WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.640 Well, good evening. I'm Flynn. Let's read our passage for tonight. Matthew 6, 25 to 34. 00:00:12.320 --> 00:00:22.359 ! 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. 00:00:22.359 --> 00:00:27.160 Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:35.600 Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 00:00:36.340 --> 00:00:43.299 Are you not of more value than they? And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to his span of life? 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:49.039 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. 00:00:49.640 --> 00:00:56.299 They neither toil nor spin. Yet I tell you, even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these. 00:00:57.159 --> 00:01:06.879 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, though you of little faith? 00:01:06.879 --> 00:01:13.239 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or what shall we wear? 00:01:13.939 --> 00:01:19.259 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 00:01:19.939 --> 00:01:25.699 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 00:01:26.500 --> 00:01:31.120 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. 00:01:31.120 --> 00:01:34.320 Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 00:01:35.579 --> 00:01:37.880 Well, we're continuing our Sermon on the Mount series. 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:40.600 We've got a passage about anxiety. 00:01:41.859 --> 00:01:48.300 Last week we heard Simon preach on serving God above serving money. 00:01:49.320 --> 00:01:54.400 And this week Jesus transitions to encouraging his disciples not to be anxious. 00:01:54.400 --> 00:02:00.140 And I wonder, how many sermons have you heard on anxiety already in your life? 00:02:01.480 --> 00:02:02.940 And are you still anxious? 00:02:03.940 --> 00:02:06.680 I know that I still struggle from time to time. 00:02:07.360 --> 00:02:13.879 But the thing is, is that for as many sermons as we've heard, there are so many more things out there to make us anxious. 00:02:13.879 --> 00:02:22.759 I wonder what you would say if I asked you, what is the most common command in the Old Testament? 00:02:23.740 --> 00:02:26.620 Maybe you'd say, do not commit adultery, or love one another. 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:28.979 These would be good guesses. 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:36.819 But in the Old Testament, over 300 times God says to his people, do not be afraid. 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:38.620 And what does that show? 00:02:38.759 --> 00:02:41.300 It shows that God is our comforter. 00:02:41.300 --> 00:02:43.960 He knows our fragile state. 00:02:44.540 --> 00:02:47.260 We are anxious people, and we have a comforting God. 00:02:47.700 --> 00:02:53.300 So whether you're hearing a sermon on anxiety for the first time, or the thousandth time, 00:02:53.700 --> 00:02:57.360 if you live with anxiety, hear God's words to you now. 00:02:59.700 --> 00:03:06.240 I think one of the things we can struggle with with this text is reading what Jesus says here as a command. 00:03:07.320 --> 00:03:09.320 You know, we say, well, of course. 00:03:09.320 --> 00:03:10.120 Do not be anxious. 00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:11.860 I don't want to be like this. 00:03:12.340 --> 00:03:15.039 But it's not as if I can sort of snap out of it. 00:03:15.259 --> 00:03:17.480 You know, what are you saying to me? 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:23.420 Are you seriously commanding me as if I can just click my fingers and no longer be anxious? 00:03:25.180 --> 00:03:26.800 That would be a fair complaint. 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:28.219 But that's not what Jesus is saying. 00:03:29.020 --> 00:03:30.500 Instead, we have to look here. 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:33.719 This saying of Jesus, do not be anxious. 00:03:33.719 --> 00:03:43.099 Less of a command and more of how a loved one or how someone might speak to their loved one. 00:03:43.860 --> 00:03:48.039 Have you ever said or hadn't said to you, be careful, stay safe? 00:03:48.039 --> 00:03:50.060 It's a concern. 00:03:50.259 --> 00:03:53.340 It's a concern out of love for that person. 00:03:54.139 --> 00:03:57.519 You know, Amelia, my wife, she tells me daily, cycle safely. 00:03:57.799 --> 00:04:00.459 And it's not like I was planning on cycling dangerously. 00:04:00.460 --> 00:04:05.060 But she says it because she cares, because she wants the best. 00:04:05.140 --> 00:04:08.560 She wants the highest welfare for me. 00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:15.640 And so when Jesus says, do not be anxious, he's saying, do not be anxious as the shepherd of the sheep. 00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:19.939 You know, it is an imperative technically, but it's a concern. 00:04:20.199 --> 00:04:22.060 It's motivated by deep love. 00:04:22.379 --> 00:04:23.660 It's motivated by compassion. 00:04:24.460 --> 00:04:27.939 So hear Jesus, what he's saying to you tonight. 00:04:28.620 --> 00:04:29.760 I want to look at a few things. 00:04:29.820 --> 00:04:33.320 I want to understand the reality of anxiety, what Jesus has to say. 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:39.200 And then we'll just look at some practical points, replacing anxiety with godly concern. 00:04:41.420 --> 00:04:48.000 I also want to stress that there are a lot of anxiety-related conditions in the world. 00:04:48.500 --> 00:04:52.640 What Jesus is speaking primarily about here is routine anxiety. 00:04:52.639 --> 00:04:54.419 It's something which is a little bit more mainstream. 00:04:54.560 --> 00:05:03.599 It's what most of us may be struggling with, rather than more extreme forms of medically diagnosable anxiety-related conditions. 00:05:04.099 --> 00:05:12.439 But it's still important tonight that if that is you here in the room, that we still don't diminish Jesus' authority to speak into those conditions. 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:14.819 Because he does have something to say. 00:05:14.919 --> 00:05:18.899 He does want to free everyone, anyone and everyone, from anxiety, great or small. 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:21.939 So, anxiety. 00:05:21.939 --> 00:05:23.219 It's a human condition. 00:05:23.620 --> 00:05:27.360 If we look at the context, Jesus is speaking to a wide range of people. 00:05:27.779 --> 00:05:29.719 His target audience is the first century. 00:05:30.540 --> 00:05:36.740 And I think what's remarkable here is that anxiety isn't a modern phenomenon. 00:05:36.860 --> 00:05:41.699 I always kind of think it's just a 21st century daily part of life. 00:05:41.699 --> 00:05:48.019 And what's more remarkable still is what he tells his first century listeners not to worry about. 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:51.759 He tells them not to worry about food, drink, and clothing. 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:56.839 Now, we recognize that these are necessities of life. 00:05:57.159 --> 00:06:00.599 In the 21st century in Scotland, we actually often forget about these. 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:02.199 You know, we have clean tap water. 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:06.060 We live with a surplus of food from a well-developed agricultural system. 00:06:06.060 --> 00:06:10.319 We don't really think about food insecurity as a living reality for people. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:12.639 You know, we're not overly concerned about these things. 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:13.540 We take them for granted. 00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:19.639 And, you know, if I were in Jesus' position with people living in the first century, 00:06:19.879 --> 00:06:23.720 whose daily worries were food and water and clothing, 00:06:23.720 --> 00:06:29.060 I think I'd find it really difficult to tell them not to worry about those things. 00:06:29.340 --> 00:06:32.220 It's very, I think it's a lot easier to tell people not to worry about the, 00:06:33.640 --> 00:06:37.300 what is superfluous in life, what is surplus to requirements. 00:06:37.820 --> 00:06:41.080 Telling people not to worry about designer fashion brands, 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:46.420 not to worry about the best, most lucrative job and the most fulfilling career. 00:06:47.540 --> 00:06:48.900 You know, worry about the main things. 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:51.100 Worry about food and water and clothes. 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:59.240 But Jesus is telling them not even, well, he's telling them to not even worry about these things. 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:01.960 And what is the point here? 00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:06.140 Is that the point is, no matter if you're in the first century or you're in the 21st century, 00:07:06.320 --> 00:07:08.640 no matter if food is your daily worry, 00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:13.680 or whatever else is that's bothering you in the 21st century, 00:07:14.100 --> 00:07:16.600 is that you will worry about something. 00:07:18.020 --> 00:07:19.580 Anxiety is universal. 00:07:20.060 --> 00:07:21.040 It affects all of us. 00:07:21.700 --> 00:07:23.420 And it's a product, ultimately, of the fall. 00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:25.200 So let's have a look now. 00:07:25.340 --> 00:07:26.520 What is anxiety? 00:07:27.460 --> 00:07:28.700 We go to verse 26. 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:31.460 We can kind of start to say what anxiety is not. 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:34.480 I want to answer this question in the negative. 00:07:35.220 --> 00:07:37.600 It's not our concern to work hard. 00:07:39.500 --> 00:07:42.960 It's not our concern to provide, you know, 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:46.040 life-giving necessities for our own lives, for our family. 00:07:46.040 --> 00:07:52.000 From experience, we can see that the birds do work. 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:53.340 Birds are looking for food. 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:58.420 If you ever go outside, you can see the seagulls stamping on the ground and the worms coming to the surface. 00:07:58.420 --> 00:08:00.600 You know, they're working for their food. 00:08:00.600 --> 00:08:06.220 When Jesus brings up the birds, he's not saying they don't work and still God provides. 00:08:07.160 --> 00:08:10.939 He's saying that God ultimately provides the food. 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:12.260 The birds do work. 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:14.819 But what they don't do is worry. 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:19.620 And further still, we can get a little bit caught up. 00:08:19.860 --> 00:08:24.060 Because Jesus says, neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns. 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:30.879 And what Jesus is saying here, that in the first century, routine work, this is an agrarian society. 00:08:31.459 --> 00:08:35.539 They would have been familiar with that just being daily labor. 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:37.059 You know, you collect your harvest. 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:38.559 You prepare for winter. 00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:39.379 There is no food. 00:08:40.659 --> 00:08:46.259 And for us, it is to say that we take precautions for the future. 00:08:46.659 --> 00:08:48.980 We work and we save and we think about our retirement. 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:52.220 You know, is Jesus saying not to do these things? 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:54.879 Of course not, right? 00:08:54.940 --> 00:08:57.060 We absolutely should do these things. 00:08:57.580 --> 00:08:59.040 The question is the motivation. 00:09:00.200 --> 00:09:01.360 Is it only wisdom? 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:05.180 Is it only prudence which directs our steps in these things? 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:07.279 Or are we worrying? 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:08.040 Are we anxious? 00:09:09.180 --> 00:09:15.060 Anxiety is also not acting on God-given wise concern. 00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:20.200 You know, concern allows us to take action when situations are dangerous or destructive. 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:27.620 It motivates us to protect and preempt when people are at risk or there's a risky situation. 00:09:28.420 --> 00:09:31.759 There are a thousand and one reasons to act on godly concern. 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:41.860 From, you know, checking your oven is off when you leave the house to also identifying when situations might be getting hard for people. 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:46.040 When they might be in a state where they're facing dangers in their life. 00:09:46.039 --> 00:09:48.839 You take steps to protect yourself and others. 00:09:50.179 --> 00:09:55.480 But what our concern must not become is our master, right? 00:09:56.459 --> 00:10:00.199 Concern must not extend into the future and take control of us. 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:05.740 And that leads me to say positively what our definition of anxiety is. 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:07.740 Let's go back to verse 25. 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:10.360 Right at the beginning, the key word, therefore. 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:17.100 You know, you always have to ask what the therefore is there for, right? 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:21.860 And if you look back, you will see the passage before it. 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:24.419 Jesus is responding to his previous teaching. 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:27.200 If you remember, Simon was preaching last Sunday. 00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:29.299 No one can serve two masters. 00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:32.700 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 00:10:32.700 --> 00:10:37.180 Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious. 00:10:38.020 --> 00:10:46.100 He's continuing his teaching to us not to be motivated by the things of the world, but by the things of heaven. 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:48.060 So what is anxiety? 00:10:48.160 --> 00:10:48.879 We're finally here. 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:54.240 Tim Lane, a Christian expert on anxiety, says, 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:59.440 Anxiety is both mental and bodily, but it is also spiritual. 00:10:59.440 --> 00:11:01.680 And I quote, 00:11:01.780 --> 00:11:04.900 Worry is a response to life lived in God's world. 00:11:05.680 --> 00:11:09.140 Worry, therefore, is a response to God himself. 00:11:11.060 --> 00:11:17.640 Elsewhere in the New Testament, our word for anxiety is translated as a distracted mind. 00:11:19.660 --> 00:11:22.720 And it really gives the sense of a divided loyalty. 00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:28.000 And now, if we're following on, we've got our therefore, if we're following on from our previous passage, 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:36.179 Then, our divided loyalty is a divided loyalty between God's riches and worldly riches. 00:11:36.299 --> 00:11:37.019 That's last week. 00:11:37.559 --> 00:11:42.679 And this week, it's our divided loyalty between God's kingdom and our own. 00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:47.059 It is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing. 00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:51.480 There is a reality beyond this material world. 00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:55.379 Food and clothing are important, but they are not life itself. 00:11:55.379 --> 00:12:00.080 Because true life is centered around the kingdom of God. 00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:07.220 Anxiety, therefore, is to be over-concerned with a future outside the kingdom of God. 00:12:07.559 --> 00:12:09.500 And it's a profound theological problem. 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:13.120 So how do we see anxiety spelled out? 00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:16.320 When Jesus doesn't downplay our need for food, 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:19.960 But it does say who provides it. 00:12:20.280 --> 00:12:21.260 Your heavenly Father. 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:23.720 Yours, not theirs, not the birds. 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:25.800 Are you not of more value than they? 00:12:26.540 --> 00:12:27.780 Why are we of more value? 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:30.520 Because we have a direct relationship to God. 00:12:31.400 --> 00:12:33.879 Followers of Christ belong to the Father. 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:39.160 We are worth more because we have a personal relationship. 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:43.060 A personal relationship with the God who created the universe. 00:12:43.059 --> 00:12:44.959 Let's keep going. 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:45.719 27. 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:48.639 Which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to his life? 00:12:49.339 --> 00:12:53.699 This literally is translated as add a single cubit to his height. 00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:56.479 A cubit's about a foot and a half. 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:58.799 It's a strange question to ask. 00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:01.739 You know, when I read it, I sort of thought, 00:13:02.099 --> 00:13:05.319 Is anyone in the first century concerned about their height? 00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:09.980 And I think we're supposed to think that. 00:13:10.060 --> 00:13:11.220 I think this is a rhetorical question, 00:13:11.300 --> 00:13:13.300 But it's also an absurd question, 00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:16.260 Which ultimately points us away from height, right? 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:21.040 The question is, what is the purpose of worry? 00:13:21.800 --> 00:13:23.160 You obviously can't grow taller. 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:25.020 What is worrying going to do? 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.980 You're not in control of that, right? 00:13:27.220 --> 00:13:28.340 And that's the key here, 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:31.940 Is that you are not in control of your height. 00:13:32.820 --> 00:13:34.040 Why does Jesus ask this question? 00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:35.920 Well, he uses an obvious question 00:13:35.920 --> 00:13:38.720 To point to maybe what is not so obvious to us. 00:13:39.260 --> 00:13:40.820 We are not in control of our height. 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:43.080 And Jesus says, well, ultimately, 00:13:43.400 --> 00:13:44.900 What are you in control of? 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:46.780 Verse 28. 00:13:46.880 --> 00:13:48.260 Why are you anxious about clothing? 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:51.360 He moves from the greater need, food, 00:13:51.540 --> 00:13:54.020 Down to the lesser need, which is clothing. 00:13:54.420 --> 00:13:56.500 But he doubles down in his illustration. 00:13:57.660 --> 00:13:59.540 Does God provide for the birds? 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:00.640 Well, fine. 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:03.559 But how about something lower down the created order? 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:07.360 Something alive today and tomorrow burnt in an oven? 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:09.379 How about the lilies of the field? 00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:12.699 Even King Solomon, 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:14.740 One of the most rich, 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:16.819 One of the most opulent men 00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:18.360 To ever walk the face of the earth, 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:21.860 Even he was not clothed so beautifully 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:24.360 As the lilies of the field. 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.439 And why? 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:29.379 What does it say in the text about Solomon's clothes? 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:32.200 It says, 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:34.700 He was clothed in his own glory, 00:14:34.779 --> 00:14:36.360 Or he was arrayed in his own glory, 00:14:36.439 --> 00:14:37.039 Or his glory. 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:39.720 That's because the glory is his own. 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:44.679 It's a fragile, fleeting, anxious glory 00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:46.059 Of human hands. 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:48.620 If Solomon is unable to 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:51.539 Produce clothing as beautiful as God, 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.360 Then neither can you. 00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:53.559 You're not in control. 00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:54.759 We're not in control. 00:14:57.099 --> 00:14:58.519 And so what is the foundation 00:14:58.519 --> 00:15:00.379 Of this anxiety of ours? 00:15:01.739 --> 00:15:02.579 Jesus says, 00:15:02.719 --> 00:15:03.739 Oh you of little faith, 00:15:04.119 --> 00:15:05.659 This is a collective you, 00:15:05.819 --> 00:15:06.899 In the KJV it's ye, 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:09.759 Use your, 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:11.019 It doesn't matter, 00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:12.639 There's a collective here, 00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:13.539 It's all of us. 00:15:14.219 --> 00:15:15.199 You of little faith, 00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:16.279 You all of little faith, 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:17.799 Do not be anxious saying, 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:18.679 What shall we eat? 00:15:18.719 --> 00:15:19.299 What shall we drink? 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:20.219 What shall we wear? 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:22.460 For the Gentiles seek after these things. 00:15:22.820 --> 00:15:24.920 So we see anxiety is tied to faith. 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:27.840 The Gentiles are those outside the Jewish faith, 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:29.899 Those with outside a belief in a, 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:31.720 All knowing, all powerful, 00:15:31.920 --> 00:15:33.759 All loving, personal God. 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:34.360 It's the, 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:35.680 They're those without faith. 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:37.680 And so when we lack faith, 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:40.019 We turn to ourselves for deliverance. 00:15:41.160 --> 00:15:42.680 And we see that root anxiety, 00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:45.180 Root cause of anxiety is a lack of faith. 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:48.399 Our definition of anxiety, 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:50.600 Over concerned with the things of, 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:52.319 Those outside the kingdom, 00:15:52.459 --> 00:15:54.079 Is to be over concerned with the things, 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:55.340 Outside of the world. 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.459 It is ultimately fear, 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:58.899 Taken into a new context. 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:01.620 When you're afraid, 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.220 Have you ever heard of the, 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:04.500 The fight or flight response? 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:05.879 And essentially, 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.500 I won't bore you with the details, 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:09.759 It's our body's reaction, 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:11.279 When we see a danger, 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:13.059 We enhance our performance, 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:15.879 To either fight or run away. 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:18.980 We bypass the normal mental operations, 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:20.720 To overcome danger. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:20.960 You know, 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:23.039 Our bodies will optimize themselves, 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:25.179 So that our heartbeats increase, 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:27.399 And we have more oxygen for our muscles, 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.059 Things like this. 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:30.799 But the thing is, 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:31.860 Is that this response, 00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:34.299 Carries on into anxieties. 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.659 It's not just physical, 00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:36.939 Human threat. 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:37.320 It's, 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:39.419 It's the common ways, 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:42.080 Which we deal with anxiety as well. 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:43.500 You know, 00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:45.059 Sometimes we will run from anxiety, 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:45.699 And one of the ways, 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.419 Which we do this, 00:16:46.479 --> 00:16:47.139 Is we become, 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:48.459 Laid back, 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:49.439 And detached. 00:16:50.339 --> 00:16:50.639 And I, 00:16:50.779 --> 00:16:51.959 I want to point out, 00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:53.019 That this can be, 00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:54.099 A real stoicism. 00:16:55.359 --> 00:16:56.399 Ask yourself the question, 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.500 Are you laid back? 00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:00.579 Have you, 00:17:00.739 --> 00:17:02.599 Really matured beyond anxiety? 00:17:02.959 --> 00:17:04.099 Or have you instead, 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:05.139 Become indifferent, 00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:06.720 To what makes you anxious, 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.299 In your life? 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:09.079 Do you recognize, 00:17:09.159 --> 00:17:10.839 Your tendency to be anxious, 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.539 And, 00:17:12.659 --> 00:17:13.799 Catch that worry, 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.539 And just sort of, 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.619 Maintain a stiff upper lip? 00:17:15.919 --> 00:17:16.059 Well, 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:16.440 This is, 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:17.299 This is stoicism. 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:18.700 Stoicism is, 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:19.680 Out thinking, 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.639 And over rationalizing emotions. 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:22.940 It's, 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:23.859 It's getting around, 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:25.220 How we feel about things, 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:27.019 And just explaining, 00:17:27.399 --> 00:17:28.740 Explaining them away. 00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:31.279 In the first century, 00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:31.940 Epictetus, 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:34.440 Just decades after Jesus lived, 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:36.419 Said on the problem of anxiety, 00:17:36.639 --> 00:17:37.599 That what upsets people, 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:39.079 Is not things themselves, 00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:39.919 But, 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:40.960 But their judgments, 00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:41.899 About these things. 00:17:44.159 --> 00:17:45.779 And what he essentially meant was, 00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:48.399 That the cause of anxiety, 00:17:48.879 --> 00:17:50.220 Is when we don't recognize, 00:17:50.679 --> 00:17:51.699 The nature of things. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:53.000 A cup is a cup, 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:54.679 Human is only human. 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.539 If you break a cup, 00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:57.359 Well, 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.539 You can console yourself, 00:17:58.639 --> 00:17:59.379 That it's just a cup, 00:17:59.419 --> 00:17:59.599 Right? 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:02.059 But he takes it, 00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:02.899 A lot further, 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:03.819 He takes it, 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.220 To, 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:06.519 You know, 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:06.960 A human, 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.359 He said, 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:09.819 If, 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.740 If you, 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:14.000 Yeah, 00:18:14.139 --> 00:18:14.779 If you, 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:15.660 When you, 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.420 When they die, 00:18:16.639 --> 00:18:18.259 You have to, 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.819 Remind yourself, 00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:20.680 Of their mortality, 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.539 And then you will not be, 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.740 Overcome by grief. 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.279 And I wonder, 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.740 If you do feel, 00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:28.039 Like you're a stoic tonight, 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:30.099 Can you accept that? 00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:32.420 Can, 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.220 You can accept it, 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:33.799 About a cup, 00:18:34.119 --> 00:18:34.400 Maybe, 00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:35.799 But can you accept, 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:37.879 Reducing a human down, 00:18:38.159 --> 00:18:39.799 To only a material being, 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.680 Because that ultimately, 00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:42.539 Is what you're doing, 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:44.379 You start by not caring, 00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:46.220 And you end ultimately, 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:47.419 With complete indifference, 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:51.839 Stoicism is not a godly response, 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.359 But it, 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.799 Is running away, 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.759 And there's another way we run, 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:57.200 We can distract ourselves, 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:59.259 When we think about the good, 00:18:59.659 --> 00:19:00.859 And forget about the bad, 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:02.779 That's what our culture loves to do, 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:03.639 It loves to tell us, 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:05.740 Just look on the bright side, 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.720 You've got worries, 00:19:08.060 --> 00:19:08.700 Forget them, 00:19:08.840 --> 00:19:09.480 Life's too short, 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.320 We have, 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:12.780 So much goodness in life, 00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:13.460 Happiness, 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:14.420 And fun, 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.400 Which you can go, 00:19:15.520 --> 00:19:16.020 And pursue, 00:19:16.600 --> 00:19:17.620 Louis Armstrong said, 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:19.160 Back in the 40s, 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.300 Or he used to sing this actually, 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.360 Leave your worries, 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:22.140 On the doorstep, 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.360 Just direct your feet, 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.740 To the sunny side of the street, 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:26.340 And if that's before your time, 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:27.320 Which presumably it is, 00:19:27.340 --> 00:19:27.980 For most of us here, 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.940 We have Taylor Swift, 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:31.180 Everything will be alright, 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:32.180 If we just keep dancing, 00:19:32.320 --> 00:19:32.980 Like we're 22, 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:36.080 And obviously I had to get a Taylor Swift reference in, 00:19:36.620 --> 00:19:38.140 Before I left, 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.700 But what happens, 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:41.019 If you're 44, 00:19:41.580 --> 00:19:42.200 Or 55, 00:19:43.080 --> 00:19:44.580 And you're not in the mood for dancing, 00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:46.100 The answer, 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:47.320 I'm getting at really, 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:48.940 Is, 00:19:50.060 --> 00:19:51.680 To anxiety, 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:54.580 The solution is not to pretend, 00:19:54.580 --> 00:19:55.440 You don't have problems, 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:57.960 Don't pretend like your problems don't exist, 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.900 You know, 00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.279 It might, 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:00.579 It might just get you through, 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:01.860 It might just be enough, 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.880 In the modern world, 00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:04.799 But what comfort, 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.299 Would those, 00:20:05.380 --> 00:20:06.700 Would those distractions be, 00:20:07.400 --> 00:20:08.559 If you didn't have food, 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:09.200 And water, 00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:09.779 And clothing, 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:12.940 Because these are so much more, 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:15.900 Demanding of us, 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.340 These are so much more, 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:19.259 Sustaining to life, 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:21.620 This is no remedy to anxiety, 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:22.340 Distraction, 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:24.500 Is like it says in Ecclesiastes, 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:26.640 It's a coping mechanism, 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:28.200 Eat, drink, and be merry, 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:29.780 For tomorrow we die, 00:20:30.860 --> 00:20:32.580 It's a futile response, 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.500 To anxiety, 00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:36.140 We could also choose, 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:36.940 To fight anxiety, 00:20:37.780 --> 00:20:39.180 Do you choose to dominate, 00:20:39.300 --> 00:20:39.960 And seize control, 00:20:40.040 --> 00:20:41.520 When you're faced with fears, 00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.200 On the horizon, 00:20:42.780 --> 00:20:44.040 Do you double down on your work, 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.840 Do you labor extra hard, 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:48.360 Do you bring your worries before God, 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:49.700 Or do you seek to overcome them, 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.180 On your own, 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.520 You know, 00:20:51.580 --> 00:20:52.840 Are you productivity obsessed, 00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:54.300 Are you anxious, 00:20:54.300 --> 00:20:55.380 When your schedule is off, 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:57.300 Do you need things to be just so, 00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:59.700 You have to ask yourself the question, 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:02.320 What ways, 00:21:02.760 --> 00:21:03.840 Am I employing, 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:06.620 To fight anxiety in my life, 00:21:07.260 --> 00:21:08.500 These will be specific, 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:09.800 These will be contextual to you, 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.020 They're not always obvious, 00:21:11.120 --> 00:21:11.240 You know, 00:21:11.280 --> 00:21:11.700 On reflection, 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:13.440 And this is, 00:21:13.600 --> 00:21:15.200 Only one of many ways, 00:21:16.300 --> 00:21:17.760 But one thing I do when I'm anxious, 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:20.120 Is I tidy my house vigorously, 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:21.000 And, 00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:23.119 I come home, 00:21:23.199 --> 00:21:24.819 If I'm anxious about something, 00:21:24.859 --> 00:21:25.219 I'm nervous, 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.019 I'll clean the lounge, 00:21:26.159 --> 00:21:26.939 I'll do the dishes, 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.379 I'll put a load of washing on, 00:21:29.199 --> 00:21:30.059 And the point I'm getting at, 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:31.539 Is because I'll feel in control, 00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.719 After having done all those things, 00:21:33.679 --> 00:21:34.179 The question, 00:21:34.439 --> 00:21:34.659 You know, 00:21:34.739 --> 00:21:35.879 The thing I want to point out there, 00:21:35.939 --> 00:21:37.059 Is that I only feel in control, 00:21:37.159 --> 00:21:37.359 Right, 00:21:37.439 --> 00:21:38.979 I'm not actually in control, 00:21:39.199 --> 00:21:40.739 Nothing I do with my house, 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:42.019 Has any relevance, 00:21:42.179 --> 00:21:43.899 To the things I'm actually afraid of, 00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:46.519 Self-reliance is what we want, 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:47.420 Not God-reliance, 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:49.920 So what is your motivation, 00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:50.700 In your work, 00:21:51.300 --> 00:21:52.220 And what is your motivation, 00:21:52.360 --> 00:21:52.960 In a clean house, 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:55.220 Do you really need to be so productive, 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:56.540 And are you working hard, 00:21:56.600 --> 00:21:58.300 Because that is what God requires of you, 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.440 In this current season, 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:00.720 For some of us, 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.680 The answer will be yes, 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.340 It's God-honoring, 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:05.840 But for others, 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:07.000 We have to ask ourselves, 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:08.960 Are we motivated by gaining control, 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:10.160 Are we motivated, 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.680 To do these things, 00:22:11.840 --> 00:22:13.259 Because we lack faith, 00:22:13.900 --> 00:22:15.220 This leads us on to our remedies, 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:15.540 You know, 00:22:15.560 --> 00:22:16.080 Without God, 00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:16.840 We have two options, 00:22:17.560 --> 00:22:18.360 Fight or flight, 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:20.019 Which are basically the same options, 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:21.040 It's self-reliance, 00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:23.400 Because your anxiety, 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.800 Only gets worse in the long run, 00:22:25.300 --> 00:22:26.360 The more you seek control, 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:27.200 The more you realize, 00:22:27.300 --> 00:22:28.080 That you don't have it, 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:29.040 Jack London, 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.340 A famous American writer, 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:31.120 Of the 20th century, 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.519 Said the more money you have, 00:22:32.560 --> 00:22:33.740 The more you're afraid to lose it, 00:22:34.540 --> 00:22:35.480 And Shakespeare said, 00:22:35.540 --> 00:22:36.519 Uneasy lies the head, 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.759 That wears the crown, 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.940 Do you seek control, 00:22:40.280 --> 00:22:40.940 Through money, 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:41.540 Power, 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.120 Status, 00:22:42.800 --> 00:22:43.580 Pursuing comfort, 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:45.300 Or do you only become, 00:22:45.540 --> 00:22:47.980 You will only become more anxious, 00:22:48.080 --> 00:22:48.860 About losing them, 00:22:49.300 --> 00:22:51.720 Or living in their absence, 00:22:52.580 --> 00:22:54.140 Control and self-reliance, 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.820 Are no remedy, 00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:56.220 But we have another option, 00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.700 Jesus says, 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:59.700 Seek first the kingdom of God, 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:01.220 What's the kingdom of God, 00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:03.180 We have to compare and contrast it, 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.380 With the kingdom of our world, 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:05.140 You know, 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:06.080 We often think of heaven, 00:23:06.080 --> 00:23:07.440 As a sort of cloudy, 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:09.600 Floaty city in the sky, 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:11.740 It's a sort of spiritual realm, 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:13.500 Which we can't see, 00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:15.420 And the world is what we see, 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.940 The world is what we touch, 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:17.900 And taste and feel, 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:18.880 It's the purely physical, 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.480 But none of these, 00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:22.660 These are not good conceptions, 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.640 Because both kingdoms, 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:25.720 Are spiritual and material, 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:28.259 God created his kingdom, 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:30.339 Way back to Genesis 1, 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:31.160 He created Adam and Eve, 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:32.740 He created physical beings, 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.660 He created the world, 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.640 A physical place, 00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:36.640 And he also created Adam and Eve, 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.559 With souls, 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.079 You know, 00:23:38.120 --> 00:23:39.839 With the spiritual connection, 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.599 With God, 00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.379 Temptation came, 00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:44.119 And two things, 00:23:44.159 --> 00:23:44.779 I want us to know here, 00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.619 When temptation came, 00:23:46.959 --> 00:23:48.639 Adam and Eve turned their souls away, 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:50.980 And they also turned the physical, 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.519 Creation away too, 00:23:53.179 --> 00:23:54.119 And the big lie, 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:56.019 Of the kingdom of this world, 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:58.500 Is that there is nothing more, 00:23:58.959 --> 00:23:59.959 Than just the material, 00:24:00.139 --> 00:24:00.859 In front of us, 00:24:01.459 --> 00:24:02.720 But this is not true, 00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:05.139 The kingdom is more, 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:05.959 Than just the material, 00:24:06.379 --> 00:24:08.439 We were created for both realms, 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:09.880 The material and the spiritual, 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:10.759 Is not life, 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:12.160 More than these things, 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:13.700 Is not life more than just, 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:15.000 The materials, 00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:16.160 Which we have in front of us, 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:19.559 We are missing out, 00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:21.180 On a very real reality, 00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:23.080 The kingdom of God, 00:24:23.340 --> 00:24:23.980 In its fullness, 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:25.960 As it was supposed to be, 00:24:26.340 --> 00:24:27.539 From the dawn of time, 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.200 Patrick Schreiner, 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:30.320 Biblical commentator, 00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:30.539 Said, 00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.420 What is the kingdom, 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:32.900 The king's power, 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:34.240 Over the king's people, 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.519 In the king's place, 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:37.500 The kingdom of God, 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.500 Is reestablishing, 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:40.500 God's reign on earth, 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:42.779 God's reign in people's hearts, 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:44.059 And it's already here, 00:24:44.139 --> 00:24:45.900 Jesus brought in the kingdom, 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.740 When he came, 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:49.200 The kingdom of God, 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:49.819 Is true life, 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:51.440 It's having both the creation, 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:53.000 And the creator, 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:54.920 And faith, 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.500 Is, 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:57.519 How we deal, 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.539 With our anxiety, 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:02.059 I've done a lot of work, 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:02.779 With Thomas Watson, 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.960 One of the quotes, 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:05.539 Which stuck with me, 00:25:05.619 --> 00:25:06.859 As I was reading through his work, 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.079 Is, 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:09.399 That faith anticipates, 00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:10.440 Future things, 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:11.639 And makes them present, 00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.160 And do we notice, 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:14.720 The similarity of anxiety, 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:15.519 In that, 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.339 Anxiety is, 00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:18.859 Seeing future fears, 00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:20.319 And worrying about them today, 00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:21.579 But faith is, 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.940 Seeing future glory, 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.099 And living, 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.539 Like it's here today, 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:27.799 Faith looks to the day, 00:25:27.899 --> 00:25:28.680 When Christ's kingdom, 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:30.599 Is fully consummated, 00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:32.439 How then should I live, 00:25:32.659 --> 00:25:32.899 Today? 00:25:33.639 --> 00:25:34.559 We have to recognize, 00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:35.240 Future glory, 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.539 Not future problems, 00:25:36.939 --> 00:25:38.079 The kingdom is coming, 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.419 God has promised, 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:40.159 The day will come, 00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:41.799 The future is set, 00:25:42.159 --> 00:25:42.599 In stone, 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.319 And we aren't in control, 00:25:44.379 --> 00:25:44.699 Of that, 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:46.059 So seek the one who is, 00:25:46.459 --> 00:25:47.419 Seek the king himself, 00:25:48.399 --> 00:25:49.339 Let's move on to, 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.519 Practical health swarying, 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:53.519 There's a physical intervention, 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.839 Aspect which we want to consider, 00:25:55.379 --> 00:25:56.879 We want to really basically, 00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:58.959 Avoid things which will make it worse, 00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:00.799 If you're prone to anxiety, 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:01.900 And you know yourself, 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.860 Avoid caffeine, 00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:03.319 Avoid, 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:05.039 Take regular exercise, 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:05.940 And monitor sleep, 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.759 These are all helpful, 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:08.259 And I just want to point out, 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:10.319 That when we lessen physical temptation, 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.019 We can also lessen, 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:13.019 Spiritual temptation, 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.319 Seek to recognize, 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:16.440 When you are being anxious, 00:26:16.620 --> 00:26:17.680 And bring it out into the open, 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:20.539 We're not always good, 00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:21.120 At recognizing, 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.120 When we are being anxious, 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:24.039 So seek accountability, 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:25.819 Get your friends to tell you, 00:26:26.180 --> 00:26:27.120 Get them to pray with you, 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:27.860 And for you, 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:30.379 And replace anxiety, 00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:31.819 With the fear of the Lord, 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:33.479 Remind yourself that you live, 00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:35.240 What the theologians call, 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.459 Corum Deo, 00:26:36.679 --> 00:26:38.459 You live before the face of God, 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.719 Because when you recognize, 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:41.319 And you practice the discipline, 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.839 Of reminding yourself, 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.979 You live Corum Deo, 00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:46.119 Then you remember the power, 00:26:46.439 --> 00:26:47.779 Which belongs to God, 00:26:47.919 --> 00:26:48.639 His strength, 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:50.059 And you give Him glory, 00:26:50.939 --> 00:26:51.919 So when you're anxious, 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:54.659 Don't forget about the power, 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:55.699 And the strength of God, 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.559 Remind yourself, 00:26:56.840 --> 00:26:58.559 Remember that you live, 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.360 Corum Deo, 00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:02.700 You live in the face of God, 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.920 The more time you spend, 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.559 Thinking on God, 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:06.819 The less time you'll have for worrying, 00:27:07.580 --> 00:27:08.700 It sounds simplistic, 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.460 But the more you, 00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:11.380 You more you remind yourself, 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.120 Of God's glory, 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.440 The less, 00:27:13.580 --> 00:27:14.259 I hope you will, 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.039 Start to worry, 00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.680 And ask for God's help, 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:19.759 If you want anything from anyone, 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:21.779 You know you've got to ask for it, 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:24.100 But God is the only one, 00:27:24.340 --> 00:27:25.900 Who definitely wants to give you something, 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.460 Ask for His help, 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.380 And He will not, 00:27:29.560 --> 00:27:31.340 He will not let you down, 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.980 Ask to see His glory, 00:27:33.080 --> 00:27:33.620 His grace, 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:35.380 And confess your unbelief, 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:36.720 And ask for more belief, 00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:38.000 Multiple times a day, 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:38.400 If you're, 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:39.799 If you're in a season, 00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.920 Where you know you're struggling, 00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:41.880 With anxiety, 00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:43.759 Maybe set yourself a goal, 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:45.519 Maybe a week, 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.059 A week, 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:47.519 Where you pray multiple times a day, 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:49.059 Short prayers, 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:51.359 Just practice this regular turning to Him, 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:52.799 And as you turn, 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:55.879 You've got to learn from the experts, 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:58.859 Those who are expert at turning to God, 00:27:59.160 --> 00:27:59.940 In times of struggle, 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.099 Go to the Psalms, 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:02.379 Go to those who wrote the Psalms, 00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:05.960 You'll see people who are wrestling, 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:07.480 With the tension of, 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:10.019 Living in anxiety, 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:12.599 And God's promises to them, 00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:14.599 In Psalm 27, 00:28:15.179 --> 00:28:16.980 You have this beautiful, 00:28:17.399 --> 00:28:18.980 A beautiful example of that, 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:19.679 Of wrestling, 00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:21.159 He starts off with, 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.119 Oppression of the enemies, 00:28:22.959 --> 00:28:23.799 And he ends, 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:24.939 With this, 00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:25.879 Wait for the Lord, 00:28:25.939 --> 00:28:27.179 Be strong and take heart, 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.219 Wait for the Lord, 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:30.899 And I like the idea of wrestling, 00:28:31.459 --> 00:28:34.119 As meditation, 00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:35.679 Because it basically, 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:37.119 You're putting your tensions, 00:28:37.379 --> 00:28:38.059 Your anxieties, 00:28:38.199 --> 00:28:38.740 In the ring, 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.939 With God's promises, 00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:40.980 And you're asking, 00:28:41.139 --> 00:28:41.819 Which one's going to win? 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.579 And we know the answer, 00:28:43.899 --> 00:28:44.519 Is God's, 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:44.759 Right? 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:46.759 Persevere, 00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:48.399 This is, 00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:50.259 One of my last points, 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:51.939 On the practical elements, 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.740 C.S. Lewis said, 00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:54.879 Only those who try, 00:28:54.939 --> 00:28:55.659 To resist temptation, 00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:56.779 Know how strong it is, 00:28:56.899 --> 00:28:58.339 A man who gives into temptation, 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:59.639 After the first five minutes, 00:29:00.139 --> 00:29:02.700 Simply does not know, 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:03.839 What it would be like, 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.559 An hour later, 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:08.579 Have you ever waited, 00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:11.379 Have you ever waited, 00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:11.839 On the Lord? 00:29:12.359 --> 00:29:13.039 Have you ever, 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:14.899 Just given one anxiety, 00:29:15.099 --> 00:29:15.799 Over to God, 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.500 And seeing, 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:18.220 And waited for him, 00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:18.980 To act on that? 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:21.179 Because if you've never done that, 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:22.379 You've never experienced, 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:23.639 How he might provide for you, 00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:27.859 It's hard not to feel discouraged, 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:29.480 With all these practical points, 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:31.259 And the thing, 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:32.440 I really want us to remember, 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:34.440 Is that if you go away here, 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.940 And you're not any less anxious, 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:36.900 Than when you came in, 00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:38.099 That's fine, 00:29:38.620 --> 00:29:40.120 Pray, 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:42.279 And do all these things, 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:43.819 In the long term, 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:45.400 Do it tomorrow, 00:29:45.400 --> 00:29:49.000 Don't feel discouraged, 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.660 That there's no immediate response, 00:29:50.800 --> 00:29:52.220 Because it's an incremental change, 00:29:52.280 --> 00:29:53.360 Which we're looking for, 00:29:53.820 --> 00:29:53.980 You know, 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.980 We're seeking for a relationship, 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:55.560 With the Lord, 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:57.360 And relationships, 00:29:57.560 --> 00:29:57.860 As we know, 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:59.880 From any other sphere of life, 00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:00.480 Are slow, 00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:01.620 You know, 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:03.440 We want to build up trust, 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:05.060 With any of our friends, 00:30:05.120 --> 00:30:05.519 And family, 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:09.360 Because what God is really seeking from us, 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:11.420 With the whole anxiety question, 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.620 Is reliance, 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:13.700 Our final verse, 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:15.680 Penultimate verse, 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.940 Do not be anxious about tomorrow, 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.880 Tomorrow will be anxious for itself, 00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:20.460 Sufficient for the day, 00:30:20.840 --> 00:30:21.960 Is its own trouble, 00:30:23.600 --> 00:30:25.759 Did you pray only once, 00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:27.420 And expect all your anxiety to be gone, 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.539 Did you pray, 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.480 For the next month, 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:33.519 And expect all your anxiety to be gone, 00:30:34.100 --> 00:30:35.240 You may have missed the point, 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:35.920 You know, 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:36.860 God doesn't want us, 00:30:36.860 --> 00:30:37.819 To turn into, 00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:39.960 To turn back towards ourselves, 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:41.120 To rely on ourselves, 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.700 Ticking the box, 00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:43.360 We prayed, 00:30:43.860 --> 00:30:44.819 God didn't sort it, 00:30:44.900 --> 00:30:46.019 So I guess I'll go my own way, 00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:47.920 When we remember Amarna, 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.460 In the Old Testament, 00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:50.759 We remember God feeding his people, 00:30:51.340 --> 00:30:51.980 He tells them, 00:30:52.120 --> 00:30:53.720 Store only enough for one day, 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:55.440 He's getting them, 00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.819 To rely on him, 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:58.440 Every single day, 00:30:59.200 --> 00:30:59.920 So, 00:31:00.319 --> 00:31:01.140 We don't want to make, 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:02.160 Lifetime requests, 00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:03.460 In a day, 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:04.779 We want to seek change for today, 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.840 And come again tomorrow, 00:31:07.580 --> 00:31:08.460 Rely on God, 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:11.640 And this is really, 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:13.279 Getting back to, 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.559 The whole faith, 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:16.200 Aspect of anxiety, 00:31:17.100 --> 00:31:18.100 We need true, 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:18.819 Unwathering faith, 00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:19.700 To do all this, 00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:21.079 We need the faith of Christ, 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:23.220 Let's meditate, 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:24.200 Let's think now, 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:25.579 On how much he endured, 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:26.340 On the cross, 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.279 How much, 00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:28.740 Anxiety, 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.579 He ought to have bear, 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:32.120 In the garden of Gethsemane, 00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.660 The torment on the horizon, 00:31:33.900 --> 00:31:35.140 Not just the pain, 00:31:35.320 --> 00:31:38.000 And the physical torture of it, 00:31:38.820 --> 00:31:40.279 But the cosmic agony, 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.820 The rejection by the Father, 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:42.880 Which awaited him, 00:31:43.140 --> 00:31:44.700 As he approached the cross, 00:31:44.820 --> 00:31:45.680 At his crucifixion, 00:31:46.840 --> 00:31:50.279 Jesus endured hell and back, 00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:54.060 And what he was doing in that, 00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:55.140 Is enjoying the only thing, 00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:56.680 Worth truly being anxious about, 00:31:57.300 --> 00:31:58.360 Divine rejection, 00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:00.540 Did he fight? 00:32:01.060 --> 00:32:01.360 No, 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:02.560 Jesus rebuked the disciples, 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:03.559 For fighting, 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:04.859 With the authorities, 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:05.579 Did he flee? 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:07.399 His disciples fled, 00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:08.679 But Jesus stayed, 00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:09.240 He submitted, 00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:10.099 Jesus prayed, 00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:11.679 Not what I will, 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.500 But yours be done, 00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:12.819 Father. 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:14.200 You know, 00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:15.359 He knew ahead of time, 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:17.079 That he was going to have to do this, 00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:18.019 He was going to have to, 00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:19.240 Submit to the cross, 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:19.839 And die, 00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:22.379 But we only see, 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:23.500 One prayer given, 00:32:24.399 --> 00:32:25.399 And it's mere hours, 00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.500 Before his arrest, 00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:27.119 His trial, 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:27.720 His death, 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:30.319 Mere hours before, 00:32:30.399 --> 00:32:31.000 His troubles, 00:32:31.179 --> 00:32:31.759 Were enough, 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.720 For one day, 00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:35.640 This is what our godly concern looks like, 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:37.660 And so, 00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:43.039 Because we have never been, 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:44.740 As reliant on God, 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.440 As we should be, 00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:47.900 Let's recognize our unrighteousness, 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:50.420 And do what God tells us, 00:32:50.680 --> 00:32:50.960 Here, 00:32:51.619 --> 00:32:52.859 Seek first the kingdom of God, 00:32:52.940 --> 00:32:54.200 And his righteousness, 00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:55.779 Let's seek Jesus' righteousness, 00:32:55.779 --> 00:32:56.619 We need, 00:32:56.619 --> 00:32:57.680 His righteousness, 00:32:58.399 --> 00:33:00.619 To extend to our own, 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.879 He had the faith to see, 00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:04.160 Past the darkest moment, 00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:04.859 Of human history, 00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:06.099 To the kingdom of God, 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.700 It allows us, 00:33:07.779 --> 00:33:08.720 To seek his righteousness, 00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:11.480 So I just want to encourage you, 00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:12.099 Today that, 00:33:14.859 --> 00:33:15.240 Fight, 00:33:15.420 --> 00:33:16.359 To fight anxiety, 00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:17.819 See how much, 00:33:17.859 --> 00:33:19.039 Your father loves you, 00:33:19.339 --> 00:33:20.379 That he gave his only son, 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:20.899 For you, 00:33:20.900 --> 00:33:24.100 If you are a Christian, 00:33:24.440 --> 00:33:25.420 Renew your faith in him, 00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:26.519 If you're not yet a believer, 00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:29.380 Encourage you to consider the claims, 00:33:29.780 --> 00:33:30.440 That we've made, 00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:31.980 What would it look like, 00:33:32.060 --> 00:33:33.800 To live your life free from anxiety, 00:33:34.360 --> 00:33:35.100 What would it look like, 00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:36.740 To be in personal relationship, 00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.340 With the God, 00:33:37.380 --> 00:33:37.780 Who really, 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:39.180 Really does care about you, 00:33:39.620 --> 00:33:40.560 Who cared so much, 00:33:40.780 --> 00:33:41.780 He died to bring you to him, 00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:43.139 Let us pray, 00:33:44.139 --> 00:33:46.619 Heavenly Father, 00:33:47.059 --> 00:33:49.019 We come in the, 00:33:49.019 --> 00:33:50.899 Torments of life, 00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:51.740 We come in the, 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:54.960 Fears and anxieties, 00:33:55.899 --> 00:33:56.720 On the horizon, 00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:58.220 And we ask, 00:33:58.940 --> 00:33:59.720 Lord be with us, 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:01.379 We ask for your strength, 00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:01.920 For today, 00:34:02.599 --> 00:34:04.559 And we know that you'll give it tomorrow, 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:05.759 Lord, 00:34:06.359 --> 00:34:07.759 We, 00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:09.239 Are so, 00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:10.579 Bad at, 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:12.639 Praying to you on a regular basis, 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:14.039 At meditating on your word, 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:15.239 At filling ourselves up, 00:34:15.619 --> 00:34:15.980 With, 00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:18.039 Your words of, 00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:19.480 Of love to us, 00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:21.279 We ask for your forgiveness, 00:34:21.759 --> 00:34:22.400 And we know, 00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:23.460 That our righteousness, 00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:25.039 That you've covered us, 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:25.679 With your righteousness, 00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:27.480 So we pray now, 00:34:27.539 --> 00:34:28.299 All these things, 00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:29.779 Help us, 00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:30.599 Be with us, 00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:31.239 Give us today, 00:34:31.319 --> 00:34:31.900 Our daily bread, 00:34:32.719 --> 00:34:33.159 Amen.