THINK LIKE A CHRISTIAN

LUKE 12:22 – 34

Introduction: Close your eyes and ask yourself these questions: What am I afraid of? What am I worried about?

1. Here, Jesus is addressing the problem of anxiety.
2. Are you anxious or you are eager (looking forward to / can’t wait for)

Merriam–Webster 1828 defines Anxiety as a concern or solicitude respecting some event, future or uncertain, which disturbs the mind, and keeps it in a state of painful uneasiness. It expresses more than uneasiness or disturbance, and even more than trouble or solicitude. It usually springs from fear or serious apprehension of evil, and involves a suspense respecting an event, and often, a perplexity of mind, to know how to shape our conduct.

There are 2 distinct types of anxiety – specific and non-specific anxiety.

A recent study shows that the number one thing the whole world is anxious about today, irrespective of financial status, race, religious confession, social status, is MONEY…. Inflation, high interest rates, mortgages, high cost of living etc. {this is specific anxiety}. However, how much money precisely do you need to stop worrying about money? {This is non-specific anxiety}.

My conclusion is that our main problem is with the non-specific anxiety. 

*Another example of non-specific anxiety is ISoT and ISoT South-West and how to get our kids to school. In the summer, we were asked in April-May how we would be getting our kids to school (in September), this is also a non-specific anxiety, because to answer that question, we would be borrowing a future problem into today.

The fundamental reason of our anxiety is the illusion that we can control things. When we are anxious, it is because we want to control something, and we become consumed with trying to gain control and then realize that we have zero control. Почему люди постоянно беспокоятся и нервничают? Потому что они уверены, что сами «рулят» своей жизнью, но очень боятся, что снова могут «заехать» не туда!

22 Then Jesus spoke to his disciples. He said, “I tell you, do not worry. Don’t worry about your life and what you will eat. And don’t worry about your body and what you will wear. 23 There is more to life than eating. There are more important things for the body than clothes.

Jesus could have just stopped there. BUT, He went on to provide three important reasons why anxiety, as a Christian, as a child of God, is irrational.

1. 24Think about the ravens. They don’t plant or gather crops. They don’t have any barns at all. But God feeds them. YOU ARE WORTH MUCH MORE THAN BIRDS! – Tell yourself this; when your friend is anxious, tell him this.

This sounds so simple. Too simple. But its simplicity is beautiful. Jesus actually intends us to think about this. CONSIDER THE RAVENS. And to come to the same conclusion He does: You are infinitely more valuable to God than a bird. You have been made in the image of God. This is an amazing fact. God sent his own Son into this world to die for you, not for birds. How much more valuable can you be? Do we really believe the Lord doesn’t care for you?

2. 2.25Can you add even one hour to your life by worrying? 26 You can’t do that very little thing. So why worry about the rest?

Jesus is telling you today that worrying is useless, it does absolutely nothing for you. I know you know this, but Jesus wants you to understand that as a Christian, anxiety is not irrational

3. 27Consider how the lilies grow… they are very much more beautifully dressed than King Solomon… If this is how much God clothe the lilies, how much more will God clothe you?

Jesus then says that thing that Pastors dare not tell their members: “If you are anxious and do not believe this, you have little faith. You doubt God.” Listen very carefully. According to Jesus, when you are anxious and down with worry, your ultimate problem is that your faith is little. 28 … O you of little faith.

Please understand this: When you are anxious, what you are saying is that your Jesus cannot be trusted to take care of your problems. Jesus can only be trusted for your eternal salvation, but when it comes to your earthly needs, Jesus is not trustworthy. This is why you have anxiety.

Jesus is telling you: Consider the ravens. Consider the flowers in the fields. Consider that you cannot add an hour to your life. You can walk in perfect peace that passes all human understand because you are a Christian. You can trust your heavenly Father. Anxiety has no place in your life because, like that famous song says: you are a Child of God … You split the sea, so I could walk right through it … my fears were drowned in perfect love … You rescued me, so I could stand and sing, I am a child of God …

29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind…. You know why? Because 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after… Hear this amazing words from Jesus … your Father knows that you need these things. WOW, did you hear that? You have a Father in Heaven, you are a child of God. And Jesus knows what you need.

Conclusion:

Instead of being Anxious, Jesus tells us to do something instead: 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.