birds fed Elijah, 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:34.200 but that was a rare occurrence. 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:36.480 But God has made provision, 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:37.480 for us as well, 00:10:37.820 --> 00:10:39.360 in everyday things. 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:40.700 And so, 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:42.180 we've got to acknowledge, 00:10:42.279 --> 00:10:43.360 that's why we say grace, 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:44.340 when we have our meal. 00:10:45.300 --> 00:10:46.420 It's one of the things we do, 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:47.740 we acknowledge God, 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:48.920 as a provider. 00:10:49.420 --> 00:10:49.560 We, 00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:51.340 we term it, 00:10:51.659 --> 00:10:52.879 we give thanks. 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:54.639 Now, 00:10:54.680 --> 00:10:55.120 I suppose, 00:10:55.860 --> 00:10:57.039 a question arises, 00:10:57.039 --> 00:10:57.840 and people say, 00:10:57.920 --> 00:10:58.060 well, 00:10:58.519 --> 00:11:00.060 if what you're saying, 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:01.360 here is true, 00:11:01.920 --> 00:11:02.720 and that God, 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:03.480 is providing, 00:11:04.139 --> 00:11:05.340 the basics in life, 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:06.660 the basic necessities, 00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:07.399 of food, 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:08.620 and drink, 00:11:09.040 --> 00:11:09.759 and clothing, 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:11.800 and all these things, 00:11:12.220 --> 00:11:12.879 how is it, 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:14.759 that so many in the world, 00:11:15.040 --> 00:11:15.379 today, 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:16.180 are starving? 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:17.800 How many don't have water? 00:11:17.920 --> 00:11:19.040 How many don't have food? 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:20.540 How many don't have clothing? 00:11:20.920 --> 00:11:21.100 Well, 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:21.600 it's true, 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:23.040 there's many don't. 00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:24.759 But we cannot, 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:26.700 lay the charge, 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:27.780 against God, 00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:28.240 because, 00:11:28.680 --> 00:11:30.139 there are sufficient, 00:11:30.300 --> 00:11:30.759 resources, 00:11:31.160 --> 00:11:32.060 in this world, 00:11:32.680 --> 00:11:33.519 to feed, 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:34.659 the whole world. 00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:36.679 The reason that, 00:11:37.179 --> 00:11:38.220 there are many today, 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:38.759 starving, 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:40.299 is when we look at, 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:41.220 all the conflicts, 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:42.220 and all the wars, 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:43.460 and all the greed, 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:45.079 and all the mismanagement, 00:11:45.579 --> 00:11:46.659 some of the countries, 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:46.939 that, 00:11:47.579 --> 00:11:48.659 where there is starving, 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:49.740 it has come about, 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:50.819 some of these countries, 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:52.279 have great natural resources. 00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:54.360 But, 00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:55.179 the between, 00:11:55.319 --> 00:11:56.399 because of the corruption, 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:57.319 and the greed, 00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:58.639 all the wealth, 00:11:58.759 --> 00:11:59.639 is creamed off, 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:00.500 and even, 00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:01.519 a lot of aid, 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:02.159 that goes out, 00:12:02.199 --> 00:12:03.120 in order to help, 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:04.419 never arrives. 00:12:04.939 --> 00:12:05.600 The corruption, 00:12:05.799 --> 00:12:06.179 the greed, 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:06.819 the war, 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:07.699 the mismanagement, 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:08.279 of things, 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:10.960 is absolutely horrendous. 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:12.620 So, 00:12:12.679 --> 00:12:13.819 we cannot lay the blame, 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:15.759 at God's court. 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:18.080 It's because of, 00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:19.240 our mismanagement, 00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:20.899 of this world, 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:22.480 and all that we've been given. 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:23.720 And so, 00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:25.460 the Lord, 00:12:25.580 --> 00:12:27.419 there is more than sufficient, 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:28.419 we would say, 00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:29.599 to feed the whole world. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:31.319 Now, 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:32.719 the Lord hasn't promised us, 00:12:32.779 --> 00:12:33.839 a trouble-free life, 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:34.719 through, 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:36.179 this world. 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:37.659 We will have the problems, 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:38.959 we will have the difficulties, 00:12:39.579 --> 00:12:40.740 there will be the heartaches, 00:12:40.839 --> 00:12:42.240 there will be the sad times. 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:44.019 But you see, 00:12:44.199 --> 00:12:44.759 if we had, 00:12:44.979 --> 00:12:45.860 which we did, 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:47.439 but if we go back, 00:12:47.439 --> 00:12:47.939 to verse, 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.679 19, 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:51.039 Jesus says, 00:12:51.339 --> 00:12:52.399 do not lay up, 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:53.079 for yourselves, 00:12:53.299 --> 00:12:54.219 treasures on earth, 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:55.299 where moth, 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:56.559 and rust destroy, 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:57.699 where thieves, 00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:58.759 break in and steal. 00:12:59.320 --> 00:13:00.140 But he tells us, 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:00.420 where, 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:02.800 to lay up treasures, 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:03.920 in heaven. 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:05.520 And, 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:06.860 you know, 00:13:06.920 --> 00:13:07.400 it's, 00:13:07.400 --> 00:13:08.400 it's so true, 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:10.379 that if our focus, 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:12.200 is purely upon, 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:13.560 the things of this world, 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:15.200 if we get caught up, 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:16.600 with the things of this world, 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:18.040 we will face, 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:20.400 incredible disappointment, 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:23.179 because the treasures of this world, 00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:24.220 they're temporary, 00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:25.779 they're only for a little, 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:28.679 and they bring trouble with them, 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:30.299 they bring worry. 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:32.480 A lot of the worries in life, 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:33.159 come about, 00:13:33.840 --> 00:13:35.740 through what we have, 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:36.959 yes, 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:37.980 and what we don't have, 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:38.759 but often, 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:39.840 what we do have. 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:41.179 It was, 00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:43.479 a lot of people think, 00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:44.019 that if they, 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:45.819 if they amass a fortune, 00:13:46.339 --> 00:13:47.439 if they get a, 00:13:47.439 --> 00:13:49.039 a huge amount of wealth, 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:50.779 then that will give them, 00:13:50.939 --> 00:13:53.059 great security in life. 00:13:53.699 --> 00:13:54.579 They'll say to themselves, 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:54.980 I'll, 00:13:55.100 --> 00:13:57.320 I'll be so secure, 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.020 I will have, 00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:59.280 security for, 00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:00.460 all my life, 00:14:00.520 --> 00:14:01.440 if I have great wealth. 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:02.759 Well, 00:14:02.780 --> 00:14:03.540 there's Charles Price, 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:04.420 writing in his book, 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:05.160 on, 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.220 on this very thing, 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:07.400 he tells about, 00:14:07.540 --> 00:14:08.240 where he was in a, 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:08.820 not, 00:14:09.020 --> 00:14:10.060 he doesn't tell where, 00:14:10.180 --> 00:14:11.300 but it was somewhere in Asia, 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:13.200 and was a, 00:14:13.280 --> 00:14:13.940 excuse me, 00:14:14.280 --> 00:14:14.780 a city, 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:17.840 that is known for its extreme wealth, 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:18.820 and extreme poverty. 00:14:19.540 --> 00:14:21.160 And he was staying in this house, 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:22.240 a, 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:23.259 a beautiful, 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.259 like a mansion, 00:14:24.580 --> 00:14:25.860 and was a big, 00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:27.540 with courtyards and everything. 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:29.020 And, 00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:30.220 he said that, 00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:33.480 outside the walls of this house, 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:33.840 and the, 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:35.540 outside the courtyard, 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:36.720 it was, 00:14:37.300 --> 00:14:38.180 there were slums, 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:39.400 of, 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:40.560 shacks, 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:42.160 with doors hanging off them. 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:43.400 This is where the people stayed. 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:45.420 But he said that, 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:46.340 the house, 00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:46.740 and the, 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:47.060 that, 00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:49.160 that he was staying in, 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.900 for whatever length of time, 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:53.820 he said there was broken glass, 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:54.840 into the, 00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:55.160 into the, 00:14:55.160 --> 00:14:56.260 put into the walls. 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:58.220 There were steel gates, 00:14:58.780 --> 00:14:59.120 everywhere, 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.220 with alarms, 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.500 all round. 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.480 All the windows, 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:04.360 had, 00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:04.920 they were like, 00:15:05.180 --> 00:15:06.400 being in a prison cell, 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:07.820 with bars across them. 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:10.020 There were security alarms, 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:11.060 at every turn. 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:12.420 In fact, 00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:13.379 all the people, 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:14.280 as they moved about, 00:15:14.540 --> 00:15:15.900 had loaded guns. 00:15:17.420 --> 00:15:18.280 And he was saying, 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:18.480 right, 00:15:18.540 --> 00:15:19.360 you look outside, 00:15:19.460 --> 00:15:19.920 and there's, 00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:20.800 these shacks, 00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:22.819 and the doors are hanging off, 00:15:22.859 --> 00:15:23.659 there's no security. 00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:25.879 And he was making the point, 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:26.439 that here, 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:28.179 here are these people, 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:28.939 and they've amassed, 00:15:28.939 --> 00:15:29.919 so much wealth. 00:15:30.679 --> 00:15:31.120 But, 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.620 they have no, 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:33.479 they're, 00:15:33.479 --> 00:15:34.359 they're absolutely, 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.500 beside themselves, 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:36.120 with wealth. 00:15:37.079 --> 00:15:38.179 That they're going to be, 00:15:38.439 --> 00:15:40.159 because of their wealth, 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:41.139 they're going to be attacked, 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:42.079 they're going to be shot, 00:15:42.459 --> 00:15:42.679 they're going, 00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:43.859 everything's going to be stolen. 00:15:44.439 --> 00:15:45.240 So he's making the point, 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:46.199 that the more you have, 00:15:46.979 --> 00:15:48.319 the more you have to worry about. 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:50.320 And that's what, 00:15:50.440 --> 00:15:51.100 the very point, 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.300 that Jesus is making. 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:54.140 That our focus, 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:55.440 ought to be, 00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:56.240 in heaven. 00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:57.980 Because what, 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:58.200 if, 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:58.540 what, 00:15:58.780 --> 00:16:00.360 the riches that we have there, 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.500 can never be touched. 00:16:02.420 --> 00:16:03.680 And these are riches, 00:16:03.900 --> 00:16:04.100 that are, 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:05.100 they're forever. 00:16:06.280 --> 00:16:06.400 The, 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:06.800 the, 00:16:06.800 --> 00:16:08.340 the riches of this world, 00:16:08.420 --> 00:16:09.020 are temporary. 00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:10.540 The riches of heaven, 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:11.600 are eternal. 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:13.180 And they're, 00:16:13.280 --> 00:16:14.600 they're satisfied, 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:16.260 they will satisfy us, 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:16.980 eternally. 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:18.460 And in fact, 00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:20.700 in that very thing, 00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:22.159 he makes a point, 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:24.080 I was just glancing through it, 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:24.659 this, 00:16:24.800 --> 00:16:25.920 this afternoon. 00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:28.259 And he was talking about, 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:30.320 the reward of heaven, 00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:30.920 and of how, 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.120 people say, 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:32.399 how, 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.899 how can there be various, 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.340 degrees in heaven, 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.539 or various, 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:37.519 differing, 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:38.700 kind of rewards. 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:40.100 And he was saying, 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:40.279 he, 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:41.720 he doesn't understand, 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.080 or no, 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:42.600 but he was, 00:16:42.820 --> 00:16:44.920 bringing forward the idea. 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:46.080 And he said, 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:46.620 you know how, 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:49.100 you can have a painting. 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:50.639 And, 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:51.879 you can have two people, 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:53.500 look at the exact same painting. 00:16:53.940 --> 00:16:55.080 Or two people listening, 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:57.159 to the exact same piece of music. 00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:58.899 And one person, 00:16:58.899 --> 00:16:59.899 looks at it and says, 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:00.060 oh, 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:00.700 that's nice. 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:01.899 Enjoys it. 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:03.620 But the other person, 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.220 is just, 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:05.619 totally focused, 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.839 and enraptured with it. 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:08.579 And similarly, 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.619 with a piece of music, 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:10.660 one person will say, 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:10.799 oh, 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:11.319 that's nice. 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:12.440 I really enjoy that. 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:14.240 But another person, 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.960 is enraptured with it. 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:17.939 And he's saying, 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:20.259 maybe that's how it is in glory, 00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:21.759 with the differing degrees, 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:24.639 the differing spiritual capacities. 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:26.639 As we have been in this world, 00:17:26.739 --> 00:17:27.539 it follows on. 00:17:27.979 --> 00:17:30.299 The greater knowledge that we have of Christ, 00:17:30.399 --> 00:17:32.519 the greater understanding that we have of Christ, 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:34.959 the greater service that we have of Christ, 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:38.379 the more that we'll be able to appreciate him in glory. 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:42.980 And although the person with less capacity, 00:17:43.760 --> 00:17:47.860 won't have any sense of less, 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:55.020 but they don't have the ability or the capacity to enjoy in the fullness of others. 00:17:56.020 --> 00:17:57.620 And maybe that is, 00:17:58.020 --> 00:17:58.740 I don't know, 00:17:58.840 --> 00:18:01.060 but that could very well be how it is. 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:05.119 If our focus in life is all about Christ, 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:07.539 and while he takes up the main, 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:07.819 yes, 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:09.179 we're involved in this world, 00:18:09.659 --> 00:18:10.740 but he's at the center, 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:15.740 then seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:18.419 And then it loosens us. 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.519 It gives us freedom. 00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:21.759 The most chilled, 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.259 as it were, 00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:24.019 person in this world is a Christian 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:26.639 who's not taken up with his world, 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:28.480 but has taken up with Christ. 00:18:29.320 --> 00:18:33.320 Because they know that the Lord will look after the other things, 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:35.120 that we can rest in him 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:38.280 and be assured that he'll watch over us. 00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:39.860 And that's why he said, 00:18:40.100 --> 00:18:40.340 therefore, 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:42.000 don't be anxious about tomorrow. 00:18:42.540 --> 00:18:44.759 Because you and I know that so often we're anxious, 00:18:45.300 --> 00:18:46.660 whether we think about our home, 00:18:46.800 --> 00:18:47.360 our families, 00:18:47.520 --> 00:18:48.080 our work, 00:18:48.340 --> 00:18:49.200 what we've done, 00:18:49.320 --> 00:18:50.340 what we haven't done, 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.680 all these things. 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:54.200 And the Lord says, 00:18:54.880 --> 00:18:55.120 you know, 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:56.699 isn't it true? 00:18:56.979 --> 00:18:58.639 A lot of the things we worry about, 00:18:58.859 --> 00:19:00.199 they never materialize. 00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:02.319 A lot of the things that we're anxious about. 00:19:03.179 --> 00:19:03.739 I'm sure, 00:19:04.159 --> 00:19:05.399 as you look back over your life, 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:09.839 there were days and nights you were riddled with anxiety about certain things. 00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:11.399 Never worked out that way. 00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:12.959 And so, 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:15.139 that is why every day, 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:19.539 we should seek to bring our day at the very start to the Lord 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:21.759 and seek to trust him 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:23.019 and to follow him. 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.519 Every single day, 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:29.539 in order to deliver us from the unnecessary anxieties. 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.799 Because he wants us, 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:33.099 it's repeated all throughout scripture, 00:19:33.639 --> 00:19:35.279 casting our cares upon him. 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:35.579 Why? 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:37.039 Because he cares for us. 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:38.099 You know what he says? 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:39.660 Cast all your cares. 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.639 Not some of them, 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:41.720 not most of them, 00:19:41.940 --> 00:19:42.299 but all, 00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:44.019 every single one you have. 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:46.440 Cast your burden upon the Lord 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:48.799 and he will sustain you. 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.320 He'll hold you up. 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:52.920 If tonight you feel you're going down. 00:19:53.820 --> 00:19:54.480 And remember, 00:19:54.580 --> 00:19:55.259 the word is, 00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:56.700 cast your cares, 00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:57.660 cast your burden, 00:19:57.820 --> 00:20:00.400 not put on and leave a hand. 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:01.160 You know, 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.980 we're good at that. 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:03.460 Giving Christ, 00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:03.900 we'll say, 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:04.140 well, 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:04.860 Lord, 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.440 I'm really, 00:20:05.780 --> 00:20:07.160 this is really getting to me. 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:07.440 And you, 00:20:07.520 --> 00:20:08.600 you bring it to the Lord, 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:12.620 but you're kind of holding it there as if the Lord isn't able to deal with it properly. 00:20:13.040 --> 00:20:13.740 And you're saying, 00:20:13.780 --> 00:20:14.040 I need, 00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:14.380 I need, 00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.180 I still need to, 00:20:15.320 --> 00:20:16.660 still need a part of this. 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:17.400 No, 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:18.400 the word is cast. 00:20:19.560 --> 00:20:20.200 Lord is saying, 00:20:20.280 --> 00:20:21.160 I'll take it, 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:25.040 but I can't take it until you give it to me. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:27.060 And so this is where we, 00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:28.540 we need the faith. 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:29.480 We need the grace. 00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:33.060 We need the trust to give our burden to the Lord, 00:20:33.120 --> 00:20:34.240 to cast our burden, 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:37.660 but he cares for us and he'll sustain us. 00:20:37.840 --> 00:20:44.380 And he will deliver us from undue and unnecessary anxiety in this world. 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.279 Let's pray. 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:45.800 Lord, 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:46.240 our God, 00:20:46.320 --> 00:20:48.680 we pray that you will bless us tonight. 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:49.420 Oh, 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.120 we need you. 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:51.500 We need you every day. 00:20:52.179 --> 00:20:55.679 So often we feel that we're up against a wall. 00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:57.099 Sometimes we feel down. 00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:59.779 Sometimes we feel that as Christians, 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:00.459 we're really, 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.239 really struggling. 00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:05.939 And yet the amazing thing is that you will never let us go. 00:21:06.699 --> 00:21:13.099 Although we sometimes wonder and although sometimes we don't think of you the way that we should, 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:18.979 it's never true that you don't think of us because your eye is upon us all the time. 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:20.700 Lord bless us. 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.160 We pray. 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:22.720 Bless all those who are in need, 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:25.019 all those who have been prayed for tonight, 00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:27.279 all those whose hearts are heavy and sore. 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:29.720 We commit them to your care and keeping. 00:21:29.880 --> 00:21:33.480 Bless us and take us to our home safely and forgive us our sin. 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.779 In Jesus name, 00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:35.440 we ask it. 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:35.759 Amen. 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:35.860 Amen. 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:35.880 Amen. 00:21:35.880 --> 00:21:35.900 Amen.