unproductive worry

Unproductive WorryMatthew 6:27-34

Do you remember Alfred E. Newman from Mad Magazine?

Why do we worry?Does it do any good to worry about things?

Worry Studies

● 40% - Would never happen● 30% - Have already happened, water

under the bridge● 12% - Others opinions● 10% - Needless health worries● 8% - Legitimate concerns

Two Categories● Unproductive – There is no answer,

worry does not prevent● Productive – Drives us to take steps to a

solution.● Jesus said – ALL worry is unproductive.

Matthew 6:27

● Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

● 4 Observations about Worry

Worry = Unnecessary● Matthew 6:28-29 28 So why do you

worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Worry = Unnecessary● Does God provide?● Matthew 6:8 Therefore do not be like

them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Worry = Unnecessary● Does God provide?● Jeremiah 17:7-8 7 "Blessed is the man who

trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. 8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Worry = Unreasonable● Matthew 6:30 Now if God so

clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Worry = Unreasonable● Is God powerful?

● Philippians 4:6-7 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Worry = Unreasonable● Does God care?

● 1 Peter 5:6-7 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

● God wants us to depend on Him.● Cast your cares on Him.

Worry = Unfaithful● Matthew 6:30 Now if God so

clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Worry = Unfaithful● Worry denies God's promise

● Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Worry = Unfaithful● Worry denies God's promise

● George Muller - “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.”

Worry = Unwise● Matthew 6:31-32 31 Therefore do

not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

Worry = Unwise● Matthew 6:33-34 33 But seek first the

kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Worry = Unwise● Our time is short – James 4:14● Why waste our lives in things that are:

– Unnecessary– Unreasonable– Unfaithful– Unwise

Conclusion ● If there is a solution – There is no

need to worry!● If there is no solution – There is no

need to worry!

Conclusion

● Ephesians 2:4-5 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Conclusion

● Ephesians 2:6-7 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.