July 28, 2024: Sunday School

Order of Service

• Prayer Requests
• Prayer of Invocation
• Sermon
• Closing Prayer

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Sermon Title: Dealing with Anxiety in a Troubled World

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

I. Defining and Distinguishing Anxiety

A. Anxiety defined: a general feeling of apprehension about possible danger, operating on three levels

1. Physiological — what happens in the body
2. Subjective/psychological — worry, dread, fear, sense of impending doom
3. Behavioral — anxiety manifesting outwardly through actions

B. Clinical anxiety is a serious condition that may require medical help and medication; Scripture alone is not always sufficient as a sole response

C. Anxiety can reveal our idols

1. In Acts 19, the Ephesian idol makers riot because the gospel threatens their livelihood and exposes their idolatry
2. The Pharisees felt anxiety as Jesus threatened the idol of their man-made religion
3. Anxiety may point to what the heart has truly given itself to — comfort, control, pleasure, entitlement

D. Anxiety commonly arises from the unknowns of life in a fallen world

1. The difference between believer and unbeliever is not the presence of anxiety but the remedy available

II. The Remedy: What Scripture Offers the Anxious Heart

A. Martin Bucer's counsel to pastors: meet the troubled and timid with the word of God, specifically the fatherly goodness of God and the salvation of Christ

B. Isaiah 35:3-4 — "Strengthen the weak hands... say to those who have an anxious heart, be strong, fear not; behold, your God will come and save you"

C. Joshua 1 — The Lord's repeated charge to Joshua: "Be strong and courageous"

III. Jesus on Anxiety in The Sermon on the Mount — Matthew 6:25-34

A. Context: Jesus has just taught the Lord's Prayer, including "give us this day our daily bread" and addressing God as Father; he now continues with the same language and imagery

B. The Greek word for anxiety carries the sense of being over-concerned, giving too much thought to a thing — allowing free-ranging imagination about what might happen tomorrow

C. Verse 34 as the controlling verse: do not be anxious about tomorrow; today has enough trouble of its own

IV. First Point (J.C. Ryle): Jesus Reminds Us of God's Providential Care — Matthew 6:26-30

A. God feeds the birds; God clothes the flowers; how much more will he care for image bearers

B. Jesus is not teaching against hard work or prudent provision

1. Proverbs 6:6-8 — "Go to the ant, O sluggard... she prepares her bread in summer"
2. The call is to trust God's Providence as one works hard

C. God's Providence extends to nations and world events, not only personal daily needs; nothing of the last weeks falls outside his governing rule

D. Practical application: step away from screens, go outside, watch the birds, notice creation — let the small things reorient perspective on God's care

E. The Westminster Confession on Providence: God "does uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy Providence"

V. Second Point (J.C. Ryle): Jesus Points Out the Uselessness of Over-Anxiety — Matthew 6:27

A. Anxiety cannot add an hour to your lifespan or a cubit to your height

B. Anxiety achieves nothing; in some cases it shortens life rather than extending it

C. Over-anxiety is the most unworthy thing of a Christian, yet something all believers can fall into

VI. Third Point (J.C. Ryle): Jesus Offers a Gracious Promise as Remedy — Matthew 6:32-34

A. Your heavenly Father knows what you need — the basic things and the great things

B. Romans 8:28 — "For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose"

1. This promise is not a guarantee of health, wealth, or every desired outcome
2. It means everything that comes to the believer serves their body-and-soul good and God's eternal purpose for them

C. "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" — R.T. France's exposition

1. The primary emphasis is submission to God's sovereignty here and now — obedience to his will
2. This commitment must come first and must not be crowded out by material concerns
3. If we put God first, our material needs will be provided; material concern is therefore not only distracting but unnecessary

D. France's summary: these verses are not prescribing irresponsible optimism or fatalistic acceptance; they call the disciple to an undistracted pursuit of his true goal, assuring him that if he puts first things first, God will take care of the rest

E. Practical application: fill your heart with a view of your King; pursue holiness; spur one another on in the gathered church; keep first things first