Sermon Title: "Do Not Worry, Do Not Be Anxious"
Introduction
Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, we will meditate on the powerful and comforting words of Jesus, which speak directly to the heart of human anxiety: "Do not worry, do not be anxious." These words are not just a nice sentiment or a gentle suggestion; they are a command, a reminder of the peace we have in God, and a call to trust in His provision and care for us.
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus teaches us about the futility of worry and the importance of trusting God in every aspect of our lives. Philippians 4:6-7 echoes a similar message, urging us to be anxious for nothing but to pray and make our requests known to God. Both passages speak of a life lived in faith, free from the heavy burden of worry and anxiety that so often weighs us down.
Today, I invite you to join me as we explore what it truly means to "Do not worry" and to "Do not be anxious," and how we can live out this command in our everyday lives.
I. The Root of Anxiety: Trust in God’s Provision
Let us begin by acknowledging the source of anxiety in our lives. Anxiety often arises from a sense of uncertainty or fear about the future. It is the mental and emotional response to the unknown, the things we cannot control. Worry tells us that we cannot trust that things will work out, that we must control every detail, and that we must be prepared for every possible outcome.
But Jesus calls us to something different. In Matthew 6:25, He says:
"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?" (Matthew 6:25, NIV)
These words are incredibly powerful. Jesus is addressing one of the most common areas of anxiety—basic human needs. How many of us, at one point or another, have worried about what we will eat, how we will provide for our families, or how we will make ends meet? These are real concerns, but Jesus invites us to trust in God's provision.
In verse 26, He goes on to remind us of God's care for creation:
"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?" (Matthew 6:26, NIV)
If God provides for the birds, how much more will He provide for us, His children? We are of far greater value to God than the birds of the air, and if He cares for them, He will certainly care for us.
When we allow anxiety to take root in our hearts, we are essentially saying that we do not trust God to meet our needs. We forget that God is our Provider, that He knows what we need before we even ask. Jesus is calling us to shift our focus from our worries to His faithfulness. We are not meant to live with the weight of trying to control every detail of our lives. We are meant to live in trust, knowing that our Heavenly Father will provide.
II. The Futility of Worry
In verses 27-29, Jesus highlights the futility of worry:
"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." (Matthew 6:27-29, NIV)
Worrying, Jesus says, does not add anything to our lives. In fact, it often robs us of the joy and peace that we should be experiencing in the present moment. When we worry, we become consumed with thoughts about the future, and we lose sight of the beauty and blessings that surround us today.
Consider the lilies of the field. They do not toil or worry, yet they are clothed in beauty beyond what even the wealthiest king could attain. If God provides such beauty for the flowers, how much more will He provide for His children?
Worry is futile because it does not change our circumstances. It does not add anything to our lives. Instead, it steals our peace and our trust in God. Jesus is calling us to release our anxiety, to trust that God is in control, and to focus on what truly matters—the present moment and the faithfulness of God.
III. The Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
In verse 33, Jesus gives us the solution to our anxiety:
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33, NIV)
The key to overcoming anxiety is to seek first the Kingdom of God. When we make God and His purposes our priority, everything else falls into place. Instead of focusing on our worries and fears, we focus on living for God, trusting that He will take care of the rest.
To seek God’s Kingdom means to live with an eternal perspective. It means aligning our hearts with God's will and seeking His righteousness in all that we do. When we prioritize God’s Kingdom, our concerns about material needs, future outcomes, and worldly achievements take their rightful place. They no longer control us because we know that God has our lives in His hands.
Jesus does not promise that our lives will be without difficulty, but He does promise that as we seek first His Kingdom, He will provide for us. He will meet our needs in ways that we cannot even imagine.
IV. The Peace of God That Surpasses All Understanding
Philippians 4:6-7 offers a beautiful reminder of the peace that comes when we choose not to be anxious:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)
Paul's words are both a command and an invitation. We are told not to be anxious about anything—nothing is too small or too large to bring before God. Instead of carrying the weight of our worries, we are called to present our concerns to God in prayer. And as we do, God's peace will guard our hearts and minds.
This peace is not a mere absence of worry. It is a deep, abiding peace that transcends understanding. It is a peace that is not dependent on our circumstances but is rooted in the unshakable trust that God is in control. When we trust God with our worries, we are able to experience a peace that defies human logic—a peace that guards our hearts from the turmoil of anxiety.
V. The Importance of Living in the Present
In Matthew 6:34, Jesus offers one final word on worry:
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34, NIV)
One of the most damaging aspects of worry is that it often causes us to live in the future instead of the present. We become consumed with what might happen, with what we cannot control, and we miss the beauty of today. Jesus encourages us to live in the present, to focus on the challenges and blessings of today, and to trust that God will take care of tomorrow when it comes.
Living in the present is an act of faith. It is choosing to trust that God is with us in every moment, and that He will provide for us in every circumstance. When we choose to live in the present, we free ourselves from the burden of anxiety, and we open ourselves up to the peace and joy that God offers.
Conclusion
Beloved, the command to "Do not worry, do not be anxious" is not a burden; it is an invitation to experience freedom and peace in Christ. We live in a world that often promotes worry and anxiety as normal, but Jesus offers us a better way—a way of trust, a way of peace, and a way of faith. As we seek first the Kingdom of God, as we trust in His provision, and as we pray with thanksgiving, we can experience the peace of God that transcends all understanding.
May we cast our cares upon Him, knowing that He cares for us. May we trust in His faithfulness, and may we choose to live each day in the peace of His presence, free from the anxiety that so easily entangles us. For when we do, we will find rest for our souls, and we will be able to face whatever comes with the confidence that our God is with us.
Amen.
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