On The Brink of Tomorrow

A time of internal reflection and self-evaluation.

Scripture reminds us life is brief. Job 14: 1 Man, who is born of woman, is short-lived and full of turmoil. I Peter 1: 24 For, "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off, ..."

Scripture urges us to prepare for the inevitable. Hebrews 9: 27 It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, Amos 4: 12 Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel.

I. Broad Context : The “Sermon on the Mount” is an exegeses of the Law’s moral demands.

Chapter 5 is an exposition of the moral demands of the Law.

Matthew 5: 21-22 You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ' You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

Matthew 5: 27-28 You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Chapter 6 illustrates the principles taught in chapter 5.

Mark 7: 20-23 And He was saying, " That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. 23 All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man."

Our specific text ( Matt 6: 24-34 ) deals with the sin of worry. Worry is a sin of the heart.

Romans 8: 37-39 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ( cf - II Tim. 1: 7 … not a spirit of fear )

II. Worry involves the sin of Greed.

Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Proverbs 27: 23-27 Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds; 24 For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations. 25 When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in, 26 The lambs will be for your clothing, And the goats will bring the price of a field, 27 And there will be goats' milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, And sustenance for your maidens.

Prepare for the future, but do not focus on it. Worry is forbidden so trust God and live for today.

III. Worry involves the sin of idolatry.

We cannot serve both God and the things of this world. Matthew 6: 24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. ( mamanas ->

Worry cannot add to your life, but it can shorten it. Matthew 6: 27 Who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

IV. Worry involves the sin of unbelief.

Worry is not a minor infraction, it is a manifestation of unbelief. Matthew 6: 30-31 You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'

Worry questions the promises of God. Hebrews 13: 5-6 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, " I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," 6 so that we confidently say, “The lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?"

Worry leads to falling away from God. Hebrews 3: 12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today, …

V. Three practical lessons from our text that should characterize the Christian’s life.

#1 The only cure for worry is Vs. 33 “… Seek ye first the kingdom …”

#2 Worldly cares are a great threat to one’s spiritual wellbeing.

#3 It is absolutely foolish to borrow trouble from tomorrow to worry about today. Matthew 6: 34 So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

TRUST GOD … Lamentations 3: 22-24 The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24 "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."

We have no reason to worry This is our challenge for the coming year.   We have no reason to worry or to fear the future.

Matthew 6: 34 So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.