1. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. A reminder - Please: Turn off your cell phone or set to vibrate only
Turn off sound to all electronic devices
Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy
Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early)

3. The Remedy for Worry Matthew 6:25-34
Feelings of inner turmoil and outward uneasiness as the future is considered
Marketers & politicians use worry to manipulate us
Matthew 6: Jesus does not want you to be anxious and full of worry

4. The Cause of Worry Matthew 6:19-24
If your treasures are earthly, mammon is your master, and you must rely on them for the future
Fear they can be destroyed or stolen = anxiety
If your treasures are in heaven, God is your master and your future is in His loving hands. Security = peace

5. The Command Matthew 6:25
“For this reason,” / “Therefore” = the next statement is predicated on the previous statements
Verse 25 - do not be anxious (merimnavw / merimnaō) = thoughts bound up with a brooding, fearful concern

6. The Command Matthew 6:25
Jesus’ command is to not to have a fearful concern about the basic needs of life like food, drink & clothing

7. Fretting About Food Matthew 6:26
Jesus points out the birds that are flying around and uses them to illustrate the Father’s provision
If God will take care of insignificant birds, He will also take care of you
God can miraculously provide (Exod. 16:35, 1 Kings 17), but Jesus is not removing the curse of Gen. 3:17-19

8. Fretting About Food Matthew 6:26
2 Thessalonians 3: those who are unwilling to work should not eat
Jesus is saying that God’s care and provision allows you to quit worrying, not quit working

9. Concerns about Clothing Matthew 6:28-30
No promise to be clothed like Solomon or as lovely as a flower - but that God will provide your needs
The poor are tempted to worry about having sufficient food to live and enough clothing to keep warm

10. Concerns about Clothing Matthew 6:28-30
The rich are tempted to worry about the kind of food and the fashion of the clothing
Being ungrateful and complaining is a serious sin - Numbers 11:4, 31f; 1 Corinthians 10:10; 2 Timothy 3:2.

11. Concerns about Clothing Matthew 6:28-30
Do you dress to be fashionable and impress people or to reflect godliness? 1 Peter 3:3

12. The Foolishness of Worry Matthew 6:27, 30-32
Being anxious does not result in living longer, if anything, it shortens it
Anxiety level demonstrates level of trusting God Much worry = “little faith” - verse 30

13. The Foolishness of Worry Matthew 6:27, 30-32
The proper practice of prayer is dependent on God knowing your needs before you ask - Matthew 6:8
When your faith weakens, you need to remember these truths so that you do not live like the “Gentiles”

14. The Remedy for Worry Matthew 6:33-34
Focus your life on God and rest in His loving care to provide
Resist the pressures to conform you to the world (Romans 12:2)

15. The Remedy for Worry Matthew 6:33-34
A proper focus on God and trusting Him diminishes worry while increasing contentment and peace
Vs living for God in the present removes worry (preoccupation today due to fear of tomorrow)

16. Seeking God’s Kingdom & Righteousness Matthew 6:33
Jesus’ guarantee to provide “all these things” is conditional on seeking first His kingdom and righteousness
Your mind & goals in life are set on glorifying & serving God instead of your own kingdom or pleasure

17. Though Provoking Questions
What is your standard of living and why is it at that level?
Does your effort to raise or keep your standard of living compromise godliness?
Do your business ethics reflect godliness or pragmatism?

18. Though Provoking Questions
Do you give sacrificially to meet the needs God places in front of you? 1 John 3:5
Do the things you do for entertainment reflect godliness or personal desire?
Are you able to stand firm in your personal morality even when a public light is shined on it?

19. Conclusions
Every decision you make, actions you take are to be determined knowing and following God’s perspective
You can be at peace if you first seek God’s kingdom and righteousness for He will provide for you - always

20. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ