HAPPY NEW YEAR
2015
Matthew 6: 25-34
The cure for worry
Text: “Our heavenly Father knows our needs.” (Matt. 6:32)
One of the major problems of the disciples was a lack of faith in the power and the goodness of Jesus Christ. Their failure in that area should serve Christians of the 21th Century from the same pitfall of unbelief. However, we find ourselves worry like those that have no relationship with God. Throughout the Bible, God is trying to impart to his children a faith that would cure most of the heartaches and headaches that plague us today. Worry is worse than a physical ailment. It is public enemy number one of our existence. Each New Year brings its load of anxieties and worries for Christians and non-Christians alike. The timeless words of Jesus give us the advice to cure from our worries.
- Worry is a sin
The message we preach in our despair is that God doesn’t care; and He is not capable of anything good. He is not a trustworthy Father. We cannot worry and trust God at the same time. Worry can lead to many sinful desires and actions. When we are worried, we develop a divided mind. James said: “A double minded person is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). A worried individual brings God to his level. In order word, he removes God from his throne. By so doing, he becomes unknowingly the god of his life. Jesus said to his disciples that cares and worries are idolatrous, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24). We can try to rationalize our worries, but at the root is nothing less than the love of the world and the things of this world. The first remedy is to know that we offend God when we worry. - Evaluate ourselves
In Matthew 6:26, Jesus talks about the birds of the air. They work to collect their food, but they do not worry. Every season God makes provision for them in different part of our planet. The same blessing is bestowed on us daily. However, worry upsets us and robs us of sleep at night. We sometime forget that we are children of the Almighty God. We let worry creates tension that destroys our health, our happiness and effectiveness. In our evaluation, we have to realize that we are not in control, and worries do not change or ameliorate any situation. “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” (Matt. 6:27). Worry is a waste of life, energy and time. When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians of Philippi asking them to keep on rejoicing, he was in a prison at Rome. He was conquering worry by reminiscing on his position in the Lord. He is a child of the King; and he can face any adversity through Christ who strengthens him. The second remedy is to remember that God is our Father. He cares for us more than we care for ourselves. He will definitely take care of his children who trust him. - Acceptance of things you cannot change.
The gospel of prosperity, eternal youth, pre-sin health and problem free life is directly from Satan himself. The fact that we are living in a fallen world, we all have to face many difficulties. That section of my message may not be too appealing to a few utopians. However, Bible believing Christians should accept that section as part of our cure for anxiety and worry that will be part of our journey.
There are some things in life that are absolutely unchangeable. That doesn’t mean God cannot do anything about them. But He may decide not to intervene. Paul was dealing with an ailment “thorn in the flesh” that made his life difficult. In his second Epistle to the Corinthians, he wrote: “… I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me: My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness…” 2 Co. 12:9-10. As children of God, the only proper response to these is that of acceptance. We must not worry ourselves into frustration about things over which we have no control either in the present, the past, or the future.
I like the Serenity prayer of Reinhold Niebuhr that says: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.” Acceptance is the third remedy against worry. We have to accept that we are not home yet. As stranger in a foreign land, we should expect hardship. - Set your mind on things above
Our biggest problem as Christians is that we are too much earthly connected and grounded. The disciples were worrying themselves about the things of this world. Their priority was not in good order. Jesus wanted them to know, if they want to overcome their worries, they must dedicate themselves to something bigger. Their priority should be in a good relationship with God. “…Seek first the kingdom of god and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33) It is sad sometime to discover that our biggest cause of worries is not our spiritual condition before God, but our financial, sentimental, familial and material difficulties. Prioritizing the spiritual over the material is the best remedy to cure worry in this life.
Conclusion. The God who has given us life will provide the sustenance for our daily existence. This year, we should surrender our hearts, minds and souls to God. We should concern ourselves with the relationship that God wants to have with us, instead of concerning ourselves with things. Let us live each day to the fullest for the glory of God. A heavenly minded condition will cure us from the harmful effects of worry until the last chapter of our earthly life.
Happy New year to all the members and friends of Redemption Baptist church!