Don’t WORRY, TRUST God!

Matthew 6:33; Selected Scriptures
By
D.Z. Cofield, Th.M., D. Min.
January 3, 2021

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 6:24-34 (NLT2) – “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. 25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD!

1. Realize you have the power to CHOOSE whether you will WORRY OR TRUST.

Matthew 6:25-32 (ESV) – Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

Anxious –

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) – do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2. Realize your WORRYING is a WASTE of TIME.

Matthew 6:25-32 (ESV) – Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

3. You need to spend your time and energy SEEKING God instead of WORRYING about things.
Matthew 6:33 (ESV) – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Seek –

2 Samuel 22:2-3 (NKJV) – And he said: “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; 3 The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence.

Psalm 91:2 (ESV) – I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Questions to Consider

1. What do you believe people are worrying about the most during the pandemic?
2. What are your top three worries?
3. Why should we take great comfort from the way the animal and plant kingdoms operate? (6:26)
4. What benefits does worry bring? (6:27)
5. Why do you think unbelievers and unspiritual people are overly consumed with a concern over food, water, and clothing? (6:32)
6. What priorities should you have in life? (6:33)
7. What will God do for you when you keep the right perspective, refuse to worry, and trust Him? (6:33)
8. If God is really in control of the universe, why do you worry so much about so many things?
9. How do you think worry affects you emotionally, physically, and spiritually?
10. Is the difference between planning for the future and worrying about the future? Explain
11. What worry will you entrust to God today?
12. What steps can you take today to change your priorities from worldly ones to kingdom ones?