LIVING WITH WORRY & FEAR Matthew 6:25-34

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV) 25 “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? 26 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? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV) 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 30 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?

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV) 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Introduction What is your deepest fear? It could possibly be a number of things like: Safety – terrorism, accidents, natural disasters, etc. Social – political correctness, freedom of speech, etc. Family – drugs, alcoholism, violence, death, etc. Most are intensely personal – to you and you worry My deepest fear…

Living with worry & fear The main drive is usually fear and it often leads to worry BUT why do you have to ‘live with it?’ Depending on your personality, but most people don’t want to live with worry and fear because: It drags you down It distracts you from fulfilling your goals It can ‘ruin’ your life

Can you live fear & worry FREE? Jesus has an interesting way of tackling this issue in Matthew 6 Jesus ask us questions to think things through v.25 – is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Life is more than what you have – possession, materialism, etc. E.g. mobile phones, now smart phones

Can you live fear & worry FREE? BUT Jesus reminds us that we’re often focusing on the wrong things when it comes to life! It’s not about what we have – it’s about how valuable we are to HIM! v.26 - are you not much more valuable than they? You are valuable because you are HIS child, made in HIS image! Remember Genesis 1

Can you live fear & worry FREE? You are so valuable – don’t be distracted by worry v.27 - Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Not likely! E.g. Youth mission to India budget BUT Jesus continues to ask questions and chip away at your fear & worry… v.28 - And why do you worry about clothes? Jesus understands that you have needs and will fulfil it

Can you live fear & worry FREE? BUT do you not trust Jesus to fulfil that need? v.30 - 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? A lack of trust – will lead you to fear and worry A lack of faith – will hinder your spiritual walk

YES you can live fear & worry FREE? Why? v.32 - your heavenly Father knows that you need them. HE will give you the things you need How? v.33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Focus on Jesus – not everything else!

Application Remember that: You are Valuable - worthy, special, exceptional, wonderfully made Jesus will give you what you NEED because he cares for you Don’t be distracted by: What you have – possession, materials, etc. A lack of trust A lack of faith

Application The focus of living a fear and worry FREE life is… v.33 – to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So what is your deepest fear now?

Marianne Williamson quote… Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.