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future grace and anxiety Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship Matthew 6:25-34 July 10th, 2011
FUTURE GRACE – ABOUT THIS SHORT SERIES Why? I personally need it and so do you. These truths are central to our lives. “The just shall live by faith.” What does this mean? What? · Living by the Purifying Power of Faith in Future Grace · Future Grace = Living upon God’s promises · Faith is central to the Christian life (justification and sanctification) · Faith = being satisfied with all that God is and promises to be for us in Jesus. · Sin (and it’s promises) are fought of by God’s superior promises o Word and Spirit (Wipers and Washer fluid) How? By looking at different passages relating to sins we deal with and seeing how unbelief (lack of faith) is at work. We will see how the promises of God (Future Grace) and our faith in them is crucial to our undermining this sin.
ANXIETY AND FUTURE GRACE Do you struggle with anxiety? (Worry, fretting, scared about the future?) What are you anxious about? (money, debts, people, certain relationships, the future of your kids, your marriage, illness, cancer, loneliness?) How do you view anxiety? (Sickness, sin, something in between, both) How should you deal with it? (Medicine, fact of life and live with it, fix things, work harder?) Sufficiency of Scriptures Matthew 6:25-34 ESV "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious 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? (26) Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (27) And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? (28) And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, (29) yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (30) But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (31) Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (32) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. (33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (34) "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. I want to use a metaphor for anxiety and its demise. I. The Tree of Anxiety See how anxiety is a central them in this passage - “do not be anxious” (25) - “which of you being anxious can…” (27) - “why are you anxious about clothing” (28) - “Therefore do not be anxious saying…” (31) - “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow” (34) Anxiety is an ugly tree that pokes through the soil of our lives and will grow if we do not deal properly with it. This tree is ugly, unfruitful – or fruitful (with bitter, poisonous fruit) This tree is absolutely useless in profit – “what profit does worrying have…does it do any good?” Anxiety, in so far as it is a failure to trust in God’s care and provision, is sin. We are commanded not to be anxious (Phil 4) Anxiety produces many sinful attitudes and actions: - Anger - Greed - Stealing - Lying We are anxious about money, provision, lack of comfort, loss of relationship, potential embarrassment. Anxiety is a worrying or fear that fails to understand who really is in charge and what really matters. If we understood truly in our hearts that God was in charge and that what really matters is God’s glory and our submission to His will – we would not be anxious. II. The Roots of the Tree of Anxiety So what is the root of this pernicious tree? UNBELIEF – FAITHLESSNESS Matthew 6:30 ESV But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “O YOU OF LITTLE FAITH” Foundational to the ugly tree of anxiety is a failure to grasp the nature of God and His promises. Foundational to fighting sin is to understand who God is and what He has promised us. Anxiety is a failure to lean upon the one who says – “don’t worry, I got it.” III. The Axe and Replacement Tree – Faith in Future Grace (His Promises) Philippians 4:6-7 ESV do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Piper’s Illustration of Mud on the Windshield – Wipers=God’s Word; Water=Spirit Anxiety is future oriented – I am afraid of this future. To those who have God’s promises, the future is in our Father’s care. 7 Truths or Promises In this Passage for Getting to the Root of Unbelief 1. The things we worry about are nothing compared to all the things God is always taking care of. Therefore, trust that he will take care of the small things that you worry about. Matthew 6:25 ESV "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious 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? 2. The much less significant creatures receive His constant care, so you better believe that He won’t neglect His beloved children. Matthew 6:26 ESV Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 10:29-30 ESV Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. (30) But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 3. Your fretting will do you no good, He promises. Stop it! Matthew 6:27 ESV And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 4. The same energy that creates and preserves the short-lasting flowers of the earth is at work for you, who will live forever. Matthew 6:28-30 ESV And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, (29) yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (30) But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 5. Everything you are concerned about is already known by the One who cares for you and will only you what is best. Matthew 6:31-32 ESV Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (32) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Psalms 34:10 ESV The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Psalms 84:11 ESV For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 6. Provision and care does not come from our anxiety or striving for our own needs but by our faith-filled investment in God’s agenda. Matthew 6:33 ESV But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Psalms 31:19 ESV Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! 7. God will never give you more than you can bear. Matthew 6:34 ESV "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
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