Good Morning and welcome to some worship and thoughts for today from the Gospel of MATTHEW 6 V25-34.
DO NOT WORRY
Easier said than done. Do not worry. During these difficult times when there are so many things that we are concerned and worried about. There are new restrictions placed on us to stay indoors, we are given advice on keeping a safe distance from other people, good hand washing and so on. All in an effort to control the spread of the Coronavirus.
I have recently discovered Facebook and am very grateful to everyone who has posted pictures of our beautiful town and along the many beauty spots along the outskirts where they have been walking taking their once a day exercise. To live in such a beautiful area, especially at this time of year, when the daffodils are out and the blossom starting to appear on the trees.
So often we hear people say DON’T WORRY, EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT. Nice to hear but they don’t know that.
When Jesus said DO NOT WORRY, he backed it up with teaching that provided reasons. In verse 24 we are told that we cannot serve two masters. Serving God leads to faith which is expressed in seeking God’s kingdom. Serving mammon leads to worry, which is expressed in running after the things of this life.
As we have seen in the past weeks treasures on earth are very vulnerable. Jesus does not mean we should not make sensible provision for our life if we can.
1 Timothy 6v17 Command those who are rich in the present world not to be arrogant, nor put their hope in wealth which is uncertain, but put their hope in God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
To store up things and money for ourselves, to make earthly possessions our priority or only concern is sheer folly. Nothing is of any value if we are not rich towards God.
Jesus then turns to nature to emphasise the point He is making, about why we should trust God and not worry.
The birds of the air, they don’t even sow or reap, or store away in barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.v26
Jesus then goes on to remind us that we are much more valuable than they.
Worry is fruitless and pointless. Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? v27
Worry is more likely to shorten life than prolong it.
I don’t know about you but at this time of year I like looking at all the daffodils on the common and beside the statue as you enter the town. What a beautiful blaze of colour.
As Jesus has used the birds of the air to deal with the subject of food. So now Jesus refers to the lilies of the field, to deal with the subject of clothes. Flowers do not labour or spin, yet God clothes them in glory. So, just as we are more valuable than birds, we are also more permanent than flowers and the grass of the field. We must learn to trust our Heavenly Father. Jesus reminds the disciples that our Heavenly Father knows what you need and will provide.
While we must not worry, that is not enough. We must not adopt a laissez faire attitude assuming all will be well. We must seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
Our goal in life must not be earthly possessions, but treasure in heaven. Not earthly rewards which fade away but God’s blessing is always there for us.
During these difficult days for all of us, it has been encouraging to see members of the church putting their faith into action. Showing the love of Jesus in practical ways serving their communities.
The kingdom of God does not need our worrying to enable it to prosper. The way of the kingdom is to seek it with all your heart.
V34 Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Jesus said in John 14v1
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God trust also in me.
Let us learn to lean ever closer to our Heavenly Father, knowing whatever is in store for us we are in the loving and safe hands of our Heavenly Father.
DO NOT WORRY
Easier said than done. Do not worry. During these difficult times when there are so many things that we are concerned and worried about. There are new restrictions placed on us to stay indoors, we are given advice on keeping a safe distance from other people, good hand washing and so on. All in an effort to control the spread of the Coronavirus.
I have recently discovered Facebook and am very grateful to everyone who has posted pictures of our beautiful town and along the many beauty spots along the outskirts where they have been walking taking their once a day exercise. To live in such a beautiful area, especially at this time of year, when the daffodils are out and the blossom starting to appear on the trees.
So often we hear people say DON’T WORRY, EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT. Nice to hear but they don’t know that.
When Jesus said DO NOT WORRY, he backed it up with teaching that provided reasons. In verse 24 we are told that we cannot serve two masters. Serving God leads to faith which is expressed in seeking God’s kingdom. Serving mammon leads to worry, which is expressed in running after the things of this life.
As we have seen in the past weeks treasures on earth are very vulnerable. Jesus does not mean we should not make sensible provision for our life if we can.
1 Timothy 6v17 Command those who are rich in the present world not to be arrogant, nor put their hope in wealth which is uncertain, but put their hope in God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
To store up things and money for ourselves, to make earthly possessions our priority or only concern is sheer folly. Nothing is of any value if we are not rich towards God.
Jesus then turns to nature to emphasise the point He is making, about why we should trust God and not worry.
The birds of the air, they don’t even sow or reap, or store away in barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.v26
Jesus then goes on to remind us that we are much more valuable than they.
Worry is fruitless and pointless. Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? v27
Worry is more likely to shorten life than prolong it.
I don’t know about you but at this time of year I like looking at all the daffodils on the common and beside the statue as you enter the town. What a beautiful blaze of colour.
As Jesus has used the birds of the air to deal with the subject of food. So now Jesus refers to the lilies of the field, to deal with the subject of clothes. Flowers do not labour or spin, yet God clothes them in glory. So, just as we are more valuable than birds, we are also more permanent than flowers and the grass of the field. We must learn to trust our Heavenly Father. Jesus reminds the disciples that our Heavenly Father knows what you need and will provide.
While we must not worry, that is not enough. We must not adopt a laissez faire attitude assuming all will be well. We must seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
Our goal in life must not be earthly possessions, but treasure in heaven. Not earthly rewards which fade away but God’s blessing is always there for us.
During these difficult days for all of us, it has been encouraging to see members of the church putting their faith into action. Showing the love of Jesus in practical ways serving their communities.
The kingdom of God does not need our worrying to enable it to prosper. The way of the kingdom is to seek it with all your heart.
V34 Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Jesus said in John 14v1
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God trust also in me.
Let us learn to lean ever closer to our Heavenly Father, knowing whatever is in store for us we are in the loving and safe hands of our Heavenly Father.