Do not be anxious, you have a Father who cares

Bible Passage: Matthew 6:25-34

Theme: Jesus Christ instructs His followers they need to be free of the anxieties of an uncertain life by trusting the Father’s special care for them so that they may wholeheartedly seek after God.

I. Background to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)

1. Jesus is explaining what discipleship entails. He draws distinctions between the hollow but impressive religion of the scribes and pharisees versus the true children of God.
2. He gets very practical in what righteous living is about. He talks about obedience from the heart, loving your enemies, not being a show off in your religious life, and then attitudes toward money.
3. The teaching recorded in Matthew 6:19-34 is about money and its priority in the life of a Christian.
4. Jesus compares money as an alternate master to God, and He warns us about seeking after it, not being generous, and vainly hoarding treasures on earth rather than building up a treasure in heaven.
5. Jesus then talks about “what if you don’t have enough,” or if “you’re worried you might not have enough in the future.” This mindset of worry leads to anxiety.

II. During such times of uncertainty and real trouble that many in our country are facing, our Lord Jesus wants to speak specifically His followers, and He says it three times in this passage “Do not be anxious.” (verses 25, 31, 34)

1.First, our Lord says “Do not be anxious about your life” because our lives have greater significance than even the basic necessities of food and clothing. This is further explained in two ways
a. God has placed a higher on His children than He has on birds (and also the rest of creation)
b. Our lives are of eternal significance compared to our material possessions
Food and clothing are the essential needs every human being has, and yet our Lord says that there are more important things than those to focus on

2.Second, our Lord says “Do not be anxious like those who do not know God” because we do know God.
3.Third, our Lord says “Do not be anxious about the future” because we’re not in control, God is.

Take Away

Pursue after God’s rule and righteous living, and don’t be driven or paralyzed by anxiety in these uncertain times.