Increasing Our Faith

2001063

Subject: sermon on the mount; faith

Introduction:

A. last paragraph of Mt. 6 deals w/worry.

1. do not worry…6:25; 31; 34

2. reminds them of birds/flowers – that God sees to their needs.

3. discussed today the problem w/a little faith.

B. Tonight’s lesson: the conclusion of our study on worry/anxiety.

1. wants us not to love this world.

2. wants us not to be anxious about the world.

a) about what we eat/drink/wear

3. he has urged us not to worry about the past – which cannot be changed.

C. He expects us not to worry over the needs of the present.

D. Finally…6:34…

I. Don’t worry about the future.

A. Worry = powerful force. Will grip us. Will defeat us.

1. fail to resist worry about present problems – it will go on into future – make us think about what might happen.

B. What does Jesus say? 6:34b.

1. Worry about future is futile/useless.

2. achieves nothing. Complete waste of energy.

C. 6:34c – each day has enough trouble on its own.

1. don’t go forward and tack on tomorrow’s problems on today’s.

2. Live one day at a time….so hard to do isn’t it?

a) deal with problems as they come – not as we imagine!

D. This is common sense & wisdom!

1. if we wish to keep from ruining our health/losing our mind – don’t carry yesterday or tomorrow around with you.

2. don’t keep asking, “why did I do that?” Don’t borrow trouble by asking… “what if this happens?”

E. Jesus is teaching faith here!

1. teaching the necessity of reliance upon God.

2. He who helps us today helps us tomorrow!

3. E. Stevens: don’t try to anticipate God. As you cannot anticipate your future – you cannot anticipate God’s future for you.

4. Psalm 37:25

F. Does this mean that we not to save $$$ or take out an insurance policy?

1. certainly not! There = difference don’t worry/be not anxious & take no thought….

2. Question centers around: being agitated; worried; preoccupied.

G. Sin here is 3 fold:

1. being worried

2. allowing concern for future to dominate our lives

3. letting that concern inhibit our usefulness for the present.

II. We must increase our faith.

A. Look at 6:32-33. Note that:

1. we to be different from Gentiles & their line of thinking.

a) us today: gentiles are those in the world.

b) These usually subscribe to two views of life…

2. everything is accidental.

a) no design; no order; no rhyme or reason to life.

3. others: we are in the clutches of fate. What is to be will be.

a) this then gives off to hedonism – the pursuit of pleasures to the exclusion of everything else.

b) Get most out of every minute….eat; drink; be merry!

4. Christian has to think differently than this!

a) when difficulties arise from illness; want; war; death – how do we react?

5. Does our faith really affect our view of life & control our lives?

a) we must place everything that happens in the context of Christian faith.

b) Something happens…

1) wait! I must put this in context of my knowledge about God and my relationship with Him!

2) Recall Js. 1:3; 2 Cor. 4:17; 12:9; Heb. 12:5-7

B. 6:32b – God knows that you need all these things.

1. Again…must learn to have reliance upon God.

a) nothing can happen to us apart from God. He knows. He concerned. Heb. 4:13.

2. Look at example of Jesus – John 16:32

C. 6:33 – Seek first the kingdom of God.

1. Concentrate on perfecting your relationship with God!

2. Seek first! Meaning…this has top priority over everything else!

3. Col. 3:1-2

Conclusion:

A. If I seek first the kingdom – all these things shall be added to you.

1. Seek God – all these other matters will be thrown into the bargain.

B. Solomon: 1 Kings 3

1. did not pray for length of days/riches – but wisdom. Got all 3.

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Increasing Our Faith 2001063 Subject: sermon on the mount; faith Introduction: A. last paragraph of Mt. 6 deals w/worry. 1. do not worry…6:25; 31; 34 2. reminds them of birds/flowers – that God sees to their needs. 3. discussed today the problem w/a little faith. B. Tonight’s lesson: the conclusion of our study on worry/anxiety. 1. wants us not to love this world. 2. wants us not to be anxious about the world. a) about what we eat/drink/wear 3. he has urged us not to worry about the past – which cannot be changed. C. He expects us not to worry over the needs of the present. D. Finally…6:34… I. Don’t worry about the future. A. Worry = powerful force. Will grip us. Will defeat us. 1. fail to resist worry about present problems – it will go on into future – make us think about what might happen. B. What does Jesus say? 6:34b. 1. Worry about future is futile/useless. 2. achieves nothing. Complete waste of energy. C. 6:34c – each day has enough trouble on its own. 1. don’t go forward and tack on tomorrow’s problems on today’s. 2. Live one day at a time….so hard to do isn’t it? a) deal with problems as they come – not as we imagine! D. This is common sense & wisdom! 1. if we wish to keep from ruining our health/losing our mind – don’t carry yesterday or tomorrow around with you. 2. don’t keep asking, “why did I do that?” Don’t borrow trouble by asking… “what if this happens?” E. Jesus is teaching faith here! 1. teaching the necessity of reliance upon God. 2. He who helps us today helps us tomorrow! 3. E. Stevens: don’t try to anticipate God. As you cannot anticipate your future – you cannot anticipate God’s future for you. 4. Psalm 37:25 F. Does this mean that we not to save $$$ or take out an insurance policy? 1. certainly not! There = difference don’t worry/be not anxious & take no thought…. 2. Question centers around: being agitated; worried; preoccupied. G. Sin here is 3 fold: 1. being worried 2. allowing concern for future to dominate our lives 3. letting that concern inhibit our usefulness for the present. II. We must increase our faith. A. Look at 6:32-33. Note that: 1. we to be different from Gentiles & their line of thinking. a) us today: gentiles are those in the world. b) These usually subscribe to two views of life… 2. everything is accidental. a) no design; no order; no rhyme or reason to life. 3. others: we are in the clutches of fate. What is to be will be. a) this then gives off to hedonism – the pursuit of pleasures to the exclusion of everything else. b) Get most out of every minute….eat; drink; be merry! 4. Christian has to think differently than this! a) when difficulties arise from illness; want; war; death – how do we react? 5. Does our faith really affect our view of life & control our lives? a) we must place everything that happens in the context of Christian faith. b) Something happens… 1) wait! I must put this in context of my knowledge about God and my relationship with Him! 2) Recall Js. 1:3; 2 Cor. 4:17; 12:9; Heb. 12:5-7 B. 6:32b – God knows that you need all these things. 1. Again…must learn to have reliance upon God. a) nothing can happen to us apart from God. He knows. He concerned. Heb. 4:13. 2. Look at example of Jesus – John 16:32 C. 6:33 – Seek first the kingdom of God. 1. Concentrate on perfecting your relationship with God! 2. Seek first! Meaning…this has top priority over everything else! 3. Col. 3:1-2 Conclusion: A. If I seek first the kingdom – all these things shall be added to you. 1. Seek God – all these other matters will be thrown into the bargain. B. Solomon: 1 Kings 3 1. did not pray for length of days/riches – but wisdom. Got all 3. C. I N V I T A T I O N