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e e e e e e e [Music] should [Music] I [Music] [Music] [Music] C they are e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e well you can turn in your Bibles to Matthew chap 6 we'll get to the book of Deuteronomy God willing next Wednesday night we'll have an introduction to the book and then we'll pick up in our exposition of the pentat but tonight I thought we'd look at the latter part of Matthew chapter 6 it's one of those passages that you should look at often last time we had a bit of a break in our studies in the pentat we looked at James 1 on Joy uh having joy in the midst of Trials well this particular passage speaks to anxiety carnal anxiety or worry which simply means to give way to anxiety or unease allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles so Jesus speaks to that specific issue in The Sermon on the Mount in verses 25-32 but I'll pick up the reading at verse 19 do not lay up for yourselves Treasures on Earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal but lay up for yourselves Treasures in Heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal for where your treasure is there your heart will be also the lamp of the body is the eye if Therefore your eye is good your whole body will be full of light but if your eye is bad your whole body will be full of Darkness if therefore the light that is in you is Darkness how great is that darkness 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 therefore I say to you do not worry 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 look at the birds of the air for they neither sew nor reap nor gather into barns yet your heavenly father feeds them are you not of of more value than they which of You by worrying can add one cubit to his stature so why do you worry about clothing consider the lies of the field how they grow they neither toil nor Spin and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not array like one of these now if God so clothe the grass of the field which today is and tomorrow is thrown into the fire will he not much more clothe you oh you of little faith therefore do not worry saying what shall we eat or what shall we drink or what shall we wear for after all these things the Gentiles seek for your heavenly father knows that you need all these things but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about its own things sufficient for the day is its own troubles or trouble amen so you see that repetitive emphasis on do not worry and basically in terms of the context if your treasure is in heaven according to verse 21 your eye is focused upon Christ in verses 2 uh 22 and 23 and your slavery is to God Alone in verse 24 then verses 25-33 or 34 prescribes the manner in which you ought to conduct yourself relative to Mater material possession so Jesus does not say don't worry at all about anything ever because you'll only ever have gold and silver and and all kinds of things I think the idea here is that when we worry it takes us from that Kingdom principle or priority in verse 33 we'll see that as we move through the exposition but notice seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you it's a question of priority and if we're worried or we're riddled with carnal anxiety Then our focus is not in the right place so first we'll look at the prohibition given by Jesus in verses 25-32 it's simple don't worry about your life don't worry about your body and don't worry about your tomorrow and then secondly the principle highlighted by Jesus in verses 33 and 34 so first the prohibition in verses 25-32 there's a command a reproof and a contrast note first the command in verses 25 to 27 very simp simple therefore I say to you do not worry do not worry about your life now again it's probably written for us because the natural tendency of our hearts is to do the exact opposite to worry about our life to worry about what we'll eat to worry about what we'll wear to worry about our tomorrows so Jesus is saying that he doesn't want us to do that and then note the specific concerns that he indicates here therefore I say to you do not worry 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 so again the governing principle here is verse 33 seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness you can see the obvious connection if you are taken up all day with worry about your life with worry about your body with worry about your tomorrow you're not taken up presently with the of God's kingdom and righteousness it's a very simple context but one that we need to master or one that we need to appropriate and one that we need to hide in our heart so that we might not sin against God and then note the the he gives an analogy with reference to the birds here and later with the lies of the field verse 26 look at the birds of the air for they neither seow nor reap nor gather into barns yet your heavenly father feeds them are you not of more value value than they I have never once surmised that a bird is given to worry a bird is about the task of a bird I think most of their day is spent in Flight pursuing food that food that nourishes them so they can continue in flight to look for food seems like a kind of a a difficult cycle if you were to ask me there's probably other things I'd rather throw in there on a given day but they're not worried they're pursuing they're they're prioritized they have a focus Lu made the observation when on the comment look at the birds of the air he says you see he is making the birds our school Masters and teachers it is a great and abiding disgrace to us that in the gospel a helpless Sparrow should become a theologen and a preacher to the wisest of men whenever you listen to a night Andale therefore you are listening to an excellent preacher it is as if he were saying I prefer to be in the Lord's Kitchen he has made Heaven and Earth and he himself is the cook and the host every day he feeds and nourishes innumerable little birds out of his hand and note the implication that Jesus draws out here specifically um look at the birds of the air they neither sew nor reap nor gather into barns yet your heavenly father feeds them are you not of more value than they now I don't think that Jesus is promoting indolence or laziness or slothfulness he's not suggesting that you're not supposed to sew you're not supposed to reap you're not supposed to work you're not supposed to get up off the couch there'll be an endless supply of groceries in your cupboards and in your fridge that's not the point the point is that these insignificant birds are tended to by our heavenly father and then he asks this particular question in verse 27 which of You by worrying can add one cubit to his stature if one were able to look back at his life and see how much worry has been wasted we would probably be amazed many of the things that we worry about never ever even begin to come to pass many of the things that we're carnally anxious for I'm not you know here preaching at you this is for me Brethren I'm a man given to worry it's gotten a little better as I've gotten older but I think it was inculcated in me at an early age both by Roman Catholic teaching and by my my my parenting uh my mother especially bless her heart I love her was wonderful but yeah there was a promotion of worry that I I seem to have taken away from the home but the rhetorical question is simple which of You by worrying can add one cubit to his stature it's rhetorical no one can your worrying isn't going to add a year to your life your worrying isn't going to add 10 years to your life and with reference to these birds they are insignificant creatures they don't sew they don't reap yet your heavenly father feeds them are you not of more value than they turn over to Matthew chap 10 we see a similar idea in that passage Matthew 10 at verse 29 are not Two Sparrows sold for a copper coin and not one of them falls to the ground apart from your father's will but the very heads of your or hairs of your head are all numbered do not fear therefore you are of more value than many sparrows so it's an argument from the Lesser to the greater if God Prov provides for the birds and they're lesser will he not provide for his people when they are greater so after giving this very clear command in verses 25 to 27 he then reproves them in verses 28 to30 moves from the birds now to the lies of the field verse 28 so why do you worry about clothing it's assumed that his people are worrying and I think it's a good assumption not just based on my own experience but others that I spoke into I have yet to meet anybody who has mastered this particular problem that they never worry they're neverly never carnally anxious about anything now dispositionally some people seem to be a bit more upbeat dispositionally some people seem to have a a more optimistic attitude I've been thinking about that optimism or pessimism you know the half cup or the cup half empty half full it depends on the scenario if you're about to die of thirst it's half empty if you've got got an abundance it's half full right it's based on perspective I just thought of that the other day thought I'd share that but with reference to this reproof it is calculated to stir up the disciples to concentrate on the lesson at hand why do you worry about clothing he points then to the lies consider the lies of the field how they grow they neither toil nor spin again this is not an argument for you not to work for you to engage in sloth or indolence for you to lay on your couch that's not the point the point is simple that this insignificant creature is nevertheless tended to by God and not only is it tended to it has a glory all its own notice in verse 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these remember that scene in First Kings chapter chapter 10 when the Queen of Sheba comes to visit Solomon what does she witness she Witnesses Glory she Witnesses great wealth she Witnesses great power she Witnesses great wisdom and yet Jesus says all of that's Chomp change in comparison to what God has bestowed upon these lies so why do you worry about clothing why do you worry about food if God is going to feed the bird if God is going to clothe the Lily then why is it that you think as one greater than lies and birds why do you think he's not going to tend to you and that's Jesus point there in verse 30 now if God so cloth the grass of the field which today is and tomorrow is thrown into the oven will he not much more clothe you oh you of little faith notice he doesn't say oh you of no faith this is a struggle for those who have a little faith this is a struggle for believers this is a struggle for Christians this is a struggle for the disciples that are hearing him teach this Sermon on the Mount so he reproves them and he chides them because that's not the way it's supposed to be you should grow in your faith and how do we do that by learning scripture by learning theology by by using the means that God's ordained such that our confidence in God is such that we don't have to worry about food and clothing turn to Romans chapter 8 it's not dealing with temporal things but it's another argument from the great there from the greater to the Lesser so in our passage from the Lesser birds and lies to the greater man but in the Book of Romans chapter 8 specifically it's an argument from the greater to the Lesser notice in verse 32 he who did not spare his own son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things again in the context it's spiritual things in the context its strength to deal with our remaining corruption its strength to pursue those things that are pleasing to God but the principle holds fast he who did not or he uh uh uh he who did not spare his own son but delivered him up from for us all that's the greater now note the Lesser how shall he not with him also freely give us all things so if God's not going to spare the son of his love for the Redemption of Sinners why is he going to leave those Sinners to fend for themselves subsequent to that reality God is good and God cares for you just like God cares for the birds of the air and just like God cares for the lies of the field so after the command after the reproof he then gives this contrast in verses 31 and 32 note the contrast again he repeats therefore do not worry saying what shall we eat or what shall we drink or what shall we wear for after all these things the Gentiles seek for your heavenly father knows that you need all these things so he repeats this therefore do not worry what shall we eat what shall we drink or what shall we wear the repetition indicates Obsession it's not a concern that I need to go out and make money and be a diligent employee so that I can feed my wife and kids that is requisite that is necessary whoever does not provide for his own 1 Timothy 58 is worse than an Infidel he's denied the faith so every man has that concern to go out and work hard to provide for his wife to provide for his children uh everybody not just men but everybody has to fend for themselves but this is an obsession in fact Spurgeon says the questions in this verse are taken out of the worldlings c c catechism of distrust what shall we eat what shall we drink what shall we wear and as was prayed Breen in our context it really is outlandish I get it in Myanmar I get it when there soldiers all over the place I get it when you got to go at 4:00 a.m. in the morning to try and get some rice for your daily food I get it to a degree there but even then they still fall fall under this text and not to be given a carnal anxiety but it makes a lot more sense in a context like that than with what we have in the Western World so this kind of obsession or this kind of preoccupation or this kind of anxiety or worry is absolutely untenable it's not something that is condoned by our Lord so he makes that repetition and then gives the contrast notice the reasons for this statement do not worry verse 31 and then he gives two reasons embedded in ver vers 32 first the conduct of the Gentiles and secondly the knowledge of the father notice the conduct of the Gentiles this simply means outside of the Covenant those who are not Believers in Jesus those who are not saved for after all these things the Gentiles seek now the four highlights why Believers should not worry for after all these things the Gentiles seek again the seeking is not you know bad in itself go out to work work make the money get the food bring the food home that's not the point it's Obsession it's carnal anxiety it's worry it's preoccupation with those things versus preoccupation with the kingdom of God this is the obsession of those who do not know God they are in this worrisome frame because of their atheistic principles they have no doctrine of sovereign Providence they cannot sing the song that we began with tonight the Lord will provide they don't have that reality they don't have that grounding they don't have that basis their philosophy is such that there is no God their philosophy is such that life is basically a random collection of atoms and their philosophy is such that if I don't have enough right now it's going to provoke this worry it's going to provoke this Obsession and it's going to provoke me to live in light of that in fact their Obsession the Gentiles in this context is far more consistent with a blatant atheism than it is with Christian theism and I think that's a good way for our Lord to appeal to us how are we thinking about life are we processing the various challenges as Believers or unbelievers are we obsessive are we preoccupied are we brought to that place where we're carnally anxious at every turn of the day and again there are those Seasons there are those times there are those trials and afflictions where it may be the case that it's going to be more heightened but as a general course of life it is not to be the case that we function like a gentile riyle says that He suggests to us that over carefulness about the things of this world is most Unworthy of a Christian one great feature of heathenism is living for the present let the Heathen if he will be anxious he knows nothing of a father in Heaven but let the Christian who has clearer light and knowledge give proof of it by his faith and content in other words what Riyal is saying that I Think Jesus is saying is that our doctrine of God and our theology proper and Sovereign Providence and all those things ought to play into the minds and hearts of the people of God such that were not given to worry especially as Calvinists especially as predestinarian especially as those who affirm that God God's Providence is wherein he governs all his creatures and all their actions so whatever comes from God is from God and we need to keep that mindset and again we can extend that Beyond just the food and the the clothing and the particular things that are given here I mean he speaks about tomorrow's as well so whatever is on the horizon for us tomorrow we need to understand that God is providentially over it all so whatever tomorrow brings God is the bringer of it it's not halfhazard it's not random it's not chance we didn't draw the shorter straw we haven't been struck with with unluckiness no it's from God and as a result when we reason in a manner that is consistent with scripture we let that good theology dictate the way that we interpret reality around us if the Gentile lets his bad theology interpret the reality around him and it ends in carnal anxiety and worrisomely see this is an inconsistency with the people of God when they're given to these sorts of things the believer always thought this as Calvinists or as reformed Believers we believe in God's comprehensive sovereignty in spiritual and eternal matters right just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world does not depend upon him who run Wills or him who runs but on God who shows Mercy we we affirm that we confess that in fact we'll battle people over that on Facebook or on the street corner or in the back of a church or out passing out tracks will throw down for that reality and yet when it comes to the physical or the temporal when it comes to my daily bread when it comes to medical concerns or physical issues or family trials or challenges we forget every notion of God's comprehensive sovereignty as if he's only Sovereign in the matter of placing us in Christ but not in the keeping us in Christ sustaining Us in the midst of this veil of tears and bringing us ultimately to that place of Glory how is it that we affirm Calvinism when it comes to salvation but no Calvinism when it comes to God's Sovereign Providence where any governs all his creatures and all their actions when it comes to politics we need to understand that whoever is in that particular position of power is there because of God by me Kings reign Christ says speaking his wisd wiom in Proverbs 8 we know that there is no Authority except from God Romans 13 1:4 it could be for good or it could be for ill and for ill most likely because of God's judgment Upon A people but nevertheless they are there because of God so we mustn't be spiritual only Calvinists or reformed Believers we need to bring these things to bear in our Liv so it's not just soteriology that God is comprehensively Sovereign over but it's all things it's all of our circumstances it's all of our issues it's all of our hardships it's all of our afflictions it's all of our trials it's all of our challenges and if we understand that then we ought to conclude that God who does all things for my good Romans chap 8:28 a passage that we like to hang on our refrigerator but we don't always hang it on our hearts we need to understand that even the good uh the bad things that that happen in our our lives are calculated by God to promote good they bring Conformity unto this the Lord Jesus Christ Hebrews 5 tells us that the Son of God learned suffering through what or learned obedience through suffering he learned obedience through suffering that according to his Humanity to be sure as the mediator of the New Covenant he learned obedience through suffering so for us to think there's never going to be any suffering there's never going to be a trial there's never going to be a challenge there's never going to be a hardship Maybe we have bought into Benny hen and Kenneth copelan and all those other weirdos who are preaching a health wealth and Prosperity Gospel so see in the one hand we say oh no we'll never believe like that but on the other hand the moment a Affliction hits we default over into that camp and say why are these bad things happening to me it's because we're thinking like Gentiles we're not thinking like Christian Believers the believer needs to comprehend that God's sovereignty is comprehensive in all things so then moves from the conduct of the Gentiles the the the philosophy of the Gentiles to the knowledge of god notice in verse 32 B for your heavenly father knows that you need all these things now the doctrine of the knowledge of God is the basis for prayer if you go back to in chapter 6 to Matthew I'm sorry Matthew 6 at verse 8 after cautioning the the disciples on how not to pray don't don't be like the Heathen the ones who use vain repetition let's just pick up at verse 5 When you pray you shall not be like the Hypocrites for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets that they may be seen by men what a pathetic life if that's your life you you should repent and go hide somewhere if if you're praying to be seen by men that's not a negation or a mitigation of corporate prayer corporate prayer is commanded by God we're supposed to pray but ideally we're not in here to pray so that others can say what a great prayer no we're praying to God corporately together but if you're these kinds of people and we know they are these kinds of people Luke 18 when Jesus tells about the rich man and the the Publican the rich man or the Pharisee rather stood and prayed thus with himself I I thank you God that I'm not like other men I thank you that I'm not a murderer I thank you I'm not an adulterer I thank you I'm not an extortioner I thank you that I'm not a heathen or a tax collector like this man the hypocrite is condemned by our Lord because he says at the end of verse 5 assuredly I say to you they have their reward if all you want is the accolades of men that's what you're going to get men are going to say wow that's a great prayer did you hear those words did you hear that eloquence what a wonderful guy notice in verse six but you when you pray go into your room when you have shut your door pray to your father who is in the secret place and your father who sees in secret will Roar you openly notice that Jesus just assumes the reality of this have you ever prayed and said well I didn't really feel God was there I didn't really feel the presence of God doesn't matter what you feel God is present when the prayers of his people are being offered up and when you pray go into your room and when you have shut the door pray to your father who is in the secret place not if you're in the right motive or the right disposition or your heart is warmed and inflamed and your father who sees in secret will will reward you openly then he goes on to condemn the Heathen and when you pray do not use vain repetitions as the Heathen do for they think that they will be heard for their many words they think that the multitude of words is going to gain the ear of a god out there and get him to act on their behalf when we were younger there was something called a Rolodex and it had all your addresses and numbers on it I know those are Antiquated now because everybody has a cell phone with an address book in there well the Heathen was kind of like that they take their Rolodex start flipping through it and start throwing God uh prayers out to the various Gods hoping that a prayer would attach and a God would hear and a God would answer and in order to do that it was vain repetition amongst the pantheon there just trying to connect Jesus says don't be like that they think that they will be heard for their many words now note it's on this basis that he he grounds The Lord's Prayer therefore do not be like them either the hypocrite or the Heathen for your father knows the things you have need of before you ask him he knows what you need so you're in good hands it doesn't mean don't pray prayer is an act of worship prayer is an expression of our dependence and prayer is commanded by our God so the doctrine of the knowledge of God God's knowledge of our situation is the basis of prayer here and in the doctrine of the knowledge of God God's knowledge of us is the basis for I'm going to say this knowing that it's not attainable at least for some of us a WorryFree life a WorryFree life so if the Gentiles who do not have the true God live in such and such a manner then the believer who has the true God who knows the things that you have need of should live in such and such a manner don't be like the Gentiles don't be like the Heathen don't be like those who think that they can manipulate the gods to get the answer that they want don't be like these Gentiles who are obsessive about the temporal as well we have the promise from God that he will provide the Lord will provide food water and clothing now notice food water and clothing doesn't mean Prime you know rib and and lobster and whatever it is that you like to eat doesn't mean you're going to wear whatever the the good clothes are Gucci um whatever the good clothes are it it doesn't mean that but it means sustenance Psalm 37:25 I have been young and now am old yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken nor his descendants begging bread turn to Hebrews 13 Hebrews 13 the Apostle uses a text from the Old Testament that I think we're inclined to spiritualize and I'm not suggesting we shouldn't because the doctrine spiritually is true but it's in a context that has to do with temporal stuff provision physicality notice in 135 let your conduct be without covetousness be content with such things as you have for he himself has said I will never leave you nor forsake you so we may boldly say the Lord is my helper I will not fear what can man do to me notice that I will never leave you nor forsake you again the spiritual application is true we're saved by God's grace Jesus doesn't let us go he tells us that in John's gospel John chapter 10 nobody can pluck a Believer out of the hand of the father nobody can pluck a Believer out of the hand of the son it's a reality it's settled whether we call it eternal security or perseverance of the Saints whatever you want to call it it's true in the spiritual realm those in Christ are saved never to be lost never to be damned never to be reprobate but here it's physical let your conduct be without covetousness be content with such things as you have for he himself has said your spirit's fine no I will never leave you nor forsake you again the idea is not steak and lobster and all the things that you love to put on your body but the Lord will never forsake his children so he gives a command verses 25 to 27 he reproves them verses 28 to30 and then he gives this contrast between the Gentiles and the True Believer in verses 31 and 32 and that brings us then to the principle highlighted by Jesus in verses 33 and 34 this is where it's all going this is where you know the crescendo or the Pinnacle of his argument note first the exhortation very simple seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and if you go back again in the chapter you'll notice the Lord's Prayer it's structured in a particular way it's structured with a a particular pattern so is the Ten Commandments in the Ten Commandments our duty to God comes first and then our duty to man well the Lord's Prayer is structured in a similar fashion it is is God first and then it is us notice our Father in heaven Hallowed Be Your Name Your Kingdom Come your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors do not lead us into temptation but Deliver Us from the evil one for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever amen notice God's name God's kingdom and God's will precedes our provision our forgiveness and our protection so God comes first notice again in 633 that's the specific priority seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness now kingdom of God is most likely his rule his Reign his glory his majesty his honor seek those things associated with connected to and part and parcel of God's holy Kingdom but as well the righteousness of God I think here specifically he is speaking about the righteousness imputed to us uh the righteousness of Christ imputed to us and received by faith alone in other words if we have that righteousness we can seek that Kingdom and we don't have to be given over to worry and carnal anxiety Gil comments and his righteousness the righteousness of God which is revealed in the gospel and is what gives a right and title to the kingdom of heaven this is not the righteousness of man but of God and is no other other than the righteousness of Christ so-called because he is God who has wrought it it is what God approves of accepts and imputes and which only can justify in his sight and give an abundant entrance into his kingdom and Glory Heaven is to be sought for in the first place as the Perfection of the Saints happiness and Christ's righteousness is to be sought for and laid Hold On by faith as the way and means of enjoying that happiness without which there will be no entering into the kingdom of heaven I think that's appropriate in this particular context remember Jesus is speaking to both disciples and the multitudes along the way he is calling Sinners to faith in him and repentance unto life so if you're thinking like a gentile what's the primary emphasis seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness how do we get to that kingdom of God through the righteousness of Christ imputed to us and received by faith alone never forget the Sermon on the Mount Matthew chapters 5-7 law and one of the functions of the law is to lead a man to the cross and that is one of the functions for The Sermon on the Mount is to show us how far short we fall and how much we stand in need of the blessed savior for sinners in fact I thought I had a quote here yeah Ma I'm sorry Lloyd Jones says there is nothing that is so that so utterly condemns us as The Sermon on the Mount there's nothing so utterly impossible so terrifying and so full of Doctrine indeed I do not hesitate to say that were it not that I knew of the doctrine of justification by faith only I would never look at The Sermon on the Mount because it is a sermon before which we all stand completely naked and all together without hope Ma has a similar con uh uh uh comment I probably should have written that one down as well but Ma's writing against you know early 20th century Neo Orthodox liberalism who took the sermon on the mount and said oh this is all we need to do is live like Jesus M says no no no no no that's not the gospel live like Jesus is law one of the functions of Matthew 5:7 is to show you how much you don't live like Jesus when he says unless your righteousness exceeds the scribes and the Pharisees well how does that ever happen by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ this righteousness of God was for uh prophesied by the Prophet Jeremiah now this is his name by which he will be called the Lord our righteous our righteousness 1 Corinthians 1:30 but of him you are in Christ Jesus who became for us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and Redemption so if we have that righteousness of God we're in that kingdom of God and therefore we are equipped to not think like Gentiles to understand that our heavenly father provides for us that if he feeds pretty worthless spirit and he clothes you know lies that are here for a day and thrown into the fire the next day he's going to tend to them with fatherly care and kindness why wouldn't he care for us we need to think in a manner that is consistent with the theology that we hold to so he gives that exhortation at the first part of verse 33 seek first uh the kingdom of God and his righteousness and then he gives This Promise notice and all these things shall be added to you the things are those in the context not everything you get that from people sometimes you know the Philippians passage I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me well you can't jump over a building without some sort of a mo a motor you just can't do that well I can do all things in Christ you can't play in the NBA if you're 4 foot1 it's just not going to happen you you can't be an astronaut if you can't climb up a ladder at the church building and throw a little paint on the you you just there just some things that are impossible so you know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me has nothing to do with you being an NBA star neither does this mean that you have a ticket to everything you've ever wanted because you've sought first the kingdom of God and his righteousness all these things food clothing and and those sorts of things so it's not an e tiet to get whatever it is you want the pursuit of God's kingdom and righteous is is not the means by which we gain riches and power and glory for ourselves so again at that level the health wealth Prosperity people or the you know the motivational speaker types come to Jesus and then you'll be able to sell lots of products if that's how we're marketing Jesus we've missed something okay we don't come to Jesus so we could be better salesman I'm not suggesting that God and His grace doesn't provide you with wisdom to be a better salesman not saying that the formula is not come to Jesus so that your life is magically better and you get your picture up on the wall for employee of the month 1 Timothy 68 having food and clothing with these we shall be content again the food and the clothing it's not defined described or delineated what kind of food and clothing that is and Lewis makes the observation and terms the order here seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you sort of a then right you seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness then all these things will be added to you you can't get second things by putting them first you can get second things only by putting first things first it's sublimely profound you cannot get second things by putting them first you can get second things only by putting first things first that's the priority structure in the passage seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you don't say well it's all these things and as long as these things come my way then I'll seek God's kingdom and righteousness that's an inverted Christian Life That's a faulty way of thinking that's Gentile thinking Heathen thinking and then note the conclusion the conclusion in verse 34 therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about its own things sufficient for the day is its own trouble do not worry about tomorrow the Lord has cautioned his disciples about reg uh worry regarding their lives and bodies verses 25 27 28 and 31 the Lord now cautions his disciples about worry regarding their tomorrows right you may not worry today about the food and the clothing and the this and that but I think a lot of us struggle with worrying about tomorrow I do I mean there's morons that run this government I mean who knows where we're going to be tomorrow I I I do worry about that this is just a a a sad and pathetic time in our history so that well the proclivity or temptation is actually I'm getting better don't even trying to live like Jesus says what would Jesus do he wouldn't worry about wouldn't worry about those guys but then notice the reason for tomorrow will worry about its own things tomorrow will worry about its own things the emphasis here is do not worry about tomorrow because if you're worrying about tomorrow guess what you're not doing you're not seeking first his kingdom is righteousness that's the governing principle verse 33 if I'm obsessing about tomorrow then I'm not doing what I'm supposed to be doing today James speaks to this as well you can turn to James 41 13-15 same sort of a mindset there living as a heathen living as if there is no God governing all his creatures and all their actions James 413 to15 come now you who say today or tomorrow we will go to such and such City spend a year there buy and sell and make a profit whereas you do not know what you're what will happen tomorrow for what is your life it is even a vapor that appears for a little for a little uh for a little time and then vanishes away instead you ought to say if the Lord Wills we shall live and do this or that but now you boast in your arrogance all such boasting is evil therefore to him who knows to do good and does not do it to him it is sin so this mindset that we put all our you know eggs in the basket of tomorrow it's going to take us from pursuing the kingdom today and then note how Jesus ends this section on the reality of sufficient for the day is its own trouble so you got to appreciate Christ does not suggest there's never going to be any trouble I mean that's how he could have addressed all don't worry about you know this don't worry about that cuz it's only ever going to be great don't worry and be an anxious about your life don't be anxious about tomorrow cuz it's only ever going to be great I mean you by God's grace have received the righteousness of Jesus You Now by God's grace are a partaker of God's kingdom and as a child of the king everything's always always only ever going to be good that would be the argument but that's not his argument the argument is sufficient for the day as its own trouble you got enough to deal with today seeking first his kingdom his righteousness you got enough today not to worry about your life not to worry about your food not to worry about your clothing you've got enough going on today that you shouldn't be paralyzed with worry concerning tomorrow the presence of trial and tribulation in the believer's life is everywhere maintained in scripture the idea that we're going to just soar through life with only ever happy things is not scripture it it's just not I feel bad at times because I say that a lot but it amazes me how often we're surprised when you know bad things happen and I said we there don't don't look at me I know that I've got the proclivity listen to Riyal we are not to carry cares before they come we are to attend today to today's business and leave tomorrow's anxieties till tomorrow Dawn we may die before tomorrow I've used the illustration some of the older timers here Will will have heard it when our kids were little we were out for the day and and one of the it was Josh and he was you know asking every step of the way where are we going what are we doing where are we going what are we doing you know that constant badgering and as I'm so patient and loving and kind I've just you know responded so gently no I didn't we we got to a restaurant that we were going to I said son we we could die before we get to the front door of that restaurant figured hey that'd be a good way to silence him so he runs across the parking lot it wasn't a busy it was the section where you go to the door and he gets to the door and he says Dad I made it I made it I made it but but he's right I mean imagine if you spent a hundred units of worry for Thursday on Wednesday and you died in your sleep on Wednesday night not a good way to spend your Wednesday in the grand scheme of things so he says we may die before tomorrow we know not we know not what may happen on the tomorrow this only we may be assured of that if tomorrow brings a cross he who sends it can and will send Grace to Bear it the modern commentator RT France says God's care and provision are assured but that does not mean that the disciples life is to be one long picnic each day will still have its troubles the preceding verses simply provide the assurance that by the grace of God they can be survived there's nothing that is insurmountable to the blood-bought child of God who is a inhabitant of God's holy Kingdom who's under his Reign his rule his Redemption the power of the Savior God has us and then Matthew Henry let us not pull that upon ourselves alt together at once which Providence has wisely ordered to be born by Parcels praise God there's seven days in a week right it's not just one long day that'd be a bummer the conclusion of this whole matter then is that that it is the will and command of the Lord Jesus that his disciples should not be their own tormentors nor make their pass Passage through this world more dark and unpleasant by their apprehension of troubles than God has made it by the troubles themselves there is gold there that his disciples should not be their own tormentors nor make their Passage through this world more dark and unpleasant by their apprehension of troubles than God has made it by the troubles themselves by our daily prayers we may procure strength to Bear us up under our daily troubles and to arm Us Against The Temptations that attend them and then let none of these things move us it's good commentary on a very simple passage of Holy Scripture that functions beautifully in the context do not worry do not worry do not worry so in conclusion if you didn't get it the prohibition here is don't worry don't worry about your life specifically what you eat drink or wear verse 25 don't worry about God's government of all things in general and the needs of his children in particular verse 32b and don't worry about tomorrow verse 34A now that doesn't again mean that you're not you know prepared for tomorrow you're going into you know you got your clothes laid out whatever your processes you're going to work that doesn't mean that it means don't obsess and get all you know frantic about tomorrow you could very well die tonight and then in the morning you can say look I I made it the dangerous fruits of worry and carnal anxiety it betrays a lack of loyalty to the kingdom I think that's the overarching concern here it but betrays a lack of loyalty to the kingdom that goes back in the preceding section don't lay up for yourselves Treasures on Earth where moth and us destroy and where thieves break in and steal but lay up for yourselves Treasures in Heaven the eye of the or the lamp of the body is the eye if Therefore your eye is good your whole body will be full of light keep focused on Jesus 24 uh 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 it's loyalty right that's the in is issue so it betrays a lack of loyalty to the kingdom it evidences divided attention again it's tough because we're physical temporal beings we're connected to history we got to eat we got to drink we got to wear I I get it it it's the reality but we're not to let these things become the overarching concerns in our lives it questions God's Sovereign rule in the universe it reduces us to the theological equivalent of a gentile or a heathan we don't have a doctrine of sovereign Providence it doubts God's fatherly care for his children I will never never leave you nor forsake you connected to the prohibition against covetousness it does not believe God's word I mean verse 33 tells us very clearly and all these things shall be added to you it paralyzes individual and thus Kingdom Advance if everybody's paralyzed with worry and anxiety again they're not seeking first God's kingdom and his righteousness they're not witnessing they're not going out and evangelizing they're not sharing the gospel there's no evident hope in them by which somebody might say what's the reason for the hope that is in you Vis 1 Peter 3:15 it shifts the focus from the Eternal to the temporal it takes the focus off God's kingdom and righteousness and throws it right smack dab into this present age again we need to be thinking about this present age but not to the exclusion of the Eternal and it reduces us to fearful doubting tormented Souls instead of bold faithful obedient subjects of God's kingdom I mean go back to numbers what happened in numbers 13 Moses sends out the 12 Spies to Recon the the land the two spies Joshua and Caleb say it's great let's go right now Caleb says that let's go up at once and remember how numbers 13 starts it's a reminder of God's promise to give them the land that that promise that goes all the way back tap Roots into Genesis 12 when God promises to Abraham and then to Isaac and then to ja and delivers them from from bondage in Egypt brings them out into the Wilderness with a purpose and plan to get them to the promised land so go spy out the land grab some of the fruit bring it back moralize the people encourage the people little bit of a down payment little bit of the taste of what we're going to get of course as I said Caleb's like let's go at once Joshua at once not the T spies the T spies initially say it's a good land but there's some big people in there and then after Joshua or Caleb rather says let's go up at once the the T spies revised their report it's a bad land and it's full of bad people and they're going to best us on the battlefield again complete disregard of the promise of God to the Patriarchs and the Very promise that brought them into that place so the 10 spies whine moan and complain the congregation listens to the 10 spies and they want to Stone Joshua Caleb and Moses and Aaron so that's you know somewhat of an equivalent the The Whining grumbling disbelieving spies are not concerned with God's kingdom The Whining grumbling you know uh uh disbelieving Christian today professing Christian he's not believing in God's promises and God's blessings and I would end on this I think this is always a good place to think about the cultivation of contentment it's a good antidote to worry the cultivation of cont being content the rare Jewel of Christian contentment by Jeremiah burrow puron wrote whole books about such subjects because it was important what's a good way to dis you know dislodge that worry and anxiety in your heart about this that or the other well by being content with this that and the other so first the appreciation of godliness Paul in his dealings in 1 Timothy chapter 6 says that godliness is of great gain as well the recognition of God's sovereignty in the dispensing of goods the Earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof Psalm 24 whatever we have we have because of God whatever they have they have it because of God you can't avoid the implication so that hopefully produces a bit of contentment in our hearts the realization that poverty isn't the worst thing Proverbs I mean it's better to have you know herbs on your table than than um you know a house full of of feasting and and and strife right I mean there are worst thing uh worst things as well the expression of Thanksgiving to God for providing Necessities that's a good way to have contentment and to dispossess or dislodge that sort of worry or carnal anxiety and then ultimately the prioritization of God and his kingdom that is what we ought to be first and foremost content with that we by God's grace and the provision of the of righteousness through Jesus Christ we have entrance into that Kingdom and we have not yet entered in fully to what we will have one day but we already possess it we're already a part of it we're already inhabitants of God's holy Kingdom well let's pray Our Father in Heaven thank you for your word thank you for the clarity of our Lord's teaching at this point of of worry we pray that you would give us that settled conviction that you are in control of all things that you govern all your creatures and all their actions and we rest in that We Trust in that we thank you for the righteousness of Jesus Christ and for that that that citizenship that we have in God's kingdom we pray that you would go with us now watch over the entirety of our local church bless all the churches here in chilak that are Faithfully preaching and teaching your word may you encourage them may you build them up in their Most Holy Faith may you cause Us in this community to shine as lights and may we hold forth your word of Truth and we pray through Christ Our Lord amen well any questions or comments on any of that so at least hopefully