M ATTHEW 7:13-14

A NXIOUSNESS Focusing on God instead FOCUS

D EFINING A NXIOUSNESS Luke 10:41-42 (ASV) But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (KJV) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Strong’s Numbers: merimnao ̄ ( mer-im-nah'-o)= to be anxious about: - (be, have) care (-ful), take thought. Vine’s Expository Dictionary: merimnao ̄ ( mer-im-nah'-o)= akin to merimna, signifies "to be anxious about, to have a distracting care,” merimna = "to draw in different directions, distract," hence signifies "that which causes this, a care, especially an anxious care,"

E ASY TO GET CONFUSED AND DISTRACTED IN THE WORLD TODAY So Many options… 1,370,000,000 Results for the term “music” A broad view Not to mention how many artists and genres This is just music How does this apply to religion and God? Some people take the same approach and want “options”

R ELIGIOUS CONFUSION ISN ’ T NEW Acts 17:16-23 Athens was wholly given to idolatry, the city was full of idols. Paul attempts to cut through the confusion, and narrow the focus, onto only God Losing sight of God among so many other things, cares, distractions That’s what happened to Martha

W HEN WE ARE DISTRACTED WITH SOMETHING, WE CAN LOOSE OUR FOCUS ON GOD 1Corinthians 7:32-35 But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord: (33) but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife, (34) and is divided. So also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. (35) And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

B EING ANXIOUS IN SPITE OF HAVING G OD Exodus 14:10-12 People had a real concern, anxious for their lives In spite of having God, anxiousness turned thoughts around Exodus 14:13-18, 28 Genesis 17:1-9, Abraham’s worry about a son from Sara cause him to doubt God Their worry and impatientness caused them to choose Hagar Real ConcernWorry

H OW DO WE CONQUER DISTRACTIONS / ANXIOUSNESS AND REFOCUS ON G OD ? In my music example, entering “MUSIC” gave a broad view Narrow our focus Get back to the source- God’s word (Psa 119: ) Make sure the source is good- Impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18) We wouldn’t want second hand information about something important, we would want the original if we can get it.

T RUST G OD Numbers 13:27-33 Didn’t trust that God would go with them and help them take the land Numbers 14:1-11 If we say we believe God, then we can trust His word and promises. When we pray, our fears and anxiety will go away the more we trust God.

D AILY STUDY We can’t trust God, know what His word says, or focus on Him without DAILY study. Titus 3:13 And let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. I John 2:3-6

H OW IS OUR PRAYER LIFE ? Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Do we understand the power of prayer that God gives us? 1Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Hebrews 4:16

W HERE IS GOD IN YOUR LIFE ?

C HANGE OUR FOCUS : P UT THINGS IN THERE PLACE How much easier is it to focus on the bible? Sometimes we create our own cares and worries.

F OCUSING ON SOME CONCLUDING THOUGHTS James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 2 Peter 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We will not be barren or unfruitful It will help sharpen our focus It won’t grow unless we practice what we then have learned Our faith in God needs to grow

A RE YOU A C HRISTIAN ? Do you know Jesus? And does He know you? Matthew 7:21-23 Are you an erring Christian that needs help in any way from the congregation? 1Th 5:14 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all. (15) See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all.