Sermon on the Mount Do Not Worry

Matthew 6:25-30

Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your
body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important
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? Who
of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes?
See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even
Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass
of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown in the fire, will He not much more
clothe you, O you of little faith? (6:25-34)
Jesus teaches the disciples an important lesson that is taught throughout the scriptures the
futility of fear and worry, and the faithfulness of God the Father
Jesus provides two examples in this passage of Gods provision: food and clothing
God feeds the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field birds do not toil for
their food and the flowers of the fields are dressed in more splendor than Solomon in his
glory
The point: God is our faithful provider and He is worthy of our trust not our worry
In the Old Testament: Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Is
41:10)
The reason we are told to fear not is because of the presence of Almighty God
Gods word to Abraham: Fear not, Abram, I am your shield (Genesis 15:1)
Gods word to Isaac: Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you (Genesis
26:24)
Gods word to Moses: I will be with you (Exodus 3:12)
Gods word to Joshua: As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never
leave you or forsake you . . . be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:5); do not be
afraid (1:9)
Gods word to Gideon :The Lord is with you, mighty warrior (Judges 6:12)
And of David: In everything he did, he had great success, because the Lord was
with him (I Sam 18:14); the Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer (I
Sam 22:2)
In the New Testament, the angel Gabriel says fear not when announcing the incarnation
The birth of John the Baptist: Fear not, Zechariah, your wife will bear a son (Lk
1:13)
The birth of Jesus: Fear not, Mary, you have found favor with God; you will be
with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus (Luke
1:31)
And to Joseph: Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife (Matthew 1:20)
The New Testament teaches consistently the power of Gods love over fear and worry
If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God; and the peace of God which transcends
all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-
7)
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear (I John 4:18)
When anxiety comes upon us we can make a choice either fret over the circumstance or
decisively trust God and pray about our concerns, experiencing the peace of God (Phil
4:7)
You will do one or the other No one can worry and pray at the same time (Max
Lucado)
Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength (Corrie
Ten Boom)