WEBVTT 00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:02.459 Heavenly Father, it is good to sing to you. 00:00:03.480 --> 00:00:06.140 It is good to gather in this place with your family. 00:00:08.220 --> 00:00:10.120 God, it's good to hear from you in your Word. 00:00:11.259 --> 00:00:13.380 That's what we turn to now. 00:00:14.320 --> 00:00:16.460 And I pray that by the power of your Holy Spirit, 00:00:17.359 --> 00:00:20.440 God, you would meet each and every one of us where we are. 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:25.300 God, you would impart wisdom and you would impart life through your Word. 00:00:25.760 --> 00:00:29.620 We ask it in the name of and for the glory of Jesus. Amen. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:30.399 Amen. 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:35.280 Is anyone in the room worried this morning? 00:00:36.880 --> 00:00:39.939 Anything on your mind that's kind of a distraction? 00:00:40.780 --> 00:00:45.920 Maybe you're in a rush to get your kids out into church on time. 00:00:46.100 --> 00:00:48.219 You're wondering if you locked the front door. 00:00:48.740 --> 00:00:53.560 Or maybe there's unresolved conflict and relationship in your life. 00:00:54.179 --> 00:00:56.820 Or maybe you recently lost your job. 00:00:56.820 --> 00:01:03.399 Maybe there's a real major health issue that's just ongoing and there's no end in sight. 00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:06.519 You worried about anything? 00:01:06.519 --> 00:01:12.280 I wonder if, is there anyone in the room that is prone to worry? 00:01:12.899 --> 00:01:17.379 Does life tend to tempt you towards anxiety and distress? 00:01:17.379 --> 00:01:24.780 Or maybe if we took a poll of your friends and family, those closest to you, they would say, 00:01:24.899 --> 00:01:28.340 oh, so-and-so is, he or she is a worrier. 00:01:29.079 --> 00:01:32.840 Not just prone to worry, but yeah, that's how I would identify. 00:01:32.840 --> 00:01:37.200 Daily fears and stressful future unknowns. 00:01:38.980 --> 00:01:46.359 Is the easy button in the commercial is actually a panic button that you just keep repeatedly hitting as troubles come along? 00:01:47.700 --> 00:01:56.840 Or maybe you're here this morning consumed under a weight of worry that seems to have no way out. 00:01:57.340 --> 00:01:59.020 You're despairing of life itself. 00:01:59.019 --> 00:02:04.920 Well, I'm not sure where you're at this morning sitting in these pews. 00:02:05.239 --> 00:02:12.000 But I know this based on my own personal experience and in relational dealings with other people 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:20.699 and because of the amount of time the Bible speaks over and over about worry and fear and anxiety 00:02:20.699 --> 00:02:23.939 that worry is a temptation common to man. 00:02:23.939 --> 00:02:26.479 We're experienced with it, right? 00:02:26.599 --> 00:02:29.079 Very experienced with it day after day after day. 00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:31.359 We understand what it means to worry. 00:02:33.099 --> 00:02:40.120 Now, I don't know what emotions rise in your hearts when you open to Matthew chapter 6 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:44.439 and you see in verse 25 that Jesus tells us, 00:02:45.180 --> 00:02:46.860 do not be anxious about your life. 00:02:47.659 --> 00:02:50.580 I don't know what wells up in your heart when you hear those words. 00:02:50.700 --> 00:02:52.980 Is it dread or is it hope? 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:55.500 Is it fear or is it joy? 00:02:56.740 --> 00:02:58.180 Is it futility or freedom? 00:02:58.180 --> 00:03:06.280 Well, regardless, friends, regardless of where you find yourself today 00:03:06.280 --> 00:03:10.680 and what type of emotions well up in your heart when you hear those words, 00:03:10.780 --> 00:03:12.080 regardless, know this. 00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:17.719 Jesus' words here are full of grace for you today. 00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:25.759 He's not here taking out his club and starting to thump people over the head for being anxious. 00:03:26.919 --> 00:03:30.960 No, these words here are meant to set us free from worldly worry. 00:03:31.740 --> 00:03:36.020 These words here are meant to provide a God-honoring, faith-filled alternative 00:03:36.020 --> 00:03:40.079 to the way that we might be tempted to live our day-to-day existence. 00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:48.040 This text is meant to be music to the ears of people who tend to fret about life like you and me. 00:03:49.320 --> 00:03:54.100 And it's because of this that we need to remember before we get into reading this passage and looking at it 00:03:54.100 --> 00:03:58.820 that Jesus here is doing more than just giving us some psychology. 00:03:59.660 --> 00:04:02.900 He's not inviting us to sit on his couch and saying, 00:04:03.400 --> 00:04:04.820 oh, that's interesting. 00:04:04.820 --> 00:04:09.340 Well, let me give you a couple of tips to sort of correct this worrisome behavior. 00:04:10.080 --> 00:04:13.020 No, he's not just offering self-help to us. 00:04:13.080 --> 00:04:17.699 This isn't Jesus' version of the seven habits of highly effective people. 00:04:19.139 --> 00:04:19.660 No. 00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:25.120 Jesus here, just like throughout this whole Sermon on the Mount, is addressing our hearts 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:31.360 and saying that if you want to be free of worry, you need God to transform your heart. 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:36.720 You need him to change you from the inside out, or else worry is going to keep plaguing your life. 00:04:37.860 --> 00:04:39.939 So let's not get that wrong at the outset. 00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:43.800 Worry is a business of God to fix. 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:46.839 And Jesus here is going to give us grace for it. 00:04:49.379 --> 00:04:52.479 So if you haven't, turn in your Bibles to Matthew 6. 00:04:53.479 --> 00:04:56.639 Let me read for us these verses. 00:04:56.639 --> 00:05:05.599 Remember, a couple weeks ago, Mike had preached on verses 19 to 24, kind of talking about where's your treasure? 00:05:06.339 --> 00:05:07.419 Is your eye healthy? 00:05:07.420 --> 00:05:13.140 Are you serving one master exclusively, or are you trying to serve two? 00:05:13.139 --> 00:05:21.500 Jesus ultimately says in the verses right before our text this morning that you've got to give God your everything. 00:05:22.180 --> 00:05:24.099 He's got to be central to your life. 00:05:24.100 --> 00:05:31.939 That's what the therefore that starts verse 25 is there for. 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:34.939 So listen to these words. 00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:38.879 This is Jesus' truth for us today, and it's really, really good. 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:52.319 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. 00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:57.839 Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:00.540 Look at the birds of the air. 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:08.600 They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 00:06:10.039 --> 00:06:11.819 Are you not of more value than they? 00:06:11.819 --> 00:06:18.439 And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to his span of life? 00:06:19.740 --> 00:06:21.680 And why are you anxious about clothing? 00:06:21.959 --> 00:06:24.240 Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:27.100 They neither toil nor spin. 00:06:28.039 --> 00:06:36.079 Yet I tell you, even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these. 00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:43.579 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, 00:06:44.839 --> 00:06:49.339 will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:56.379 Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or what shall we wear? 00:06:57.519 --> 00:07:04.019 For the Gentiles seek after these things, and your heavenly Father knows you need them all. 00:07:04.019 --> 00:07:14.060 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 00:07:15.279 --> 00:07:21.399 Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. 00:07:22.539 --> 00:07:24.500 Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:24.899 Wow. 00:07:28.579 --> 00:07:29.019 Wow. 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:32.259 So there's a lot here. 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:38.860 I've been tempted in the preparation process to be anxious about how much there is to cover, 00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:42.540 but let's do our best to see what Jesus is saying here. 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:47.120 We're going to cover it in four parts, and it goes something like this. 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:50.160 It's command and its rationale, part one. 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:52.420 Command and its rationale, part two. 00:07:53.079 --> 00:07:54.660 Part three is command and promise. 00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:57.340 Part four, command and its rationale. 00:07:58.280 --> 00:08:02.819 So four commands, and then Jesus kind of unpacks those commands in different ways. 00:08:03.780 --> 00:08:08.459 And I think I'm going to hold off on giving us the main idea here until the end, 00:08:08.899 --> 00:08:12.280 because I think it's going to be obvious as we go. 00:08:12.279 --> 00:08:20.579 But just in case as I go I'm confusing and it doesn't become clear, I'll give it to us at the end. 00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:31.419 So point one, we look at verses 25 to 30, and just a warning, this is by far the longest point. 00:08:31.859 --> 00:08:36.939 So if you're worried about the clock as I'm going through this and it's kind of lingering on, we'll be okay. 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:40.559 But we've got to unpack this first one really well. 00:08:40.559 --> 00:08:47.519 Well, essentially Jesus in these first five or six verses says, cease from worry. 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:49.859 Cease from worry. 00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:58.059 First thing we need to see in verse 25 is even before we see the command, therefore I tell you. 00:08:58.119 --> 00:09:00.259 Jesus is emphatic here. 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:05.039 He takes the time not to say, don't be anxious, but I'm telling you something important. 00:09:05.539 --> 00:09:06.919 I'm telling you something really important. 00:09:07.439 --> 00:09:08.299 Listen carefully. 00:09:08.299 --> 00:09:12.959 So we need to examine and say, who is this guy that's saying this? 00:09:14.359 --> 00:09:22.240 You may be seeing me up here and saying, who's this young 34-year-old whippersnapper who's trying to tell me and all my issues to not be anxious? 00:09:23.079 --> 00:09:24.599 Well, don't hear me say it. 00:09:25.679 --> 00:09:31.219 Hear the risen and exalted and eternal Son of God telling you, do not be anxious. 00:09:31.859 --> 00:09:32.779 It's emphatic. 00:09:32.779 --> 00:09:35.299 Jesus wants us to listen carefully. 00:09:37.159 --> 00:09:39.500 So you notice, simply do not be anxious. 00:09:39.740 --> 00:09:41.439 And what does he tell us about? 00:09:41.579 --> 00:09:43.819 What is it that he's speaking to? 00:09:43.939 --> 00:09:47.360 Well, food, drink, clothing. 00:09:48.139 --> 00:09:50.779 These seem to be the essentials of life, right? 00:09:50.779 --> 00:10:02.679 Well, we need to make sure that if we have our essentials met, we have no need to be anxious about them because we have full refrigerators and full closets full of clothes. 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:05.360 Don't tune out. 00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:17.860 Because when Jesus talks about the essentials, what he's really doing here is saying, if there's anything in life that may actually justify worry, it'd be the essential things. 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:20.740 And do not be anxious even about those. 00:10:21.659 --> 00:10:36.659 So if we have the privilege of being anxious or tempted to anxiety over luxuries, over non-essentials, over treasures, then clearly those do not justify our worrying either. 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:43.440 If even the essentials can't justify worry, then nothing in our lives can either. 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:46.879 There is zero in our lives to justify worry. 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:49.399 Worry. That's what Jesus is getting at in his first command. 00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:51.919 So what is this worry? 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:53.340 What's Jesus talking about? 00:10:53.419 --> 00:11:01.139 Are we to be sort of carefree and irresponsible and just never plan ahead and not go about our lives thinking carefully about anything? 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:01.460 No. 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:03.600 No, he doesn't want that. 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:16.220 When Jesus talks about worry, he talks about a behavior that turns temporary things, turns lesser priorities into greater things than they really are. 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:31.580 It's taking temporary and less significant things and troubles of life and making them the central focus of setting our eyes on things that are here and now or maybe tomorrow. 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:36.059 Things that don't ultimately amount to what life's all about. 00:11:36.059 --> 00:11:44.979 And maybe this is only a passing temptation for you or maybe it characterizes your whole life. 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:48.199 Either way, Jesus is forbidding it. 00:11:48.939 --> 00:11:50.119 He's saying don't be anxious. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:52.899 But he doesn't stop there. 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:54.120 And that's what I love about this. 00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:57.340 He doesn't just issue a command and say, okay, get to obey in it. 00:11:58.620 --> 00:12:01.740 Listen to the rationale that Jesus is going to use here. 00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:02.860 This is profound. 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:03.460 It's profound. 00:12:04.659 --> 00:12:05.460 It's profound. 00:12:05.560 --> 00:12:08.740 There's several lines of it, so we're just going to walk through them one by one here. 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:12.919 The first one is found at the end of verse 25. 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:17.840 And let me encourage you at the outset as we go through these four or five strands of rationale. 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:22.840 Let the combined weight really do what Jesus means it to. 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:30.039 Let the combined force of these strings of rationale really sink into your heart this morning. 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:32.079 This is God's goodness and grace. 00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:38.719 So the first rationale he gives at the end of verse 25 is through a question. 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:42.799 Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:52.339 Essentially, Jesus is saying if God has created you, Christian, if God has given you life, if he's made you in his image, 00:12:53.179 --> 00:12:59.379 if he has sent Jesus to reveal himself and die on a cross and shed his blood so that you might be forgiven of all your sins, 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:04.179 so that you and God's relationship might be reconciled and restored, 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:13.080 then worrying about anything, even the essentials, is to reduce your life beneath what God has defined it to be. 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:14.659 It waters it down. 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:16.279 It dilutes it. 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:25.519 Well, we can sort of imply from this, if we really want to know what life is about, we don't have far to look in Scripture. 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:28.480 John 17, 3 speaks this way. 00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:35.620 This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:41.279 Or the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 6, 19 and 20 says, 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:44.480 You're not your own, for you are bought with a price. 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:47.399 We're citizens of heaven. 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:48.960 We're heirs of Christ. 00:13:51.060 --> 00:13:56.679 Life is much more valuable than to worry about these little things. 00:13:56.679 --> 00:14:07.719 Peter gives me hope, the Apostle, a guy who's slicing off people's ears and rebuking Jesus for talking about his death. 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:10.099 He seemed to know a thing or two about worry. 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:21.919 And yet, this Apostle, after some time and after the resurrection, was able to write a letter to exiles who were really fearing for a lot of things in their life, 00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:27.219 and he was able to say, cast all your anxieties upon the Lord, for he cares from you. 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:35.839 Peter gives me hope as I look at his life, because even somebody like Peter can be transformed to not be anxious, to not worry. 00:14:38.079 --> 00:14:42.919 Jesus says in this first strand, don't be anxious, for life is more valuable than to worry. 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:48.480 But he goes on, verse 26, if you look there, he says, look at the birds. 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:50.740 Look at the birds of the air. 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:56.220 They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 00:14:56.420 --> 00:14:58.759 Are you not of more value than they? 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:06.980 I see these little birds day after day hopping around in the grass, sort of pecking and grabbing these worms that I don't even know are there. 00:15:08.060 --> 00:15:16.899 These same birds wake me up at five in the morning in the spring, even before the sun comes out, chirping their choruses outside my window. 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:22.659 Birds are worry-free in their work, aren't they? 00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:27.779 Never heard an anxious sparrow, like, where's my food going to be today? 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:29.920 No. 00:15:30.800 --> 00:15:32.240 There's no anxious chirping. 00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:37.320 They extend the effort, and they're provided for. 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:40.039 God feeds them. 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:42.720 God feeds them. 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:48.560 Now, of course, we don't want to look in this first and say, well, farming's bad, right? 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:51.060 Jesus isn't here condemning agriculture. 00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:52.540 He's not aimed at that. 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:54.180 He's saying, no, look at the birds. 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:56.060 They don't do that, and yet they're still fed. 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:58.200 If you're a farmer, farm. 00:15:58.899 --> 00:16:00.240 Sow, reap, gather in the barns. 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:01.500 That's part of farming. 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:04.700 Don't think he's outlawing that. 00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:14.740 But sparrows, robins, blue jays, crows, woodpeckers, the rest, the birds, God provides for them from his sovereign hand. 00:16:16.780 --> 00:16:18.780 And Jesus asked that question. 00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:25.240 Aren't you of more worth than a bird, dear Christian? 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:30.019 Won't your needs be met if the birds are fed? 00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:35.000 Well, the plain answer is, of course. 00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:39.019 Of course my needs will be met if God feeds the birds. 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:45.620 Jesus goes on, verse 27, to ask another question. 00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:50.899 And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to his span of life? 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:56.860 There's a footnote in the ESV that talks about a cubit, or this 18 inches. 00:16:57.019 --> 00:17:05.879 There's a little uncertainty about whether Jesus is talking here about adding to one's height or adding length to the number of one's days. 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:12.779 Well, either way, the essential question underlying it is, what does worry profit you? 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:20.099 If you took a survey of every person who's ever worried about anything, what profit would you find? 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:24.019 Ulcers, high blood pressure, crabbiness? 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:31.759 But essentially, Jesus is saying, who could conclude that worry profits a person? 00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:36.220 What does it profit anyone to worry? 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:44.480 In fact, worry actually reduces the time we have to actually get about resolving the things that tempt us to worry. 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:56.019 Well, he goes on in verse 28 through 30 to offer another illustration from creation. 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:59.700 This time, instead of birds, he's talking about lilies of the field. 00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:02.380 Consider how they grow. 00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:07.380 Now, this word here, consider, notice it's not just look at him. 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:09.820 He doesn't say just look at him like he does birds. 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:10.560 No, consider. 00:18:11.060 --> 00:18:18.400 Because what Jesus is saying is, at first glance, if you look at a flower and then you look at a king decked out in all his royal majesty, 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:22.620 if you just kind of look at him in a quick glance, you're going to be wowed by the king. 00:18:23.260 --> 00:18:24.780 You're going to be wowed by his clothing. 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:33.180 But if you stop and smell the roses, if you kneel down and examine the intricacies of a single flower, 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:35.460 you're going to be wowed. 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:39.859 Because much more than a seamstress making a garment for a king, 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:44.339 God's creative wisdom in a flower is breathtaking. 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:47.799 That's what Jesus is saying here. 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:54.500 If you look at a flower, it's more glorious and more splendid than King Solomon. 00:18:55.240 --> 00:19:00.599 One of the richest kings who ever lived, one of the wisest men who ever lived of Israel. 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:04.819 He had people bringing him fabric from all over the known world. 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.500 And yet Jesus says, 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:17.720 The splendor and wealth and riches of King Solomon cannot compare to the way God's sovereign wisdom formed one single flower. 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:29.440 But if grass gets flowers greater than the glory of Solomon and perishes tomorrow only to be used for kindling in an oven, 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:32.359 won't God clothe you? 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:42.879 Won't God clothe you if grass that's going to be burned up as soon as the hot Palestinian sun rises the next day? 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:46.379 Won't He clothe you, His child? 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:48.339 The one whom He loves? 00:19:48.439 --> 00:19:50.279 The one whom He sent Christ to die for? 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.719 Won't He clothe you? 00:19:53.639 --> 00:20:02.039 Well, it's no wonder that the address that Jesus gives to those listening to Him on that rock at the end of verse 30 is, 00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:04.479 Oh, you of little faith. 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:08.500 Jesus names His listeners. 00:20:08.719 --> 00:20:09.879 It's not a good name, right? 00:20:09.939 --> 00:20:13.299 It's not one that I would care to be labeled by. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:19.219 And yet the good news for His listeners is He doesn't say faithless. 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:22.699 He doesn't say you who have no faith. 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:25.019 He says little faith. 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:27.599 There's a sprout in there somewhere. 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:29.899 And Jesus is touching on that. 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:37.139 He's talking to His disciples, to people who know Him, who want to be obedient to Him. 00:20:38.719 --> 00:20:40.719 And so these words even are gracious. 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:47.799 Ultimately, Jesus says here that worry is rooted in unbelief. 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:56.319 It's when we're prone to doubt God's promises and tempted to ignore what He said in His Word. 00:20:57.579 --> 00:21:03.119 And just like them, just like those first hearers, we're prone to lack that same faith today, aren't we? 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:09.299 It reminds me of the father of the demon-possessed son that we see in Mark chapter 9. 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:12.639 This father runs up to Jesus and says, 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:14.400 Lord, if you are able, help. 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.720 Look at my son, help. 00:21:16.560 --> 00:21:17.660 Jesus replies, 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:22.259 If you are able, all things are possible for the one who believes. 00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:23.860 And this man cries out, 00:21:24.120 --> 00:21:24.640 I believe. 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:26.100 Help my unbelief. 00:21:27.060 --> 00:21:27.540 I believe. 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.400 Help my unbelief. 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:31.600 That's where we're all living as Christians. 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:39.100 We believe, but we still have a ways to go to fully receive all the promises of God and trust in Him completely. 00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:43.579 We all tend to doubt. 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:49.980 There's good news, isn't there? 00:21:50.159 --> 00:21:56.439 I hope you're seeing that as we go, Jesus' rationale for issuing this command is full of grace. 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:58.259 It's designed to help us. 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:01.199 So we've looked at this first command. 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:04.259 Now we will move more quickly through these final three. 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:10.079 The second command found in verse 31 and 32. 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:13.299 And it's basically saying, 00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:14.720 Don't start being anxious. 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:21.440 Now that we've sort of eliminated the need to worry and told you to stop being anxious, 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.460 now I'm going to tell you, 00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:24.680 Don't start now. 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:28.319 Take all this rationale that you've just heard 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:31.339 and apply it to anything you face today and in the future. 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:33.559 Don't start being anxious. 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:39.640 Don't begin to worry. 00:22:40.379 --> 00:22:41.500 Don't start now. 00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:44.220 Let the above rationale prevent the start, 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:46.519 the startup of worry. 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:52.240 Well, he has two more kind of rationale. 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:57.420 We see in verse 32 this two-fold new instruction. 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:59.860 The first one, you see it there, 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:02.400 For the Gentiles seek after these things. 00:23:03.120 --> 00:23:05.320 And your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:10.100 Jesus says essentially that it's the worldly people, 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:12.300 the godless people, the pagan people, 00:23:12.800 --> 00:23:17.300 who run after all of these things in life. 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:21.519 And Christian, you don't want to be like them. 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:28.039 You don't want to reflect a Gentile attitude with your life. 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:31.779 Notice Jesus goes on and says, 00:23:31.899 --> 00:23:34.019 Your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:40.879 We heard right back when Mike preached on the Lord's Prayer, 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:43.279 the verse directly before it, 00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:44.819 chapter 6, verse 8 says, 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:48.559 Don't be like the Gentiles who kind of heap up these empty phrases. 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:50.339 Why? 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:53.180 Because your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:57.340 We have a Heavenly Father who knows our needs. 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:59.840 If you're in Christ, 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:03.140 you have a Father who loves you unconditionally 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:07.299 and will provide each and every need you have. 00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:10.440 We never need to doubt that. 00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:14.100 God knows Him. 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:15.279 He promises to provide. 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:17.100 And so our response is, 00:24:17.860 --> 00:24:19.140 we trust Him with all of it. 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.640 We trust Him. 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.920 Well, the third command, 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:26.980 Jesus has done two negatives. 00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:27.880 Don't be anxious. 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:29.220 Don't start being anxious. 00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:32.480 And now He replaces it with a positive. 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.620 Verse 33. 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:38.140 Listen carefully to this. 00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:41.519 But seek first the kingdom of God 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:43.360 and His righteousness, 00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:47.039 and all these things will be added to you. 00:24:50.100 --> 00:24:52.600 Well, it seems that there's probably two senses 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:55.959 in which we can view this command. 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.859 There's an ultimate sense 00:24:57.859 --> 00:25:00.939 that is required of each and every person on the planet 00:25:00.939 --> 00:25:03.359 to come to terms with whether or not 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:05.240 God or self 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:08.219 will be the one who dictates things in life. 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:11.199 There's the ultimate sense of, 00:25:11.639 --> 00:25:15.639 am I going to put God on His throne of my life, 00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:19.500 or am I going to continue to rule and call the shots? 00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:21.139 That's one sense. 00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:22.240 The second sense is, 00:25:22.560 --> 00:25:25.300 if you've determined that God is the ultimate reality 00:25:25.300 --> 00:25:27.100 and your life exists in Him 00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:28.520 and for Him and through Him, 00:25:30.560 --> 00:25:32.520 then there's this sliding scale 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:34.440 in the life of a Christian 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:36.980 where more and more as we're sanctified, 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:39.560 as we adopt Christ-likeness 00:25:39.560 --> 00:25:41.020 and God changes us, 00:25:42.100 --> 00:25:44.700 we'll begin more and more to prioritize the kingdom. 00:25:45.040 --> 00:25:46.720 My sense is most of us in the room 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:48.800 are on that second one today, 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:51.139 but I don't want to miss the opportunity to say, 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:53.740 if you haven't made that initial decision, 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:56.000 you need to make it. 00:25:56.419 --> 00:25:58.919 You need to prioritize God above all things 00:25:58.919 --> 00:26:01.519 because that's what He's declared as right and good. 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:10.980 Well, this verse has been one that personally has revolutionized my life. 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:12.859 It's changed me from the inside out. 00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:15.479 I was in the Navy, 00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:19.479 and I was stationed in Japan in 2008, 00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:21.559 so just over eight years ago. 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:26.079 And I heard a dear brother preach this verse, 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:29.219 and for the first time ever, 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:30.779 I actually heard, 00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:33.339 God gave me ears to hear what it actually said. 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:37.259 And I realized that for many, many years, 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:41.819 I was refusing to obey this. 00:26:42.359 --> 00:26:45.299 I was rejecting it by my life. 00:26:46.959 --> 00:26:48.339 It said, seek first the kingdom. 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:50.079 I was like, no, I want to seek first Matt. 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:52.259 Matt's more important than God. 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:54.779 Matt's a higher priority than God. 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:58.119 And by the grace of God that night, 00:26:58.179 --> 00:27:00.240 when I heard, seek first the kingdom of God 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.039 and His righteousness, 00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:03.519 God broke in and said, 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.500 Matt, you've got to obey. 00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:07.500 You've got to pursue me. 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:10.460 You've got to pursue my desires 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:13.019 and my kingdom and my righteousness, 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:15.059 or you're never going to be satisfied. 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:19.019 By His grace, I did. 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:20.519 He changed me that night. 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:24.960 And I thank Him for that. 00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:26.880 So if you're a nonbeliever, 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:29.500 if you have not put your faith 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:31.599 and your trust in Jesus Christ today, 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:34.220 make no mistake, 00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:35.559 there's a day coming 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:37.259 when you will answer for that. 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:38.960 God wants you right now 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:41.039 to prioritize His kingdom 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:42.700 and His righteousness. 00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:46.259 And He offers it today 00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:48.000 to anyone who would ask. 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:50.500 But if you're a Christian, 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:53.319 let me just ask you this. 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:54.640 How are you doing 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:57.500 prioritizing the kingdom of God? 00:27:57.500 --> 00:28:01.140 How's it going for you 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:02.539 in your day-to-day existence? 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:07.059 How's your hunger and thirst 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.819 for righteousness? 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:13.039 Something to think about. 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:16.299 But notice the promise in this verse. 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:17.299 I love this. 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:19.140 Jesus says that 00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:20.839 if you seek first the kingdom of God 00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:21.599 and His righteousness, 00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:24.200 all your needs will be met. 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:26.200 God will provide all of them. 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:29.480 Well, brother, sister, 00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:31.480 if you are in the room this morning 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:34.160 and you are worried about 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:36.660 the essentials of life, 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:40.400 food, clothing, shelter, 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:43.779 this is an invitation for you 00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:45.779 to trust God at His Word. 00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:49.700 See if He won't fulfill this promise 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:51.019 that He has made. 00:28:53.100 --> 00:28:54.620 But prioritize Him. 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.980 You've got to seek Him 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:57.180 with everything you've got. 00:28:58.580 --> 00:28:59.640 Watch Him provide. 00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:01.539 Watch Him provide. 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:03.279 Trust His promise here. 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:07.200 Well, my guess is that most of us 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:09.360 are not there this morning. 00:29:09.580 --> 00:29:11.059 And so let me just offer this. 00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:16.079 how might God fulfill this promise 00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:18.139 to meet the essential needs 00:29:18.139 --> 00:29:20.639 of His children through you? 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:23.379 How might God be wanting you 00:29:23.379 --> 00:29:25.279 to use your resources 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.500 in the lives of those 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:28.200 who are lacking the essentials? 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:33.200 One of the primary ways 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:34.700 that the body of Christ 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:38.659 is called to be the body of Christ 00:29:38.659 --> 00:29:39.679 is to love one another. 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.860 And I think this is 00:29:40.860 --> 00:29:42.039 a really practical way 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:43.140 that we can ask God 00:29:43.140 --> 00:29:44.360 to give us eyes to see 00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:46.740 real needs of our brothers and sisters 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:48.560 to care for them. 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:52.519 Well, just as a brief aside 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.539 before we go on, 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:55.799 maybe there's some 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.960 asking this question, 00:29:57.080 --> 00:29:58.980 well, what about all the starvation 00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.840 and the poverty 00:29:59.840 --> 00:30:02.039 and the suffering around the world? 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:06.320 Let me just say this, 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:08.720 that God cares very much 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:10.000 about all of that. 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.860 He cares very much 00:30:11.860 --> 00:30:12.839 about seeing people 00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.860 made in His image 00:30:13.860 --> 00:30:14.759 suffering, 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.299 brokenhearted, 00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:17.640 starving. 00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:21.140 And it's right to question 00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:24.220 what are we to do about that? 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:28.279 Well, there's other Scriptures 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:29.680 that speak directly 00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.620 and more directly 00:30:30.620 --> 00:30:32.000 to these type of things, 00:30:32.100 --> 00:30:33.660 these horrific things 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:35.279 than our passage. 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:37.920 Here in this specific passage, 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:39.559 Jesus is speaking 00:30:39.559 --> 00:30:41.279 strictly about His disciples 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:43.660 and how their Heavenly Father 00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:45.759 will provide for their needs. 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.740 So we've made it 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:52.200 to the final command here. 00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:54.000 There's one more verse, 00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:56.339 so we've run out of things to say, 00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:57.579 but here it is. 00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:59.879 Don't worry about the future. 00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.460 Verse 34, 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:02.860 therefore, 00:31:02.860 --> 00:31:02.940 therefore, 00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:03.799 do not be anxious 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:04.539 about tomorrow, 00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:05.799 for tomorrow will be anxious 00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:06.400 for itself. 00:31:07.360 --> 00:31:08.360 Sufficient for the day 00:31:08.360 --> 00:31:09.519 is its own trouble. 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:11.660 So, 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:12.380 Jesus, 00:31:12.620 --> 00:31:15.400 in His master-teacher form, 00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:18.079 realizes that maybe 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:19.360 we're convinced 00:31:19.360 --> 00:31:20.279 that we shouldn't worry 00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:21.759 about the day-to-day necessities. 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:22.860 Maybe the essentials, 00:31:23.059 --> 00:31:23.700 oh, Jesus, 00:31:23.840 --> 00:31:24.259 you're right. 00:31:25.380 --> 00:31:26.279 Don't need to worry 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:26.880 about those. 00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:27.440 Well, 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:28.240 Jesus knows 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:29.460 how crafty 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.900 this snake-like 00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:32.900 worry thing can be. 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.240 And He knows 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:35.259 that if we get everything 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.420 kind of sorted out 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:36.920 for today, 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:38.059 that worry's just going 00:31:38.059 --> 00:31:38.900 to slither on 00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:39.579 into tomorrow. 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:42.079 That maybe we're not worried 00:31:42.079 --> 00:31:42.720 about the essentials 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.420 of today anymore, 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.380 but that future, 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:44.660 man, 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:44.940 that, 00:31:45.160 --> 00:31:45.960 that's something 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:47.180 to be anxious about, 00:31:47.420 --> 00:31:47.700 right? 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:52.500 Worry is an ever-present danger, 00:31:53.120 --> 00:31:54.440 whether it's showing up 00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:56.539 in our day-to-day 00:31:56.539 --> 00:31:57.820 necessities of life 00:31:57.820 --> 00:31:59.799 or future unknowns. 00:32:02.019 --> 00:32:03.019 I love how 00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:04.400 one of my favorite 00:32:04.400 --> 00:32:05.120 theologians, 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:06.039 Martin Lloyd-Jones, 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.799 speaks of worry. 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.059 He says, 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:11.200 worry has 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:12.120 an active 00:32:12.120 --> 00:32:13.059 imagination. 00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:15.559 And that's essentially 00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:16.980 what worry has to do, 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:17.240 right? 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:17.980 To start thinking 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:18.720 about the future. 00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:20.059 To start wondering 00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:21.340 and processing 00:32:21.340 --> 00:32:22.100 through all these 00:32:22.100 --> 00:32:23.120 different outcomes 00:32:23.119 --> 00:32:25.299 that may or may not 00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:25.779 happen. 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:29.519 What's that? 00:32:30.399 --> 00:32:31.179 Don't let worry 00:32:31.179 --> 00:32:32.139 get your imagination 00:32:32.139 --> 00:32:33.339 going about the future. 00:32:33.699 --> 00:32:34.379 Don't be anxious 00:32:34.379 --> 00:32:35.219 about tomorrow. 00:32:35.739 --> 00:32:36.799 Jesus says right here 00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:37.500 His rationale, 00:32:38.659 --> 00:32:39.699 there's enough 00:32:39.699 --> 00:32:40.459 going on today, 00:32:41.219 --> 00:32:41.519 right? 00:32:41.579 --> 00:32:42.219 We know this. 00:32:43.699 --> 00:32:44.559 Our lives 00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:47.439 are full of experience 00:32:47.439 --> 00:32:47.799 of this. 00:32:47.879 --> 00:32:48.639 There's enough today. 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.519 Don't start imagining 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:51.419 the potentials 00:32:51.419 --> 00:32:52.259 that may never happen 00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:52.739 tomorrow. 00:32:53.679 --> 00:32:55.279 This too is fruitless, 00:32:56.579 --> 00:32:57.539 lacking in faith, 00:32:58.879 --> 00:32:59.379 and ultimately 00:32:59.379 --> 00:33:00.559 focused on self. 00:33:04.239 --> 00:33:05.759 So we've explored 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.679 these grace-filled 00:33:06.679 --> 00:33:07.519 words of Jesus 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:08.719 and hopefully 00:33:08.719 --> 00:33:10.859 the nugget of truth 00:33:10.859 --> 00:33:11.819 that Jesus is calling 00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:12.259 us to 00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:13.219 has sort of just 00:33:13.219 --> 00:33:14.479 come about here. 00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:15.779 Let me try and 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:17.059 summarize it this way. 00:33:18.859 --> 00:33:19.679 Jesus here 00:33:19.679 --> 00:33:20.539 is calling us 00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:22.000 to replace 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:23.339 worldly worrying 00:33:23.339 --> 00:33:25.619 with a faith-filled 00:33:25.619 --> 00:33:26.980 pursuit of God's 00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.259 kingdom. 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:29.899 To replace 00:33:29.899 --> 00:33:30.899 worldly worrying 00:33:30.899 --> 00:33:32.420 with a faith-filled 00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:34.000 pursuit of God's 00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:34.299 kingdom. 00:33:35.579 --> 00:33:36.920 Jesus forbids 00:33:36.920 --> 00:33:37.599 anxiety, 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:38.920 and He points us 00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.859 to a much sweeter 00:33:39.859 --> 00:33:41.680 and God-glorifying 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:42.460 alternative. 00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:44.579 Prioritize the 00:33:44.579 --> 00:33:45.420 kingdom of God. 00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:47.000 spend your life, 00:33:47.160 --> 00:33:48.640 exhaust your strength 00:33:48.640 --> 00:33:49.700 on seeing the 00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:50.480 kingdom advance 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:51.720 in the name of Jesus 00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:52.960 praised and worshipped. 00:33:54.860 --> 00:33:55.960 Don't be anxious. 00:33:57.039 --> 00:33:57.580 What is it? 00:33:57.660 --> 00:33:58.019 Profit. 00:33:58.019 --> 00:34:00.279 It lacks faith. 00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:01.900 It's what the world 00:34:01.900 --> 00:34:02.299 does. 00:34:04.139 --> 00:34:05.059 Be salty 00:34:05.059 --> 00:34:05.900 and bright 00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:06.559 instead. 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:10.380 So as I conclude, 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:10.980 let me just 00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:12.400 offer 00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:13.860 two points 00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:14.559 of application. 00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:17.159 Well, 00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:17.900 clearly this is a 00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:19.079 pretty timely word 00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:19.980 as 00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:20.739 on Tuesday 00:34:20.739 --> 00:34:21.780 we will elect 00:34:21.780 --> 00:34:22.619 the next president 00:34:22.619 --> 00:34:23.820 of the United States. 00:34:23.820 --> 00:34:28.000 I think if Jesus 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:28.920 were wanting 00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:29.780 to speak directly 00:34:29.780 --> 00:34:30.640 to us today, 00:34:31.420 --> 00:34:32.920 I dare try and say 00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:33.880 that I think this is 00:34:33.880 --> 00:34:34.500 what He would say 00:34:34.500 --> 00:34:34.980 about it, 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:36.720 that regardless 00:34:36.720 --> 00:34:37.980 of what happens, 00:34:38.300 --> 00:34:38.640 church, 00:34:39.620 --> 00:34:41.039 God still reigns. 00:34:43.580 --> 00:34:44.620 Determine to pursue 00:34:44.620 --> 00:34:45.660 the kingdom of God 00:34:45.660 --> 00:34:46.800 even if things 00:34:46.800 --> 00:34:47.740 go the exact 00:34:47.740 --> 00:34:48.940 opposite of the way 00:34:48.940 --> 00:34:49.780 you're hoping they would. 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:53.720 Keep on 00:34:53.719 --> 00:34:54.659 praying the prayer, 00:34:55.039 --> 00:34:56.000 Thy kingdom come, 00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:57.459 Thy world be done 00:34:57.459 --> 00:34:57.980 on earth 00:34:57.980 --> 00:34:58.939 as it is in heaven. 00:34:59.699 --> 00:35:01.039 Keep prioritizing 00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:01.459 the kingdom 00:35:01.459 --> 00:35:02.279 of God. 00:35:02.699 --> 00:35:03.159 That's where 00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:04.139 true change 00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:06.319 and true greatness 00:35:06.319 --> 00:35:06.859 lies. 00:35:09.139 --> 00:35:09.699 Lastly, 00:35:10.259 --> 00:35:11.980 if you're wondering 00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:12.319 today, 00:35:12.439 --> 00:35:13.659 how can I replace 00:35:13.659 --> 00:35:14.299 worry 00:35:14.299 --> 00:35:15.179 with a kingdom 00:35:15.179 --> 00:35:15.699 pursuit? 00:35:16.899 --> 00:35:17.559 Let me just 00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:18.299 suggest this. 00:35:18.739 --> 00:35:19.500 Take an inventory 00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:20.319 of your life. 00:35:21.339 --> 00:35:21.839 Examine your 00:35:21.839 --> 00:35:22.779 day-to-day existence. 00:35:23.640 --> 00:35:24.000 Examine 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:24.960 the future 00:35:24.960 --> 00:35:25.580 concerns 00:35:25.580 --> 00:35:26.040 that you're 00:35:26.040 --> 00:35:26.700 tempted to be 00:35:26.700 --> 00:35:27.260 worried about, 00:35:27.340 --> 00:35:28.060 whether it's 00:35:28.060 --> 00:35:28.860 sending kids 00:35:28.860 --> 00:35:29.580 off to college 00:35:29.580 --> 00:35:30.540 or going off 00:35:30.540 --> 00:35:31.200 to college 00:35:31.200 --> 00:35:32.720 or retirement 00:35:32.720 --> 00:35:34.620 or job search 00:35:34.620 --> 00:35:36.019 or transition 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:37.000 and a move. 00:35:37.840 --> 00:35:38.940 Whatever it may be, 00:35:40.100 --> 00:35:41.040 find one or two 00:35:41.040 --> 00:35:41.780 ways that you can 00:35:41.780 --> 00:35:42.840 replace that worry 00:35:42.840 --> 00:35:43.920 with a kingdom-seeking 00:35:43.920 --> 00:35:44.500 priority. 00:35:45.780 --> 00:35:47.480 Maybe you will 00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:48.760 resolve to ramp up 00:35:48.760 --> 00:35:49.780 your devotional time 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:50.440 with God. 00:35:51.120 --> 00:35:51.860 Or maybe you'll 00:35:51.860 --> 00:35:53.040 join a life group 00:35:53.040 --> 00:35:53.860 where you can be 00:35:53.860 --> 00:35:55.380 in fellowship 00:35:55.380 --> 00:35:56.320 and be held 00:35:56.320 --> 00:35:57.380 accountable for 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.100 how you live 00:35:58.100 --> 00:35:58.940 before God. 00:35:59.840 --> 00:36:00.420 Maybe you want 00:36:00.420 --> 00:36:01.060 to invest some 00:36:01.060 --> 00:36:02.540 of your monetary 00:36:02.540 --> 00:36:03.900 resources in 00:36:03.900 --> 00:36:04.920 supporting a missionary 00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:05.840 who's on the front 00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:06.720 lines preaching the 00:36:06.720 --> 00:36:07.540 gospel to those 00:36:07.540 --> 00:36:08.260 who need Jesus. 00:36:09.400 --> 00:36:10.140 Or maybe you want 00:36:10.140 --> 00:36:10.760 to partner with 00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:11.400 a local group 00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:12.080 like Care Net 00:36:12.080 --> 00:36:13.440 who cares for the 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:14.240 unborn and is 00:36:14.240 --> 00:36:15.019 making an impact 00:36:15.019 --> 00:36:15.620 in our city. 00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:17.779 Let me encourage 00:36:17.779 --> 00:36:18.759 you to take a step 00:36:18.759 --> 00:36:19.079 today. 00:36:19.239 --> 00:36:20.259 Take a step of faith 00:36:20.259 --> 00:36:22.039 towards prioritizing 00:36:22.039 --> 00:36:22.460 the kingdom, 00:36:22.679 --> 00:36:23.480 towards banishing 00:36:23.480 --> 00:36:24.639 worry from your life. 00:36:25.299 --> 00:36:26.019 That's what Jesus 00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:27.039 has called us to. 00:36:28.380 --> 00:36:29.219 And ultimately, 00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:30.960 we can trust God 00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:32.159 that He's going 00:36:32.159 --> 00:36:33.119 to prove faithful 00:36:33.119 --> 00:36:34.739 as we seek 00:36:34.739 --> 00:36:36.679 to replace our worry 00:36:36.679 --> 00:36:38.039 with a pursuit 00:36:38.039 --> 00:36:38.679 of His kingdom. 00:36:40.159 --> 00:36:40.920 Let's pray. 00:36:40.920 --> 00:36:40.940 Let's pray. 00:36:45.619 --> 00:36:46.199 Heavenly Father, 00:36:46.299 --> 00:36:46.940 we thank You 00:36:46.940 --> 00:36:47.980 so much for 00:36:47.980 --> 00:36:48.699 these words. 00:36:49.779 --> 00:36:50.619 Lord Jesus, 00:36:50.819 --> 00:36:51.539 You truly are 00:36:51.539 --> 00:36:52.059 brilliant, 00:36:53.199 --> 00:36:54.239 and You truly 00:36:54.239 --> 00:36:55.019 are the one we 00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:55.940 need to empower 00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:56.739 us to obey. 00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:58.639 God, would You 00:36:58.639 --> 00:36:59.579 meet each and 00:36:59.579 --> 00:37:00.339 every person 00:37:00.339 --> 00:37:01.179 where they are 00:37:01.179 --> 00:37:02.179 today, where we 00:37:02.179 --> 00:37:02.460 are. 00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:03.859 God, would You 00:37:03.859 --> 00:37:04.599 speak into our 00:37:04.599 --> 00:37:06.639 hearts that we 00:37:06.639 --> 00:37:07.259 would live a life 00:37:07.259 --> 00:37:08.099 pleasing to You, 00:37:08.259 --> 00:37:09.159 prioritizing Your 00:37:09.159 --> 00:37:10.000 kingdom above all 00:37:10.000 --> 00:37:10.359 else. 00:37:11.599 --> 00:37:12.359 God, as we 00:37:12.359 --> 00:37:13.440 respond in song, 00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:15.239 would Your 00:37:15.239 --> 00:37:15.899 Holy Spirit, 00:37:16.059 --> 00:37:16.959 fill us with joy 00:37:16.959 --> 00:37:17.500 and gratitude 00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:18.079 for who You 00:37:18.079 --> 00:37:18.339 are. 00:37:19.259 --> 00:37:19.899 We ask it in 00:37:19.899 --> 00:37:20.519 Jesus' name. 00:37:20.839 --> 00:37:21.079 Amen.