AVERTING ANXIETY

GRACIOUS JESUS4. KINGDOM LIFESTYLE PART 2

True RighteousnessHow to PrayFastingPermanent WealthAverting Anxiety

AVERTING ANXIETYPRESENTATION OVERVIEWMatt 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-32 Introduction Causes of Anxiety Commended Cares Consider Creation Cure for anxiety Discussion

AVERTING ANXIETYOBJECTIVESTo understand: Causes for anxiety Futility of anxiety Overcoming anxiety Seeking first God’s

Kingdom

AVERTING ANXIETYBIBLE PASSAGES 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matt 6

AVERTING ANXIETYBIBLE PASSAGES30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matt 6

CAUSES OF ANXIETY31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Meaning[1]:1. A disquieting, tormenting

thought (Lack of peace)2. A distrustful, unbelieving

thought (Lack of trust)

CAUSES OF ANXIETYSECURITY IN THE WORLD19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, Matt 6

CAUSES FOR ANXIETYSEEKING THESE THINGS“Seek” carries the idea of:• concentrating on• highest priority• burning attention• center of your

life[2]

CAUSES FOR ANXIETYSEEKING THESE THINGS

Who seeks these things? (Matt 6:32) Comforts (Matt 8:19-20) Family (21,22), Wealth (19:21,22) Status (20:20,21)

COMMENDED CARESREDIRECT ANXIETYA positive twist to anxiety or care:• Virtuous woman’s

stewardship - Prov. 27:23 • Paul’s care of the churches

- 2 Cor. 11:28 • Timothy’s care for the state

of souls - Phil. 2:20.

CONSIDER CREATIONTHE BIRDS26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

CONSIDER CREATIONTHE LILIES28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

CONSIDER CREATIONTHE GRASS30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

CURE FOR ANXIETYSECURITY IN GOD31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.Cf. Matt 6:20• Grow larger than those who

don’t know God• Know that your Father knows

CURE FOR ANXIETYSEEKING FIRST GOD’S KINGDOM 33 But seek first the kingdom of God…Prioritize over comfort zone, family, wealth, status:• His Kingdom on Earth

(Matt 13)• His Eternal Kingdom

(Matt 19:27-30)

CURE FOR ANXIETYSEEKING HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

and his righteousness…

Prioritize holiness over happiness

CURE FOR ANXIETYSEEKING HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS“all these things will be added to you.”How does comfort zone, family, wealth, status get added?• In this world?• In the next? (Matt 19:27-

29)

..AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDEDDrive to succeed for God exceeds any other drive in the world.Eg. Eric Liddle vs. Harold AbrahamsMichael Phelps

CURE FOR ANXIETYSEEKING TO LIVE FOR TODAY34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. ..Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? V 25Value lifeEvery minute is a gift. There is not much time left.

AVERTING ANXIETYRECAP Causes of Anxiety

Security in the world Seeking “these things”

Commended Cares Consider Creation

The sparrows The lilies The grass

Cure for anxiety Security in God Seeking First God’s Kingdom Seeking God’s Righteousness Seeking to live for today

DISCUSSION1. She appears to be seeking gain in the “kingdom of God”.

What was wrong in James and John’s mother’s attitude (Matt 20:20-28)?

2. Why does anxiety control us and peace elude us? How do we overcome it? (Phil 4:6,7)

3. How do we gain the peace and trust required in trying situations?

4. What practical steps can we personally take to centre our lives around God and redirect anxiety?

TIPS FOR STRESS AVERSION1. Reduce Stress: Never bite of more than you can chew2. Redirect Stress: Focus on Kingdom goals, God will take

your load on earthly ones.3. Remove Stress: Make time for things you enjoy- Retail

therapy (shopping), etc.4. Release Stress: When people don’t change, accept it and

let it go. Just love them

REFERENCES1. Matthew Henry’s Commentary2. Grant – Verse by verse commentary