Point of Grace Worship 9.21.25 “You are Invited … into His beautiful Kingdom” Pt. 3
Part 3 – God’s Kingdom Rescue from Worry and Anxiety
Matthew 6:25-34
25 “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 than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 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? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 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—you of little faith?
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
“… Your heavenly Father knows you need them…”
Jesus shifts our focus from “worry over ‘real needs’ being met” to the Presence and Promises of the Father!
Jesus is loving us in these words by legitimizing our needs while shifting our focus onto the role the Father has in meeting our needs. And His loving willingness to do so.
“ 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Jesus gives us a clear command for all of life but especially when worry and anxiety rise up.
He says to “first” … “seek His Kingdom”.
Both as a life priority and as a “go to” reality “seeking His Kingdom” is first!
Sometimes when we are anxious, being told the “first” thing to do is such a rescue.
Focus on the promises in order to fulfill the command.
“34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Prayer and “Seeking His Kingdom Reign”
Helpful prayer phrases to start with:
- “Jesus” ……….” “I need You!” …….. “Help me Jesus!”
- “Your Kingdom Come…over me and my worry about …”
“6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Focus on the Father’s Presence and Promises
- I can come with “anything” and “everything”!
- “the Peace of God … will guard Your heart and mind in Christ Jesus”
Seek His Kingdom
- Prayer (talk it over – name the anxieties)
- Petition (What is my “ask” … What do I think I need?”
- Thanksgiving (Give thanks to God for His goodness in the situation.)
Receive His Peace
“Jesus, I receive You and Your peace in this situation!”