"What? ME Worry?"
July 9, 2006

The New Testament Lesson: Luke 12: 22 - 31

Learning to control our anxiety with trust

I.  It takes a simplicity of mind to trust enough not to worry.
   A. Let me share a simple piece of Bird wisdom with you”
        1. Said the Robin to the Sparrow, friend I’d really like to know why these anxious human being rush about and hurry so.
        2. Said the Sparrow to the Robin, friend I think that it must be that they have no Heavenly father such as cares for you and me!
        3. Now admittedly, birds are not known for their big brains!
            a. They have very tiny brains and no higher level functions.
            b. If you’re unsure, I’ll show you the ones who run into glass.
        4. But in the case of trust, this is really an advantage!
   B. human beings are in such a difficult place because we think too much
        1. We all have lots of balls that we are trying to juggle.
            a. Family and home responsibilities.
            b. Job concerns.
            c. The state of the nation and even of the world
        2. As time has gone on, all these concerns have magnified.
            a. in our information age, we know more than we ever did.
            b. The result is that we have more to worry about.
        3. All of this falls under the heading of bad fear!

II.  Jesus gave us a very simple solution to our anxiety: Trust!
   A. Jesus used a couple of simple illustrations.
        1. Remember his preaching was done out side so he could simply point.
        2. Look at the birds
            a. They don’t do any worrying about storing food.
            b. But your Heavenly Father feeds them.
            c. Don’t you think you are worth at least that much?
        3. And how about these flowers?
            a. You don’t see them running to the mall every day
            b. Yet even Solomon’s splendor can’t compare.
        4. Are you getting the point?  You’re worrying about inconsequentials!
        5. Very interesting that Jesus should pick Solomon.
   B. Solomon started out with a wonderful trust in God.
        1. You probably remember the story of God granting him a wish.
            a. As he started his reign, God offered him anything.
            b. He asked for wisdom so he could rule wisely over the people.
            c. So God blessed him with wisdom and power and riches.
        2. But Solomon didn’t end the way he began.
            a. As his riches and power increased, he forgot their source.
            b. He began to be impressed with himself
            c. Started making alliances with other nations and importing gods
        3. It all ended in the division of the kingdom after he died.
        4. Solomon couldn’t trust because he grew too complex!

III.  The danger of having your needs met is that your can’t trust.
   A. Now, the people Jesus spoke to  were mostly poor.
        1. When he told them not to worry about food it meant something.
        2. They weren’t always sure that they would eat.
        3. When he told them not to worry about clothes, it meant something.
        4. Many wore their clothes until they were worn out and wondered how to replace them.
        5. When he told them to trust God, they had little choice.
   B. Our worries have much less grounding.
        1. When we worry about food, mostly what we should eat not whether.
        2. When we worry about clothes, it’s what should I wear today?  Does this shirt go with these pants?
        3. But our abundance doesn’t free us from worry!
            a. Instead, we worry about things way out in the future.
            b. Want our control to go beyond today, tomorrow and this month.
        4. Of course we worry!  We are trying to be God!
   C. Jesus’ cure for worry is very simple:  Stay simple!
        1. First, recognize that God is God and you aren’t.
            a. God is the one who takes care of the universe.
            b. and you are part of God’s concern, He’ll care for you.
        2. Second, recognize that your worrying is futile.
            a. You can’t change the least little thing about yourself.
            b. can’t add even a day to how long you’ll live.
            c. But God has that all arranged so trust him.
        3. Lastly, Focus on today and the Kingdom of God.
            a. Everyday is full on plenty of concerns that we can handle.
            b. Tomorrow is completely unknown and we can’t predict it.
            c. So, we focus on what God is asking us to do right here right now.

     As always, the world’s wisdom is way behind Jesus.  The Existentialistic Philosophers and Reality Psychologists have made it there cause  to try to help people “Live in the present moment!”  Basically, they say that’s all we’ve got!  And they are right!  Their conclusion is that we should enjoy what’s here and not worry about tomorrow.  They think it’s something new, but it’s not.  Read Ecclesiastes 3 and you’ll find the same thing.  Listen to Jesus and you’ll discover the same thing.  God has always asked us to focus on what he has asked us to do today and let Him take care of tomorrow.  It’s just that simple!