NOTES: God is Near, Part 7
Sermon: God is Near 7: Consider the Lillies
Date: Sunday, October 12, 2024
Text: Matthew 6:25-34
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."
Let’s Connect:
The presence of our Father changes everything!
Text Explained:
Jesus is offering something far more transformative than just fixing our anxieties
“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?
Jesus is warning about misplaced loyalty
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Jesus talks about time and touches on our intense desire for control
Ask: What do you think you can’t live without?
Matthew 6:21, 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus is inviting them to examine what they most value with Him
Often, the root of worry is pain; worry opposes the Word of God in our lives; worry is directly opposed to our true identity.
Jesus is inviting them to re-define their identity with Him
How does Jesus move us into this new identity? (Vs. 26-33)
The Take Out:
Look at creation and learn to see your Heavenly Father
The King of the kingdom who says, “don’t be anxious”is the one who makes it possible.
I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” ― Martin Luther
Our Challenge:
Practice your New Identity
Britain’s Story: Keep Calm and Carry On: The crown told them everything they need to know about their identity and security.
Psalm 16:8–11, 8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.