Matthew 6:25-34 • Confidence in God's Character
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Matthew 6:25-34
25 “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? 26 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? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Gregory Boyle, SJ - "It isn't simply that being poor means having less money than the privileged it's that being poor means living in a continual state of acute crisis. This is what they have to lug around every day.”
Jean Twenge - "It's not an exaggeration to describe (today's young adult generation) as being on the brink of the worst mental health crisis in decades.”
μεριμνάω (merimnaō) - worry = misdirected care
Matthew 6:31-32 - 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.
Tim Gombis - “(Disciples) must deny their human reasoning that God’s kingdom can be brought in by earthly political means or by military triumph, and they must turn from their desires for glory and honor. Disciples follow behind Jesus on his path to the cross, for this is the only way to glory in the end.”
Matthew 6:33-34 - Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (food, drink, clothing - God’s provision) will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Psalm 108:6 -
Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered.
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Each Sunday we come together we offer an open invitation into the way of Jesus. An invitation to enter into sacred rhythms - to draw near to God through singing, giving, learning, and praying.
As a community that desires renewal in Des Moines as it is in Heaven, we recognize that we cannot offer what we ourselves do not have. We cannot lead where we ourselves have not been led; in turn, these questions aim at reflection. Reflecting on God’s word and making space for his leadership.
After watching or listening consider the following discussion questions as a large group or in groups of three to four:
What stood out from the teaching?
Where do you notice worry (or, misdirected care) entering your life?
How does Jesus’ invitation to look outward and see God’s provision help or frustrate your anxiety?
What might it look like to recieve care (generally or specifically)?
As you finish, if you’re up for it, take time to name the things you’re currently seeking to control and ask a group member to pray God’s love and provison over the fear and anxiety.