#14 Jesus Warns His Disciples Not to Worry

Oct 13

Matthew 6:25-34

1. Matthew 6:25 says, “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 than food, and the body more than clothes?”

a. “Therefore,” I tell you” Therefore means “things being so.” The things that are so, are the fact that no one can serve both God and money. So, since you cannot serve both, serve God wholeheartedly and not doublemindedly. In covetousness (previous context), one is unfruitful to God. In this context one is unfruitful to God by caring about things that are not our responsibility.

1) Jesus did not forbid us to work to support our physical life.

2) Jesus did teach us not to distress ourselves about the maintenance of our physical life.

3) Jesus taught us to avoid the distress about provision for physical life that comes from unbelief.

4) Jesus gave the greater gifts (salvation) to give the lesser ones (daily physical needs).

b. “Do not worry about your life.” The Greek word for “worry” is merimnao, which comes from merizo, which means to draw in different directions. This is because anxiety (worry) divides and distracts the mind. The enemy of focus is worry.

1) In its broadest sense, merimnao means to “care.” Its use is either positive or negative. Worry is not a legitimate care when assuming cares for which God is responsible.

2) “Worry” is in Matthew 6:25, 27, 28, 31, 34, and 6:34. It is anxious care in these verses. Jesus does not mean, “not to care,” but not to take anxious care. See Philippians 2:20 and Philippians 4:6.

3) Various translations of the Bible render the word as “anxious,’ taking thought, distraction, taking pains, taking care, each in a negative way.

4) Our Lord Jesus wants us to have sound minds. Worry works against reality. Trusting God is reality.

5) Most of the sins of which the Lord Jesus speaks in the Sermon on the Mount are mental and spiritual sins. He teaches on:

a) Pride (Matthew 5:3).

b) Mourning over personal [sin (Matthew 5:4).

c) Meekness (Matthew 5:5).

d) Craving righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

e) Anger (Matthew 5:21).

f) Sexual lust (Matthew 5:28).

g) Honesty (Matthew 5:37).

h) Loving one’s neighbor (Matthew 5:44).

i) Hypocrisy (Matthew 6:2, 16).

j) Covetousness (Matthew 6:17-24).

k) Worry (Matthew 6:25)

c. Five facts about worry (Matthew 6:25-34).

1) Worry is needless. Matthew 6:25-26 says, “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 than food, and the body more than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

a) God gave greater to give less.

(1) God gave life to you. Life is more valuable than food and drink. Since God gave life to you, He will surely give you food and water for your life (Matthew 6:25).

(2) Your body is more important than clothing. Since God gave you a body, surely, He will give you clothing & food for it (Matthew 6:25).

(3) He will give us clothing, food, and drink because He is good. He is not capricious. If you buy a new dog and bring it home, surely you will feed it, if you are a decent person. God is much better than we are. He will take care of us. Satan tempts us to be angry against God because of what He does not give us right now.

b) God cares well for the lesser creatures; You are more important to Him than they are. If He cares for them, more certainly He will care for you.

(1) Object lesson: The birds of the air:

(a) What the birds do not do: They do not plant food. They do not harvest and gather the food into barns like farmers do.

(b) What God does for the birds: He feeds them, even though they live a “foolish” life. He feeds them, nourishes them, and causes them to grow.

(c) God cares more for you than He does the lesser creatures. He cares for sparrows (Matthew 10:31) and “sheep” (Matthew 12:12,) and birds (Matthew 6:26) as object lessons for you.

(2) There are stages of “much better.”

(a) Stage #1 Humble creatures like sparrows, sheep, and birds.

(b) Stage #2 Man, whom he protects with capital punishment (Genesis 9:5-6).

(3) Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?” If He did not spare His only begotten Son for you, do you think He will leave you?

2) Worry is impotent. Matthew 6:27 says, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

a) If God fed you when you were growing, why not trust Him as an adult?

b) Which of you by taking thought (worrying) can add one cubit unto his stature? Note: Some commentators suggest that this means, “Which of you by worrying can add one hour to the length of your life?”

c) One can cooperate with God by observing proper health matters.

d) But worry may even cut your lifespan.

3) Worry does not think logically. Matthew 6:28-30 says, “And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

a) How the Lord Jesus bantered the disciples into using their minds:

(1) He used a question: Why are you so worried? (Matthew 6:28)

(2) He used a command: “Consider how the lilies grow.” The Greek word for “consider” is katamathete. Mathete means to learn, and kata is an intensifier. Therefore, it means to note the lilies well or consider them carefully.

(3) He compared Solomon to a flower (Matthew 6:29).

(4) He called the disciples “little faiths.” The Greek is oligopistoi, literally “little of faith,”

(5) There is a principle here: Learn to look at all the truth that God has built into the world.

(a) You are “littlefaiths) if you worry.

(b) You are “littlefaiths” if you do not carefully consider flowers.

(d) You are “littlefaiths” if you do not apply the truth of this to life. You must quit worrying.

b) Clothing – what you wear. When the Lord sent His disciples out on a mission, he told them, “Do not carry any gold or silver or copper in your belts. 10Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions” (Matthew 10:9-10).

(1) God provides beautiful clothing for flowers.

(a) The Lord compared Solomon to a flower (Matthew 6:29).

(b) Solomon, who had everything, never dressed as well as a flower. Even when Solomon was on his throne in his best and most stately clothing, he looked bad when compared to a flower.

(d) But flowers do not work “toil.” Flowers do not spin threads and make clothing.

(e) Flowers cannot toil, and they cannot spin.

c) The Bible Teaching About Work

TABULAR VIEW OF THE BIBLE TEACHING ABOUT WORK

Human Beings	Lilies	Fact
Humans toil, sowing and reaping.	Flowers do not work	God provides for non-working flowers.
Humans spin thread.	Flowers do not spin thread.	God provides for flowers. He cares for us also. But flowers look better than we look.

(1) Man is responsible to God to work (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Jesus is not telling us to sow, reap, and store in barns. He is telling us not to worry.

(2) God ordains the work and the clothing of a person just as He ordains the growth and beauty of a lily.

(3) God uses human work to provide for humans.

(4) God cursed the ground; therefore, man must work hard to provide.

(5) All the work that a Christian does is a priestly function.

(a) Hebrews 13:16 says, “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

(b) 1 Peter 2:12 says, “Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

(c) Colossians 3:22-24 says, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, 24because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

(6) In eternity past God decided exactly what beauty each flower would have. He planned for flowers to each have unique and amazing pulchritude (Matthew 6:30). Then, He created the prototype of each kind of flower as recorded in Genesis Chapter One. God was the architect, the creator, the sustainer, and the nurturer of the lilies. The lily was a general term for all flowers.

(7) The method God uses today for beautifying flowers is what we call semination. God created flowers in the first creation. He created them to have seeds. He transmitted flowers down through the ages via generations of flower seeds. So, He originally created the flower. And He providentially transmits the seeds through history. Jesus did not explain God’s technique. He simply said that God clothed them. And He did. Our Lord was correct.

(8) He does this, even though He knows flowers are very temporary.

(9) He provides beauty for flowers because He knows they will soon be serving men. People in the day of Christ used the grass of the field, the stubble, the stalks of flowers and various sticks for their ovens.

(10) God does greater things for men. In eternity past God decided exactly what everyone would wear, eat, and drink each day and each hour. Ephesians 1:11 says, “In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,” If this were not true Jesus would not have spoken Matthew 6:30 as follows: “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

(11) Learn this: When the Bible says that God does something, He really does it. It is not like He says He does it, but man does it.

(12) God’s method of clothing us is that He “works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). It is not like He works instead of us, but He works in us.

(13) God provides a robe of righteousness for us to wear.

TABULAR VIEW OF GOD’S PROVISION FOR MEN AND FLOWERS

Contrast	Men	Flowers
Today	God provides here on earth.	God provides here & now.
Tomorrow	God provides here & in Heaven.	Then they are gone and burnt
Purpose	Glorify God forever.	Glorify God and cook men’s food now.
Clothing	Guaranteed clothing here & robe of righteousness later.	Quality Clothing

4) The subject of worry is always human viewpoint. Matthew 6:31-33 says, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”

a) The basis of the command “not to worry about food, drink, and clothing,” is the word “Therefore.” Jesus says God will provide food, drink, and clothing. Therefore, do not worry.

b) But He does not tell His disciples that they must be passive, doing nothing. They must work at their service to God, and He provides for them through gifts from their converts. God does 100% of the work and man also does 100% of the work. God is so great that He works in us while causing us to work without violating our free moral agency. We do not feel Him doing it, but He is doing it. That is why He can say that He clothes us.

c) Jesus’ point is that the Gentiles’ big goal in life is to acquire food, drink, and clothing.

d) Gentiles are the people of the world, whom God has not cultivated like He has prepared the nation of Israel for centuries.

e) Further reasons not to worry:

(1) The Gentiles seek after these things. Worry and things are bedfellows. Matthew 6:32 says, “For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

(2) It was not natural for Gentiles to trust God, since He had not given them many promises to believe.

(3) Your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things (Matthew 6:32).

(4) Your provider is your Father. This is the closest possible relationship. You have a spiritual likeness to Him (John 1:12-13). Luke 15:20 says, “But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.”

(5) He is not only your Father, but also your Heavenly Father.

(6) And not only that, but He “knows” what you need. There are three Greek words translated “know” in the New Testament. There is gnosis, which is a learner’s knowledge. And there is epignosis, which is full knowledge. Then there is oida, which is ingrained knowledge. It is intuitive (Romans 8:27). It is certain (Romans 8:28). It is common (1 Corinthians 3:16.) And it is a skillful knowledge (Philippians 4:12). Jesus uses oida in Matthew 6:32. So, God does not learn what we need. It is not that He simply looks at the world and has complete knowledge of our needs. Rather, He knows our needs intuitively and skillfully. Before creation God ingrains our needs in His Being. He knows our needs because He knows Himself. He does not learn our needs. He knows them from eternity.

TABULAR VIEW OF THE CONTRAST BETWEEN A GENTILE AND A DISCIPLE

Who are they?	Gentiles	Disciples of Christ
Who is their God?	Money (Matthew 6:24)	God (Yahweh)
What do they seek?	Food, drink, and clothing (Matthew 6:32	The Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33)
On what do they focus?	Things of this world (Matthew 6:22-23)	God’s truth (Matthew 6:22-23)
Where are their treasures and their hearts?	On earth (Matthew 6:19-21), which will someday burn.	In Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21)
Who is their provider?	God loves them and provides for them. But He does not help them spiritually unless they believe on His Son.	Your Father who knows your needs intuitively (Matthew 6:32

f) Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”

g) The command to seek, is the present active imperative of zeteo, which means to earnestly and zealously seek and desire. It translates in the following ways:

(1) Romans 2:7 uses zeteo as “who seek.”

(2) Romans 10:3 uses it as “going about” KJV to establish their own righteousness.

(3) 1 Corinthians 4:2 uses it as “required” in stewards.

(4) Acts 16:10 uses it as “endeavored”

h) The Lord Jesus commands us to establish priorities. The word “first” has the idea of “chiefly.” It does not say to seek “only” the Kingdom of God, but to seek chiefly the Kingdom of God.

i) The Kingdom of God is the reign and actions of God in the affairs of men, not by human efforts or natural development, but by divine intervention.

TABULAR VIEW OF FACTS ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD

We must receive God’s kingdom as a gift.	Luke 12:32 says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
Only regenerate people can see God’s kingdom.	John 3:3 says, “Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
Scriptures that identify God’s kingdom with the name of Christ	Mark 11:10 says “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” Luke 19:38 says, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Scriptures that identify God’s kingdom with the message of Christ.	Mark 10:29 says, ““Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or siblings or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel…” Luke 18:29 says, “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, ‘no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God.’”
God’s kingdom pertains to the knowledge of God.	Luke 11:52 says, “Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” Matthew 23:13 says, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.”
Many go to great extremes for the Kingdom of God.	Matthew 19:12 says, “For there are eunuchs who were born that way; others were made that way by men; and still others live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.”

j) Not only must we seek the kingdom of God, but we also must seek His righteousness.

(1) Contrast the righteousness of God with the righteousness of the Pharisees. See Matthew 5:20 and Matthew 6:1 in this blog.

(2) We must prefer the righteousness of God more than our daily bread. Job 23:12 says, “I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.”

(3) Seeking God’s Kingdom includes seeking the Gospel of Christ. Matthew 21:43 says, “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you [Jews] and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”

(4) Some people earnestly seek the righteousness of God. Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

(5) The righteousness of God results in right conduct, which brings persecution. Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

(6) The righteousness of God includes conformity to the entire plan of God. Matthew 3:15 says, “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.”

(7) The righteousness of God is what God imputed and imparted to Abraham, David, and to all people of faith (Romans 4:1-6). It is also what the Lord Jesus demanded.

(8) God’s righteousness gives us a right to the Kingdom of God. God imputes His righteousness to us by faith in Christ Jesus.

k) The promise – “All these things shall be added….”

(1) “These things” refer to the food, drink, and clothing of Matthew 6.

(2) Further, they refer to the details of life and anything over which a Christian might worry.

l) Shall be added – The Greek is the future passive form of prostithemi. It means to place or put. So, for seekers, it refers to God adding the details of life to the lives of those who seek first the Kingdom of God.

(1) Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.”

(2) God gives all these things as rewards Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

(3) Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

5) Those who worry, limit the object of worry to the future. Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.”

a) Command: Do not worry about tomorrow. To restrict worry to now, is to master it.

b) Proverbs 27:1 says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

c) We can be sure of no tomorrow on this earth.

d) Every day brings a new group of troubles and blessings.

e) Worrying about the future breeds anxiety and leads to hoarding.

f) Tomorrow will care for itself. This means, let tomorrow worry about itself.

g) Jesus personifies “Tomorrow.” He (tomorrow) is concerned about himself.

h) Therefore, worry is an intruder. He is irresponsible about today.

i) Today has enough cares without letting worry in the room.

William "Bill" Randolph http://www.williamhrandolphpublishing.com

#14 Jesus Warns His Disciples Not to Worry

Matthew 6:25-34

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