Anxiety: Symptom of a Bigger Problem
0 Amens
Intro: My dashboard light kept coming on. But that wasn’t my problem. It was bigger.
Big Idea: We glorify God when we trust Him as Father.
Context: Jesus is addressing His followers about life in the kingdom. He talked about our need to choose between treasures in heaven or on earth, whether we will serve God or wealth. Jesus continues by talking about the consequences of having treasures on earth.
I. Symptoms: Jesus is addressing something all too common for us- anxiety.
- Anxiety: to be concerned with, to be distracted by, to care about. Ill. Martha
- We are anxious about our needs (vs.25). They were the working poor- no safety net.
- They were worried about their life. What does the future hold? Ill. My job
- They were worried about food & drink. Having food tomorrow was not certain (what/if).
- They were concerned about clothing. Imagine having only one pair of pants. Ill. teens
- If we store up treasures on earth, we will be filled with anxiety.
- We are anxious about our problems (vs. 34). Jesus uses a word for bad things.
- It is generic, covering all kinds of things. We worry about our kids, health. Ill. Accident
- We live in a world were we can’t protect all we care about. We can live in fear.
“Anxiety is a symptom of deep spiritual sickness.” Sinclair Ferguson
Transition: Anxiety hits all of us, but it is merely a symptom to a much bigger problem.
II. Disorder: We do not trust much.
- Jesus sums up the real problem in one word we translate “little faith”.
- Our problem is that we don’t trust God with all of these things.
- We try to manage our lives on ourselves. It doesn’t work. Ill. Rocking chair
- Unbelief is a cancer keeping from resting in God producing anxiety. Ill. Jon Lester
- This is common among Gentiles- people who do not know God.
- Jesus’ followers are different. We know God. Failure to trust subverts our witness.
“Your worry is a sign that you do not adequately know him, or that you do not trust him, or have not yielded to him as you ought.” Sinclair Ferguson
“We get anxious about food and clothing to the same degree that we lose sight of the great purposes of a God-centered life.” John Piper
“Anxiety shows that we are too close to the world and too far from God.” John Piper
“The root cause of anxiety is a failure to trust all God has promised to be for us in Jesus.” John Piper
Transition: Anxiety is a sign that we don’t know and trust God as Father as we should.
III. Cures: Jesus commands us to not be anxious. Thankfully He didn’t stop. Ill. Newhart
- We turn our energy from trying, pointlessly, to solve our problems to consider.
- Stop treating just the symptoms & treat the disease. Move from flower to root.
- Consider: look at, consider, fix one’s gaze upon.
- Consider God’s providential care. See the birds and wildflowers. God takes care of them.
- You are more important than them- you are made in God’s image & adopted as sons!
- Consider God knows what you need. Anxiety arises when we think God doesn’t know.
- More than just knowing those needs, God did not spare His own Son. He cares!
- Jesus died to bring us back to God. Will not God give all we need to live for Him?
- Seek His kingdom & righteousness. Ill. Diet & exercise. It’s an echo of the Lord’s prayer.
- Be concerned with winning the lost, or expanding the kingdom.
- Be concerned with WHO we are (character).
- Unbelievers seek earthly treasures. We have something far better to live for.
- To seek the kingdom, we must leave our anxieties at the foot of the cross.
- This is not the end of trouble, but how we deal with trouble: daily grace!
- Repent & pray (Phil. 4), believe He cares (1 Peter 5) and use your energy constructively.
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5 (NIV)
“Anxiety can be cured only by the assurance that all our needs will be met by our King.” Sinclair Ferguson
“God’s kingdom is Jesus Christ ruling over his people in total blessing and total demand.” John Stott
“He will give us all we need to do the will of God.” John Piper
Conclusion: Is the dashboard light of your heart on? Is anxiety rising up, revealing that you are living for earthly treasures and trusting in yourself? God provides it as an opportunity to consider His love and care, particularly in Jesus’ death & the benefits he purchased. We can trust him, and when we do, we glorify him.
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