Antidote for Anxiety
Claude Thomas
Matthew 6:25-34
Introduction: When you arrive at the Greek Island of Naxos in the Aegean Sea, you will see a strange sight. Greek men, young and old, will be seen nervously fingering strings of ''worry beads.'' Worrying is also a favorite pastime for Americans.. If we don't worry, we worry why we don't worry. And when we worry, we worry that we worry too much.
At 4 we worry about - darkness
At 14 - acceptance
At 24 - career and marriage
At 34 - opportunity
At 44 - life offering more
At 54 - career change
At 64 - filling days
At 74 - lack of days
At 84 - length of days
At 94 - we worry that we've worried our life away!
Jesus knew worry would be a great part of our lives, so He spent 1/7 of His Sermon on the Mount addressing the subject of anxiety - worry.
I. Convincing Prohibition
Explanation: ''No thought'' -- NIV reads ''do not worry.'' Worry means ''to tear apart.'' Jesus gave great arguments why the believer should not worry:
1) It is unnecessary, vv 26,28-30-- Lordly logic, from greater to lesser. Birds and lilies are the lesser. Believer is greater. God is faithful to care for the believer.
2) It is unfruitful, v 27 -- Average Jew of Jesus' day was 5 feet tall, Roman soldiers were taller and bigger. Worry would not make it possible for the Jew to look their enemy eye to eye.
3) It is unworthy, vv 30b-32 --Worry is the way of pagans because they believe circumstance is in control. The believer knows that God is in control.
Application: Jesus was not prohibiting:
1) Forethought for life's opportunities
2) Working toward life's dreams
3) Concern over life's necessities
Application: Jesus was prohibiting the practice of nagging, negative, cankering, and corroding anxiety. It may seem natural to us, but it was prohibited by Him.
Transition Statement: Not only a convincing prohibition, but also a...
II. Clear Prescription
Explanation: Fix your ...
Claude Thomas
Matthew 6:25-34
Introduction: When you arrive at the Greek Island of Naxos in the Aegean Sea, you will see a strange sight. Greek men, young and old, will be seen nervously fingering strings of ''worry beads.'' Worrying is also a favorite pastime for Americans.. If we don't worry, we worry why we don't worry. And when we worry, we worry that we worry too much.
At 4 we worry about - darkness
At 14 - acceptance
At 24 - career and marriage
At 34 - opportunity
At 44 - life offering more
At 54 - career change
At 64 - filling days
At 74 - lack of days
At 84 - length of days
At 94 - we worry that we've worried our life away!
Jesus knew worry would be a great part of our lives, so He spent 1/7 of His Sermon on the Mount addressing the subject of anxiety - worry.
I. Convincing Prohibition
Explanation: ''No thought'' -- NIV reads ''do not worry.'' Worry means ''to tear apart.'' Jesus gave great arguments why the believer should not worry:
1) It is unnecessary, vv 26,28-30-- Lordly logic, from greater to lesser. Birds and lilies are the lesser. Believer is greater. God is faithful to care for the believer.
2) It is unfruitful, v 27 -- Average Jew of Jesus' day was 5 feet tall, Roman soldiers were taller and bigger. Worry would not make it possible for the Jew to look their enemy eye to eye.
3) It is unworthy, vv 30b-32 --Worry is the way of pagans because they believe circumstance is in control. The believer knows that God is in control.
Application: Jesus was not prohibiting:
1) Forethought for life's opportunities
2) Working toward life's dreams
3) Concern over life's necessities
Application: Jesus was prohibiting the practice of nagging, negative, cankering, and corroding anxiety. It may seem natural to us, but it was prohibited by Him.
Transition Statement: Not only a convincing prohibition, but also a...
II. Clear Prescription
Explanation: Fix your ...
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