Sunday, January 23, 2022

Sermon on the Mount - Part 18

 Today I want to look at verses 25-34 of chapter 6, once again focusing on who Jesus was speaking to, and on the context of the entire message.

Matthew 6:25-34

(25)“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (26) Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  (27)And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  (28)And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,  (29)yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  (30)But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  (31)Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  (32)For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  (33)But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

 (34)“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

I know people who suffer from anxiety and other issues, so this is a tough one. I know it is difficult for some to just deal with the idea of being able to just cast your anxieties away. Sometimes these feelings have been put in place by some very real, very traumatic events, and our brains are created to adapt to such circumstances and certain defenses come in to play that change the way that we deal with even simple events. I don't think that Jesus is speaking to these people in the sense that they can just stop these feelings on their own with little to no effort, but rather He is setting forth principles for dealing with God. The principle that He seems to be alluding to here is that of faith and trust. Do we really believe that God is in control, and that He cares for us? If so, we will travel our life journey in a much more relaxed manner. It's like being on an airplane. If we trust the pilot, mechanics, designers, builders, etc., we will have a much more pleasant flight than if we worry about each person who is responsible for the safety of that flight. Did I mention the flight controllers? Are you worried yet? 

It is a matter of priority. Seek the kingdom first, then deal about the rest. There is so much that we do not have control of. Worrying about sickness, such as cancer, will not keep it from happening although I have heard of studies that suggest that worry does make us more prone to health issues. So in a sense, while worrying might not prevent something from happening, it might actually help it happen.

I recently read a quote, not sure of the exact phrasing, but here is the idea. "Tomorrow it will snow. You can take joy in the snow or not, but either way, you still have just as much snow." I think this is a great approach to life. Seek the kingdom first, take joy in God and His grace and mercy. Paul says it this way,  "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:11-13) Does that not sound like the words of a man who was first seeking the kingdom?

A note about Philippians 4:13. Notice that when Paul says these words, he is looking back, and stating how he was able to deal with the events, positive and negative, in his life. Perhaps another way of stating this could be, "I was able to endure all things because my faith in Christ gave me the strength to do it." This is not a forward looking promise that you will accomplish any endeavor you try because Jesus has got your back. But it is forward looking in the sense that whatever may come, your faith in Christ will help you endure it. 

Edited 2/11/2022

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