GOD PROVIDES THROUGH TRUST

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1 TEACHING PLAN FEBRUARY 10, 2019

2 GOD PROVIDES THROUGH TRUST MATTHEW 6:25-34 FEBRUARY 10, 2019 TEACHING PLAN PREPARATION > Spend the week reading through and studying Matthew 6: Consult the commentary provided and any additional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation. > Determine which discussion points and questions will work best with your group. > Pray for your pastors, the upcoming group meeting, your teaching, your group members, and their receptivity to the study. HIGHLIGHTS TAKEAWAY: Our Heavenly Father s love and care extends to all of His creation. We can trust that God will provide for all of our needs. WHY IT S IMPORTANT: In times of anxiety, fear, and doubt, we should seek trust in God and His provision in our lives. GOSPEL CONNECTION: As God provides for us, we are free to be generous with others, knowing He will continually be faithful to meet our needs. 2 God Provides Calvary Tuscaloosa

3 INTRODUCTION As your group time begins, use this section to help get the conversation going. 1 Do you consider yourself a worrier? 2 What are you most likely to stress about? Why? 3 What negative effects have worries had on your health? Your thoughts? Your productivity? Your relationships with others? In Matthew 6:24, Jesus taught that it is impossible to serve two masters. As believers, we should have a singular focus on God and an undivided loyalty toward Him. Our devotion shouldn t be pulled in multiple directions, but directed only toward God. When we re serving the right Master, it s easier to reject worry. We reject worry by trusting that, as our Master, God will provide everything we need. In this passage, Jesus taught that worry is not only unproductive, but also the antithesis of trust in God. UNDERSTANDING Unpack the biblical text to discover what Scripture says or means about a particular topic. > Have a volunteer read Matthew 6: Therefore I tell you, 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? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and ALTERNATE INTRODUCTION What are some decisions in your life that have caused you the most anxiety? What are some ways you have tried, in the past, to determine God s will for your life? Have they worked? Anxiety (which means to divide in Greek) is the natural consequence of dividing our hearts and trying to serve multiple masters. Seeking first the kingdom of God and His will for our lives enables all other priorities to find their rightful place. Today s passage from Matthew 6 took place during Jesus Sermon on the Mount, a lengthy sermon He delivered about what it means to be a part of the kingdom of God. As Moses brought the Ten Commandments to the Israelites as they approached the promised land, so Jesus brings us the expectations of His kingdom citizens. 3 God Provides Calvary Tuscaloosa

4 yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? In saying not to worry about life, Jesus was not ordering His followers to neglect their responsibilities or ignore their basic needs. Rather, He was referring back to the previous teaching (v. 25), urging them not to give undue concern to material matters. Jesus wanted His followers to understand their spiritual nature. Their lives consisted of more than the material substance used for life. He used food and clothing, two basic needs of every person, to illustrate His point. According to these verses, what are three specific reasons Jesus gave us for not worrying about the basic provisions of life? What s required for us to take seriously Jesus instruction not to worry about the necessities of life? Jesus asked rhetorically, Isn t life more than food and the body more than clothing? (v. 25). Is the only source for fulfillment and meaning to our lives what we eat and what we wear? Of course not. Jesus was establishing the fact that worry is illogical for the child of God. If God is the Creator of the world, including us, then will He not also provide for our needs? From this passage, we are told not to worry because we can trust Creator God with the details (v. 25), worry interferes with what we re called to do today (v. 26), and worry causes us more harm than good (v. 27). How do you respond to verse 26? Does the way you live your day-to-day life show that you believe this statement to be true? What needs to change, specifically in regard to worry, for your life to more clearly reflect this truth? 4 God Provides Calvary Tuscaloosa

5 When we worry, what are we saying about our view of God and our relationship with Him? > Have a volunteer read Matthew 6: And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Jesus used another example to instruct His listeners about the futility of worry. Perhaps He pointed toward the wildflowers growing on the mountainside where He was preaching. Concerning the matter of clothes, Jesus challenged His hearers to compare the natural beauty of mountain wildflowers to the splendor of the dress of Israel s richest and greatest king Solomon. Every earthly king loved to display power and wealth by wearing extraordinary clothing. Solomon s opulent apparel no doubt dazzled all who saw him. Yet no synthetic attire compares to the God-created beauty of even the most common flowers. Since God is able to meet our greatest need (salvation), He is more than capable to meet our simplest needs (food and clothing). What additional reasons for not worrying do you take away from these verses? 5 God Provides Calvary Tuscaloosa

6 What is the main problem with worry in the life of a Christian? Jesus rebuked the worrier with the harshest indictment He gave to any disciple, You of little faith. Anxious care actually can reveal a lack of faith. Faith demands more than mere intellectual assent to a truth. Faith calls for trust in a loving and personal God at work in the world. Worry embodies lack of trust. Jesus teaching by no means ignores the reality of poverty and hunger among the people of the earth. However, Jesus clear teaching for believers is to trust God above all. If the Lord faithfully provides for the needs of mere creatures, how much more will He provide for us His children? Is it practical to depend on God for vital necessities like food and clothing? Why do you think He expects us to do so? Do the examples in verses encourage you? If so, in what way? Picking up the argument begun in verse 25, Jesus exhorted, So do not worry (v. 31). Jesus did not condemn the use, need, or enjoyment of food, drink, or clothing. But He rejected worry about those things. Worry and anxiety about earthly things are the hallmarks of unbelievers the idolaters (v. 32). Different attitudes about material possessions should clearly distinguish the believer from the unbeliever. Believers trust that God knows their needs and desires and will provide for them. Unbelievers live in a state of uncertainty and concern, because they place too much value on material things. When a Christian s 6 God Provides Calvary Tuscaloosa

7 value is misplaced, like we discussed last week, then that person looks no different to the world than a non-christian. Compelling worry controls many people and frustrates their enjoyment of life. But Jesus followers can avoid being overcome by anxiety by trusting God in everything. Trusting God with everything is easier said than done. What spiritual disciplines such as prayer, worship, study, fasting, and so forth have you found helpful for diminishing worry? How do praising God and giving thanks undermine worry? > Have a volunteer read Matthew 6: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. This discussion about anxiety was not merely a collection of helpful hints to cope with stress and worry. On the contrary, Jesus understood that these issues go to the nucleus of our relationship with the Lord. Chronic worry signals a malfunctioning faith. Worry and worship cannot coexist in the same human heart. God demands the priority in our lives. Why is believing in God s provision so difficult? How can we make changes that will help us depend on God more consistently and thus reduce stress? 7 God Provides Calvary Tuscaloosa

8 Practically speaking, what does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? How have you seen Jesus statement in verse 33 proven true in your life? The cure for worry requires placing the kingdom of God and His righteousness in first place in our lives. In modern terms, this means to adopt the biblical worldview that God has a great plan and purpose He is working out through world history. As God establishes His kingdom on earth, the believer understands he or she participates in God s plan and purpose. Being part of God s plan, believers have no need to worry because the Lord is in control and God is good. Freedom from worry endures as a sacred grace of Christian faith. When we trust that God will take care of us, we re able to have a better perspective on money and possessions. And when we have a right perspective, we align our priorities with kingdom values. Instead of being consumed by worry and fear, Jesus encouraged us to rest in our position in God s kingdom (vv ). First, remember that God loves us as a Father. We should not think of God as far away and unapproachable, or even as a king whose throne room is inaccessible. As our Father, God loves and cares for us. Second, God is personal; we have a personal relationship with Him. Finally, as both God and Father, He knows that we need the basics of life. Christians never have to worry about whether God knows or cares about their needs. Instead of worrying, believers can seek the kingdom of God and trust Him. We can focus our lives on God s reign and live out His mission. If His will is our priority, we will be less concerned about material matters and more committed to eternal relationships. 8 God Provides Calvary Tuscaloosa

9 APPLICATION Help your group identify how the truths from the Scripture passage apply directly to their lives. 1 How would your life be different if you lived the way Jesus set forth in today s passage? 2 How does greater focus on God s provision over our own anxieties change the way we relate to others? 3 What are some ways you can keep the work of Christ central to your thinking as you seek His kingdom first? P R A Y Pray that the Lord would help us know that He is in control and at work in our lives to make us more like Jesus. Pray that in every situation, we would trust Christ rather than give in to our fears. 9 God Provides Calvary Tuscaloosa

10 FOLLOW UP Midway through this week, send a follow-up to your group with some or all of the following information: > Questions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week: Where have your own anxieties inhibited your trust of God? How might you submit these things before Him? How does trusting in God s provision lead you to be a more giving person, both in our church and in the world? > A note of encouragement, following up on any specific prayer requests mentioned during your group gathering. > The challenge to memorize Matthew 6: God Provides Calvary Tuscaloosa

11 COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 10, 2019 MATTHEW 6:25-34 In this passage, we find the word worry or worrying six times. The word therefore at the beginning of 6:25 is important in helping us understand the relationship between a kingdom servant and the King. In 6:19-24, Jesus expounded on His demand for unreserved devotion. Beginning in 6:25, He said, Now, when you enter into this kind of total commitment to me, I am going to take care of you. Do not worry. Our commitment to Him and His commitment to us go hand in hand. They are part of the covenant relationship He has established with His people. The person who is totally committed to the King has no need for worry. This entire passage focuses almost exclusively on God s provision of (and our anxiety over) food and clothing. However, we must see these two items as simply two concrete examples used to teach a broader principle. We could just as easily insert any other basic need (shelter, a community of belonging, and so on) that can be a source of anxiety, which is also provided by the Father, and the principle applies equally. However, the examples of food and clothing are well chosen (particularly for the first-century world), because they are so foundational to our survival, and they illustrate so well the Father s provision for us. 6:25. Jesus point could be translated as stop worrying. The rhetorical questions in 6:25b imply, If God is the provider of life and body, He will also provide for their sustenance. 6:26. In this verse Jesus came to the first of two illustrations, supporting His main theme in verse 25. Note the use again of the phrase heavenly Father, especially in this context of God s loving care. Jesus was not advocating waiting lazily for God s provision, but avoiding anxiety as we take responsibility for obtaining it. 11 God Provides Calvary Tuscaloosa

12 COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 10, :27. This verse moves away from the specific example of food to the broader picture of anxiety in general, showing its utter futility. Jesus was saying, If you try to take your basic provision into your own hands, you will find you do not have the power over life and death. Only God has this power, and He will sustain you as long as His plan intends. 6: Here we are given a more fully developed picture of the second illustration supporting Jesus main point in verse 25. Verse 30 is a conditional statement, assuming the truth of the condition. So it could just as easily be translated, Since that is how God clothes the grass of the field. The qualifying phrase, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, emphasizes the transience and worthlessness of the grass. If God cares so much for something of little value, He will certainly care even more for us who are of much greater value to Him. This passage is not only an exhortation to trust the Father, but it is also an affirmation of our great worth in His eyes. The words you of little faith in 6:30 should be translated literally little faith ones (and is used elsewhere in the New Testament only in Matt. 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; 17:20; Luke 12:28). While it can be a confrontational term, it may also be endearing. In this context, Jesus tone was not scolding, but coaxing and reasoning. He was asking, Do you trust your Father or not? not with a slap in our face, but with an arm around our shoulder. Jesus was not belittling His disciples; He was encouraging them upward. 6: With these three verses, having illustrated and supported His theme, Jesus built His case. In verse 32, He made two more points about anxiety. First, it was downright pagan; anxiety was the attitude of those who were not a part of God s kingdom. Second, it was totally unnecessary to 12 God Provides Calvary Tuscaloosa

13 COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 10, 2019 worry about what to eat or drink or wear, because your heavenly Father knows that you need them. If our life is not to be preoccupied with fretting over basic needs, what is our concern to be? The answer is, His kingdom and His righteousness. Those two terms are almost synonymous. God s kingdom means His sovereign rule in heaven and on earth, most particularly in and through the life of the individual believer. To seek His kingdom is to seek to ensure that His righteousness is done in heaven, on earth, and, most particularly, in and through our lives. We are to seek first God s kingdom and righteousness. Everything starts here. This is to be our consuming priority. So it is important to remind ourselves of some basic kingdom realities. How does a person find God s righteousness that characterizes His kingdom? Jesus started His sermon by pointing out our utter spiritual bankruptcy. We have no righteousness of our own. Even our best attitudes and actions do not procure it. Righteousness comes as a merciful gift, grace through faith (Eph. 2:4-10). The first reference to righteousness that we find in Scripture is Genesis 15:6. Abraham knew how a person received grace, and the apostle Paul confirmed it (Rom. 4:2-25). The New Testament makes it clear that the righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:22-24). That is the only way we may enter into God s kingdom. Jesus clarified this issue for Nicodemus (John 3:3). We cannot see the kingdom of God unless we are born again. So everything begins with our seeking His kingdom and righteousness. In fact, we are to keep on seeking God s kingdom and righteousness. But we are not to seek in the sense of looking for something hidden. Rather, we are to look for every 13 God Provides Calvary Tuscaloosa

14 COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 10, 2019 opportunity to expand more fully His already established rule in our lives and in our world, in anticipation of the day when believers will reign with Him (Matt. 19:27-29; Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 2:26-27; 3:21) when He establishes His kingdom fully on this earth. Notice how this passage (6:25-34), which seemed to be taking us in a new direction, actually returns us to the theme of 6:19-24 that we are not to allow anything to distract us from total devotion to God and His kingdom. This is the one priority we must embrace. Money and other concerns can distract us. Three times in verses 32 and 33, we find the phrase all these things. We might imagine Jesus using it somewhat disparagingly. This was not to belittle the importance of basic necessities, but to place them at the back of the mind of His disciples, far behind His kingdom and righteousness in importance. All these things are what pagans (and the Pharisees) scrambled after. All these things are thoroughly known by the Father. All these things will fall into place when we put God s kingdom and righteousness in its proper place and serve the kingdom s interests. 6:34. Jesus restated for the third time His command, Do not worry. This time He broadened it to include any possible anxieties we may have for tomorrow. As an expression of trust in his heavenly Father, the kingdom servant is to live in the present, trusting the Father for the grace to cover the needs of the present. When tomorrow comes, the Father will provide the grace to cover its needs also, is the implied assurance. 14 God Provides Calvary Tuscaloosa