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QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Luke 12:22-34. ENDLESS WORRYING IS A POINTLESS EXERCISE. Parable of the rich fool (12:22ff)
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QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Luke 12:22-34
ENDLESS WORRYING IS A POINTLESS EXERCISE • Parable of the rich fool (12:22ff) • “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a persons life does not consist in the abundance of their possessions” (12:15) • Bigger and bigger barns/storerooms • Be rich towards God
ENDLESS WORRYING IS A POINTLESS EXERCISE (Luke 12:22-26) Luke 12:22-26 “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
ENDLESS WORRYING IS A POINTLESS EXERCISE (Luke 12:22-26) 1. Real Life in Christ is more then any earthly pursuit 2. God will take care of your every need 3. “Worry is the great inhibitor of action”
ENDLESS WORRYING IS A POINTLESS EXERCISE (Luke 12:22-26) Psalm 39:4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. Psalm 90:12 Again another Psalmist says Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
ENDLESS WORRYING IS A POINTLESS EXERCISE (Luke 12:22-26) An average persons anxiety is focused on… 40% - things that will never happen 30% - things about the past that can’t be changed 12% - things about criticism by others, mostly untrue 10% - about health, which gets worse with stress 8% - about real problems that will be faced.
ENDLESS WORRYING IS A POINTLESS EXERCISE (Luke 12:22-26) Phil 4:6-8 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
ENDLESS WORRYING IS A POINTLESS EXERCISE (Luke 12:22-26) Phil 4:6-8 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
SEEK THE KINGDOM FIRST (12:27-31) 27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
SEEK THE KINGDOM FIRST (12:27-31) 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
SEEK THE KINGDOM FIRST (12:27-31) • When you truly honour God, God honours you • The Creator, the Sustainer and Provider of the Universe honours the person who is prepared to wholeheartedly trust Him.
SEEK THE KINGDOM FIRST (12:27-31) • What is the Kingdom of God? • The Kingdom of God is within you or among • you (Luke 17:21) • Seek the centre of the Kingdom which is • Christ • The Kingdom of God is extended by the • mission and advance of the church in the • world
PRIORITIZE YOUR LIFESTYLE (12:32-34) 32 (NIV) "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” v32 (Msg) Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
PRIORITIZE YOUR LIFESTYLE (12:32-34) • Jesus calls you and I to prioritize our lifestyle around • Kingdom activities • Prioritizing our lifestyle will actually call us to action • verse 33… • Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
PRIORITIZE YOUR LIFESTYLE (12:32-34) • Creative ways of living out Luke 12:33 • Actually do it • Give one of your possessions to a person in need • Allocate your budget accordingly • Choose to give rather then spend • 34Jesus said, Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Continually keep your heart set on the eternal reality of heaven seeking the kingdom of God above everything else