Quote from Forum Archives on March 21, 2005, 11:09 am

Posted by: bhfbc <bhfbc@...>

STANDING TALL #8/9
WORRY WARTS
March 20, 2005

Text: Matthew 6:25-34

Here we are. Palm Sunday already. The Sunday before Easter. Also, the
next to the last Sunday of our 50-Day Spiritual Adventure, “Standing
Tall: Facing Fears That Grip the Soul.” Doesn’t seem possible that we are
this far along already. God’s Word has already taught us to Stand Tall
against the fear of: terrorism and war, financial insecurity, rejection
and betrayal, skeletons in the closet, failure and disgrace, and disease
and death. Today’s Spiritual Adventure subject is one that can apply to
any of our previous subjects, as well as many that aren’t specifically
covered by our Spiritual Adventure resources. Stand tall against the fear
of paralyzing what-ifs.

What if acts of terrorism increase in our country? What if the price of
gasoline keeps going up? What if my friend betrays a confidence? What if
someone finds out what I have done? What if my idea is a failure? What if
I can’t recover from this disease? See how it all works? The “what-ifs”
that pop up in our lives can fill us with fear, dread, and anxiety. They
can stop us in our tracks. They can paralyze us from taking action. We
are going to learn about dealing with paralyzing “what-ifs” this morning.

Anyone here this morning think that worry is a modern malady? Anyone
think that people in Jesus’ day never had any worries? Was living under
Roman rule relatively worry free? We know the answer, don’t we? They had
plenty to worry about. And they worried about things. If that had not
been a problem, the Son of God would not have taught about it. “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?” So begins this part of
the lesson that Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. Yes, Jesus’
people had a great deal of worry.

I want us to understand carefully and clearly what Jesus teaches in this
portion of Matthew. Jesus is not against planning. He is not against
looking ahead and making decisions that can affect the outcome of the
future. He is not against making preparations today for events tomorrow.

How do we know this? Jesus did these things. Jesus planned his trip to
Jerusalem. He had his disciples prepare the place where they would
celebrate the Passover. Jesus prayed in the garden before the betrayal
for events to change if possible. Jesus knew that looking ahead and
making plans was not a bad thing.

Jesus teaches us not to spin our wheels with worry about the future. Or,
in the terminology of our Spiritual Adventure, stand tall against the
fear of paralyzing what-ifs. And there is our key word in all of this:
paralyzing. If our “what-ifs” - our worries - paralyze us, then we need
to seriously consider what Jesus teaches in Matthew 6. We need an
attitude adjustment that helps us “unlearn fear-filled thought patterns.”
(“Standing Tall: Facing Fears That Grip the Soul,” Bulletin Journal Week
7, Wheaton, Illinois: Mainstay Church Resources, 2003.)

First, recognize that worry is disobedience. Those are tough words. Worry
is disobedience? Worry is sin? Remembering that there is a difference
between worrying about the future and planning for the future, yes, worry
is sin. Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar tells us that 40% of our worries
will never happen; 30% of our worries have already happened; 12% of our
worries are over unfounded health concerns; 10% of our worries involve
daily fretting that accomplishes nothing; and only 8% of our worries are
truly justified and lead to constructive action. (quoted in “Adventure
Sunday 7 Sample Sermon B,” by Rev. Marc S. Hayden, Standing Tall: Facing
Fears That Grip the Soul, Wheaton, Illinois: Mainstay Church Resources,
2004, p. B191.)

Jesus said, “I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat
or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.” See the difference
between what Jesus tells us to do and what we often actually do?

Why is worry sinful? A person who worries over some paralyzing what-if is
not trusting God. Jesus equates worrying with paganism. Pagans worry
about things. Followers of Jesus trust God. A person not trusting God is
not living by faith. And as we read in Hebrews, “without faith it is
impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV). Jesus commands us not to
worry. So then we worry about not being able to obey this command to not
worry.

Well, let’s go on to the next point Jesus makes which will help relieve
some of our fears. Actually, it is supposed to relieve all of our fears.
Remember that God has a great “track record.” God will not let us down.
What is it that the youth brought back from Springhill? God is good
[reply: all the time].

Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or
store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not
much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single
hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies
of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not
even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”

God has been caring for birds and lilies for a long time. He has a great
track record in this area. And we are much more valuable to him than
birds and flowers. God has promised to care for us. In Joshua 21:45 we
read, “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel
failed; every one was fulfilled.” Solomon said, “Praise be to the Lord,
who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word
has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.”
(1 Kings 8:56)

We can refer to much more Scripture on this, of course. The point is that
we can overcome the fear of paralyzing what-ifs as we realize God
specializes in keeping His promises. Now God will take care of us
consistent with His will. But His greatest act of love, the sacrifice of
His beloved Son, destroys the penalties, and hence the fears, of sin and
death. Our future with God is secured by the blood of the Son.

Recognizing that worry is disobedience and remembering that God has a
great track record caring for His people lead us to the third point. We
must refocus our priorities. The application verse is easy to quote and
easy to sing, but very difficult to practice. “But seek first his kingdom
and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as
well.” Oh, if only we could make that real in our lives by just hearing
the words.

Jesus is teaching us that we must refocus our priorities if we want to
overcome worry. Our priority must be seeking His kingdom and His
righteousness. What does that mean? A person who seeks God’s kingdom is
not focusing on his or her own selfish needs. A person who seeks God’s
kingdom is one who is concerned with what concerns God. The Lord’s prayer
tells us, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in
heaven.” A person who seeks God’s kingdom wants what He wants.

What does God want? That’s not too difficult a question to find answers
for. God wants us to love one another as He has loved us, and as He loves
them. Putting our focus on that will bring changes to our behavior, our
speech, and our attitudes. He wants us to share His love with those
around us. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all
these things will be given to you as well.”

Instead of worrying about the what-ifs, we need to be living to please
our Lord. That is seeking righteousness. The right way to live -
righteousness - is a life that pleases Jesus. Anyone still have the WWJD
wristband? Pastor Roger D. Haber writes that “WWJD - What Would Jesus Do?
- should be our aim when the feet hit the floor in the morning. DILLJT
should be the question we ask as those feet go under the covers at night.
Did I Live Like Jesus Today?” (“Adventure Sunday 7 Sample Sermon B,” by
Roger D. Haber, Standing Tall: Facing Fears That Grip the Soul, Wheaton,
Illinois: Mainstay Church Resources, 2004, p. B195) That is how we
refocus our priorities to stand tall against the fear of paralyzing
what-ifs.

Once again, our weekly Journal has a great Adventure Application for us
this week. We need to “Unlearn Fear-filled Thought Patterns.” On the
application page of the bulletin journal, we read,

Worry is a conscious choice people make to deal with problems in an
ineffective way that implies the absence of a loving God. It is not a
good use of time or energy, and it goes directly against what Scripture
teaches. So, more often than not, it is a sin.

When tempted to worry, learn to visualize a large “No Trespassing” sign
in your head. Respond in your thought life as carefully as you would to
such a sign in everyday life. Tell yourself that getting into the realm
of worry is going to leave you worse off rather than better. I dare not
disregard that warning!

Another way to unlearn fear-filled thought patterns is to habitually take
your worries to God. Yes, tell him your problems or needs, but also learn
to listen for what he might want to put in your heart regarding a simple
plan of action. Don’t expect God to say out loud, “See a doctor,” “Call a
friend,” or, “Write down your options.” But, over time, you will learn to
recognize his voice speaking to you in the quiet of unhurried intimacy.

Memorizing Scripture is also helpful. The passage chosen for this fear is
Philippians 4:6–9. It begins with a reminder to not be anxious about
anything.

Believe that in time, a dramatic turnaround can take place in your life.
As with most turnarounds, the change may not occur overnight. But it
could happen much faster than you might think possible. With the help of
the living Christ, you can learn to live like he did, totally confident
that God is there to meet the needs of his obedient children, one day at
a time. (“Standing Tall: Facing Fears That Grip the Soul,” Bulletin
Journal Week 7, Wheaton, Illinois: Mainstay Church Resources, 2003.)

God gives us a victory as we seek Him, His kingdom, and His
righteousness. Through His power, we can stand tall! “But seek first his
kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you
as well.”

Rev. Charles A. Layne, pastor, First Baptist Church, Bunker Hill, IN