Sermon Outline 8/12/07

Here is this morning's outline from Adult Worship Service.

It was a great service. If you want to listen to the audio of the service, visit FVCC's website.

Here's the outline:
Truths about worry:
We all deal with worry.

Worry can be extremely unhealthy.

Worry can become a never-ending cycle.

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? Matthew 6:25
Jesus’ instructions on worry:
Don’t allow worry to overtake your life.
Because:
Life is more than food.
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? Matthew 6:26-27
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42

The body is more than clothes.
"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 into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Matthew 6:28-30
But to this day the LORD has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear. During the forty years that I led you through the desert, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet. You ate no bread and drank no wine or other fermented drink. I did this so that you might know that I am the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 29:4-6

God will provide what you need when you need it.
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Matthew 6:31-32
Instead we are instructed to worry about God’s kingdom first rather than worrying about tomorrow.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

Action Steps:
Realize the destructive power of worry in your life.

Recognize those things that cause worry in your life.

Refocus your worry from earthly things to eternal things.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:4-6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
The Bottom Line:
When your priorities are right… we can release our worries in faith that God will provide.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Jim