Mapperley Monday Mail, 28th July 2014

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Hi folks,

Slightly delayed today....

Yesterday we continued our series on the Sermon on the Mount with Matthew 6:19-34 and Jesus instruction not to worry.

But he does a lot more than just tell us not to worry – as ever, his words examine the thoughts and motives of our hearts to expose why we worry and to provide some solutions.

Here then are Jesus' three reasons why we worry:

  • We're storing treasure in the wrong place (v19-21). Jesus tells us that our hearts follow where we store our treasure. If what we really value is in the stock market, that's what we'll worry about. If it's other people's opinions of us, that's what we'll worry about. Storing up treasure on earth is dangerous – it wears out, breaks and is stolen. But it's also silly – we can store up treasure in heaven instead by following Jesus and setting our hearts on the things of God.

  • We're looking at the wrong things (v22-23). What we look at affects what comes into us, so affects what we worry about. Jesus isn't telling us to ignore everything that is going on around us, but to look at it in the right perspective and bring it to God.

  • We're serving the wrong master (v24). We all serve someone – whether it is our stomachs or our bank balance or the latest gadgets. Money can be a good servant, but it is a very poor master. If we serve the god of Stuff (old name – Mammon), it will lead to worry.

Here are some solutions Jesus gives us – reasons we don't need to worry any more:

  • God provides wonderfully for the natural world (v25-32). Birds, animals, flowers and so on. All of it looks wonderful; none of it has to worry, because God provides for the natural world. We matter far more than the natural world – we can call God our Father, and he knows what we need, so we don't need to worry. So look at the natural world, and learn from the way that birds, animals, trees and flowers don't need to worry.

  • Worry doesn't help at all (v27). It doesn't actually accomplish anything, and we're better off without it.

  • All we need to be concerned with is serving God in the present (v33), in the way that we live our lives, spend time with those around us and do our jobs. If we get on with serving God, he will look after us, and we don't need to worry.

  • Each day has enough trouble of its own (v34). As Christians, we will have trouble in this life. Things will go wrong and be difficult. But there's enough to be getting on with in the present that we don't have to worry about the future. Each day has enough trouble, but each day also has enough grace.

    God's mercies are new every morning, and he teaches us to pray; "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

    Perhaps that is the value in worrying. Worrying about something is an opportunity and a sign to bring it to God in prayer, and to seek for his peace that passes all understanding. May that peace guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!

God bless,

John

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