SERMON ON MOUNT
               MATT. 6:25-34
              AVOIDING ANXIETY

 INTRO:
    A. One of the most important required to have a happy 
       life is for one to be able to determine between 
       essentials and non-essentials.
       (1) We must be able to focus in on what our real 
           needs are vs. our non-needs.
       (2) This same formula for happiness also alleviates 
           stress which is a silent killer among many today.
       (3) A great problem we have is stress and anxiety; 
           largely due to worry over non-essentials.
       (4) Often we are full of non-effectual care for many 
           things over which we have no control or should 
           care less about.

   B. A great lesson which is being taught here is that the 
      Great Care of God allows us to be care free in many 
      matters.
      (1) One primary belief of the Christian system is that 
          God is powerful and in control of all.
      (2) If this be the case (and it is) then we who trust 
          in God can live with great easiness, knowing he is 
          over all.  (Plainly, there is much that God will 
          take care of without my help.)
      (3) It is this subject to which Jesus turns to give 
          courage, strength and peace of mind to all 
          believers.

 I. "TAKE NO THOUGHT"
     A. Lit. comes the thought of "divided or partial care".
        (1) Ex. of the use of the word "thought" in earlier 
            days. (From one of Somers Tracts, written in the 
            reign of Elizabeth, Queen of England, he quotes: 
            "In 5 hundred years only two queens have died in 
             childbirth. Queen Cathrine Parr died rather of 
             thought.")
      (2) Thus, the obvious point is the state of feeling 
          which results from despondency.
      (3) Care which is distracting the heart from the true 
          purpose of life.
      (4) This is precisely what Jesus has been teaching in 
          the former verses. (a single purpose, aim and 
          direction.)
      (5) A result of single purpose is "Care" in the right 
          things.
      (6) A result of single purpose is the absence of 
          "Worry".
      (7) Anxiety is here condemned not a neglect of 
          thorough thought in matters important.

   B. "Take No Thought" is found in 5 verses in the text. 
      (25, 27, 28, 31, 34)
      (1) Jesus is not suggesting that we reject all bodily 
          cravings for food, water and warmth.
      (2) Anxiety is the subject.
      (3) I Pet. 5:7 is precisely the idea.

   C. Take no thought for the following:
      (1) Food - 25
      (2) Drink - 25
         -- Some care only for the longevity of life.
      (3) Clothing - 25
         -- Some care only for the comfort of the body.
      (4) Tomorrow - 34

 II. REASONS FOR NOT TAKING THOUGHT:
     A. Vs 25 -Life is more that meat.
      (1) The gift of life is for more that just the living 
          of it and prolonging it.
      (2) Our concern is not just survival.
      (3) Eccl. 6:3

    B. Vs 25 -Body is more than raiment.
       (1) The body was created and given for reasons other 
           than just adorning it with stylish dress, fine 
           fabrics and colors.
      (2) The body is for more than just satisfying it with 
          all of the "Creature Comforts" one can imagine.
      (3) Eccl. 5:9-15

   C. Vss 26-31 -God is powerfully able to care for such 
      necessities of life.
      (1) 26-27 Care for the birds.
         -- Ex. of migrating chicken hawks in Ar. God feeds 
            them all the way.
      (2) 28-29 Care for the lilies.
      (3) 30-31 Care for the grass.
      (4) The overwhelming comfort that Jesus expresses to 
          the disciples is this, "If God is able to grant 
          the gift of life and the body itself, greater 
          gifts, don't you thing he can provide the 
          lesser needs of food, water, clothing and 
          shelter?"

   D. 32 -God knows what you need. - (6:8)

   E. 34 -The Morrow will take care of itself. (Personified)
      (1) If only I could learn that today brings enough 
          trouble of its own without my concern for 
          tomorrow's trouble today.
      (2) We can only live today.

   F. 34 -Sufficiency is all that is truly needed.
      (1) When I have what I need then all else can be put 
          aside or avoided to give room for that which is 
          most essential, God.

 III. THOUGHTS DIRECTED ON ONE THING:
      A. The Kingdom (6:33) -
         (1) Seek = covet earnestly - striving after. 
         (2) How am I to care for the Kingdom?
             -- Kingdom is God's people, church, His ways, 
                things righteous.
             -- Care for the spiritual is to fill our 
                thoughts, rather that the material world.
         (3) When Mammon becomes my god, then my care is 
             centered upon earthly things and not on 
             Spiritual.

 CONCLUSION:
    A. When my care is directed toward the Kingdom, then 
       "all these things shall be added"
       (1) God will add, that is provide the essential for 
           the preservation of life.
       (2) A natural result of our constant care of the 
           spiritual necessities of life will result in the 
           receiving of material necessities.
           -- EX. Abraham concentrated on one thing the time 
              he went to offer Isaac; doing the will of God.
           -- A ram was provided by God in the process.

   B. How true it is that the more we serve and trust God 
      the less frustration we have with acquiring the 
      material things of this world.
      (1) They will come with time and seasons.
      (2) Contentment in what we have is always present.
      (3) This is not a promise for riches or wealth, only 
          an assurance of the basic needs of life.
      (4) Now isn't that wonderful?

 ===END===