WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.960 Luke chapter number 12, Luke chapter number 12, and if you're able to stand for the reading of God's word, ask that you would do so Luke chapter number 12. 00:00:07.179 --> 00:00:16.320 Good to be in the Lord's house. I appreciate that special because it just reminds us that there's nothing we walk through that God's not going to walk with us, that he'll walk through it all with us. 00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:22.940 And I'm thankful for that truth. Looking forward to our text here today in Luke's gospel, walking our way through. 00:00:23.679 --> 00:00:35.719 And this text is going to mirror a lot of the same text that you find in the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus taught there in Matthew chapter number 6, about seeking first the kingdom of God and all of those things. 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:39.760 And so we're going to pick up our reading in verse number 22, and the Bible says this, 00:00:40.620 --> 00:00:41.900 And he said unto his disciples, 00:00:42.840 --> 00:00:49.000 Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, neither for your body what ye shall put on. 00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:52.600 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 00:00:52.939 --> 00:01:00.679 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which neither have storehouse nor barn, and God feedeth them. 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:04.140 How much more are ye better than the fowls? 00:01:04.799 --> 00:01:11.079 And which of you taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 00:01:11.659 --> 00:01:16.920 If ye then, being not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 00:01:17.620 --> 00:01:21.599 Consider the lilies, how they grow, they toil not, and they spin not. 00:01:21.659 --> 00:01:26.799 And yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 00:01:27.439 --> 00:01:33.120 If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, 00:01:33.620 --> 00:01:37.359 how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 00:01:37.359 --> 00:01:43.079 And seek not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 00:01:43.599 --> 00:01:50.700 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knoweth that you have need of these things. 00:01:51.620 --> 00:01:57.640 But rather, seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you. 00:01:58.180 --> 00:02:04.039 Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 00:02:04.040 --> 00:02:09.800 Sell that ye have, and give alms, and provide yourselves bags which wax not old, 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:15.939 a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 00:02:16.620 --> 00:02:18.379 Why should we do that? 00:02:18.780 --> 00:02:24.200 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 00:02:25.200 --> 00:02:27.159 Anybody worry about something this past week? 00:02:28.219 --> 00:02:30.200 Yeah, we all do. 00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:32.039 Anybody worry about something upcoming? 00:02:34.679 --> 00:02:37.579 Listen, Jesus wants us to live free from worry. 00:02:38.419 --> 00:02:39.699 You think, how is that possible? 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:41.239 Well, he's going to show us. 00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:42.679 He's going to remind us. 00:02:42.699 --> 00:02:46.799 He's going to show us what worry does, but he's also going to give us the cure for worry. 00:02:47.299 --> 00:02:50.439 So let's ask him to help us as we go to him in prayer, and then we'll jump right in. 00:02:50.500 --> 00:02:52.239 Father, thank you for this time together. 00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:55.899 Thank you for the music that has been sung, that has prepared our hearts, 00:02:55.900 --> 00:03:00.800 and reminds us that we're to trust you, Lord, and it goes so beautifully with this passage. 00:03:01.780 --> 00:03:04.920 And as we've already kind of made mention, we've all kind of laughed and raised our hands, 00:03:04.980 --> 00:03:09.759 that there's things we've worried about, no doubt things that are on the horizon that we're worrying about. 00:03:10.780 --> 00:03:12.400 But Lord, you're calling us to trust you. 00:03:12.980 --> 00:03:17.000 You're calling us to be reminded that life is not about those things. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:18.200 It's about knowing you. 00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:21.879 Lord, I pray that you would just help us to take that truth home. 00:03:21.879 --> 00:03:26.879 I pray there's somebody here that does not know you as their Savior, Lord, that today would be that day. 00:03:27.500 --> 00:03:30.579 Lord, I pray you would help me now, Lord, that you would clear my thoughts and my mind. 00:03:30.699 --> 00:03:32.019 You would empty me of self. 00:03:32.139 --> 00:03:33.419 Lord, you would fill me with your spirit. 00:03:33.879 --> 00:03:36.719 Lord, that it would be a help to the hearer today, and we ask it in Christ's name. 00:03:37.340 --> 00:03:37.639 Amen. 00:03:37.819 --> 00:03:38.740 Thank you so much for standing. 00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:39.199 You may be seated. 00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:43.280 I've used this illustration when we preached through the Sermon on the Mount, 00:03:43.359 --> 00:03:46.280 but it goes so well here, and so I think you'll understand it, 00:03:46.300 --> 00:03:48.300 because obviously we have some worry warts here. 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:50.519 Yeah, we do. 00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:53.680 But I heard a story about a man who was a professional worrier. 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:54.520 This is what he did. 00:03:54.939 --> 00:03:59.460 Everybody knew this is how he was, and everybody, you ask him, say, hey, you know so-and-so. 00:03:59.719 --> 00:04:02.560 Oh, yeah, man, he worries about anything and everything. 00:04:03.340 --> 00:04:05.600 One day, they were all kind of sitting around drinking coffee, 00:04:05.660 --> 00:04:09.240 and this man walked by, this worrier, and he was happy. 00:04:09.900 --> 00:04:11.020 I mean, he was looking around. 00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:11.879 He was smiling. 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:15.439 He was kind of skipping, zippity-doo-dah, zippity-day kind of thing. 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:17.560 And they thought, what is wrong with this man? 00:04:18.220 --> 00:04:19.420 He looks relaxed. 00:04:19.420 --> 00:04:21.920 There's not an ounce of stress on his face. 00:04:21.980 --> 00:04:23.800 And so they called him and said, hey, hey, come here. 00:04:23.840 --> 00:04:25.319 We want to ask you a question. 00:04:25.960 --> 00:04:27.259 Like, what happened to you, man? 00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:28.520 You look so happy. 00:04:28.620 --> 00:04:30.620 I mean, we know you worry about everything. 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:32.540 He said, listen, I've solved my worry problem. 00:04:33.200 --> 00:04:34.020 He said, well, I don't know. 00:04:34.020 --> 00:04:35.120 How did you do that? 00:04:35.160 --> 00:04:38.620 I mean, you've been a worrier as long as I've known you. 00:04:39.080 --> 00:04:41.660 He said, well, I found somebody, and I hired him to worry for me. 00:04:42.580 --> 00:04:44.120 And they said, oh, wow, I didn't know that. 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:48.920 And obviously now these men are starting to worry about him because they're thinking, he can't afford that. 00:04:49.480 --> 00:04:52.740 And they said, how much does it cost to hire somebody to worry for you? 00:04:52.740 --> 00:04:54.740 He said, $2,000 a week. 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:56.759 And they just kind of like, oh, man. 00:04:57.120 --> 00:04:59.280 Now they're trying to figure it out because they're probably having to pay for it. 00:04:59.280 --> 00:05:02.959 And they said, you know, how are you going to afford that? 00:05:03.879 --> 00:05:05.620 He said, that's not my problem to worry about anymore. 00:05:05.620 --> 00:05:07.560 That's that, guys. 00:05:10.800 --> 00:05:15.340 And as we've already alluded to, every one of us worries about things. 00:05:16.040 --> 00:05:20.780 At some points in our life, it seems more than often, some people worry occasionally. 00:05:21.480 --> 00:05:22.879 Some people worry about everything. 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:24.959 And generally they marry each other. 00:05:25.579 --> 00:05:27.519 And that's another sermon for another day. 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:35.819 And while most of us here cannot hire somebody to worry for us, the wonderful news is we don't have to. 00:05:36.759 --> 00:05:37.939 I think, well, how is that possible? 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:42.060 Because Jesus reminds us that we have a Father who cares for us. 00:05:42.599 --> 00:05:44.899 We have a Father who knows everything about us. 00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:48.159 He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:52.639 And he has every intention to take care of his children. 00:05:52.639 --> 00:06:01.599 But before we kind of jump into the text we see here, I want us to see how this text here is linked to what we looked at last week. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:06.459 Last week we introduced the text that Jesus was giving a parable about the rich fool. 00:06:07.139 --> 00:06:12.839 It was a man who spent his entire life accumulating wealth and he had a really good harvest season. 00:06:13.039 --> 00:06:15.099 And the rains were just at the right time. 00:06:15.259 --> 00:06:16.379 And the crops grew. 00:06:16.539 --> 00:06:18.779 And he had so much stuff he didn't know what to do with. 00:06:18.779 --> 00:06:23.799 And so he said, well, I've got to tear down my barns and build bigger barns so I can put all my things in. 00:06:24.739 --> 00:06:29.779 And yet, while he spent his whole life and he was a very successful man in the eyes of the world, 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:32.159 he stood before God with an empty soul. 00:06:32.839 --> 00:06:39.079 And we're reminded that these two texts, what we read last week and what we read this morning, are not disconnected. 00:06:40.019 --> 00:06:41.719 In fact, they're deeply connected. 00:06:42.119 --> 00:06:46.000 We saw last week in verse number 15 there in chapter number 12, the Bible says this, 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:50.420 Jesus said unto them, take heed and beware of covetousness. 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:55.819 For a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesses. 00:06:56.399 --> 00:06:59.660 And then we come to our text today here in verse number 23, 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:06.680 and Jesus tells us that the life is more than meat and the body is more than rain. 00:07:07.779 --> 00:07:15.060 See, what I want us to see today is Jesus is reinforcing the same truth from two different angles. 00:07:15.060 --> 00:07:20.439 That the rich fool believed that life was all about what he had. 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:28.019 And we come here today and we're reminded that the worrier believes life is all about what they need. 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:30.120 It's really the same idea. 00:07:30.300 --> 00:07:32.819 It's the same situation, just from a different angle. 00:07:33.620 --> 00:07:34.779 We could say it like this. 00:07:35.480 --> 00:07:38.060 Greed says, I need more. 00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:42.579 Where worry says, what if I don't have enough? 00:07:42.579 --> 00:07:46.719 It's really the same coin with two separate sides. 00:07:47.219 --> 00:07:51.919 And the big idea is this, is when our hearts become fixed on our possessions, 00:07:52.419 --> 00:07:55.719 our minds become filled with anxiety. 00:07:56.479 --> 00:07:58.120 And that's what Jesus is teaching. 00:07:58.279 --> 00:08:03.779 And he wants us to understand this, that as his children, we don't have to worry about that. 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:07.639 That's not, our life is much more than that. 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:15.139 And if you're taking notes here this morning, what Jesus is doing is he's essentially answering an important question in this passage. 00:08:15.979 --> 00:08:20.519 Why should a follower of Christ live free from worry? 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:23.800 Why should a follower of Christ live free from worry? 00:08:24.360 --> 00:08:28.620 Because Jesus doesn't simply tell his disciples, don't worry. 00:08:29.419 --> 00:08:30.899 Because we've all been there, haven't we? 00:08:31.039 --> 00:08:33.620 We're worrying about something and we pour our heart out to somebody. 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:37.799 We tell them all our woes and all our problems and they say this, hey, don't worry about it. 00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:40.620 Easier said than done. 00:08:41.899 --> 00:08:44.399 But I'm so thankful that's not how Jesus operates. 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:47.440 That Jesus knows that we're prone to this. 00:08:47.820 --> 00:08:49.460 And he doesn't say, hey, what's your problem, man? 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:50.179 Get over it. 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:52.200 No, he tells us not to worry. 00:08:52.779 --> 00:08:55.860 Then he reminds us why worry has no place in the believer's life. 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:57.960 But he doesn't just leave it there. 00:08:58.279 --> 00:08:59.600 Jesus always gives the cure. 00:09:00.220 --> 00:09:01.860 Jesus gives the solution. 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:08.779 And so with that in mind, I want us to dive into our text and see the first reason why worry has no place in the believer's life. 00:09:09.300 --> 00:09:10.100 Number one is this. 00:09:10.379 --> 00:09:14.639 Because worry forgets what life is really about. 00:09:15.800 --> 00:09:18.080 Worry forgets what life is really about. 00:09:18.180 --> 00:09:20.840 We saw there in our opening verse, Jesus says this. 00:09:21.259 --> 00:09:25.220 Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life. 00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:29.539 Now we wouldn't say it like that per se in today's vernacular. 00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:30.480 But here's what he's saying. 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:31.639 Don't worry. 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:36.960 He's reminding us that we're not to live a life that is consumed with anxiety. 00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:40.960 And before we go any further, we need to ask ourselves, what is worry? 00:09:41.600 --> 00:09:46.180 Because I would imagine we could get different definitions from all over this crowd here this morning. 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:49.779 But here's a biblical definition of worry. 00:09:50.539 --> 00:09:55.899 Worry is the sin of distrusting the promises and providence of God. 00:09:55.899 --> 00:10:00.059 Maybe you're thinking like I thought when I first read that definition. 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:01.340 Did you say sin? 00:10:03.699 --> 00:10:09.079 Listen preacher, I don't know what dictionary you're looking at, but I wouldn't classify it as sin. 00:10:09.080 --> 00:10:11.520 But I think that's what Jesus tells us. 00:10:11.920 --> 00:10:13.420 I think Jesus teaches that truth. 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:16.360 Because Jesus tells us, don't worry. 00:10:17.220 --> 00:10:23.020 So if he tells us don't, and then we go out and start worrying about everything, we're distrusting what he said. 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:25.360 We are looking at it. 00:10:25.420 --> 00:10:30.480 And if we're honest, most of us naturally think worry shouldn't be classified that way. 00:10:31.180 --> 00:10:37.240 I mean, I tend to think, if I'm just shooting straight with you, that worry is just something normal. 00:10:38.420 --> 00:10:39.700 We all kind of raise our hands. 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:40.639 It's something understandable. 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:41.620 I would say this. 00:10:41.800 --> 00:10:43.620 It's something almost unavoidable. 00:10:45.159 --> 00:10:45.820 Is it not? 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:47.460 I mean, you're worried about it now. 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:49.080 You're like, am I supposed to worry about it? 00:10:49.600 --> 00:10:51.399 I mean, it's just kind of built into our nature. 00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:56.480 But Jesus treats it much more seriously than we do. 00:10:56.480 --> 00:11:00.800 He knows what worry does to our lives. 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:05.800 It kind of paralyzes us between maybe the past and the future, and we can't do anything in the present. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:08.460 And he wants to get us past that. 00:11:08.600 --> 00:11:13.940 And so when we give in to worry, what we're really doing is we're questioning the character of God. 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:18.340 We may not say it out loud, but the way that we live, we're thinking to ourselves, 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:22.560 God, I know you can handle a lot of things, but I'm not sure you can handle this situation. 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:27.399 I mean, Lord, I know you've seen a lot of things, but you've never seen what I'm going through. 00:11:29.219 --> 00:11:32.299 We may not say that, but in our heart we think that sometimes. 00:11:32.579 --> 00:11:35.759 Because we look around and we think, well, everybody I know, they've never faced this. 00:11:36.199 --> 00:11:37.719 They've never had it as bad as I've had it. 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:40.079 They've never walked through a valley as deep as I've walked through. 00:11:40.239 --> 00:11:43.719 We think to ourselves, God, do you really know what you're doing here? 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:46.459 You know, my kids ask me that all the time. 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:47.979 Dad, do you know what you're doing? 00:11:48.019 --> 00:11:49.439 I'm like, of course I know what I'm doing. 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:50.599 I'm like, what are we doing? 00:11:51.060 --> 00:11:52.399 That's what I ask my wife. 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:53.620 You know, she has all the answers. 00:11:56.040 --> 00:11:59.659 Sometimes when we go through things and we're worried about it, we think to ourselves, 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:02.040 God, is this really best for me? 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:07.080 Like, I know you may know what you're doing, but there's got to be a better way, right? 00:12:07.820 --> 00:12:09.040 See, that's what worry does. 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:12.379 And that's why Jesus addresses it so directly. 00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:16.879 He comes right out of the gate and says, take no thought for your life. 00:12:17.540 --> 00:12:20.399 Because at the root, worry is not a mental struggle. 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:22.399 It is a trust issue. 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:25.060 That's what Jesus is teaching here. 00:12:25.540 --> 00:12:26.540 Who are we trusting? 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:28.399 You know why we generally worry? 00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:30.480 Because we feel like it's all on our shoulders. 00:12:31.060 --> 00:12:32.639 That we are the ones that have to handle it. 00:12:32.800 --> 00:12:34.960 That we have to fix this and we have to do that. 00:12:35.060 --> 00:12:36.659 And we're trusting ourselves. 00:12:36.920 --> 00:12:39.399 We've already said, trust in the Lord with all thine heart. 00:12:40.060 --> 00:12:42.279 Lean not into thine own understanding. 00:12:42.540 --> 00:12:47.580 In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:48.600 Now, don't misunderstand. 00:12:49.379 --> 00:12:54.100 That doesn't mean as believers we can never struggle with anxious thoughts. 00:12:54.800 --> 00:12:58.160 Because you're thinking to yourself, I'm going to fail this lesson real bad. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:02.139 No, but as we grow in our relationship with Christ, 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:05.080 if he is our heavenly father, the more we know him, 00:13:05.160 --> 00:13:08.040 the more we love him, and the more we love him, the more we trust him. 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:12.360 And the more we trust him, worry will flee our life. 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:16.620 And see, Jesus wanted them to understand, and he wants us to understand still today, 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:20.060 that worry reflects a problem in the heart. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:22.980 And he says, here's why you shouldn't worry. 00:13:23.300 --> 00:13:28.740 Verse 23, that life is more than meat and the body is more than raiment. 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:35.500 See, in other words, he reminds us that life is about much more than surviving. 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:38.480 You know, we say things like this, like, how was your week? 00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:39.759 Oh, man, I'm just surviving. 00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:43.720 And I get the idea. 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:47.679 And I understand what we're saying, but God didn't call us to survive. 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:49.860 He called us to thrive. 00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:50.759 He called us to live. 00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:55.759 And many people live as life is only about what we're going to eat. 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:57.980 Sometimes I feel like that, do you not? 00:13:58.700 --> 00:14:02.659 I feel like the only question that ever revolves around my house is like, what's for lunch? 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:06.120 Like, as we're eating a meal, we're worrying about the next meal. 00:14:06.659 --> 00:14:09.819 Because we need to know if we need to eat more here, because we may not like that next meal. 00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:14.899 Like, I need to know what's coming so I can stock up if I don't like what mom's making next time. 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:19.600 What we're going to wear are possessions, security. 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:27.159 And the tragedy is that many people spend their entire life chasing these things that can't satisfy the soul. 00:14:27.319 --> 00:14:28.779 That's what the rich fool was about. 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:35.740 And Jesus shows us that you can have everything this world has to offer and have nothing to show for it. 00:14:36.939 --> 00:14:42.199 But as Christians, we can have the one thing that does satisfy and completely forget about it. 00:14:42.559 --> 00:14:46.439 Completely forget that life is not just about what we're going to eat and what we're going to wear. 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:49.019 It's about much more than that. 00:14:49.019 --> 00:15:00.679 And the thought is these first couple verses as Jesus is introducing this idea to these disciples is that if we're not careful, as his followers today, we can slip into the same mindset. 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:03.000 We can drift right into it. 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:06.019 And we begin to believe that life is about stuff. 00:15:06.679 --> 00:15:12.699 It's about earning a little bit more money and having a little bit more security and accumulating just a little bit more things. 00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:18.700 And the problem with that is the more that we think about things, the more it's going to dominate what we think about. 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:23.080 Because what you think about all the time is going to dominate your life. 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:24.920 And then you're going to start worrying about it. 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:28.940 And you're going to think, well, if this doesn't happen and this doesn't happen, then what's going to happen? 00:15:30.020 --> 00:15:31.720 And you're just on this vicious cycle. 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:35.240 You ever seen a park at a merry-go-round? 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:41.220 And those poor kids get on there and they just can't get off because they've got that one bigger kid that just is pushing them around. 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:44.120 Sometimes that's how life feels on the worry-mary-go-round. 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:47.440 We're thinking, I can't seem to get off of this thing. 00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:55.440 But as believers, we're reminded over and over and over and over again in Scripture, that's not what life's about. 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:58.399 Life's not about that paycheck. 00:15:59.040 --> 00:15:59.680 It's not about this. 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:00.420 Is it important? 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:00.680 Yes. 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:01.820 We're going to address that in a minute. 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:03.420 The Lord knows what you need. 00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:07.080 And if he knows what we need, we shouldn't be worrying about it. 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:08.580 We are to trust him. 00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:11.980 And it might look, we think, what does it look like in our life, preacher? 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:16.120 It might be like constantly checking your bank account because you're afraid something might go wrong. 00:16:16.560 --> 00:16:20.820 And hoarding it and maybe losing sleep at night, fretting about the future. 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:26.700 It might look like measuring success based on what you have instead of who you are becoming. 00:16:28.040 --> 00:16:30.060 Now, don't misunderstand when Jesus says take no thought. 00:16:30.280 --> 00:16:32.580 He's not commanding us to live irresponsibly. 00:16:32.580 --> 00:16:38.220 This isn't like live and let live kind of thing like, well, that ain't my problem anymore. 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:40.720 That's not what Jesus is calling us to. 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:50.680 But he is reminding us, and I think we all need this reminder, that life isn't about the things that all of us are so often prone to worry about. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:57.220 Because many of the things we worry about all the time, they've come to pass every single time. 00:16:58.620 --> 00:17:01.720 It's not saying that there's not a blip in the radar every once in a while. 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:05.940 But listen, I look around this room this morning, and I feel like we're a people that are blessed. 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:08.480 That we have more than we need. 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:10.819 And yet we're worrying about, like, what if I don't have enough? 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:11.900 And we do. 00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:20.799 Because Jesus is going to teach us throughout this that life is about knowing God and walking with him. 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:26.400 When we walk with the Lord in the light of his way, what a joy he brings. 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.620 We just sang that in the song. 00:17:28.239 --> 00:17:29.959 That's where happiness comes from. 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:31.759 That's where that blessedness comes from. 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:35.859 And when that perspective is in place, and it's not about all the stuff we're worrying about. 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:38.159 It's about how can I know God more? 00:17:38.739 --> 00:17:41.139 How can he be more real in my life? 00:17:41.379 --> 00:17:45.259 When that is in place, all the overwhelming things, we realize this. 00:17:45.699 --> 00:17:47.299 They're not as big a deal as I thought they were. 00:17:48.239 --> 00:17:51.239 They kind of fade into the background just a little bit. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:57.599 And simply put, when our perspective about life becomes distorted, worry quickly follows. 00:17:58.619 --> 00:18:04.399 And so not only does worry forget what life is about, it also forgets something else that's just as important. 00:18:04.739 --> 00:18:08.319 It forgets, number two, how much God cares. 00:18:09.619 --> 00:18:10.259 Because we do. 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:11.879 We think, does anybody care? 00:18:12.439 --> 00:18:15.659 And we put it on Facebook because we want people to say, oh, I'm so sorry. 00:18:15.719 --> 00:18:16.259 You know why we do that? 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.959 We want them to care about our problems. 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:19.859 But here's a beautiful thing. 00:18:20.239 --> 00:18:20.919 God cares. 00:18:21.840 --> 00:18:24.640 And he gives us two illustrations from creation to remind us of that. 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.500 Verse number 24, the Bible says this. 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:28.620 Consider the ravens. 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:35.640 For they neither sow nor reap, which neither have storehouse nor barn, and God feedeth them. 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:40.340 How much more are ye better than the fowls? 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:41.680 I mean, we know this. 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.820 Birds don't plant crops. 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:46.259 If you're ever driving by a field, you look out there and there's a bunch of birds planting seed. 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:48.279 You're thinking, what is going on over there? 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.759 I mean, it's obvious. 00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:50.680 We know this. 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:53.920 And not only that, they don't gather grain into barns. 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:54.559 No, no. 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:56.160 They steal your food on the patio. 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.819 Like, let's eat outside. 00:18:58.900 --> 00:18:59.819 It's so joyful. 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:02.019 And then there's all these ravens over here. 00:19:02.180 --> 00:19:04.359 And you're like, this is my chips and salsa. 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:05.640 You stay away from them. 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:08.319 Okay, that happens to me. 00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:11.519 But Jesus says this. 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:15.319 They don't plant crops and they don't gather grain. 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:17.319 But God still takes care of them. 00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:18.779 He feeds them. 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:23.059 And if you know anything about ravens, they're not like real pretty birds. 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:24.700 They're scavengers. 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:26.099 They're everywhere. 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:28.259 They're just like, get away from me, you creepy bird. 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:31.279 You know, every time I see them, I think of like Edgar Allan Poe kind of stuff. 00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:32.700 Like, just get away from me. 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:34.619 Nobody's like, oh, wow, come here. 00:19:34.859 --> 00:19:35.079 No, no. 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.579 But God loves them. 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:40.439 And he asks the question, how much better are you than this bird? 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:49.399 That God, if he's willing to take care of them, if he cares for a scavenger, how much more does he care for his own children? 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:51.619 That's the thought behind it. 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:54.299 Jesus goes on in verse number 27. 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:55.059 He says this. 00:19:55.779 --> 00:20:00.500 Consider the lilies, how they grow and they toil not and they spin not. 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:06.599 And yet I say unto you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed as one of these. 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:08.140 Same thought. 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:11.519 Flowers don't labor like we would look at it. 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:14.079 They don't go to work to provide for their family. 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:17.319 No, you just wake up in the morning and they're just growing in your yard. 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:20.259 Generally, my yard is full of weeds, but they look like pretty weeds sometimes. 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.740 Little dandelions. 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:24.220 They don't spin clothing. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:25.779 They don't dress themselves. 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:33.359 And yet Jesus makes this unbelievable contrast and he would have drawn these Israelite minds to Solomon. 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.539 And they had heard the stories. 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:35.920 Read about Solomon. 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:38.440 I mean, he had so much gold, he didn't know what to do with it. 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:40.899 He just started like, let's just put gold on everything. 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:48.059 And Jesus said, even Solomon in all his glory can't even touch the hem of the garment. 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:51.779 I mean, you drive around and I'm thankful spring's coming. 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:53.599 Because winter's just bleh. 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.220 Everything's dead. 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:57.700 But you look around and there's color. 00:20:58.399 --> 00:21:00.099 And there's the beauty of it there. 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:04.039 And we see and it just reminds us of the creator. 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:08.200 And Jesus is saying, listen, even in all, they do nothing. 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:09.399 And God clothes them. 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:12.099 And the grass and these flowers that come up. 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:15.899 And if you live in Texas, you understand this verse very, very personally. 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.779 They're going to be cast into the oven. 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:19.579 That's coming in a couple months. 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:23.700 And all that grass you're trying to keep alive, you're like, forget about it. 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:25.980 And it's just going to be scorched up. 00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:28.160 I mean, they're not going to last. 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:30.940 I mean, you know, I wish I owned a nursery. 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:35.660 You people like, hey, come buy these because in three weeks you're going to have to buy new ones because these will be dead. 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:40.040 But when you put them in your yard, you're like, my wife's like, oh, these are so pretty. 00:21:40.080 --> 00:21:40.840 I'm like, they are. 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.880 They're so pretty. 00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:54.520 But if God cares so much for things that don't even last, that have really bring no value to humankind, we see their beauty. 00:21:54.800 --> 00:21:57.620 How much more will he clothe you? 00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:59.080 Will he take care of you? 00:21:59.280 --> 00:22:00.740 Will he give you what you need? 00:22:00.780 --> 00:22:03.400 He says, oh, ye of little faith. 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:11.780 And the simple truth is this, that sometimes worry, it creeps into our lives because we forget who our father is. 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:18.400 We believe we would sit in the service and we would talk about the sovereignty of God. 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:20.280 We see it from Genesis to Revelation. 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:21.480 We see it throughout history. 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:25.059 And we see how God's fingerprints and hands were on all of these things. 00:22:25.120 --> 00:22:28.000 And we would agree that God is in control and he is on the throne. 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:30.599 And we would believe that God is the great provider. 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.819 He is Jehovah Jireh. 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:33.339 The Lord will provide. 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.779 And we would amen that. 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:36.140 We would agree with that statement. 00:22:36.360 --> 00:22:42.599 But when life gets complicated, it's easy to begin living like he really doesn't care for us. 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:46.700 But what we know about the character of God is that he cannot change. 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:48.039 That he was the same yesterday. 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:49.039 He's the same today. 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:50.539 And he's always going to be the same. 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:55.000 And he has promised time and time and time again that he will take care of our children. 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:57.920 And what Jesus does is he points back at creation. 00:22:58.940 --> 00:23:00.200 And he says, look at those things. 00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:03.099 They do absolutely nothing. 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.779 And God takes care of them. 00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:08.779 You know, maybe a challenge this week is when you see some birds flying around, 00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:12.319 maybe God just prick your heart and say, listen, I love you more than them. 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:15.420 When you go buy all these flowers because it's springtime, 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:18.500 don't buy them tonight because it's going to freeze tonight. 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:23.440 But when your wife makes you go to the store and you buy them, look at those flowers and just be reminded, 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.980 man, God loves me more than that. 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:27.859 God's working in my life. 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:34.579 And it just reminds us that creation itself is a daily reminder that God is caring for what he has made. 00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:37.859 And we are made in the image of God. 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:40.000 We're not some plant. 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:41.740 We're not a bird. 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:47.380 And when we remember who our father is, it changes how we face life's uncertainties. 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:52.000 But Jesus adds another reason why worry has no place in the life of a believer. 00:23:52.099 --> 00:23:52.500 Number three. 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:57.839 It's because worry accomplishes absolutely nothing. 00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:00.180 Look at verse number 25. 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.539 The Bible says this. 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:09.359 And which of you, with taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit? 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.819 I know this is true. 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:16.599 Because when I was in middle school, I thought all the time about being taller. 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:19.119 Because I wanted to go to the NBA. 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:20.059 That was my goal. 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:26.480 I thought, man, I know I'm 80 pounds, but if I was three inches taller, I would definitely be in the NBA. 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:28.420 And I thought about it all the time. 00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:33.579 And I would do all these weird exercises and trying to stretch my legs and help me jump faster, jump higher. 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.339 But guess what? 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:36.660 I was the same height every time that they did it. 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.759 And it's just kind of how it is. 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:39.680 I know we know that. 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:41.120 But here's what Jesus is saying. 00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:44.620 Is what you're worrying about, is it actually going to change it? 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.440 We think about all these things. 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.460 He says in verse number 26. 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:53.740 If ye, then being not able to do that thing which is least, which is kind of crazy that he says that. 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:57.920 I think growing a couple inches would be a pretty impressive feat. 00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.839 Somebody said, hey, how'd you grow? 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:01.559 I was just thinking about it last night. 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:05.059 And here I am, two inches taller. 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:08.460 But Jesus says, that's not even a big deal. 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.180 Why could he say that? 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:11.660 Well, he's the creator of all things. 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:16.099 He said, if you can't even do that, if you can't just make yourself just a little bit taller, 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:19.519 why are you letting worry dominate the rest of your life? 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:21.920 It's not going to change tomorrow's problems. 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:24.360 It's not going to change the outcome of events. 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:26.400 It can't not control the future. 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:27.759 It doesn't solve the problem. 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.880 Here's what worry does. 00:25:29.080 --> 00:25:31.340 It just drains our strength for the present. 00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:33.880 That's what Jesus says. 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:39.680 In fact, the Bible repeatedly reminds us the future ultimately rests in the hands of God. 00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:41.740 James chapter 4, verse number 14. 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:42.900 For what is your life? 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:46.759 It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away. 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:53.759 That we're here and we're under God's provision and he's the one that is giving us life. 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:59.759 Psalm 127 in the first couple of verses reminds us, if the Lord doesn't build the house, it's not going to get built. 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:04.519 The idea is this, that apart from God, nothing's going to happen. 00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:09.700 That he is the one that is leading us and that's exactly what Jesus is exposing here. 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:15.779 I think the reason we're so prone to worry is because it promises control. 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:20.000 Well, if I worry about it, then I'm going to have to do something about it. 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:23.680 And as long as I worry, then I'm in control of my own destiny. 00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:24.819 No, here's what it gives. 00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:25.940 Frustration. 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:28.299 Because you know what we think? 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:29.299 I'm so frustrated. 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:31.779 I've been worried about this all week, preacher, and nothing's happened. 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.400 Well, I'm sorry. 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.259 I could have told you that. 00:26:35.360 --> 00:26:36.640 Because that's what it does. 00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:43.540 See, if worry can't even accomplish the little things, we cannot dwell on it. 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:50.020 I mean, think about how often we replace situations in our mind that we're worrying about. 00:26:51.520 --> 00:26:55.140 Some of you might have a conversation, your boss says, hey, we're going to have a meeting on Monday. 00:26:56.040 --> 00:26:56.759 This was last week. 00:26:57.060 --> 00:27:00.460 And you have been worrying about it and worrying about it and worrying about it. 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:01.580 What if they say this? 00:27:01.820 --> 00:27:02.540 And what if he does that? 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.640 And then what if I don't have a job? 00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:05.300 And then we're living in a cardboard box. 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:08.080 Don't act like you've ever thought that. 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:09.580 I mean, we do. 00:27:09.840 --> 00:27:10.560 And guess what? 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:13.320 Sometimes that conversation never even happens. 00:27:14.080 --> 00:27:17.660 Sometimes we worry about it and he comes in and says, hey, I've noticed you've done a really good job of giving you a raise. 00:27:17.860 --> 00:27:18.700 And you were certain. 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:21.460 I mean, you've sold all your possessions because you thought you were losing everything. 00:27:22.300 --> 00:27:27.020 I mean, I know that seems extreme, but sometimes that's where our mind runs that direction. 00:27:27.300 --> 00:27:31.600 We imagine scenarios that most likely will never take place. 00:27:32.600 --> 00:27:34.580 But in our mind, we're pretty certain of it. 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:42.119 We run through every possible outcome and try to prepare ourselves for the worst case scenario. 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:47.179 When I was in sixth grade, I called my mom to verify that I was in sixth grade. 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:57.059 I was at school and I was kind of, you know, just trying to do all different things, you know, doing this and just trying to make time fly. 00:27:57.439 --> 00:28:01.159 And I was scratching my neck like this and I realized there was a bump right here. 00:28:02.739 --> 00:28:04.319 And I just started like rubbing it. 00:28:04.939 --> 00:28:06.199 It's like, what is that? 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:09.340 And, you know, when you stretch it, you're like, when I go down, I can't feel it, but then I do this. 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:15.240 And basically, probably like second or third period, I was certain I had a tumor right here. 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:21.000 And I rubbed my neck all day long. 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:23.660 And I was like, what is this? 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:25.380 I'm like, it's some sort of growth. 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:28.140 Like, how can I be like 12 or 13 years old? 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:29.200 I've never felt this. 00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:31.140 I'm like, it must have happened last night when I was sleeping. 00:28:31.600 --> 00:28:35.920 And I rubbed and I rubbed and I got in the car and my mom could obviously tell something was wrong with me. 00:28:36.100 --> 00:28:38.440 And I was like, mom, we need to go to the doctor. 00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:40.440 She's like, what is wrong with your neck? 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:42.200 I mean, it was visibly red. 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.640 Because I just went like this all day. 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.640 I'm like, what is that? 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:47.500 I said, I have a tumor in my neck. 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:51.279 And she said, that's called an Adam's apple. 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:54.460 I'm like, oh yeah, that's what it is. 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:59.279 But I had worried about it all day at school. 00:28:59.400 --> 00:29:03.620 I was sick to my stomach because I thought I was dying. 00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:08.079 Don't act like you've never thought of something dumb like that. 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:11.059 Come to find out, I was great. 00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:12.539 I'm like, all right, I'm going to the park now. 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:15.180 You know what worry does? 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:16.799 It just robs us of peace in the present. 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:21.660 I had no peace or joy that day because I thought, this might be the last day on earth. 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:23.059 And I'm spending it at school. 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:24.960 And I didn't want to do that. 00:29:27.179 --> 00:29:31.139 But see, what Jesus is doing here is he is not making fun of us. 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:32.619 He is not being mean to us. 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:35.259 No, he's calling us to live differently. 00:29:36.579 --> 00:29:38.039 Because that's what the world lives for. 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.759 It lives for the here and now. 00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:40.720 They worry about all this stuff. 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:40.879 Why? 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:42.960 Because that's all they have to live for. 00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:48.480 They don't have a father in heaven that loves them, that sent his son to take their place on the cross of Calvary 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:51.099 and gave them life and gave them life everlasting. 00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:53.799 And what worry does is it can't change tomorrow. 00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:57.019 But it can certainly steal the joy that God has for us for tomorrow. 00:29:59.059 --> 00:30:03.399 See, Jesus has shown us that what worry does, that it distracts us from what really matters. 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:05.279 It forgets how much God cares. 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:07.379 It accomplishes absolutely nothing. 00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:11.259 But I'm thankful as we close this text, Jesus shows us the cure for worry. 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:19.079 He shows us this, that worry is replaced by seeking God first. 00:30:19.079 --> 00:30:27.000 What he does here in these two verses, in verse 29 and 30, is he really, he contrasts two different mindsets. 00:30:27.879 --> 00:30:28.799 Verse 29, it says, 00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:36.079 And seek not ye what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of a doubtful mind. 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:39.839 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after. 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:44.460 And your Father knoweth that you have need of these things. 00:30:45.139 --> 00:30:52.319 So what he does here in the first part of verse 29 and 30 is that he begins to show us how the world lives their life. 00:30:52.319 --> 00:31:01.259 When he talks about the word nations, what he's really saying is the Gentile world are people who do not have a relationship with God. 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:04.460 He's saying, listen, you don't need to live like that. 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:07.379 Look around, that's how the world lives because they don't know me. 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:10.299 They don't have a Father that loves them and takes care of them. 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:13.399 He does love them and he wanted all people to come to repentance. 00:31:13.399 --> 00:31:17.039 But the vast majority of the world doesn't know that. 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:19.460 That God cares for them. 00:31:19.679 --> 00:31:20.319 But he says this, 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:25.720 As a child of God, you don't have to live that way because I know what you need. 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:27.200 That's what the end of verse number 30 says. 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:30.879 Notice what Jesus does not say. 00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:34.839 He does not say our needs are not important. 00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:40.539 No, he makes it very clear that he knows what things we do need. 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:43.799 That our needs, your needs aren't, it's not that they're not important. 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:46.000 He doesn't say that food or clothing don't matter. 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:46.720 They do. 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:49.259 Listen, he designed us. 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:52.000 He designed food to give us energy and to give us strength. 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:53.240 But don't miss this. 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:58.920 Believers do not face life as spiritual orphans trying to survive on their own. 00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:06.379 No, we live under the care of a heavenly Father who loves us and willing and wanting to take care of us. 00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:08.279 That's what he's reminding. 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:12.879 Listen, as a child, I don't know if my parents struggled here or there. 00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:13.759 I just knew this. 00:32:13.879 --> 00:32:14.740 They take care of me. 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:19.879 I didn't know a whole lot, but I trusted that, hey, there's going to be a meal. 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:23.599 And looking back now, I probably complained a lot more about things than I should have. 00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:26.539 Just throwing that out there. 00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:29.960 It's expensive feeding people. 00:32:31.099 --> 00:32:34.819 But listen, God wants to take care of us. 00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:37.200 He's willing to take care of us. 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:42.259 And that's why Jesus gives this command that is really central to the passage. 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:44.259 He said, don't live like that. 00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:46.759 God knows what you need. 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:48.359 And here's what he says in verse 31. 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:52.019 He said, if you want to worry about something, worry about this. 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:54.099 But rather, seek ye the kingdom of God. 00:32:55.680 --> 00:33:00.700 He said, if you think you have to worry, I want you to worry about seeking me. 00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:04.339 I want your life to be consumed about knowing me. 00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:07.359 But seek ye the kingdom of God. 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:10.660 And the Bible tells us there, and all these things. 00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:11.119 What things? 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:14.599 All the things you're worrying about, God's going to take care of that. 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:17.839 What does that mean? 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:20.500 Here's what Jesus is saying. 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:24.579 Instead of allowing our lives to revolve around material concerns, 00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:28.439 he's calling us to pursue something far greater. 00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:29.659 Him. 00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:33.259 That's why when it says, seek ye first the kingdom of God. 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:34.139 What does that mean? 00:33:34.859 --> 00:33:35.699 We're seeking him. 00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:37.779 We're not seeking a location. 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:40.939 We're not seeking a kingdom like we would think. 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:42.259 Oh, there's a castle and there's all these things. 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:42.599 No. 00:33:42.740 --> 00:33:43.779 What does every kingdom have? 00:33:43.859 --> 00:33:44.539 Has a ruler. 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:47.199 Who is ruling this kingdom? 00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:48.139 God is. 00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:54.059 And to seek the kingdom of God means that we are seeking the rule and the reign of God in our lives. 00:33:54.059 --> 00:34:01.699 And when God is in control, our priorities and our thoughts and our decisions are filtered through that idea. 00:34:02.599 --> 00:34:03.759 That's what he's teaching here. 00:34:04.719 --> 00:34:09.279 See, our first question is no longer, how can I secure my life? 00:34:10.259 --> 00:34:12.380 No, when we're seeking God, here's what our question has become. 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:14.460 Lord, how can I honor you with my life? 00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:17.059 Lord, how can I let my light shine? 00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:19.460 Lord, how can I live for your purposes? 00:34:19.599 --> 00:34:22.460 Lord, how can I advance your kingdom? 00:34:23.619 --> 00:34:29.639 See, when we're not worrying about all the other things and we're just worrying about God and we're focusing on him and our life is pointed to him, 00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:37.819 it changes how we approach our work and our families and our decisions and our priorities because we're not worrying about, well, I've got to get this and move it here and store it here. 00:34:38.059 --> 00:34:40.239 No, Lord, what do you want from me? 00:34:40.239 --> 00:34:43.039 I want what you want from me. 00:34:43.439 --> 00:34:49.259 Because the more you love him and the more you trust him, you're going to realize this, that he has your best interest at heart. 00:34:50.259 --> 00:34:51.319 You know what I've come to find out? 00:34:51.320 --> 00:34:53.600 I don't even have my best interest at heart. 00:34:54.260 --> 00:34:55.100 I think I do. 00:34:55.980 --> 00:34:58.220 And then sometimes the Lord lets me get those things. 00:34:58.300 --> 00:35:00.600 I'm thinking, Lord, why'd you let me get these things? 00:35:01.400 --> 00:35:03.420 Because he needs to teach me a lesson sometimes. 00:35:04.620 --> 00:35:05.420 Don't misunderstand. 00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:07.940 Jesus isn't promising a life of luxury. 00:35:08.200 --> 00:35:09.260 He's promising something better. 00:35:11.380 --> 00:35:20.240 He's promising that when God's kingdom and his rule in our life is our priority, that God himself will take responsibility for what we need. 00:35:21.320 --> 00:35:22.700 What a place to be. 00:35:23.900 --> 00:35:28.380 Listen, all those things you may be worrying about this past week, have you given them to God? 00:35:30.300 --> 00:35:31.519 They've weighed you down. 00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:33.519 They've exhausted you of your strength. 00:35:33.519 --> 00:35:36.159 And God said, well, why don't you give them to me? 00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:38.699 Why don't you lay them down? 00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:45.280 See, when the kingdom of God becomes our priority in our lives, our grip on the things of this world loosens, 00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:49.759 and our confidence in his leadership and his ability to take care of us grows. 00:35:50.739 --> 00:35:59.099 And naturally, it leads to the final truth that Jesus gives us, that worry is replaced by trusting our Father. 00:35:59.099 --> 00:36:03.839 Jesus comes to the end of this section in verse 32. 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:06.679 And I love the tenderness that you see in verse 32. 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:09.500 Fear not, little flock. 00:36:11.679 --> 00:36:12.940 It's so comforting. 00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:14.719 And they are a little flock. 00:36:16.179 --> 00:36:21.039 These disciples, these early followers of Christ, they were small. 00:36:21.039 --> 00:36:23.800 They were a vulnerable group. 00:36:24.579 --> 00:36:26.940 They were unable really to protect themselves. 00:36:28.119 --> 00:36:29.519 But here's what Jesus reminds them. 00:36:29.840 --> 00:36:30.400 You're not alone. 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.920 You're not without protection. 00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:34.719 Because I'm the good shepherd. 00:36:35.579 --> 00:36:36.779 And I take care of my sheep. 00:36:37.360 --> 00:36:39.099 I'm the one watching over you. 00:36:39.259 --> 00:36:41.960 And Jesus gives them the reason they can live without fear. 00:36:42.199 --> 00:36:43.659 He says at the end of that verse 32, 00:36:43.659 --> 00:36:52.319 Listen, it doesn't just simply say he'll give you the kingdom, 00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:54.119 that he's going to give you the things that you need. 00:36:54.239 --> 00:36:56.599 He says it's his good pleasure. 00:36:57.679 --> 00:36:59.259 Let me just remind you this morning, 00:36:59.579 --> 00:37:01.719 God is not a reluctant father. 00:37:02.779 --> 00:37:04.659 God is not hesitant. 00:37:05.159 --> 00:37:08.279 He does not care for you begrudgingly. 00:37:09.179 --> 00:37:10.480 That's not how he operates. 00:37:10.480 --> 00:37:13.159 Because sometimes as an earthly father, 00:37:13.360 --> 00:37:15.059 I know it's my job to take care of my children, 00:37:15.300 --> 00:37:17.420 but sometimes I'm like, I'm so tired of it. 00:37:18.780 --> 00:37:21.179 I can say that because it's real in my life. 00:37:21.980 --> 00:37:23.320 And it's probably real in your life. 00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:26.079 But then I'm reminded of how my father treats me. 00:37:26.599 --> 00:37:29.440 And that I'm supposed to be a picture of that to my own children. 00:37:30.099 --> 00:37:31.740 And that God is not reluctant with me. 00:37:31.840 --> 00:37:32.619 And he's not hesitant. 00:37:32.860 --> 00:37:34.260 And he's like, fine, get whatever you need. 00:37:34.420 --> 00:37:35.840 No, that he loves me constantly. 00:37:36.099 --> 00:37:37.539 That he loves me consistently. 00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:39.719 And the father, here's what it reminds us, 00:37:39.719 --> 00:37:43.519 delights in caring for those that belong to him. 00:37:44.819 --> 00:37:46.279 And when that is true, 00:37:46.879 --> 00:37:49.559 and when that is real in your life, 00:37:49.679 --> 00:37:51.859 that's why God can call us to live a way 00:37:51.859 --> 00:37:53.759 that is completely different than the world. 00:37:53.980 --> 00:37:54.919 He says in verse 33, 00:37:55.259 --> 00:37:57.639 sell that you have and give on. 00:37:59.539 --> 00:38:02.000 He's not telling us just to get rid of everything, 00:38:02.579 --> 00:38:04.439 to sell it all and abandon possessions. 00:38:04.659 --> 00:38:06.239 But here's what he's calling us to do. 00:38:06.239 --> 00:38:07.759 Because we trust him. 00:38:08.059 --> 00:38:09.279 Because he cares for us. 00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:10.739 Because we know that he loves us. 00:38:10.779 --> 00:38:13.339 And it's his good pleasure to take care of us. 00:38:13.459 --> 00:38:16.539 That we can live with open hands instead of clenched fist. 00:38:17.279 --> 00:38:19.299 That we're not living for the here and now. 00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:21.119 No, we get to do something even better. 00:38:21.339 --> 00:38:23.099 We begin to invest in eternity. 00:38:23.500 --> 00:38:24.039 Because why? 00:38:24.239 --> 00:38:25.679 Because where our treasure is, 00:38:25.979 --> 00:38:28.000 there will our heart be also. 00:38:28.939 --> 00:38:30.479 That is what he is teaching us. 00:38:30.679 --> 00:38:32.819 See, everything stored on earth is temporary. 00:38:32.820 --> 00:38:33.800 It can rust. 00:38:34.019 --> 00:38:34.680 It can be stolen. 00:38:34.960 --> 00:38:35.780 It can disappear. 00:38:36.600 --> 00:38:38.700 But treasures invested in the kingdom of heaven, 00:38:39.019 --> 00:38:40.740 of God, never fade. 00:38:41.240 --> 00:38:42.519 That every act of obedience, 00:38:42.820 --> 00:38:44.100 every sacrifice for Christ, 00:38:44.360 --> 00:38:45.780 every investment in the work of God, 00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:48.940 every act of generosity is for his glory. 00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:52.140 And he's going to store it where he promises 00:38:52.140 --> 00:38:54.320 it's going to be kept safe. 00:38:56.260 --> 00:38:58.220 And see, verse 34, what it really does 00:38:58.219 --> 00:39:02.079 is it just reveals the condition of our heart. 00:39:03.639 --> 00:39:06.500 For where your treasure is, 00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:09.159 there will your heart be also. 00:39:10.099 --> 00:39:10.759 Think about it. 00:39:11.919 --> 00:39:15.439 I worry about so many things here sometimes. 00:39:16.359 --> 00:39:17.219 But you know what? 00:39:17.359 --> 00:39:18.819 I've never worried about heaven 00:39:18.819 --> 00:39:20.879 because I trust God is going to do that. 00:39:22.239 --> 00:39:24.799 I trust God with my soul. 00:39:24.800 --> 00:39:27.420 I'm not perfect, but I know this, 00:39:27.500 --> 00:39:29.460 that if I were to close my eyes in death today, 00:39:29.600 --> 00:39:31.260 I will wake up and see the Lord 00:39:31.260 --> 00:39:33.000 based on the word of God, 00:39:33.060 --> 00:39:34.140 not on anything I've done. 00:39:34.740 --> 00:39:36.240 And I can trust him without it. 00:39:36.320 --> 00:39:38.940 I've never worried about that to that degree. 00:39:39.960 --> 00:39:41.200 But I can't tell you how many times 00:39:41.200 --> 00:39:41.940 I've worried about a bill, 00:39:42.660 --> 00:39:43.560 about this, 00:39:44.160 --> 00:39:45.620 about when gas prices are going to go down. 00:39:47.580 --> 00:39:48.840 Let's just bring it where we live. 00:39:49.880 --> 00:39:50.539 The Lord knows. 00:39:50.539 --> 00:39:53.699 And he said, where's your heart? 00:39:54.719 --> 00:39:56.300 Well, what are you focused on? 00:39:56.739 --> 00:39:57.860 Because if you're focused on your things, 00:39:57.900 --> 00:39:58.659 you're going to worry about it. 00:39:58.779 --> 00:39:59.719 But if you're focused on him, 00:40:00.219 --> 00:40:00.900 you'll realize this. 00:40:01.259 --> 00:40:02.099 He knows what he's doing. 00:40:02.960 --> 00:40:04.059 He's got it in control. 00:40:06.179 --> 00:40:09.599 See, our heart always follows our treasure. 00:40:10.759 --> 00:40:12.239 What we value most, 00:40:13.079 --> 00:40:14.759 whatever we pursue most, 00:40:15.960 --> 00:40:17.460 wherever we invest most, 00:40:17.460 --> 00:40:20.579 that's where our heart will ultimately settle. 00:40:22.220 --> 00:40:23.760 And if our treasury is in possessions 00:40:23.760 --> 00:40:25.780 and security and success, 00:40:25.960 --> 00:40:28.460 our hearts are going to just find worry 00:40:28.460 --> 00:40:29.500 and we're going to live there. 00:40:30.679 --> 00:40:32.860 But when our treasure is in Christ 00:40:32.860 --> 00:40:33.980 and his kingdom, 00:40:34.199 --> 00:40:35.539 our hearts are going to be 00:40:35.539 --> 00:40:38.440 given a deeper sense of security. 00:40:39.320 --> 00:40:41.199 A security not tied to circumstances 00:40:41.199 --> 00:40:44.440 or not rooted in the world, 00:40:44.440 --> 00:40:46.740 but in the unchanging character of God. 00:40:47.659 --> 00:40:49.039 And that kind of trust 00:40:49.039 --> 00:40:51.379 can deliver your heart from worry. 00:40:51.959 --> 00:40:53.739 That's what Jesus wants us to live that way. 00:40:54.719 --> 00:40:58.159 See, worry is one of the most common struggles we face. 00:40:59.239 --> 00:41:01.119 But Jesus says it doesn't have to be that way. 00:41:01.959 --> 00:41:02.919 Just because it's common 00:41:02.919 --> 00:41:04.679 doesn't mean we have to live there. 00:41:05.219 --> 00:41:06.319 Because we're different now. 00:41:07.119 --> 00:41:08.419 We're not of this world. 00:41:09.099 --> 00:41:11.539 Paul tells us our citizenship is in heaven now. 00:41:13.039 --> 00:41:14.979 And I just want to leave this with you this morning. 00:41:14.980 --> 00:41:16.940 That the same God who feeds the birds 00:41:16.940 --> 00:41:18.900 and clothes the flowers 00:41:18.900 --> 00:41:21.000 is the same God 00:41:21.000 --> 00:41:23.500 who is caring for you. 00:41:24.039 --> 00:41:25.400 If you know him as your savior, 00:41:25.440 --> 00:41:27.159 if you place your faith and trust in Christ, 00:41:27.440 --> 00:41:28.320 he has promised 00:41:28.320 --> 00:41:30.039 to take care of you. 00:41:31.460 --> 00:41:32.980 So seek first 00:41:32.980 --> 00:41:33.940 his kingdom 00:41:33.940 --> 00:41:36.019 and trust him with the rest. 00:41:37.000 --> 00:41:38.579 That's what Jesus is calling us 00:41:38.579 --> 00:41:39.340 to do. 00:41:39.420 --> 00:41:40.360 Would you stand with your heads back?