WINNING OVER WORRY

Lesson Four

We’re going to explore one of the most encouraging and comforting of all of Jesus’ teachings. It’s a part of the Sermon on the Mount, and it’s actually divided into two sections. Section one is found in verses 25 – 30 of Matthew chapter 6, while section two is found in verses 33 – 34.

Notice first of all some facts in regard to worry.

I. Facts about Worry

A. Fact Number One: Worry is Inconsistent (vs. 25).

Anytime you see the word therefore, you have to look back and see what it’s there for. If you go back to verses 19 and 20, we are told to lay up our treasure in heaven, and in verses 22 and 23, we are told to have a single eye. The idea is focusing on one thing. Then in verse 24, we are told not to have two masters. So the principle is, if we lay up treasure in heaven, and we are focusing on God, and He is our Master, we need not worry about the things of this life (verse 25). Worry is inconsistent when God is our Master.

B. Fact Number Two: Worry is Irrational (verse 26).

Look at Luke 12:6, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” A farthing is a copper coin worth about one cent? Now compare that to verse 26, if God cares about the sparrow worth two cents, then don’t you think that we are more valuable to God than the sparrows? If so – and God takes care of the sparrows, worry is irrational.

C. Fact Number Three: Worry is Ineffective (verse 27).

Note: The interpretation of the verse seems clear, but perhaps Jesus was going a bit deeper. What if we were talking about money rather than inches? Which of you by worrying can add to your income? The answer, of course, is you can’t – worry is ineffective.

D. Fact Number Four: Worry is Illogical (verses 29-32).

Note: How many office hours have these lilies put in? How many dues have they paid? Have you ever seen a lily suffer an anxiety attack? They simply sway in the breeze, reaching heavenward toward the source of their water and sunshine. They do nothing more or less than what they were designed to do: bring glory to their Creator…and so it is with us. When we bring glory to God, our worry is illogical.

II. Fighting Against Worry

How can we be victorious over worry?

A. You need a priority system (verse 33).

1. The Kingdom of God

2. The righteousness of God

B. You need a strategic program.

We need a systematic strategy to weed out worry.

1. Leave tomorrow alone. This does not mean don’t plan. We all need to be organized. As a matter of fact, most worry about tomorrow is due to a lack of planning for tomorrow.

2. Don’t dwell on yesterday’s mission.

3. Don’t dwell on yesterday’s success.

4. Don’t dwell on yesterday’s distress.

Priority:

1. Necessary

2. Needy

3. Nice

Key Verses:

Psalm 50:15, “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

Psalm 55:22, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

I Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Notes