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Introduction

In part one of this sermon I brought to your attention why Christians should be free from worry and anxiety. Today I am going to show how do we implement this practically.

Read:  Matthew 6:31-34

1. Know your identity, (Matthew 6:31-32)

A. God is our heavenly Father.

B. He already knows our needs and He will meet them in due time.

C. Heathen doesn’t know God therefore they have none to provide them which is why they are worried.

D. Put your trust on God, (Mark 11:24). Throw your burdens at him.

2. Know your priorities, (Matthew 6:32-33)

A. Priority #1: Seek God’s kingdom

I. First be different. God is the least that a heathen is concerned about. Material blessings are their primary concern. For a child of God this must be the other way around, (1 Timothy 6:17).

II. Above all desire to enter into, submit to, and participate in spreading the news of the saving reign of God.

III. I said “above all…” The first 3 petitions in Matthew 6:9-10. The first petitions is that God’s name will be exalted. Second petition is that His kingdom will come. Only in the third petition Jesus speaks about asking God to meet our own needs.

B. Priority #2: Seek His righteousness

I. In this context, doesn’t mean to seek justification.

II. Means to pursue righteousness of life in full submission to the will of God instead as prescribed by Jesus throughout the discourse of sermon on the mount.

III. Every Christian who lives within this framework of commitment is assured of God’s providence.

3. It’s nonsensical to worry about tomorrow, (Matthew 6:34)

A. Because, the misfortunes of the present day are more than enough to occupy our attention.

B. Tomorrows feared misfortunes many never happen.

C. Today’s grace is sufficient only for today and should not be wasted on tomorrow.

D. If tomorrow brings new trouble, there will new grace to meet it, (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Conclusion

What will I eat? How will I pay the bills? Everyone in this world seems to be preoccupied with these kinds of concerns, but Jesus calms us  by giving us a higher purpose and assurance. He told us not to worry about our needs in this world, but to instead seek God’s kingdom, having the promise that our heavenly Father would then also meet all those needs.