3/3/24 “The Sermon on the Mount - Part 6”

The Sermon on the Mount – Part 6

Matthew 6:25-34

Does anyone know what this is? (Hold up Toy Truck)

You’re looking at a significant element of my childhood right here…

When I was a young child, I would load this truck with shelled corn that I would find near the grain bins on my uncle’s farm.

I would spend hours “hauling” corn (or sometimes soybeans) from one side of the farm to the other…playing with farm toys like this one were some of my favorite childhood memories.

The neat thing was my uncles had a couple of these exact trucks on their farm (The real, full-sized trucks – not toys like this one)

(Show truck Picture)

…and when I turned 16, I would sometimes drive them with loads of corn or soybeans to the co-op during harvest season.

…these were even better memories.

Except for whenever I would have to drive on this one particular road in our neighborhood…

It was a road that had an old bridge with a weight limit on it.

So, when you load one of these International 1600 loadstar trucks to the brim with grain, your overall weight is going to be around 11 tons – or about 22,000 pounds.

As I recall, the weight limit on this particular bridge was 15 tons – or about 30,000 pounds.

So, even at full capacity, my loaded truck was still 4 tons below the rated weight limit on the bridge.

However, every time I was on that road with a full load nearing that old bridge, my palms would begin to sweat, and my heart would begin to speed up…

I still remember – to this day – the anxiety that I felt as the front wheels of the truck passed from solid ground - onto that old steel bridge…and then I would hear the rear wheels do the same…

This is the moment that I would usually hold my breath for the next 3 or 4 seconds until my rear axel was back on solid ground…

(Like holding my breath was really going to make the truck lighter, right?)….physics was never my strong suit!

This whole scenario seems a bit silly to me now, but as a teenager, the combination of a heavy truck and an old bridge really freaked me out…It would fill me with anxiety and worry each time I needed to travel that road.

Now, the fact that I was stressed out over this scenario revealed something else about my 16-year-old self.

It revealed a lack of trust.

I obviously did not fully trust the architect who designed the bridge.

The person who made the bridge would definitely know more than I did concerning how much weight it can hold – but for some reason – I doubted this person’s abilities.

My worry also displayed a lack of trust in the people who actually constructed the bridge.

If I had actually trusted these folks, I wouldn’t have been so fearful of crossing the bridge with a load that was still 4 tons under its rated capacity.

Looking back, my worry was completely unfounded….It was irrational and unnecessary.

Well….so much of the anxiety and worry that we experience in life is just that – it is irrational and completely unnecessary.

…yet we continue to worry…and fret..and feel anxious about all kinds of things.

I know a few people who are so addicted to worrying that if they don’t have anything specific currently going on in their lives to worry about, they will imagine something that could potentially happen at some point in the future… and then they’ll worry about that!!

Like it or not, most of us worry…and for many of us, it is this tight grasp of worry upon our lives that takes longer than any other sin to be completely free of….some of us never fully escape its clutches.

Jesus knew this truth about humanity when he addressed the crowd while delivering this epic sermon.

Jesus understood that his listeners struggled with anxiety, and he knows that many of us today struggle with worry and anxiety as well…

And so in our passage for today, he reminds us of the truth regarding this pervasive, life-crippling topic.

Look with me at verse 25 (Matthew 6:25)

Jesus says “….Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”

If you look closely, Jesus mentions three specific areas of life – food, drink, and clothing.

These are some of the basic necessities of life.

The people in Jesus’ audience were stressed out and anxious about literally having enough food and water to survive from day to day…and enough clothing to keep from freezing to death.

For many of us, these are not the things we worry about.

We don’t worry about having enough food to survive…instead, we worry about overeating…or ingesting too many carbs…or making sure that our mocha latte has just the right amount of chocolate syrup.

We don’t worry about having clean water to drink…even if the water from your well isn’t drinkable, there’s plenty of filtered bottled water waiting for you at the supermarket…

…Or just come on over to Rock Springs where you can get all the natural spring water you’d like.

Unlike the people of Jesus’ day, most of us also have more than one outfit to wear.

We don’t worry about having enough clothes - we worry about the clothes we do have being stylish enough…or slimming enough…or functional enough…

In our land of plenty, the vast majority of us don’t worry about the necessities of life…this is simply a foreign concept to us.

So, one would think that not having to feel anxious over our basic needs would lower our overall anxiety level, right?

Unfortunately, it’s quite the opposite.

We in the 21st century developed world hold the dubious distinction of being the most anxious, stressed-out, worry-filled people in all of history!

I also don’t think it comes as any surprise that the 21st century developed world is also comprised of more atheists than in any point in history as well.

Just like a 16-year-old kid who didn’t trust the designer of a certain bridge….much of our world no longer places its trust in the designer of the universe!

…we have lost faith in the one who is faithful.

…we have placed our trust in man’s philosophy, technology, and methodology rather than in God’s supreme authority!

…and where there is a lack of trust – or trust in the wrong things – worry will always reign supreme.

In verse 26 (Matthew 6:26) Jesus introduces an illustration concerning birds of the air…

can’t you just see Jesus pointing to some birds up in a tree - or in the sky - as he brings this object lesson to life?

He tells us that birds don’t have a care in the world…and yet God feeds them. He provides for them.

Have you ever seen a worried bird?

Maybe a little chickadee has flown over to your window sill and he puts his little beak between its feathered wings in a position of crippling anxiety…..”I can’t afford the rent on this nest!!” …. no…that just doesn’t happen.

Jesus is telling us to trust God to provide us with the things we need to survive in this world…

We are told to be more like birds who don’t fret about food, drink, or shelter – they instinctively understand that their needs will be met.

We, too, should instinctively understand that God will provide for our needs as well….why?

Because in the 2nd half of verse 26 (Matthew 6:26) Jesus says that we are much more valuable than birds….humans are made in the image of God – birds are not….How much more will he care for us!

Now, before we move on, its important to make a distinction between the reality of God providing for our needs….and that of God allowing pain or difficulties to occur in our lives.

God providing for our needs does not mean that our bodies will last forever…

It does not mean that we will never battle a debilitating disease….or that we won’t ever be in a serious accident of some kind.

We live in a sin-wrecked world where bad things are going to happen to humans as well as to animals…

Even though God provides for birds, sometimes birds will just fly into windows and their life will be over…I’ve seen it happen…on numerous occasions.

Sometimes birds will fall prey to predators or harsh elements…

There was a country song back in the 90’s called “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane”….maybe some of you have heard it.

It was a song about two people persevering through a difficult season of life…we will all have those difficult seasons of life.

But the point Jesus is making is that we should not worry about anything because nothing happens outside of the perfect will of God!

Many of you know Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ, we need not worry about a thing!

Why?...Because nothing can happen to us that is outside of what God has already ordained to occur – and whatever occurs – is for our best interest!

Verse 27 (Matthew 6:27) may very well contain the best question posed in all of scripture: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

Some of your translations may use the word cubit, meaning a literal extension of your height…

Either way - whether it’s translated as extension to one’s life or extension to one’s physical height – the point remains the same…we have no control over this area of our lives.

Therefore, it makes absolutely no sense to worry about our life-span…or how tall or short our bodies may be.

In fact, worry itself can lead to a shorter life-span that what God originally intended for you to have.

Dr. Charles Mayo (of the famous Mayo clinic) once said “You can worry yourself to death, but not to life. Worry affects the circulation, the heart, the glands, and the whole nervous system. I have never known a man to die of overwork, but I have known a lot who died of worry.”

In verses 28-30 (Matthew 6:28-30) Jesus moves the illustration from what we ingest to what we wear.

He tells us that the wildflowers growing there on the shores of the Sea of Galilee were more beautiful than anything money could buy.

King Solomon had more resources than anyone who had ever lived, yet his royal garments were no match for the simple beauty of a flower…a plant that knew nothing of worrying over its appearance.

The next time you find yourself in a shopping mall – whether it’s in Madison, or Lacrosse, or the Dells – take note of the ratio of clothing stores compared to non-clothing stores….yeah, its like 10:1.

There’s a reason for this. We humans (especially humans containing a pair of X chromosomes) tend to be overly concerned with what we wear.

Having raised 2 daughters, I am very familiar with this truth.

Over the years, they (Along with their mother) have educated me in the discipline of fashion…..For Instance:

I now know that I should never wear horizontal stripes…only vertical.

I now know that (Despite the fact that I like pleated pants) I am apparently never to wear them…like, EVER!....I’m still not quite sure why, though.

I now know that – when storing my clothing – that all button-up shirts shall be hung up on hangers, while all non-button up shirts shall be folded….never vice versa.

I also know that one is not to wear ruffles if one is naturally curvy…

Seriously folks, if you want fashion advice, come see me – I lived with 3 women for 20 years, I know of what I speak!! 😊

While I’m somewhat grateful for the lessons my ladies have taught me about clothing - at the same time - I’m reminded that our culture has such an obsession over clothing that it has become an enormous idol for many individuals…

Even though many people in Jesus’ time just had one or two basic articles of clothing, there were some - with more resources - that worried about the appearance of their clothing.

To these people, Jesus reminds them that even Solomon in his fancy robes could not compare to what God has bestowed upon a simple flower that only lives a few days.

In other words, its not about what we look on the outside - it’s about what we look like on the inside – that’s what truly matters to our heavenly Father.

…And there’s no reason to worry or fret over how stylish or expensive our clothes are…

Doing that is to take part in our culture’s obsession with vanity – resulting in the feeding of our own pride and self-glorification.

As Christians, we are called to be different than the world…

Like your heavenly Father, you have been called to focus on what is on the inside – not what is on the outside.

The final two verses of this passage – I believe - are two of the most comforting passages in all of scripture.

Verse 33 (Matthew 6:33) says “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Here – in one sentence - Jesus provides a spiritual antidote for the poison of worry.

By seeking to please our savior in all that we do, we will experience the grip of worry loosen until it will eventually no longer have any hold on us.

Jesus is telling us that when we strive to please God and serve others, the focus is shifted away from ourselves…

…and that’s really when we begin racking up the points against the opposing team - whose starting five consists of stress, anxiety, depression, misery, and worry.

Remember Paul’s inspired words from the book of Philippians about defeating anxiety and worry?

If you recall, he had this to say “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

What amazing words of comfort!

The words of Jesus, and the Words of Paul that were inspired by the Holy Spirit, both tell us that the secret to defeating worry & anxiety in our lives is to seek after God in all that we do…every day.

Through prayer and through obediently living in the Father’s will, we are able to live a worry-free life….doesn’t that sound amazing?

Maybe, to some of you, that sounds out of reach.

Maybe you’ve been dealing with something for a long time that has literally sapped all the joy from your life…

Maybe you’ve allowed Satan to deceive you into thinking that God really isn’t in control and so you worry about what the future might hold…

Maybe you’ve neglected consistent time each day for reading God’s Word and for coming to the Lord in prayer…

Ignoring these things will naturally bring worry into your life, because your focus will no longer be on your savior…

Make Jesus the priority of your life, and watch God add unto you the physical & spiritual things needed to live a peaceful life of contentment amidst a chaotic world of sin and pain.

Redirect your energy from worrying about your life to working for God’s kingdom…and watch your worry melt away!

Remember the snow that was on the ground around here before we started having these 70-degree days?

The warmth from the sun began melting the snow away.

When you place your faith & trust in Jesus Christ (God’s Son) the warmth of the comforter (The Holy Spirit) is able to melt away the worry and anxiety from your life as well.

Jesus wraps this chapter up by saying in verse 34 (Matthew 6:34) “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

One of the best poems (Also made into a song) that I’ve ever heard dealing with the need for having a daily dependence upon God has to be one written by Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson.

You might recognize these words:

One day at a time, sweet Jesus

That’s all I’m asking of you

Just give me the strength, to do everyday, what I have to do

Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus

And tomorrow may never be mine

Lord help me today, show me the way,

One day at a time.

Folks, worry is the plague of our generation…the scourge of our time.

We have more technology and material items than any generation before us – yet we also worry more than any generation before us.

When you wake up every morning, open your day with prayer and with God’s Word…

and TRUST HIM that the bridge that He has laid out for you to travel that day will easily accommodate your load…no matter how heavy it may be.

…Because on God’s bridge – there is no weight limit!

Let’s Pray.