How to Fight Worrying

1. Read: Matthew 6:25-34

2. About the Text:

1) In these verses, Jesus is addressing the problem of worry or anxiety.

2) He speaks about the most basic elements of worry – food, clothing, shelter.

3) God does not want us to worry or be anxious over these most basic things.

4) Certainly, God doesn’t want us worrying or being anxious over anything.

5) Philippians 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing!”

6) This is not just good advice; it is God’s command!

7) The problem is that everyone worries about something.

8) Jesus is saying that worrying only hurts us.

9) So, how do we overcome worry/anxiety?

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. We must understand the value of the things we worry about.

1) Food and Clothing only has instrumental value.

2) They are useful for a specific purpose – to supply nutrition and covering.

3) This is true regarding most things in the world.

4) Colossians 2:22 says that these things perish with their using.

2. We must understand the value of people.

1) Only a person has intrinsic value.

2) People have value in and of themselves.

3) Their value cannot be measured in terms of things or utility.

4) “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

3. How do we value ourselves?

1) Do we think we are only as valuable as our possessions?

2) Do we think we are only as valuable as our utility?

3) God thinks we are as valuable as the life and blood of His Son, Jesus.

4) “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

4. Where are our thoughts?

1) If we relegate food, clothing, shelter, etc. to things only valuable to their utility.

2) If we understand the value of people and focus on them.

3) Where are our thoughts going to be most of the time?

4) 1 Corinthians 12:25 says that we should have the same care for one another!

1. Where is our faith?

1) Is it in the things of this world?

2) Is it in ourselves?

3) Is it in God?

4) Do we act like this?

5) “So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Luke 11:22-24).

2. What is God able to do about our needs?

1) The flowers of the field have no faith, but God clothes them greater even than Solomon.

2) They are clothed today to be destroyed tomorrow.

3) If God can do this for flowers, then what can He do for us?

4) “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

3. Why do we not have more faith in God?

1) Fear

2) Worldly Influences

3) Lack of Patience

4) We think we know better.

5) “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

1. God knows what we our needs are and He is working to provide.

1) “The LORD is my shepherd. I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

2) “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).

3) “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31).

2. We must focus on the right priorities.

1) Kingdom of God

a. Matthew 16:16-18 – The kingdom is the church.

b. What are we doing to help one another get to heaven?

2) His Righteousness

a. We do not want a righteousness of our own!

b. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:3-4).

c. God’s righteousness is revealed in the gospel (Romans 1:16-17).

3. We must live life one day at a time.

1) “Give us day by day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3).

2) “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”” (Lamentations 3:22-24).

1. To fight worrying, we must . . .

1) Understand Our Value

2) Have a Greater Faith

3) Set the Right Priorities

4) “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

2. Invitation