Pastor Phil BurdoinJanuary 1, 2023
Jesus instructs us to “seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.” But he also addresses something that gets in the way. Worry.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Worry is
inward focused. Jesus taught that was are to be outward focused. Loving God and loving people and serving people. Jesus never taught us to be “looking out for number one.”
Worry shows
a self-reliance.Jesus taught that we should rely on the Father and his daily provision for us. When he taught us to pray he used the words Father “give us our daily bread.”
Worry causes us
escape in unhealthy ways.You might be able to escape for a little while, but the weekend always comes to a close, and the party always eventually ends. You need to focus on facing the root problem.
Worry can
chew up valuable time.Our time here on earth is precious and we need to use it in ways that bring glory and honor to Jesus. Each moment you spend worrying you're not bringing that glory and honor to him. And in fact, you are breaking the command that he gave us, do not worry.
Worry can
hurt our relationship with Jesus.In mark chapter 4 Jesus tells the parable of the sower. In which he talks about a farmer who went out to sow seed, comparing the seed to the word of God. He says that some of the seeds were sown among thorns and as the plant grew up the worries of life choked it making it unfruitful. Jesus says that the worries of life have the potential to choke the word of God out of you and make your relationship with him unfruitful.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Matthew 6:25
Isn't life more than these things?
Isn't life more?When we worry we are
showing a lack of faith.When we worry we
look like unbelievers.Jesus says
instead of worrying do something else.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
The opposite of worry is peace. If you have peace in your heart you don’t have to worry.
Paul mentions that peace as he writes a letter to the Philippians from prison. He is most likely cold and hungry but has these words to say. This is Philippians 4:6-7, do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Bottom Line: Seek first his kingdom, and leave worry behind.
