Class Lesson June 26, 2016

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

Anxiety is a multi-billion dollar business in our country. Even my dog is on anti-anxiety medication. Every time a storm rolls in, he completely panics until we can get his medicine down the hatch.

We are a people full of worry and fear. We fear a dreaded diagnosis or the loss of a job. We worry about our children’s health, education, and the choices they make. Worry keeps us up at night and sometimes sends us to the doctor for a host of medical problems—all of which lead back to more worry.

I’ve found that telling a chronic worrier to stop worrying is like telling someone struggling with anorexia to simply start eating. The issue goes far deeper. Thankfully, transformation begins when we’re exposed to the truth. Jesus gives us the truth, the solution, to our fears and worries. When we grow in our understanding of the nature of God, our faith will grow as well—and our worries will head for the door. 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?


Matthew 6:25-34

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Hour (v. 27)—Measure of time or, more literally, of distance; this was specifically a cubit, which is the length from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow, equivalent to about eighteen inches.

What’s your initial reaction
to these verses?

Matthew 6:25-30

In Matthew 6:25, Jesus asked, “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” The real purpose of life is not in having enough food and the best clothing—that’s just existing. When we trust God with the daily incidentals of life, we’ll find more room to engage in our ultimate purpose: loving others and serving God.

Unfortunately, worry often sidetracks us from kingdom living. In fact, we can get so caught up worrying over the daily provisions of life that we miss out on life itself!

Need a reminder of why we don’t need to worry? Look no further than your own backyard. My wife and I love to sit on our back porch early in the morning. Every summer we welcome hummingbirds to our backyard. I am mesmerized watching the rapid flutter of their tiny wings as they feed. Without a doubt, God the Father has provided for them. And Jesus said we are much more valuable than any bird.

In verse 27, Jesus reminded us how useless worry really is. He asked, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Worry won’t add anything to our lives, but it can take things away. Worry can destroy us emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Jesus closed verse 30 by calling those who worry “you of little faith.” When we remain focused on the person or problem instead of focusing on the One who provides, we step away from faith and into worry. This means worry is more than a bad habit; it’s a barometer of your faith. A steady diet of truth will increase your faith, which will allow you to win the battle against worry.

How do we know when we’ve crossed

the line from reasonable concern 

to harmful worry? 

What tends to keep 

you up at night?

Matthew 6:31-32

God knows what you need. What an amazing concept that the Creator of the universe knows everything about you! As David wrote in Psalm 139: “You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways” (vv. 2-3).

God is our loving Father, and He seeks to work on our behalf. When we worry, we’re doing more than allowing a little fear into our hearts. We’re failing to trust that God, in His love, will act on what He knows.

Notice what Jesus said in verse 32: “the Gentiles seek after all these things.” What does idolatry have to do with worry? The answer is that idolatry means placing anything above Christ. Therefore, we are in danger of idolatry when we overvalue the things of this world to the point where they drive us to lose our trust in God—when they drive us to worry. For example, staying up at night worrying about our finances could be a symptom that we are placing too much value on material things.

In other words, worry replaces the lordship of Christ in my life with an undue focus on people or possessions we overvalue. Worry reveals an inability to trust God with those very people and possessions.

It’s worth repeating: knowing and resting in the nature of our God is the key to living a transformed life. The opposite of resting is running, which is what idolaters are doing when they chase after external things like food, drink, and clothing.

All of us have a choice when it comes to worry. We can choose to run after the things of this world, or we can take the approach of having faith and trusting God. One path leads to losing everything. The other path leads to God’s amazing provision, both spiritually and physically. 

Matthew 6:33-34

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus pointed to what should be the main priority for our lives: His kingdom and His righteousness.

The key word in this passage is “first.” What we do first says a lot about us. It tells whom we trust and what we value most. What we do first will affect every other aspect of our busy lives.

That being the case, Jesus simplified our lives for us: seek Him. Pursue Him and His righteousness before all other things. Give Him first place in all things and experience the mystery of His provision. I have seen the benefits of this approach in my own life. When I put Christ first, I am a better husband, a better dad, and a far better friend. I am a better man and a far better disciple of my Lord Jesus.

Here are four keys to seeking Christ first each day:

1. Give Him the first part of your day for reading His Word.

2. Consider His ways first in all decisions.

3. Give Him the first portion of your resources.

4. Place the advancement of His Kingdom first over any other “kingdoms.”

We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, so we often fear what the future holds. Planning or preparing for tomorrow is time well spent, but worry over tomorrow is time wasted. Such worry can keep us from taking advantage of the opportunities God has for us today.

Jesus didn’t sugar coat the reality about tomorrow. Our tomorrows will have challenges, but God’s grace is sufficient. I am not sure what I will face, but I am sure of the One I will face it with. That’s enough.

What steps can we take to 

increase our trust in God?

LIVE IT OUT

What steps will you take to reject the pull of worry this week?

Consider the following suggestions:

• Take a walk. Step outside and observe the natural world. As you do, consider how God provides for His creation. Reflect on how valuable you are to God. Believe He will take care of you.

• Look back. Make a list of different times in the past when God provided what you needed. Be specific about the situations and circumstances of that provision, and spend some time in prayer to thank God for His care.

• Seek first. Take a practical step to “seek first” God’s kingdom by waking up 30 minutes earlier than usual. Use the extra time to read God’s Word, pray, and seek His direction for the day to come.

It’s natural to feel anxious about the many dangers and complications in the world today. It’s normal to feel worried about the troubles in our own lives. Yet our response to those feelings is critical. Choose to turn aside from worry and anxiety when they come, because God can provide all you need.





Teacher's Notes:

 

 

Kramer is Fired

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Top 3 Fears of Men:

1. Do I make enough money.
2. Have I accomplished enough in life.
3. Am I going to lose my job.

Every day we go through life with the same choice:

1. God is in control and good things are in store.
2. Worried and expecting the worst.I’m worried I’m going to get laid off.I’m worried my marriage isn’t going to last. I’m worried my children are going to get into trouble.
   

Someone has said that people live their lives “crucified between two thieves—the regrets of yesterday and the worry of tomorrow.” The very word worry means ‘to be torn in two.’ And that is exactly what it does—it tears us apart. Our bodies go in one direction, but our minds are somewhere else. We live with tension; we can’t sleep and we can’t enjoy the present moment.


So, what’s the answer…a popular song came out several years ago that said, “Don’t Worry Be Happy” – is that the answer?


Jesus tells us today in Matthew 6:25-34 … “Don’t Worry Have Faith”

• Worry says that pain in your side is the same thing your grandmother died of.
• Faith says that pain’s not permanent, it’s only temporary.
• Worry says business is slow; you’re going to go under.
• Faith says God is supplying all of my needs.

Being worried and having faith both share something in common – they both ask you to believe something is going to happen that you cannot see.



Jesus says this morning, that Transformation begins when we hear the truth and have faith. So, here’s the truth: God is able to provide all I need. Now I have to have faith and trust fully in three truths that Jesus will explain in these verses today.



Today, Jesus gives us the ABC’s or 3 truths of why we are not to worry!





A. Matthew 6:25-30

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith?


Jesus begins this teaching with a question – what’s the purpose of your life? Surely it’s more than food, drink, and clothes…these are just daily essentials. Surely, the same God that created life in you can be trusted with the daily needs of your life. To worry about these things is to worry about existence and that’s not living. We can get so caught up worrying over the daily provisions of life that we miss out on life itself.

Worry sidetracks us from kingdom living. 

 

What is kingdom living?

• When we trust God with the daily essentials of life, we will find more room to live life abundantly and for our ultimate purpose – to love others and serve God: this is kingdom living!
• Jesus came proclaiming the “Good News” of the Kingdom of God. “The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15). He invited people to repent, to turn toward, this Reality and enter into it by faith. He continually invites us to live in that Realm where God is in charge, where we encounter God’s love, grace, and power everywhere. It is a realm you can never earn your way into, but when you turn toward it, it is there. Much of the time we live in another realm. It’s a realm where human fears and desires seem to be in charge. Anxiety, stress, and distress are everywhere. It’s a realm where I get very tired trying to prove myself, to improve myself and those around me, to secure my future, and to make sure all will go according to my desired outcomes. Long ago I received the gift of God’s salvation. I turned away from a self-centered life to receive the Christ-centered life, which is abundant and eternal. But the old, self-centered life doesn’t just go away when we come to Christ. The Christian life is an ongoing process of transformation into Christ-likeness. Recently I realized that Christ continually lived in that Realm of God’s grace, love, and power. The realization took my breath away. I realized how much needs to change in my life so I can experience true Kingdom living. I know that only God can transform my life so I experience more of God’s Realm more of the time. But I also know that God cannot transform our lives without our active cooperation. We make choices. I hear Christ’s “Good News” that I can more fully and continually experience Kingdom living. What an invitation! But it’s a day-by-day process. It begins with the choices I make today. What if I choose to live today as if a loving, powerful God is really in charge?

Jesus gives us two more reasons why we should not worry:


1. Because of who we are. (v. 26)

2. Because it’s useless. (v. 27)



When do we cross the line from reasonable concern to harmful worry?

• When we remain focused on the person, problem or circumstance instead of on the One who provides all things, we step away from faith and into worry.
• Jesus says to worry about these things is a sign of “little faith”
• Worry shows a lack of faith and understanding of God. He will not ignore those who depend on Him.

Worry won’t add anything to our lives, but it can take things away.

Worry can destroy us emotionally, physically, and spiritually. 

Worry is more than a bad habit; it’s a barometer of your faith. 

The first point is that we: Trust in God’s Care



B. Matthew 6:31-32

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.



What tends to keep you up at night?





Jesus makes a BIG statement here: God knows what you need. 

• What an amazing concept that the Creator of the universe knows everything about you!
• As David wrote in Psalm 139: “You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways” (vv. 2-3).
• God is our loving Father, and He seeks to work on our behalf. When we worry, we’re doing more than allowing a little fear into our hearts. We’re failing to trust that God, in His love, will act on what He knows.

Jesus says in verse 32: “For the pagans run after all these things”


Our lesson calls this idolatry. What does idolatry have to do with worry?

• Idolatry means placing anything above Christ. We are in danger of idolatry when we overvalue the things of this world to the point where they drive us to lose our trust in God—when they drive us to worry.
• Worry replaces the lordship of Christ in my life with an undue focus on people or possessions we overvalue. Worry reveals an inability to trust God with those very people and possessions.

Our lesson says that: Knowing and resting in the nature of God is the key to living a transformed life. 

• The opposite of resting is running, which is what idolaters are doing when they chase after external things like food, drink, and clothing.
• All of us have a choice when it comes to worry. We can choose to run after the things of this world, or we can take the approach of having faith and trusting God.
• One path leads to losing everything. The other path leads to God’s amazing provision, both spiritually and physically.

 

The 2nd point Jesus makes is to: Trust in God’s Knowledge




C. Matthew 6:33-34


33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.


There are real challenges God wants us to pursue, and worrying keeps us from them. In verse 33, Jesus points to what should be the main priority for our lives: His kingdom and His righteousness.



What’s the key word in this passage? “First” 

• What we do first says a lot about us. It tells whom we trust and what we value most. What we do first will affect every other aspect of our busy lives.
• That being the case, Jesus simplified our lives for us: seek Him. Pursue Him and His righteousness before all other things. Give Him first place in all things and experience the mystery of His provision. I have seen the benefits of this approach in my own life. When I put Christ first, I am a better husband, a better dad, and a far better friend. I am a better man and a far better disciple of my Lord Jesus.

What steps can we take to seek Christ first each day? (PSG)

1. Give Him the first part of your day for reading His Word.

2. Live one day at a time.

3. Consider His ways first in all decisions.

4. Give Him the first portion of your resources.

5. Place the advancement of His Kingdom first over any other “kingdoms.”



Planning for tomorrow is time well spent, but worry over tomorrow is time wasted. 

• We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, so we often fear what the future holds.
• Jesus didn’t sugar coat the reality about tomorrow. Our tomorrows will have challenges, but God’s grace is sufficient. I am not sure what I will face, but I am sure of the One I will face it with. That’s enough.

Jesus’ final point here is to: Trust in God’s Provision

• In His way, in His time, God will provide for those who are committed to Him and living in right relationship to Him.
• God will provide what we need to face any struggles that occur tomorrow, just as He provided for today.

What about people that pray and pray and are never free of anxiety…is something wrong?

• Might be. People may have a lack of faith or refuse to cast their anxiety on.
• Suppose you were on an airliner and you asked the flight attendant to check on the pilots to make sure they have not fallen asleep as the plane goes across the ocean. She/he would not only be exasperated with you, but suggest you go outside and play! Why? Because your request would be an insult to the airline, the pilots and crew. How much better for you to simply relax and say, “I have committed myself to this airplane and have reason to believe that the pilots I have never seen can be trusted.” By constantly bombarding God with pleas to do this and that—to take care of one thing or another—we often also insult Him. What we need is not more words sent in His direction, but a genuine transfer of our anxieties to Him. We are with Him on the plane, so to speak, and we have to trust that He will take us wherever He wills.
• In 1 Peter 5:7, we are instructed to “cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” God does not want us to carry around the weight of problems and burdens. In this verse, God is telling us to give Him all of our worries and concerns. Why does God want to take on our problems? The Bible says it is because He cares for us. God is concerned about everything that happens to us. No worry is too big or too small for His attention. When we give God our problems, He promises to give us the peace which transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
• Of course, for those who do not know the Savior, worry and anxiety will be part of life. But to those who have given their lives to Him, Jesus promised, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

The best way to do this is to pray and make the transfer. For some this is very difficult because they have nursed their anxieties for so long. But we must simply ‘give up’ and lay our burdens at the feet of Christ.



MAKE A WORRY JAR
1. Stop whatever you are doing and confess to yourself and to God that you are worried.

2. Write each of your worries on a separate paper. No one else needs to see this. This is between you and God.

3. Pray for each one as you write, telling the Lord you are giving it to Him. Ask Him to work in those situations you’re concerned about.

4. Stuff each “worry paper” individually into the “worry jar” and put the lid on it. Depend on Him for the wisdom and peace you need.

5. If there is something you can do, do it. Otherwise…When you are tempted to take the worry back, re-do steps 1-4.



When you worry:


The following has help many gain victory over worry. (Norman Vincent Peal – You Can Have God’s Help With Daily Problems)


1. Hebrews 13:6 Hence we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?

Nobody can really hurt you. We do not stand alone in this world, for we can turn to God and He will actually help us. Fill your mind with thoughts of God; get in harmony with God’s will; eliminate from your heart all feeling contrary to love; practice simple trust. God then can help you. Practice thinking less about your worries and more about God. Instead of thinking how difficult your problem is, think how great and powerful God is. This changes your psychology; but more than that, it releases spiritual power into your mind. That will enable you to meet your situation. Always repeat this text when you are afraid.



2. Philippians 4:6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

The method outlined in this verse for casting out anxiety is fourfold: prayer, supplication, thanksgiving and just telling God what you want. When you are worried, stop thinking and talking in an anxious manner, and pray. Ask God to relieve you of your fears or show you how to handle the problem that causes the fear. Then, immediately upon asking Him, give thanks, thus expressing your belief that He is answering your prayer.


3. Proverbs 3:24 If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

It is important when dealing with worry to go to sleep at night in the right manner. If you retire with a mind filled with fear thoughts, you will have only superficial sleep for, beneath the surface; anxieties are disturbing you in the deep subconscious. Therefore, when you lie down to sleep, think of God as being with you and watching over you. Place the cares of the day in His hands. Every night say this verse over to yourself before you go to sleep. Then, instead of fears in your subconscious, faith in God’s presence will develop a confident approach to life.


It’s natural to feel anxious about the many dangers and complications in the world today. It’s normal to feel worried about the troubles in our own lives. Yet our response to those feelings is critical. Choose to turn from worry to faith, because God can provide all you need.

Prayer of Commitment

Heavenly Father, continue to teach me day to day to trust that You will provide for and take care of me because I know You are a God of love who knows just what I need. Amen.

Hope to see you this Sunday!


In His Love,


David & Susan