WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.300 Okay, well good morning everyone. It is lovely to see you. I'd love you to grab a Bible and turn to Matthew chapter 6. 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:18.940 We are going to take in verses 25 to 34 today. So if you have your own Bible, grab it. That's where you need to go, Matthew chapter 6 in at verse 25. 00:00:19.620 --> 00:00:29.060 If you don't own a Bible, then you can grab one in the pews round about. Or if you don't even own a Bible, we've got plenty of them at the back that you can grab on your way out or you can scroll on your phone as well. 00:00:29.059 --> 00:00:36.140 So you've got to see what Jesus is saying today because it really is wonderful. 00:00:37.579 --> 00:00:43.799 But we're going to read it in about 10 minutes time and hopefully the reason for doing that is just so that we can get into the topic today. 00:00:44.659 --> 00:00:50.719 So just to begin with, friends, you know Donkey from Shrek? 00:00:53.539 --> 00:00:56.759 I want you to imagine for a moment that you have a talking dog. 00:00:56.759 --> 00:01:02.320 And one night both you and your dog are sitting quietly by the fire. 00:01:03.199 --> 00:01:06.659 And you notice that your dog is uncharacteristically quiet. 00:01:07.980 --> 00:01:12.200 And so you ask, dog, what seems to be on your mind? 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:17.759 And dog replies, you've no idea the load I'm carrying. 00:01:17.760 --> 00:01:22.260 I've no idea where my breakfast tomorrow is going to come from. 00:01:22.359 --> 00:01:25.020 I mean, I cannot operate a tin opener. 00:01:25.500 --> 00:01:27.439 Tesco don't deliver to my kennel. 00:01:27.939 --> 00:01:30.719 No idea where my breakfast tomorrow is coming from. 00:01:31.140 --> 00:01:32.080 And do you know what else? 00:01:32.920 --> 00:01:35.860 I've not got a clue who's going to take me for walkies. 00:01:37.760 --> 00:01:42.180 What if I injure my leg chasing a stick at the park that you love to throw? 00:01:42.180 --> 00:01:44.240 I have no idea how to find the vet. 00:01:45.420 --> 00:01:49.360 I'm really worried about tomorrow. 00:01:52.080 --> 00:01:54.980 Friends, what would you say back to your talking dog? 00:01:57.040 --> 00:01:57.720 Think about it. 00:01:57.720 --> 00:01:58.300 What would you say? 00:01:59.860 --> 00:02:02.120 I'd imagine that you would say something like, 00:02:02.840 --> 00:02:05.100 listen, you don't need to worry about any of that stuff. 00:02:05.940 --> 00:02:06.820 Do you know why? 00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:09.500 Because that's my job. 00:02:09.500 --> 00:02:17.039 Now, can I put my hands up at this point and do a little bit of self-confession? 00:02:17.900 --> 00:02:19.020 Friends, I am a worrier. 00:02:21.300 --> 00:02:22.659 And I wonder if you are too. 00:02:24.020 --> 00:02:25.039 Worry about things. 00:02:25.180 --> 00:02:26.240 I don't sleep at night. 00:02:27.199 --> 00:02:28.219 Burdens sit on me. 00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:30.580 And do you know what I've realized? 00:02:30.639 --> 00:02:32.819 If you think about that illustration, you just carry it all the way through. 00:02:32.819 --> 00:02:39.759 That there is wonderful freedom in embracing the fact that I am dog. 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:49.919 And this sermon really is all about, this passage really is all about Jesus introducing us to the one whose job it is to have us covered. 00:02:49.919 --> 00:03:02.299 If you're here today, this morning, and you're worried about tomorrow, if worry is just sitting on you like a sumo wrestler, 00:03:03.379 --> 00:03:07.439 it seems to have just taken the wind out your lungs. 00:03:07.579 --> 00:03:08.779 Friends, here's the invitation. 00:03:09.019 --> 00:03:11.819 Come and listen to what Jesus has to say about worry. 00:03:11.819 --> 00:03:16.159 Because it is so freeing. 00:03:17.900 --> 00:03:19.799 Now, if you were here last week, we heard Jesus. 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:27.659 Remember, this was in the context of him helping us think about the things that might throw us off course as disciples. 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:31.699 We thought about that kind of theme that we're in in Matthew's gospel. 00:03:31.799 --> 00:03:32.840 These kind of do-nots. 00:03:32.979 --> 00:03:33.620 This was the idea. 00:03:33.740 --> 00:03:36.840 These are the things that are going to come your way that might throw you off course. 00:03:36.979 --> 00:03:40.500 And we felt last week, Jesus bring us that challenge. 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:41.599 Remember that challenge? 00:03:42.219 --> 00:03:45.739 You cannot serve both God and money. 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:49.859 So he was underscoring that impossibility. 00:03:50.019 --> 00:03:51.659 And we thought, again, like a dog last week. 00:03:51.919 --> 00:03:56.219 We thought about two owners at the other sides of the park shouting at their dog, come here, come here. 00:03:56.379 --> 00:03:58.500 And the fact that you cannot run to both. 00:03:58.560 --> 00:03:59.740 You're going to have to choose. 00:03:59.840 --> 00:04:03.079 And Jesus was saying you cannot love both God and money. 00:04:03.379 --> 00:04:06.079 Because he anticipates that the love of money. 00:04:06.079 --> 00:04:09.120 Remember, Jesus isn't having a go at money. 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:10.939 He's having a go at the love of money. 00:04:11.340 --> 00:04:15.659 About how that can smother the fire of our spiritual lives. 00:04:15.659 --> 00:04:22.339 And so if that was a warning from Jesus about the danger, if you like, of having too much, 00:04:22.339 --> 00:04:33.359 this week, he's going to deal with the worry that comes perhaps from us thinking that as we follow him, we might not have enough. 00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:37.879 You can imagine the disciples thinking to themselves. 00:04:37.879 --> 00:04:39.800 And remember, a lot of these guys are fishermen. 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:45.319 They get the whole idea that if we don't go out and catch, we've got nothing to eat. 00:04:46.120 --> 00:04:51.159 And okay, we might have one night off, but we cannot do that for a couple of nights because if we don't catch, we don't eat. 00:04:51.160 --> 00:04:53.060 So these guys get that context. 00:04:54.840 --> 00:04:58.060 And they're thinking to themselves, Jesus, we've left behind jobs. 00:04:58.160 --> 00:05:00.540 We've left behind families to follow you. 00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:04.800 So who's going to provide for our daily needs as we follow you? 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:08.020 Friends, here's the promise. 00:05:08.019 --> 00:05:17.959 If we take to heart what Jesus is teaching us here in these verses, and as he just unpacks the privilege that is ours, 00:05:18.519 --> 00:05:24.939 the minute that we trust in Jesus, we trust in his death and resurrection, and we're united to him, 00:05:24.979 --> 00:05:31.560 and we have God as our father, as we take that in, this will provide the Christian with oodles of liberating comfort. 00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:37.039 So if last week was a challenge, this week is a comfort. 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:39.959 And do you know where it's to be found? 00:05:40.979 --> 00:05:44.919 It's to be found in knowing the father who loves us. 00:05:47.459 --> 00:05:48.399 And here's the thing. 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:56.339 Since we step into the world of anxiety, we really couldn't be talking about a more timely topic. 00:05:58.180 --> 00:06:05.959 You know, according to a 2026 poll, 33% of adults in Great Britain report not just occasional worries. 00:06:05.959 --> 00:06:09.180 They report high levels of anxiety. 00:06:09.359 --> 00:06:16.579 So that's one in three adults in our country report that this is a live and a pressing issue. 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:23.219 And we will know, and so many of us will know this with tears in our eyes, that this is not just a, if you like, a middle-aged problem. 00:06:23.220 --> 00:06:29.720 You know, I recently finished that book by Canadian social psychologist Jonathan Hyde. 00:06:29.780 --> 00:06:34.560 I don't know if you've read it, the title of which is Enough to Make You Weep, as he thinks about Gen Z. 00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:36.100 You know the title of that book? 00:06:36.140 --> 00:06:38.460 He just calls it The Anxious Generation. 00:06:38.459 --> 00:06:45.439 And that's my question for you, if you're here today and you wouldn't call yourself a follower of Jesus. 00:06:45.599 --> 00:06:46.399 Love that you're here. 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:49.519 Here's perhaps where you can engage with what he's saying here. 00:06:49.979 --> 00:06:51.899 Question, where do you run with your worries? 00:06:51.899 --> 00:07:03.779 You know, when I used to live in town, I used to walk up Dundas Street to Charlotte Square every day before I did this to walk to my work. 00:07:03.899 --> 00:07:07.000 Sometimes I would go into Rose Street at lunchtimes and kind of detour around. 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:11.679 And every day I used to hear on Rose Street, The Busker. 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:15.259 And The Busker only ever had one song. 00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:18.079 I don't know if you know what that song was. 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:21.019 His song was that one by Bobby McFerrin. 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:22.500 Do you know the one, Don't Worry, Be Happy? 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:25.259 The guy had one song and he played it all day. 00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:29.660 And he made a fortune as business people walked past and they thought, oh, he's right. 00:07:32.840 --> 00:07:34.519 But it's not as simple as it is that. 00:07:35.699 --> 00:07:38.139 As having a positive mental attitude. 00:07:38.139 --> 00:07:42.180 You know, because I'm into my comedians and I like the last one laughing. 00:07:42.300 --> 00:07:49.539 I read Jimmy Carr's book recently and he talks about how he's using comedy to help people cope with worry. 00:07:49.779 --> 00:07:51.360 And here's his quote. 00:07:51.479 --> 00:07:52.439 I thought he'd quite like it. 00:07:52.539 --> 00:07:53.139 He says this. 00:07:53.219 --> 00:07:55.839 This is what his whole stand-up routine is based around. 00:07:56.259 --> 00:07:59.180 He says, my point is life can be hard, harsh and depressing. 00:08:00.099 --> 00:08:07.300 But if you've got a light, funny disposition, you're better able to deal with every setback life will inevitably throw at you. 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:08.520 And get this. 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:18.360 I'd like to take the filthy pond water of life and filter it through the charcoal of humour so we can all drink it. 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:19.560 Isn't that interesting? 00:08:21.900 --> 00:08:26.480 But how long does the relief that comes from a good laugh last? 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:31.620 Friends, can I tell you why Jesus is worth a hearing? 00:08:31.620 --> 00:08:36.139 We thought last week about how he is the ultimate financial advisor. 00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:36.759 Do you remember that? 00:08:36.799 --> 00:08:38.399 He's telling us, store up your treasures in heaven. 00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:41.620 This week we're going to see that he is the perfect psychologist. 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:45.159 And that's not being clever. 00:08:45.299 --> 00:08:47.519 See when Jesus says, do you have it there? 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:49.820 Do not worry about life. 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:53.340 That word life that he's using there is the Greek word psyche. 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:54.919 That's how they've translated it. 00:08:54.919 --> 00:09:05.659 So in other words, Jesus is saying, when it comes to anthropology, the study of human beings, what makes us tick, how we think. 00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:09.120 Jesus possesses something way better than a PhD. 00:09:10.019 --> 00:09:11.199 Do you know what he possesses? 00:09:11.419 --> 00:09:13.659 He possesses an IEP. 00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:15.899 Do you know what an IEP is? 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:17.860 In eternity past. 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:29.639 As the one with his father there in the beginning when God breathed life into Adam, he understands human beings way better than we know ourselves. 00:09:29.959 --> 00:09:33.480 And it turns out in this passage, and we're going to read it in just a moment. 00:09:34.179 --> 00:09:43.319 It turns out that Jesus' perfect prescription for anxiety is a really healthy dose of theology. 00:09:43.320 --> 00:09:46.420 So why don't we read this together? 00:09:47.140 --> 00:09:48.240 In it, verse 25. 00:09:49.160 --> 00:09:51.680 And see if you can pick up on a lot of these threads. 00:09:54.160 --> 00:09:57.379 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life. 00:09:58.980 --> 00:10:02.820 What you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear, 00:10:03.760 --> 00:10:09.460 is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? 00:10:10.680 --> 00:10:12.220 Look at the birds of the air. 00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:19.120 They do not sow or reap or stow away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 00:10:20.420 --> 00:10:22.840 Are you not much more valuable than they? 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:28.920 Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:31.360 And why do you worry about clothes? 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:34.139 See how the flowers of the field grow? 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:43.480 They do not labor or spin, yet I tell you that not even Solomon, in all his splendor, was dressed like one of these. 00:10:44.340 --> 00:10:49.580 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field which is here today and tomorrow it's thrown into the fire, 00:10:50.439 --> 00:10:53.019 will he not much more clothe you? 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:54.860 You of little faith? 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:58.440 So do not worry saying, what shall we eat? 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:00.200 Or what shall we drink? 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:01.440 Or what shall we wear? 00:11:02.440 --> 00:11:04.620 For the pagans run after all these things. 00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:08.399 And your heavenly Father knows you need them. 00:11:08.399 --> 00:11:14.439 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:20.740 Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. 00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:25.199 Each day has enough trouble of its own. 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:28.740 And God will bless the reading of his words to us today. 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:34.899 Friends, really quickly, here's two things that Jesus says to comfort worried disciples 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:39.120 that are kind of intertwined together in this passage. 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:40.019 Here's number one. 00:11:40.720 --> 00:11:42.740 Really simply, let nature be your teacher. 00:11:43.940 --> 00:11:44.500 Do you see it? 00:11:44.700 --> 00:11:45.840 Do you see verse 25? 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:49.259 Beginning there, let nature be your teacher. 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:54.120 So when Jesus says, verse 25, is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:55.320 Do you know what struck me this week? 00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:56.620 Jesus could have finished there. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:58.200 Yeah? 00:11:58.740 --> 00:11:59.320 Don't worry. 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:01.320 Could have finished there. 00:12:01.560 --> 00:12:03.600 But he doesn't, because he knows us. 00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:04.299 Right? 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:10.820 It's almost as if, when he talks about worry, he wants us to see it as well as hear it. 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:13.639 How do you know? 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:16.039 How do we know that we have a Father who cares? 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:18.120 According to Jesus, friends, get this. 00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:23.919 Sometimes the best thing that you and I can do when we're worried is go for a long walk and take it in. 00:12:25.440 --> 00:12:26.279 You ever do that? 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:28.440 That's why I got really into running. 00:12:29.460 --> 00:12:29.639 Right? 00:12:29.700 --> 00:12:30.720 It just helps me. 00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:31.220 Look up. 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:31.820 Take it in. 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:32.820 Get some air in my lungs. 00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:38.220 Sometimes Jesus says the best thing you can do when you're worried is go for a long walk. 00:12:38.440 --> 00:12:40.139 Friends, I love what this tells us about God. 00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:41.419 Keep the passage open there. 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:43.740 What is Jesus countering here? 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:45.159 You might not have even thought about this. 00:12:45.479 --> 00:12:48.500 He's countering the idea of deism. 00:12:49.439 --> 00:12:49.639 Right? 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:53.479 Deism, the idea that God created the world. 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:58.360 And like kind of one of those toy walking Santas that you get in Christmas crackers. 00:12:58.360 --> 00:12:58.879 Right? 00:12:58.940 --> 00:13:00.139 He just wound it up. 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:05.000 He wound it up and he let it run and step back. 00:13:05.100 --> 00:13:05.779 That's deism. 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:06.279 Right? 00:13:06.279 --> 00:13:09.079 But friends, that is not the God of the Bible. 00:13:09.679 --> 00:13:11.259 It's not what we learn about him. 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:14.120 No, Jesus is introducing us here to a God. 00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:14.779 Do you see it? 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:19.899 Who is intricately and intimately involved in caring for his creation. 00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:24.019 Because Jesus is saying, 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:27.819 See if you're worried about your father's commitment to provide for your daily needs. 00:13:27.939 --> 00:13:29.799 Go and look. 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:33.819 And that word look there, it means more than just take a fleeting glance. 00:13:34.079 --> 00:13:35.340 That word look there. 00:13:35.740 --> 00:13:37.120 As my American pals would say, 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:38.419 Get a load of this. 00:13:39.079 --> 00:13:39.279 Right? 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:40.340 Take it in. 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:41.379 Think about it. 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:43.379 It's why some of your translations will use that word. 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:44.500 Consider. 00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:48.579 Have a look at the birds. 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:52.000 Where was the last time you looked at a bird? 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:56.700 Did you know, fun fact, that there are roughly, I looked this up this week, 00:13:57.059 --> 00:14:01.580 11,000 different species of living birds on planet Earth. 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:05.980 And here's what you will not ever see. 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:07.460 Never see. 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:10.940 You will never see a pigeon at a plow. 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:14.320 And you will never see a toucan in Tesco. 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:15.179 Right? 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:19.840 Birds might gather their food, but they don't create it. 00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:27.639 And yet, there's never, ever coming a day when we will not see birds in the sky. 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:30.379 Do you know why? 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:34.980 Because God provides for his creation. 00:14:35.680 --> 00:14:38.899 He's not stepped back and letting it run its course. 00:14:39.180 --> 00:14:41.000 He is intimately involved. 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:46.060 Everyone that goes into that bird's beak, it is God who allowed that to happen. 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:49.220 God is caring for his creation. 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.700 And look at verse 28. 00:14:50.920 --> 00:14:52.639 It goes further than that. 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:57.379 And if you're a botanist, if you're into your garden, 00:14:58.180 --> 00:15:00.700 here's the excuse that you need to keep doing it. 00:15:01.540 --> 00:15:02.279 Verse 28. 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:03.139 Jesus says what? 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:05.940 Look at the flowers of the field. 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:12.480 I mean, do you not just love the variety and the diversity and the beauty of flowers? 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:19.460 There's a reason that if you want to tell someone that you love them and you care, what do you get them? 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:24.519 Even if it is on the way home from work from the garage, right? 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:31.659 You get them flowers because we get the beauty and the smell and the diversity of flowers. 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:35.899 And do you see how Jesus makes that point? 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:43.980 Verse 29 is he compares them to Solomon, one of Israel's richest kings who was dressed to impress. 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:51.279 And he says even the flowers, their beauty, makes Solomon's fade in comparison. 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:55.159 And Jesus uses that same logic. 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:58.139 Again, it's God's care for his creation. 00:15:58.139 --> 00:16:02.080 You'll never see a sunflower at a sewing machine. 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:05.679 You will never see a poppy trying on an outfitted top man. 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:06.919 Yeah? 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:11.480 Because God gives creation everything that it needs. 00:16:13.059 --> 00:16:16.220 His fingerprints are all over the colors of the flowers. 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:19.000 They're all over the beauty of the birds in the air. 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:22.399 It's God that gives the flowers their color and design. 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:25.259 God is the brains behind photosynthesis. 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:28.899 God is the God who says to the rose, you be red. 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:32.159 He's the God who says to the lavender, you be lilac. 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:36.039 Again, God provides for his creation. 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:40.319 And you ever listen to the football phone-in on Clyde 1, right? 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:42.659 That phrase, what's your point, caller? 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:43.720 Yeah? 00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:45.519 Jesus, what are you trying to say? 00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.740 That's great, right? 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:47.779 But what's the point? 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:51.539 Do you see how he goes from a lesser to a greater argument? 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:53.399 With that phrase, how much more? 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.679 Friends, you've got to see it. 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:59.879 If God goes to that much effort with the flowers, 00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:04.259 which are here today and gone tomorrow. 00:17:04.379 --> 00:17:07.160 It's why when you buy them from the shop, what do they say? 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:09.940 They are good for five days, ten days. 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:18.940 If God so delights to clothe and design flowers and grass that's here today and gone tomorrow, 00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:21.940 how much more then will he care for you? 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:23.340 Do you see it? 00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:25.240 How much more then? 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.359 That's the logic. 00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:27.920 End of verse 26. 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:29.180 Are you? 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:32.120 Are you? 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:37.299 Not much more valuable than they? 00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:45.940 Oh, friends, there is wonderful delight in just sitting in that question. 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:50.180 Flip it around. 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:54.279 You are more valuable than them. 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:58.139 And that takes us to lesson number two. 00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.940 Let nature be your teacher. 00:18:00.399 --> 00:18:02.759 Secondly, get familiar with your father. 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:03.700 Right? 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:11.960 Because what is the difference then between the flowers and the birds and you, disciple following Jesus? 00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:13.500 What's the difference between the two? 00:18:14.620 --> 00:18:15.100 Answer. 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:15.139 Answer. 00:18:16.219 --> 00:18:22.659 The birds and the flowers, as wonderful as they are, they relate to God as creator. 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:30.319 You, however, disciple, relate to God because of your faith in me as father. 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:35.579 So the birds and the bees and the flowers, they do not relate to God as father. 00:18:35.699 --> 00:18:38.679 And yet you, disciple, you do. 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:45.380 Will he not much more provide you then with the things that you need? 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:47.279 Do you see the lesser to the greater argument? 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:54.600 Friends, last few weeks as we thought about praying and giving and fasting, what did Jesus say about the father? 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:56.000 He said he sees. 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:56.700 Do you remember that? 00:18:57.160 --> 00:19:00.320 This is why you do it in secret because you're living for the audience of one. 00:19:00.620 --> 00:19:01.279 He sees. 00:19:01.620 --> 00:19:02.500 But no one else sees. 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:05.720 Complement that with what you see at verse 32. 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.519 He sees. 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:07.380 What else? 00:19:08.120 --> 00:19:08.880 He knows. 00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:20.839 And when Jesus says, end of verse 31, you of little faith, that is, friends, a wonderful concoction of rebuke blended with invitation. 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:30.880 Come and see, oh worried disciple, that you have a father like this. 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:37.260 You know, I've got a friend called Pete who I see every day in the school run. 00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:40.460 Two things that are worth knowing about Pete. 00:19:40.620 --> 00:19:42.360 Number one is that he's a Christian. 00:19:44.600 --> 00:19:46.540 Number two is that he's really into cycling. 00:19:48.280 --> 00:19:50.780 So every day when I see him, he's on his bike. 00:19:51.320 --> 00:19:54.140 He's dropping the kids and he's on his bike going into work or going home. 00:19:54.760 --> 00:19:57.420 Got a roof rack as well in the car where this puts his bike. 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:59.800 But here Pete's got this weird trait. 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:02.660 I don't know if you have this, if you're into your cycling. 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:10.720 But what he does before he gets onto the bike is that he rolls up the trouser leg of his. 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:12.259 Some of you are nodding. 00:20:12.300 --> 00:20:12.860 Is this a thing? 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.440 Yeah? 00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:14.460 I had no idea. 00:20:15.300 --> 00:20:16.320 This is why he does rolls it up. 00:20:16.800 --> 00:20:19.019 So he's doing this a couple of months ago. 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:22.339 And I'm looking at him thinking, that boy's got a tattoo on the inner right thigh. 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.500 What a strange place. 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:24.680 Or inner right calf rather. 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:26.200 What a strange place to get a tattoo. 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:28.379 And I asked him, I said, buddy, what's the tattoo of? 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:28.980 And do you know what he said? 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:30.200 It's of a sparrow. 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:37.220 And he said, every time I roll up my right trouser leg, it reminds me. 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:39.980 Because I do this every day and I do it first thing every day. 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:44.500 It reminds me of my father's ability and desire to provide for me. 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:48.259 And friends, I love that intentionality. 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:54.039 How can we remember that in our day-to-day lives? 00:20:54.240 --> 00:21:01.759 And the thing is, is that God in the Bible has a pretty good track record when it comes to coming through for his people. 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:07.640 You know, because Jesus hasn't picked here food and clothing at random. 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:10.299 I haven't really seen this before this week, right? 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.720 He's not picked it at random. 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:15.900 If you know the Bible story, and if you don't, then come and see it. 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:22.820 What did God provide for his people as he led them towards the promised land, having saved them from Egypt? 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:25.400 And he's leading them through the desert, remember. 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:26.360 Right? 00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.759 No Sainsbury's local. 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.660 No Pizza Hut delivery. 00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:31.320 No Hello Fresh. 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:34.540 What did he provide for his people in the wilderness? 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:37.040 He provided for them manna. 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:55.940 God chooses to do this in his wisdom one day at a time. 00:21:55.940 --> 00:22:01.980 And you think to yourself as you read that in Exodus, surely that's an inconvenience for God. 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:03.440 Yeah? 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:09.480 Could he not have just changed the settings on the account to auto-renew and saved himself a lot of bother? 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:15.860 Why does he get his people to come back day after day after day to look to him? 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.079 Friends, here's the thing. 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:20.339 He's weaning his people off of self-reliance. 00:22:20.900 --> 00:22:31.680 And he's teaching them as they look to him day after day after day after day that he is absolutely able to provide everything that they need. 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:34.579 All they need to do is love him and walk in faith. 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:42.439 And when the people finally get to the promised land, I love this little detail in Joshua 5. 00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:53.019 That God provided manna for them every day until the day after the day that they finally got to the place where God has taken them. 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:56.119 Love it. 00:22:57.559 --> 00:23:03.119 Till the day after the day that they finally got to the place where he was taking them. 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:06.599 And do you know that during that entire time, what else didn't wear out? 00:23:07.959 --> 00:23:09.000 Their clothing. 00:23:11.659 --> 00:23:20.139 So what is Jesus saying here is he brings these things together to us who worry about what tomorrow holds. 00:23:20.679 --> 00:23:24.799 Your Father, when it comes to providing for your daily needs, has got you covered. 00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:26.439 Friends, that is incredibly freeing. 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:35.180 And how different to how our world relates to the things that we think will stop us worrying. 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:39.539 And that's what Jesus is meaning there when he talks about Gentiles. 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:42.200 Some of you, my translations might have pagans. 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:46.140 It's just a term for talking about people who don't have God as their father. 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:56.039 Just running around in the hamster wheel trying to get enough stuff to try and cover our lives in as much cotton wool as possible. 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:59.960 Because sometimes we think that's going to end the stress and the worry of life. 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:02.639 And we know, friends, that that isn't true. 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:07.500 In fact, we know, don't we, that sometimes having more things is actually the opposite. 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:10.839 It causes you more worry, not less. 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:13.039 I wonder if you remember this in 2013. 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:19.740 2013, there was that woman in our city in Edinburgh called Jane who won the Euro Millions. 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:22.779 She was the youngest ever winner at 17. 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:31.720 And here's what she said in a newspaper interview in the years after. 00:24:31.859 --> 00:24:34.000 People look at me and think, I wish I had her lifestyle. 00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:35.019 I wish I had her money. 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:39.180 But they don't realize the extent of my stress. 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:45.200 And your heart breaks for the girl because in actual fact, she ended up suing the lottery for ruining her life. 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:50.840 My friends, how different than the disciple. 00:24:52.600 --> 00:24:57.200 Here is an invitation to embrace a life of radical dependence on a loving father. 00:24:57.340 --> 00:24:58.120 And here's the thing. 00:24:58.539 --> 00:25:04.980 The sign of Christian maturity is not realizing that you need your father less. 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:08.480 It's realizing that you need your father more. 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:13.140 And so Jesus says, let nature be your teacher. 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:16.900 And get familiar with your father. 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:19.440 And knowing both of those things, you know what that frees us up to do? 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.759 Have a look at verse 33. 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:26.539 It frees us up to seek first his kingdom. 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.200 Right? 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:31.019 If God has got the future, if he's got tomorrow sorted, 00:25:31.340 --> 00:25:32.519 then what does that do? 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:35.640 It frees us up to live for him today. 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.200 Right? 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:37.299 Right? 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:40.860 Seek first the kingdom. 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:42.860 So often, I think we complicate it. 00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:47.080 I think if you read it in the context, what is Jesus talking about here? 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:51.819 I think he's just talking about us living like he's encouraged us to live. 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.439 Right? 00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:58.000 So if you just track back, seek reconciliation with people. 00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:00.960 Let your yes be yes and your no be no. 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:02.559 Do you remember these from the last number of weeks? 00:26:02.659 --> 00:26:03.399 Love your enemies. 00:26:03.899 --> 00:26:05.419 Pray for those who persecute you. 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:08.039 Hunger and thirst for righteousness. 00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:09.859 Live for him as the audience of one. 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:11.960 Seek him in prayer as the one who sees. 00:26:12.339 --> 00:26:13.599 Store up your treasure in heaven. 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:16.519 Make seeking him your number one priority. 00:26:17.719 --> 00:26:20.119 So just living like he's told us to live. 00:26:20.199 --> 00:26:24.859 And if we think, well, I'm worried about the things that might get in the way of me doing that. 00:26:24.899 --> 00:26:26.899 Jesus says, you can do it because I've got it covered. 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:31.419 Make seeking him your number one priority. 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:36.320 And so friends, two applicatory questions as we begin to wrap this up. 00:26:37.340 --> 00:26:38.259 Here's number one. 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:43.920 What do we need to turn over to our Father in prayer? 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:50.519 Because you've got to understand that Jesus isn't belittling worry here. 00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:54.340 If you've got things on your mind, this is not Jesus getting at you. 00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:59.139 He gets that there's all sorts of things in the world to worry about. 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:05.139 But he's helping us see that because we have a Father like this, 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:11.079 who is way more committed to us than we will ever fully get our heads around, 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:17.419 then what we can do with our worries is run to him with them in prayer. 00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:25.120 You know, I've always found it helpful over the years to write down the things that I'm worrying about. 00:27:25.840 --> 00:27:29.660 I've just got a little A5 journal that I got from Poundland a few years ago. 00:27:30.340 --> 00:27:33.140 I just write my prayers every day, the things that I'm worrying about. 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:33.960 You know why it's so good? 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:38.820 It's good because it helps me over the months to track the ways that God has come through for my prayers. 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:43.360 But what it also does is when I lay it down next to the Lord's Prayer, 00:27:43.840 --> 00:27:45.660 which we've just covered there, 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:49.740 and think about the priorities that Jesus asked me to pray about, 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:52.540 see so often the little things that I'm worried about. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:55.759 They kind of just get realigned. 00:27:56.980 --> 00:28:01.140 So often God has said, as I've written down my worries and prayed the Lord's Prayer, 00:28:02.040 --> 00:28:03.120 why are you worried about that? 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:11.640 He's not some kind of genie in a bottle who's there to make sure that our wishes come true. 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:15.820 He's a good Father who loves to give us what we need. 00:28:17.120 --> 00:28:18.740 But friends, this isn't easy. 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:22.980 But the wonderful thing about our church family when it comes to our worries 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:25.920 is it is not just us taking our prayers to God. 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:30.020 We can pray for each other and with each other through our worries. 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:34.059 And so if you're here this morning and you think there's something massive that I'm carrying, 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:38.039 this is not an invitation just to swallow it and bear it. 00:28:38.139 --> 00:28:43.039 This is, if you want to pray with the elders, that is our job, friends, to pray with you, 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:45.480 to pray with the people that you came with, 00:28:45.579 --> 00:28:48.559 to pray about the things that really worry us. 00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:51.759 Father-dependent prayer. 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.900 And here's number two. 00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:56.980 How can we put his kingdom first in our decision making? 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:57.460 Yeah? 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:03.779 So when Jesus says, and maybe you were wondering this as we read it just at the end there, 00:29:03.860 --> 00:29:05.720 tomorrow will have enough worries of its own. 00:29:05.860 --> 00:29:06.360 You see that? 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:07.420 Right? 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:09.140 I guess this is how I've come to think of it. 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:11.880 This is like that old riddle. 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:14.360 Do you remember the one, which day never arrives? 00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:18.400 And the answer is tomorrow. 00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:19.460 Right? 00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.279 Tomorrow never arrives. 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.980 I think this is what Jesus is saying. 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:26.579 See if you take your worries to your father and chuck them on tomorrow, 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.720 knowing that he's got them. 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:31.940 They're never going to make their way into today. 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:33.420 Right? 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:36.960 It frees you up, knowing that the father has tomorrow sorted, 00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:41.259 frees us up to make kingdom-shaped decisions today. 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:43.960 How can I honor God today? 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:46.360 What can I do to serve him today? 00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:51.519 You know, a great bit of advice that I once heard from a woman called Jen Wilkin, 00:29:51.639 --> 00:29:54.679 who's a women's ministry leader in the States, about decisions, 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:56.879 and it's transformed it for me. 00:29:58.139 --> 00:30:01.159 She said, don't start with the question, what shall we do? 00:30:02.139 --> 00:30:04.519 Start with the question, who should we be? 00:30:06.059 --> 00:30:06.299 Yeah? 00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:08.879 Don't start with the question, what should we do? 00:30:08.979 --> 00:30:10.959 Start with the question, who should we be? 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:15.319 So God is concerned, yes, absolutely, about the decisions that we make. 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:21.879 But it seems to me that he's way more concerned about why and how we make those decisions. 00:30:23.159 --> 00:30:27.799 In other words, he's caring, I think, primarily about our character 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:32.619 and how we come to think about the things we think about when we make decisions. 00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:36.579 And I wonder what big decision you're facing just now. 00:30:37.599 --> 00:30:37.740 Right? 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:40.839 Decision about a graduate job. 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:44.319 A decision about a relationship choice. 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:48.119 Decision about friendship circles. 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:50.019 A decision about a career move. 00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:52.039 A decision about a business strategy. 00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:55.019 A decision about office conduct. 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:58.919 Maybe even a big decision about retirement plans. 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:04.159 Friends, those things that we think about, and so often they're the source of our worry. 00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:09.339 Jesus says, and here the command followed by the promise. 00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:11.399 Seek first the kingdom of God's command. 00:31:12.619 --> 00:31:15.379 Promise, all else will be added unto you. 00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:21.919 So whatever we're facing today, how can we make decisions that honor Christ? 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:28.600 And it reminded me just as we close of an interview that the late John Stott once did. 00:31:30.340 --> 00:31:36.060 An interviewer was asking him about his retirement plans. 00:31:37.400 --> 00:31:41.759 John Stott, the longtime vicar of all souls, Langham Place in central London. 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:43.059 He said, he's a great job. 00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:43.640 He's a great writer. 00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:43.759 He's a great writer. 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:43.759 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:44.759 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.759 He's a great writer. 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:45.759 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.759 He's a great writer. 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.759 He's a great writer. 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:52.000 And this is what the reporter asked him. 00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:55.960 John, you've had a brilliant academic career. 00:31:56.140 --> 00:31:59.879 First at Cambridge, rector at 29, chaplain to the queen. 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:02.319 What is your ambition now? 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:08.879 To which he replied, to be more like Jesus. 00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:12.819 To be more like Jesus. 00:32:14.059 --> 00:32:20.139 And the thing is that that quote that came from him was not just a spur of the moment thing. 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:27.579 That quote from him came after years and years and years of walking closely with Jesus. 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:31.899 And you have to say there's a wonderful and freeing simplicity about his answer, isn't there? 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:34.679 To be more like Jesus. 00:32:37.179 --> 00:32:46.119 So friends, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all else will be added unto you. 00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:48.179 Isn't that an amazing promise? 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:50.319 Seek first the kingdom of God. 00:32:50.439 --> 00:32:50.960 Why don't we pray? 00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:58.759 And so folks, maybe just in the silence, whatever it is that you are carrying, 00:32:58.759 --> 00:33:02.619 in a room this size, 00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:06.059 there'll be all sorts of things on our minds. 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:09.640 And so here's an invitation just in the silence before we close. 00:33:11.099 --> 00:33:16.299 Just to bring that issue, that burden, perhaps that person, 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:19.899 to your father in prayer. 00:33:20.619 --> 00:33:21.680 Just bring it to him. 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:23.299 Just name it before him and ask, 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:27.359 Lord, would I know your fatherly comfort and love for me just now? 00:33:27.359 --> 00:33:37.419 What a friend we have in Jesus. 00:33:41.359 --> 00:33:43.179 All our sins and griefs to bear. 00:33:45.179 --> 00:33:50.179 What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:57.100 Father, thank you that the Lord Jesus is one who knows, who cares. 00:33:57.900 --> 00:34:00.320 Thank you that we read about him here in Matthew 6, 00:34:00.380 --> 00:34:04.660 having come to the earth to call people to come to himself, 00:34:05.320 --> 00:34:07.140 to repent of their sin, 00:34:07.580 --> 00:34:09.460 to trust in him as savior, 00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:12.559 and to enjoy life with the father. 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:15.159 And so, Father, I pray that, 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:18.779 Lord, trusting that your spirit is a way better pastor 00:34:18.779 --> 00:34:20.599 than I can ever, ever hope to be. 00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:25.659 That you, with your perfect fatherly knowledge of us, 00:34:25.739 --> 00:34:28.420 would be bringing that sense of comfort 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:31.420 and that sense of challenge. 00:34:32.299 --> 00:34:34.759 Lord, that you would be lifting us up. 00:34:36.039 --> 00:34:39.679 Lord, that you would be just pushing us down as well. 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:42.259 Lord, that you would humble us and lift us. 00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:45.159 And so, Father, we thank you for your precious word today. 00:34:45.940 --> 00:34:48.380 And we ask, Lord, that you would be glorified in our lives. 00:34:48.500 --> 00:34:50.099 Thank you for that wonderful invitation 00:34:50.099 --> 00:34:51.759 to seek first the kingdom of God 00:34:51.759 --> 00:34:53.940 and his righteousness 00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:57.559 and all else will be added unto us. 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:59.340 Father, thank you for your love for us. 00:34:59.360 --> 00:35:00.420 And we just give you this morning. 00:35:00.739 --> 00:35:01.860 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:02.779 Amen. 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:03.779 Amen. 00:35:03.779 --> 00:35:03.880 Amen.