The Words of Jesus

Hello, how are you?

The past few weeks we have been looking at the letter to the Galatians. Next week we will begin the letter to the Ephesians. To break it up a little bit; I am posting a message I shared with my church a couple of weeks ago. The theme we have been focusing on as a church is, ‘The Words of Jesus’. I shared on the words of Jesus, which focused on worry and fear. It was not a message I shared lightly but one filled with hope and truth. I hope you will enjoy it; I will see you all next week.

How much time do you spend worrying per day?

Jesus knew it was something our hearts and minds would struggle with; as Jesus constantly addresses this issue throughout the gospel. Honestly, this issue is addressed throughout the whole Bible. Do not Worry. Do not Fear. Do not be Afraid. ETC

Worry is a common issue we all struggle with.

Self-help books make huge profits over ideals and ideas of how we should not worry. If only we eat the right things, get enough sleep, etc. We will be able to control and conquer our worry. In putting our hope in self-help books, we are essentially putting all our hope in ourselves. As self-help books promote the idea of the individual being in control.

What do the Words of Jesus say about worry?

(Luke 12:25-26) Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Worry, it adds nothing to our life. It only takes away the present from us and the joy of the day. Jesus reminds believers of how in control God is, of His creation; His entire creation, including you and me.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat and drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 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 6:25-26)

God has all things planned out for us. In John 14, Jesus reassures His disciples by saying…

There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. (John 14:2-3)

Perspective matters

(John 14:1) Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.

(Luke 12:31) But seek his kingdom and all these things will be given to you as well.

A lot of our worry is rooted in wanting to have control. We are constantly comparing ourselves to our neighbours. We are also in the time where we have 24-hour news and access to the world through a variety of different social media platforms. Our perspective is constantly shifting as we have a constant amount of information thrown in our faces daily. Some/ if not the majority of us are tied up in things that were never meant to concern us or control us. We have unfortunately lost sight of our perspective and our faith.

In our worry, Jesus reminds us in His own words to seek Him first, above anything else. Seek the Lord and His Kingdom first.  Pray over everything before you go running to someone about it.

Seek the Lord’s guidance on how to serve and help in situations. We cannot do everything, which is why God blessed us with community. All of us with different gifts and talents, coming together to serve God’s kingdom.

God is with us and He provides for us.

Trust in the Words of Jesus- what He promises will never fail.

Falling on hard times, even through no fault of your own or just through some unwise decisions does not mean God will not show up.

Have the faith to move on

  “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. (Matthew 6:31-32) (NLT)

In knowing the Lord will provide, we can have the confidence to move forward in life. We can trust, even when there seems to be no way, God will make a way. We can keep loving, we can keep serving, we can keep blessing those around us.

“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever you treasure is, the desire of your heart will be also. (Luke 12:32-34) (NLT)

God has a wonderful way of working through people around us and even strangers on the street, to minister and bless us in our time of need. God also uses you and me to support and minister to those around us. We do not need to have a scarcity mindset, where it leads us to greed and only looking out for number one. God provides everything we need; He is a God of abundance. We no longer need to compete with each other but just serve one another.

What do these verses tell us:

• God is in control. Always and in all ways. Which is a truth we have been constantly reminded of through the words of Jesus.
• All things work together for the glory of God.
• We can live a simple but full life. Where we seek the Lord first and serve each other.

Paul’s example

Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  (Philippians 4:6-8) (NLT)

Worry truly does distort our minds to think of some of the worst possible scenarios. Here Paul writes, once you have prayed over everything and surrendered it to the Lord. Make sure to fix your mind on what is true, what is honourable and right. Do not allow your mind to be swept up in worry and fear.

Max Lucado- on focusing on this scripture has the C.A.L.M

• Celebrate God’s goodness.
• Ask God for help.
• Leave your concerns with Him.
• Meditate on good things.

Application:

When something out of the blue arises or you are still struggling with the same worries, learn to pray first. To seek the Lord and offer the entire situation to the Lord. Do not feel discouraged if the situation does not automatically turn around for your good. Trust in the Lord, if it is a season you need to walk through; God will provide you with the strength and wisdom you need to get through it.  God will provide for all your needs.

Allow your mind to focus on that which is true and worthy of praise. It is so easy for our minds to go into overdrive with all the possible situations which will arise from a problem. Truly, many of those situations will not even come true. We waste time being worried for nothing. Offer all worry to the Lord, He already knows what is on your heart. Surrender it all to someone who has cared for you from the very beginning.

Surround yourself with people who will pray and walk with you.

Take it all one day at a time with the Lord. He has always and will always be fully in control.

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6v34)

 Bible Readings:

• Matthew 6:25-34
• Luke 12: 22-34
• John 14:1-3