Brain Games-3-Kiss Worry Goodbye

This morning Pastor Brad continues his Brain Games series by teaching us about Kissing Worry Goodbye.

Pastor's Notes:

TEXT
Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry 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, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one [a]cubit to his [b]stature?

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 [c]arrayed like one of these. 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?

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. 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.

INTRODUCTION

Good morning, everybody!

I’m so excited to be here, but I’m also excited about the season we are in. Who else is ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Well, if you aren’t, you better get ready because it’s upon us!

This month, we’ve been talking about Brain Games, and winning the battle that rages on the inside. We’ve looked at strongholds and how to tear them down, and also our thought life and outlook on the world.

This morning, as we get ready to look at one of the most stressful seasons of the year, I want to talk to you about maintaining your peace and “Kissing Worry Goodbye”.

ILLUSTRATION

In just a few short days, Americans will celebrate the holiday called “Thanksgiving”, where we will count the many blessings of our nation and the freedoms we have.

Then, in less than 24 hours, our news feeds will be filled with police reports of Black Friday crime as people fight, fuss, and vandalize all to get their deals for Christmas.

In the rush to check everything off their Christmas lists, they most likely will end up giving themselves their own gift: High interest credit card debt, missed mortgage payments that now have to be caught up on, and skipped utility bills.

Like the house that catches on fire from it’s Christmas lights, the strain of finances has a way of ruining the holidays.

Besides that, take the weight gain and add the family stress, and you have a recipe for unhappiness.

TRANSITION

What if I were to tell you it didn’t have to be like this? Well, it doesn’t.

And while I can’t fix your overeating, overspending, or your family difficulties, I can share with you some principles from the Word of God that I believe will be helpful.

BACKGROUND

In our passage, Jesus is dealing very directly with the subject or worry, anxiety, and trusting God.

In all reality, the context of this verse is tied to verse 24, where Jesus talks about trusting money. However, this type of anxiety and stress that apply to all areas of life.

What happens when we worry?

APPLICATION
1. We lose perspective of our value (vs. 25-30)

- The birds and the flowers do not fret and worry. They trust.

- We are way more valuable to God than they are. We are His people, created in His image.

- Bottom line? Jesus said worry is sinful. In fact, what it’s saying is that we don’t trust God.

2. We lose our testimony (vs. 31-33)

- Worrying about material things is what the Gentiles (at that time, unbelievers) do.

- When we starting worrying and fretting over the temporal, we start acting like those who don’t know our God.

- What better opportunity we have to share our light with the world than to hold fast in the middle of the storm.

3. We forfeit our joy (vs. 34)

- It’s been said that worry keeps you up at night and down in the day. - It robs you of your health, peace, and productivity.

- Planning is different than worrying. One is positive, and one is negative.

- When we worry, we are exercising negative faith for something that may never happen.

CONCLUSION

What do we do then to stay positive in a stressful season?

- Know He loves you
- Give it to Him in prayer
- Handle what’s in front of you one day at a time.