“Hide Your Holiness” Religion vs. Spirituality” – p.7 Matthew 6:19-34

Three top things we worry about: HealthHealth MoneyMoney RelationshipsRelationships We worry when things get out of control and for many of us we are out of control in our finances.We worry when things get out of control and for many of us we are out of control in our finances.

Jesus Bottom Line: Worry is the result of looking at life through the wrong lens.Worry is the result of looking at life through the wrong lens.

Matthew 6:25 “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry…”“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry…”

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

Matthew 6:19-21 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus on money… Jesus says that His disciples are givers not takers. (vv.22-23)Jesus says that His disciples are givers not takers. (vv.22-23) “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.

Jesus on money… Jesus says that His disciples are givers not takers. (vv.22-23)Jesus says that His disciples are givers not takers. (vv.22-23) But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Jesus on money… Jesus says that His disciples must decide whose agenda they will follow (v.24)Jesus says that His disciples must decide whose agenda they will follow (v.24) “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other,

Jesus on money… Jesus says that His disciples must decide whose agenda they will follow (v.24)Jesus says that His disciples must decide whose agenda they will follow (v.24) or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Jesus on worry… Jesus says worry is irreverent because it fails to recognize that the God who gave us life is sustaining it (v.25)Jesus says worry is irreverent because it fails to recognize that the God who gave us life is sustaining it (v.25) "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body,

Jesus on worry… Jesus says worry is irreverent because it fails to recognize that the God who gave us life is sustaining it (v.25)Jesus says worry is irreverent because it fails to recognize that the God who gave us life is sustaining it (v.25) what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Jesus on worry… An illustration from Jesus: Birds of the air illustrate freedom from anxiety. (v.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?An illustration from Jesus: Birds of the air illustrate freedom from anxiety. (v.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?

Jesus on worry… Jesus says worry is irrelevant; it does not change things, nor does it help us in coping with problems. (v.27)Jesus says worry is irrelevant; it does not change things, nor does it help us in coping with problems. (v.27) Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? – vs. 27

Jesus on worry… Two things worry can never do:Two things worry can never do: Can’t change the things that can be changed.Can’t change the things that can be changed. Can’t change the things that can’t be changed.Can’t change the things that can’t be changed.

Jesus on worry… Worry is for those who don’t know God and for those who don’t know that their God knows them. (v.32)Worry is for those who don’t know God and for those who don’t know that their God knows them. (v.32) 'For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them

Jesus on worry… An illustration from Jesus: Lilies of the field illustrate freedom from status- seeking. (vv )An illustration from Jesus: Lilies of the field illustrate freedom from status- seeking. (vv ) "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

Jesus on worry… An illustration from Jesus: Lilies of the field illustrate freedom from status- seeking. (vv )An illustration from Jesus: Lilies of the field illustrate freedom from status- seeking. (vv ) Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Jesus on worry… Jesus says worry is irresponsible; it burns up psychic energy without using it to apply constructive action to the problem. (v. 34)Jesus says worry is irresponsible; it burns up psychic energy without using it to apply constructive action to the problem. (v. 34) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Jesus on worry… All illustration from Jesus: grass of the field illustrates our need to assess priorities. (vv.30-31)All illustration from Jesus: grass of the field illustrates our need to assess priorities. (vv.30-31) If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire,

Jesus on worry… All illustration from Jesus: grass of the field illustrates our need to assess priorities. (vv.30-31)All illustration from Jesus: grass of the field illustrates our need to assess priorities. (vv.30-31) will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?

Our Bottom Line: God is worthy of my trust!God is worthy of my trust!

APPLICATION Make seeking God your number one priority. (v.33)Make seeking God your number one priority. (v.33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – v. 33

APPLICATION Practice living as a giver (servant)Practice living as a giver (servant)