1. Worry n 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

2. Worry n The great challenge we face is to choose faith over worry. We must choose to focus our minds upon God and His promises!

3. Worry n Without a strong effort we can allow our minds to be pulled by raw emotion.

4. Worry n The great challenge we face is to choose faith over worry. We must choose to focus our minds upon God and His promises! n Without a strong effort we can allow our minds to be pulled by raw emotion. n We must fight this “emotional reality.” (1 Pt 1:13)

5. Worry n 1 Peter 1:13 (NKJV) -Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

6. Worry n “The essence of worry... is the absence of thought, a failure to think.”

7. Worry n This is not easy! Look at how often Jesus reminded His disciples to look to their faith rather than their fears. (Jn 14:27)

8. Worry n John 14:27 (NKJV) - Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

9. Worry n “Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.”

10. Worry n “If we bring into one day's thoughts the evil of many, certain and uncertain, what will be and what will never be, our load will be as intolerable as it is unreasonable.”

11. Worry n “No man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow's burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear. Never load yourself so.”

12. Worry n “One is given strength to bear what happens to one, but not the one hundred and one different things that might happen.”

13. Unrighteous Judgment n Matthew 7:1-4 (NKJV) - “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

14. Unrighteous Judgment n Often knowledgeable and experienced Christians get caught up in a sinful judging. (Mt 7:1-4)

15. Unrighteous Judgment n Often knowledgeable and experienced Christians get caught up in a sinful judging. (Mt 7:1-4) n This is a kind of judging that proceeds from the wrong kind of heart.

16. Unrighteous Judgment n Often knowledgeable and experienced Christians get caught up in a sinful judging. (Mt 7:1-4) n This is a kind of judging that proceeds from the wrong kind of heart. n It is not a fair judging since God threatens to turn the same standard on us!

17. Unrighteous Judgment n Often knowledgeable and experienced Christians get caught up in a sinful judging. (Mt 7:1-4) n This is a kind of judging that proceeds from the wrong kind of heart. n It is not a fair judging since God threatens to turn the same standard on us! n This man cannot see himself and attempts to fool others as to who he is, thus he is a “hypocrite.”

18. Unrighteous Judgment n Satan’s goal is to blind us to our spiritual need and condition. (2 Cor 4:3-4)

19. Unrighteous Judgment n 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NKJV) n 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

20. Unrighteous Judgment n Satan’s goal is to blind us to our spiritual need and condition. (2 Cor 4:3-4) n A common motive for sinful judgment is pride. (Lk 18:9-11; Mk 15:10)

21. Unrighteous Judgment n Luke 18:9-11 (NKJV) - Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

22. Unrighteous Judgment n Mark 15:10 (NKJV) – 10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

23. Unrighteous Judgment n Satan’s goal is to blind us to our spiritual need and condition. (2 Cor 4:3-4) n A common motive for sinful judgment is pride. (Lk 18:9-11; Mk 15:10) n If one is “never wrong” then that one is full of pride.

24. Unrighteous Judgment n Satan’s goal is to blind us to our spiritual need and condition. (2 Cor 4:3-4) n A common motive for sinful judgment is pride. (Lk 18:9-11; Mk 15:10) n If one is “never wrong” then that one is full of pride. n Like Satan, these ones use accusations to get their way with others.

25. Unrighteous Judgment n Consider the unreasonableness of the harsh judgments of these people.

26. Unrighteous Judgment n Consider the unreasonableness of the harsh judgments of these people. n People are attacked by arbitrary and changing standards. Often the true motives of the attacks are concealed to others. (Lk 7:33-35)

27. Unrighteous Judgment n Luke 7:33-35 (NKJV) - For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

28. Unrighteous Judgment n A man and his grandson went on a journey, walking and leading a donkey. Soon they met a passerby who said, "How foolish for both of you to be walking. One should be riding the donkey." So the man put his grandson on the animal. The next person they met frowned and said, "How dreadful for a strong boy to be riding while an old man walks." So the boy climbed off the donkey and his grandfather climbed on.

29. Unrighteous Judgment n The next traveler down the road said, "I just can't believe that a grown man would ride and make a poor little boy walk." So the man pulled the little boy up and they rode on together. This seemed to be the solution, until they met the next fellow who cried out, "I never thought I would see anything so cruel in all my life -- two intelligent human beings riding one poor defenseless donkey."

30. Unrighteous Judgment n Down the road a piece, they met a couple of men traveling together. When they passed, one said to the other, "Did you ever see two dummies carrying a donkey before?"

31. Unrighteous Judgment n Consider the unreasonableness of the harsh judgments of these people. n People are attacked by arbitrary and changing standards. Often the true motives of the attacks are concealed to others. (Lk 7:33-35) n Even when one knows the truth these tactics can be used when pride takes over. (1 Cor 8:1-2)

32. Unrighteous Judgment n 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 (NKJV) - Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.

33. Unrighteous Judgment n Consider the unreasonableness of the harsh judgments of these people. n People are attacked by arbitrary and changing standards. Often the true motives of the attacks are concealed to others. (Lk 7:33-35) n Even when one knows the truth these tactics can be used when pride takes over. (1 Cor 8:1-2) n Good people are tempted to make snap judgments based on emotion.

34. Unrighteous Judgment n Jesus warns us to use facts and principles in our judgment. (Jn 7:24)

35. Unrighteous Judgment n John 7:24 (NKJV) - Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

36. Unrighteous Judgment n Jesus warns us to use facts and principles in our judgment. (Jn 8:24) n It is far too easy to put the worst interpretation on matters or to assume something that we do not know! What does love do? (1 Cor 13:4-7)

37. Unrighteous Judgment n 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NKJV) - Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

38. Unrighteous Judgment n Jesus warns us to use facts and principles in our judgment. (Jn 8:24) n It is far too easy to put the worst interpretation on matters or to assume something that we do not know! What does love do? (1 Cor 13:4-7) n How many of you has a discussion about your relatives after a reunion? What kind of judgment did you make? (Ex. Barber shop)

39. Unrighteous Judgment n Some people’s “evangelism” is a barrage of accusations designed to discredit others and praise those who submit to men. (Ex. Discussion list)

40. Unrighteous Judgment n Some people’s “evangelism” is a barrage of accusations designed to discredit others and praise those who submit to men. (Ex. Discussion list) n The worst treatment I have received has come from those who say: “Judge not!!!”

41. Unrighteous Judgment n Matthew 7:5 - Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

42. Unrighteous Judgment n Matthew 7:5 - Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

43. Unrighteous Judgment n Matthew 7:6 - “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces

44. Unrighteous Judgment n Proverbs 15:5 (NKJV) - A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. n Proverbs 23:9 (NKJV) -Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

45. Unrighteous Judgment n Proverbs 26:4-5 (NKJV) - Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

46. Our God wants to provide for us! n Matthew 7:7-12 - “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

47. Our God wants to provide for us! n 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

48. Our God wants to provide for us! n Ask, and it shall be given you …—There are here three different forms presented of seeking the things which we need from God—asking, ‘seeking, and knocking. The latter is taken from the act of knocking at a door for admittance. See Luke 13:25; Rev. 3:20. The phrases signify to seek with earnestness, diligence, and perseverance. The promise is, that what we seek shall be given us.

49. Our God wants to provide for us! n 1 John 5:14 (NKJV) - Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

50. Our God wants to provide for us! n “God is willing to provide for us, to forgive our sins, to save our souls, to befriend us in trial, to comfort us in death, to extend the gospel through the world. Man “can” ask no higher things of God; and these he may ask, assured that he is willing to grant them.”

51. Our God wants to provide for us! n “Every one that asketh receiveth—That is, every one that asks aright; that prays in faith, and in submission to the will of God. He does not always give the very thing which we ask, but he gives what would be better. A parent will not always confer the “very thing” which a child asks, but he will seek the welfare of the child, and give what he thinks will be most for its good. Paul asked that the thorn from his flesh might be removed.”

52. Our God wants to provide for us! n “God did not “literally” grant the request, but told him that his “grace” should be “sufficient” for him. See the notes at 2 Cor. 12:7-9.”

53. Our God wants to provide for us! n 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

54. Two Ways and Their Nature n Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV) - “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

55. Two Ways and Their Nature n Enter ye in at the strait gate—Christ here compares the way to life to an entrance through a gate. The words “straight” and “strait” have very different meanings. The former means “not crooked;” the latter, “pent up, narrow, difficult to be entered.” This is the word used here, and it means that the way to heaven is “pent up, narrow, close,” and not obviously entered. The way to death is open, broad, and thronged.

56. Two Ways and Their Nature n How should our knowledge of this truth change the way we think?

57. Two Ways and Their Nature n How should our knowledge of this truth change the way we think? n What does it tell us about our efforts in evangelism?

58. Two Ways and Their Nature n The way to death, on the other hand, is broad. Multitudes are in it. It is the great highway in which people go. They fall into it easily and without effort, and go without thought. If they wish to leave that and go by a narrow gate to the city, it would require effort and thought. So, says Christ, “diligence” is needed to enter life. See Luke 13:24. None go of course. All must strive, to obtain it; and so narrow, unfrequented, and solitary is it, that few find it.

59. Two Ways and Their Nature n This sentiment has been beautifully versified by Watts: “Broad is the road that leads to death, And thousands walk together there; But wisdom shows a narrower path, With here and there a traveler.”

60. Two Ways and Their Nature n Luke 13:24 (NKJV) – 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

61. Two Ways and Their Nature n Strive—Literally, “agonize.” The word is taken from the Grecian games. In their races, and wrestlings, and various athletic exercises, they “strove or agonized,” or put forth all their powers to gain the victory. Thousands witnessed them. They were long trained for the conflict, and the honor of victory was one of the highest honors among the people.

62. Two Ways and Their Nature n So Jesus says that we should strive to enter in; and he means by it that we should be diligent, be active, be earnest; that we should make it our first and chief business to overcome our sinful propensities, and to endeavor to enter into heaven. This same figure or allusion to the Grecian games is often used in the New Testament, 1 Cor. 9:24- 26; Phil 2:16; Heb. 12:1.

63. Two Ways and Their Nature n Matthew 7:15-20 (NKJV) - “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

64. Two Ways and Their Nature n 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

65. Two Ways and Their Nature n Ye shall know them by their fruits—The Saviour gives the proper test of their character. People do not judge of a tree by its leaves, or bark, or flowers, but by the fruit which it bears. The flowers may be beautiful and fragrant, the foliage thick and green; but these are merely ornamental. It is the “fruit” that is of chief service to man; and he forms his opinion of the nature and value of the tree by that fruit. So of pretensions to religion.

66. Two Ways and Their Nature n The profession may be fair; but the “conduct”— the fruit—is to determine the nature of the principles.

67. Two Ways and Their Nature n Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV) - “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’