1 00:00:02,869 --> 00:00:03,336 Well, you know. 2 00:00:03,336 --> 00:00:04,404 Welcome. 3 00:00:04,404 --> 00:00:05,638 Just let me say right up front. 4 00:00:05,638 --> 00:00:08,641 Go, Eagles! 5 00:00:11,511 --> 00:00:12,245 Yeah. 6 00:00:12,245 --> 00:00:13,113 Smile, Colton. 7 00:00:13,113 --> 00:00:16,116 It's not that serious. 8 00:00:16,449 --> 00:00:19,452 As I said, let me say upfront that you may notice, 9 00:00:19,519 --> 00:00:23,523 a couple people in our church starting somewhat this week, 10 00:00:23,523 --> 00:00:26,159 but going on further in all three services 11 00:00:26,159 --> 00:00:29,162 with little lanyards that say prayer on them. 12 00:00:29,929 --> 00:00:31,464 That is an effort 13 00:00:31,464 --> 00:00:34,467 that we're making our church to make sure, 14 00:00:34,567 --> 00:00:38,405 that if there's something in your life that you need prayer for 15 00:00:38,772 --> 00:00:42,475 and would like to pray with someone about, or have someone pray over you. 16 00:00:43,109 --> 00:00:45,712 Those are people who are willing to do that. 17 00:00:45,712 --> 00:00:49,549 We've talked through some protocol stuff and some expectation stuff, 18 00:00:49,549 --> 00:00:53,853 and they said that they would very much be willing to be your prayer partner. 19 00:00:53,853 --> 00:00:55,255 If there's something that happens 20 00:00:55,255 --> 00:00:56,823 during the week, you come to church like, man, 21 00:00:56,823 --> 00:00:59,159 I wish I could pray somebody or during the service 22 00:00:59,159 --> 00:01:03,730 or kind of convicting and so please, just it's on you to look at those people. 23 00:01:03,730 --> 00:01:04,964 Have a little prayer lanyard. 24 00:01:06,533 --> 00:01:07,967 They would be happy, 25 00:01:07,967 --> 00:01:10,970 to pray with you, and carry that in confidence. 26 00:01:11,905 --> 00:01:14,174 And as we go forward, 27 00:01:14,174 --> 00:01:17,677 that others may want to be a part of this prayer ministry in our church. 28 00:01:17,710 --> 00:01:21,014 I'd invite you to talk with me or talk to Heather about putting them, 29 00:01:21,114 --> 00:01:24,884 putting you in touch with me to just talk through our expectations and protocols 30 00:01:24,884 --> 00:01:27,520 about that. But it's an effort to fulfill. 31 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:30,690 Matthew 2113 Jesus at my house will be a house of prayer. 32 00:01:31,391 --> 00:01:35,195 And I want to make sure that this church understands 33 00:01:35,495 --> 00:01:38,498 the role and the privilege of praying 34 00:01:38,698 --> 00:01:41,568 for and with other people. 35 00:01:41,568 --> 00:01:46,372 Hebrews 313 316 says, let's approach the throne of grace with confidence, 36 00:01:46,372 --> 00:01:48,842 because we know it's there, that we'll find grace 37 00:01:48,842 --> 00:01:50,610 and mercy to help us in our time of need. 38 00:01:50,610 --> 00:01:53,613 And so if you want to approach God's throne 39 00:01:53,613 --> 00:01:57,050 with somebody, find someone with that a little prayer line, you just grab them. 40 00:01:57,550 --> 00:01:59,986 They're waiting for you to to approach them. 41 00:02:01,788 --> 00:02:02,122 And take 42 00:02:02,122 --> 00:02:05,492 advantage of of, together, approaching God's throne. 43 00:02:06,926 --> 00:02:11,898 This this series our in kingdom now stems from Jesus's words 44 00:02:11,898 --> 00:02:13,233 in the book of Matthew 45 00:02:13,233 --> 00:02:17,170 when he was teaching his disciples to pray, your kingdom come, 46 00:02:17,170 --> 00:02:20,607 your will be done right and now on earth as it already is in heaven. 47 00:02:20,607 --> 00:02:23,610 So that's kind of the emphasis 48 00:02:23,610 --> 00:02:27,981 of this whole series that like Kingdom now what's what does God's kingdom look? 49 00:02:27,981 --> 00:02:29,516 If it were among us? 50 00:02:29,516 --> 00:02:34,420 And so we're in the middle of study in Matthew five six and seven. 51 00:02:34,420 --> 00:02:38,558 Those three chapters, as we make our way through the entire book. 52 00:02:39,225 --> 00:02:42,662 But those three chapters are very significant because it's 53 00:02:42,662 --> 00:02:44,330 what we call the sermon on the Mount. 54 00:02:44,330 --> 00:02:47,534 Jesus gave this sermon, and it's not the only time he gave it. 55 00:02:47,567 --> 00:02:52,405 He talks about these things, throughout his three years of public ministry. 56 00:02:52,772 --> 00:02:54,107 But it was really directed. 57 00:02:54,107 --> 00:02:57,110 This message was directed at his disciples. 58 00:02:57,210 --> 00:03:00,113 And in this message that we have recorded as Matthew 59 00:03:00,113 --> 00:03:03,316 five six and seven, what Jesus is saying is this. 60 00:03:03,316 --> 00:03:04,484 He's saying, 61 00:03:04,484 --> 00:03:06,819 if you're going to be my disciple, if you're going to follow me, 62 00:03:06,819 --> 00:03:08,655 if you're going to claim my name, we would say, 63 00:03:08,655 --> 00:03:10,023 if you're going to say you're a Christian, 64 00:03:11,357 --> 00:03:12,091 these are 65 00:03:12,091 --> 00:03:16,429 Jesus's expectations and they're non-negotiable. 66 00:03:17,730 --> 00:03:20,166 It's not like Jesus is saying, let me tell you 67 00:03:20,166 --> 00:03:23,036 what would be nice if you were to work this into your life. 68 00:03:23,036 --> 00:03:25,605 That's not what he's saying. 69 00:03:25,605 --> 00:03:29,509 He's not saying these are some things that will help you in your life. 70 00:03:29,742 --> 00:03:32,779 Be a better person or he's not saying it. 71 00:03:33,012 --> 00:03:35,315 He's saying if you're going to claim that, you follow me. 72 00:03:35,315 --> 00:03:39,319 These are the non-negotiables for my disciples. 73 00:03:41,087 --> 00:03:43,590 And then he lays out, I mean, we've been looking at Matthew 74 00:03:43,590 --> 00:03:47,026 five was rough, man, and Matthew six wasn't any easier. 75 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:50,263 And today we're going to look at the last part of Matthew six 76 00:03:50,263 --> 00:03:53,266 before we get into Matthew seven. 77 00:03:55,034 --> 00:03:58,504 Jesus is instructed and the commands of Scripture in totality. 78 00:03:58,705 --> 00:04:01,975 But Jesus's instructions, especially in Matthew 567, 79 00:04:02,942 --> 00:04:03,309 are not 80 00:04:03,309 --> 00:04:07,647 designed to be demanding or constricting. 81 00:04:07,647 --> 00:04:10,650 They're designed to be liberating, 82 00:04:10,950 --> 00:04:13,920 and they in them find life and freedom. 83 00:04:14,087 --> 00:04:17,523 And Jesus, as he's talking about all this stuff in Matthew 84 00:04:18,057 --> 00:04:21,194 five and six, just like, listen, the the importance, 85 00:04:21,928 --> 00:04:23,963 there's something more important than what you do. 86 00:04:23,963 --> 00:04:27,967 And it's, it's it's why you do it, the motive behind it. 87 00:04:28,134 --> 00:04:30,270 It's important what you do. 88 00:04:30,270 --> 00:04:34,574 But if the motive behind it isn't right, then it doesn't matter what you do 89 00:04:35,575 --> 00:04:38,344 and what he's eating and he's not being. 90 00:04:38,344 --> 00:04:40,747 He sets out this 91 00:04:40,747 --> 00:04:46,119 this model of life and the model of living as a follower of him. 92 00:04:46,119 --> 00:04:50,089 That is, it feels so idealistic, like who could ever. 93 00:04:51,257 --> 00:04:53,026 But he's not being idealistic. 94 00:04:53,026 --> 00:04:55,295 He's being authoritative. 95 00:04:55,295 --> 00:04:59,332 He said, listen, if you're going to claim my name, there's are my expectations. 96 00:04:59,332 --> 00:05:01,868 I'm not going to negotiate them with you. It is what it is, 97 00:05:02,969 --> 00:05:04,637 and it's going to be so far beyond you. 98 00:05:04,637 --> 00:05:08,107 You're going to need my help to be able to live like 99 00:05:09,142 --> 00:05:10,877 I'm demanding of you. 100 00:05:10,877 --> 00:05:15,214 And I'll give you my spirit that will live within you, that will help you. 101 00:05:15,214 --> 00:05:17,684 But but these are not negotiable. 102 00:05:17,684 --> 00:05:20,420 That's what he's saying. 103 00:05:20,420 --> 00:05:23,423 And so today, as he's he's talked about 104 00:05:24,157 --> 00:05:27,193 these religious practices and why you do them, don't do them to be 105 00:05:27,193 --> 00:05:30,530 religious and to, like, do them because as an act of devotion to God. 106 00:05:31,597 --> 00:05:34,300 And then make sure that you're not 107 00:05:34,300 --> 00:05:36,502 pursuing stuff for the sake of accumulation, 108 00:05:36,502 --> 00:05:38,404 because that's just the way the world lives. 109 00:05:38,404 --> 00:05:41,240 So I just give me more and more, give me more, because it's all about me 110 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:43,443 and my kingdom and my agenda. And I just want more. 111 00:05:45,078 --> 00:05:45,845 And so 112 00:05:45,845 --> 00:05:49,315 he kind of turns a corner now in the last part of chapter six, 113 00:05:49,549 --> 00:05:52,552 and he deals with this issue of worry. 114 00:05:53,286 --> 00:05:57,190 And so we're going to talk about how Jesus addresses worry, 115 00:05:57,223 --> 00:06:01,361 the context of it, the results of it, and replacing it. 116 00:06:02,195 --> 00:06:06,399 The fact is that, you and I are probably pretty proficient 117 00:06:07,233 --> 00:06:10,203 in the skill of worry. 118 00:06:10,436 --> 00:06:11,971 Am I right? 119 00:06:11,971 --> 00:06:13,606 Yeah. 120 00:06:13,606 --> 00:06:16,042 When Jesus talks about worry, he's going to talk about it 121 00:06:16,042 --> 00:06:19,479 in a certain context, and it's going to he's not going to talk about concern, 122 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:23,282 is going to talk about excessive worry, because there are different 123 00:06:23,883 --> 00:06:26,886 it's okay to be concerned about stuff, 124 00:06:26,986 --> 00:06:30,923 but it's not okay to to to kind of tip the scales and live in this 125 00:06:31,157 --> 00:06:35,528 in this place of excessive worry about it, where it takes 126 00:06:35,528 --> 00:06:40,133 over your energy and your emotions and your sleep cycle and all that stuff. 127 00:06:40,133 --> 00:06:41,000 That's what he's talking about. 128 00:06:42,468 --> 00:06:43,503 And so I did 129 00:06:43,503 --> 00:06:46,506 a little bit of research and I and you all know this, 130 00:06:46,539 --> 00:06:50,276 but just so we're all on the same page, here's the dangers of excessive worry 131 00:06:50,276 --> 00:06:53,880 and let's see if any of these I want to ask for Show of Hands, 132 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:57,683 but I think some of these will probably resonate 133 00:06:57,717 --> 00:07:00,720 with some of you professional warriors. 134 00:07:01,187 --> 00:07:04,657 Excessive worry results in fatigue and sleep problems. 135 00:07:04,657 --> 00:07:06,959 That's a horrible combination. 136 00:07:06,959 --> 00:07:09,962 I'm exhausted, but I can't sleep. 137 00:07:11,063 --> 00:07:12,999 I said I wouldn't ask for a show of hands, but I will. 138 00:07:12,999 --> 00:07:16,235 Anybody, right? You're like, I am, I'm dog. 139 00:07:16,502 --> 00:07:19,472 But my mind, I just can't get off of 140 00:07:20,072 --> 00:07:22,308 excessive worry results in headaches, 141 00:07:22,308 --> 00:07:25,311 digestive issues, muscle tension 142 00:07:25,978 --> 00:07:29,315 and increasing risk of heart disease and depression. 143 00:07:30,216 --> 00:07:33,820 It hinders concentration and prevents good decision making. 144 00:07:34,620 --> 00:07:38,257 Excessive worry ruins and weakens the immune system, 145 00:07:39,258 --> 00:07:41,594 resulting in mood swings, 146 00:07:41,594 --> 00:07:44,697 irritability, and a sense of doom. 147 00:07:46,165 --> 00:07:47,366 Right? 148 00:07:47,366 --> 00:07:49,168 All right. 149 00:07:49,168 --> 00:07:51,471 It it's it's not surprising, 150 00:07:51,471 --> 00:07:54,474 but is a little sad that all of us know exactly what this is like. 151 00:07:56,776 --> 00:07:59,645 And the results of living in that state of excessive 152 00:07:59,645 --> 00:08:02,648 worry is one is self-medication. 153 00:08:04,951 --> 00:08:07,954 When I medicate myself with different. 154 00:08:09,355 --> 00:08:12,358 Substances, 155 00:08:14,327 --> 00:08:17,196 different habits that get my mind off worry for a little bit. 156 00:08:17,196 --> 00:08:19,799 Anyway. 157 00:08:19,799 --> 00:08:22,802 The results are isolation, 158 00:08:23,302 --> 00:08:26,305 relationship problems 159 00:08:26,539 --> 00:08:28,674 because your body is in a constant 160 00:08:28,674 --> 00:08:31,677 state of fight or flight. 161 00:08:32,879 --> 00:08:35,882 And it is exhausting. 162 00:08:36,449 --> 00:08:40,353 And most people say, you know, it's just I can't help it. 163 00:08:40,353 --> 00:08:42,388 It's just the way I'm wired, I don't know. 164 00:08:42,388 --> 00:08:44,290 And here's the truth. 165 00:08:44,290 --> 00:08:45,992 Worry isn't a personality trait. 166 00:08:45,992 --> 00:08:48,995 It's a discipleship issue. 167 00:08:50,429 --> 00:08:51,831 It's not a personality trait. 168 00:08:51,831 --> 00:08:53,232 It's not how you're wired. 169 00:08:55,034 --> 00:08:58,037 It's how you've learned to respond. 170 00:08:59,171 --> 00:09:02,174 But at the heart of it, it's a discipleship issue. 171 00:09:02,942 --> 00:09:06,178 And people treat worry as a medical condition 172 00:09:06,178 --> 00:09:09,181 rather than a spiritual condition. 173 00:09:10,783 --> 00:09:12,151 And especially in America, it's 174 00:09:12,151 --> 00:09:15,121 big Pharma has a solution to everything. 175 00:09:16,255 --> 00:09:19,025 And as long as we treat worry as a personality trait 176 00:09:19,025 --> 00:09:22,028 or a medical issue, it will always have authority over us 177 00:09:23,896 --> 00:09:27,166 and we will not live as disciples of Christ. 178 00:09:30,469 --> 00:09:33,573 Every one of God's commands in Scripture and the totality of it, and 179 00:09:33,573 --> 00:09:38,010 especially what Jesus is commanding of us in Matthew five six and seven, 180 00:09:38,611 --> 00:09:41,614 every one of them are for our good. 181 00:09:42,582 --> 00:09:44,784 He's not trying to be harsh for the sake of being harsh. 182 00:09:44,784 --> 00:09:46,886 They're not being too manifestly demanding. 183 00:09:46,886 --> 00:09:48,254 He's not setting the standard 184 00:09:48,254 --> 00:09:52,525 so that so that only the good, you know, only the good, the good capable 185 00:09:53,693 --> 00:09:56,362 everyone is for our good. 186 00:09:56,362 --> 00:09:59,365 Psalm 19 seven and eight says this 187 00:09:59,899 --> 00:10:02,902 the instruction of the Lord is perfect, 188 00:10:03,069 --> 00:10:06,072 renewing one's life. 189 00:10:07,139 --> 00:10:09,475 The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, 190 00:10:09,475 --> 00:10:12,678 making the inexperienced, wise. 191 00:10:14,146 --> 00:10:16,248 The precepts of the Lord are right, 192 00:10:16,248 --> 00:10:19,251 making the heart glad. 193 00:10:19,518 --> 00:10:23,623 The command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. 194 00:10:24,156 --> 00:10:27,159 This is the opposite of worry. 195 00:10:27,493 --> 00:10:30,062 It's the opposite of someone who 196 00:10:30,062 --> 00:10:33,032 the way someone looks and lives when they're worried. 197 00:10:34,100 --> 00:10:37,236 And it's centered on the commands, the precepts and instructions of the Lord. 198 00:10:38,371 --> 00:10:41,374 Therefore our good. 199 00:10:41,941 --> 00:10:42,241 Ends. 200 00:10:42,241 --> 00:10:44,644 And so what we have to realize is this. 201 00:10:44,644 --> 00:10:49,248 That if God's Word revives the soul, ignoring it drains the soul. 202 00:10:50,383 --> 00:10:54,687 So when God says, don't worry, when we ignore, that's for our good, 203 00:10:55,421 --> 00:10:58,524 and that revives us to live in a state of non worry. 204 00:10:58,524 --> 00:10:59,859 That's that's awesome, isn't it? 205 00:11:00,826 --> 00:11:01,861 And when we ignore 206 00:11:01,861 --> 00:11:05,164 that command, it drains us and it, you know, 207 00:11:06,265 --> 00:11:09,268 it's exhausting. 208 00:11:09,568 --> 00:11:11,270 And so 209 00:11:11,270 --> 00:11:13,305 in Matthew six 210 00:11:13,305 --> 00:11:16,876 I'm just going to read for you verses 25 through 34. 211 00:11:16,909 --> 00:11:17,710 They're not on the screen. 212 00:11:17,710 --> 00:11:20,713 Have a Bible turn to Matthew six. 213 00:11:21,447 --> 00:11:22,348 Follow along. 214 00:11:22,348 --> 00:11:25,418 Matthew 25 234 Jesus, start to Matthew 215 00:11:25,951 --> 00:11:28,921 Matthew six, verse 25, therefore 216 00:11:28,921 --> 00:11:32,858 I tell you, whenever you find the word, therefore you need to stop 217 00:11:33,759 --> 00:11:37,229 and look back above it and realize what it's 218 00:11:38,531 --> 00:11:39,932 there for. 219 00:11:39,932 --> 00:11:42,935 So because of what Jesus has just said 220 00:11:43,302 --> 00:11:46,305 in Matthew six, because all this stuff 221 00:11:46,839 --> 00:11:50,576 I'm telling you, don't be anxious about your life now watch what he says. 222 00:11:50,910 --> 00:11:54,513 Don't be anxious about what you eat, what you drink about your body, 223 00:11:54,513 --> 00:11:55,414 or what you put on. 224 00:11:55,414 --> 00:11:58,751 Now he's four things there what you eat or drink. 225 00:11:58,751 --> 00:12:00,653 That's your sustenance. 226 00:12:00,653 --> 00:12:02,254 Those are the things that sustain you. 227 00:12:02,254 --> 00:12:05,291 Don't be worried about what sustains you. 228 00:12:06,892 --> 00:12:09,895 And he says, don't be worrying about your body. 229 00:12:10,029 --> 00:12:11,564 How many of us at some point 230 00:12:11,564 --> 00:12:14,567 have ever been worried about our health, 231 00:12:14,900 --> 00:12:16,769 about the next day, about the report? 232 00:12:16,769 --> 00:12:17,970 Right. 233 00:12:17,970 --> 00:12:23,008 Don't be anxious about that and or about your watch or put on clothes 234 00:12:23,008 --> 00:12:26,645 back in these days were a symbol of wealth and accumulation. 235 00:12:27,279 --> 00:12:29,882 So if you could accumulate a lot of clothes 236 00:12:29,882 --> 00:12:32,551 and have a choice to what you wear, it was the accumulation. 237 00:12:32,551 --> 00:12:35,221 And he just got done talking earlier in this chapter. 238 00:12:35,221 --> 00:12:38,190 Don't accumulate for yourself stuff. 239 00:12:38,524 --> 00:12:41,527 And so he's covering all of life. 240 00:12:41,994 --> 00:12:46,065 Those things you think you need for your own sustenance and future, your 241 00:12:46,065 --> 00:12:51,170 own health and body, your your future life and the accumulation of that. 242 00:12:51,170 --> 00:12:52,838 Don't worry about that. 243 00:12:52,838 --> 00:12:55,841 Doesn't that encompass pretty much what we worry about? 244 00:12:58,978 --> 00:13:00,746 Don't worry about that. 245 00:13:00,746 --> 00:13:02,715 Is not life more than food in the body? 246 00:13:02,715 --> 00:13:05,551 More than clothing? Look at the birds of the air. 247 00:13:05,551 --> 00:13:08,821 They neither sow nor weep, nor get nor gather in barns. 248 00:13:08,888 --> 00:13:11,090 And yet your heavenly father feeds them on. 249 00:13:11,090 --> 00:13:14,093 Aren't you more important than the birds? 250 00:13:16,095 --> 00:13:18,330 He says, look at the 251 00:13:18,330 --> 00:13:21,333 God's got this whole thing covered. 252 00:13:22,101 --> 00:13:25,204 Those birds don't worry about what they're going to eat. Why? 253 00:13:25,805 --> 00:13:28,808 Because God's going. 254 00:13:29,642 --> 00:13:32,144 And why are you anxious about your clothing? 255 00:13:32,144 --> 00:13:34,180 Consider the lilies of the field. How they grow. 256 00:13:34,180 --> 00:13:36,048 They neither toil nor spin. 257 00:13:36,048 --> 00:13:39,051 You know, I tell you, even Solomon, all his glory was not arrayed 258 00:13:39,084 --> 00:13:40,953 like one of these. 259 00:13:40,953 --> 00:13:44,990 He's not necessarily he's he's not at all saying don't wear nice clothes. 260 00:13:44,990 --> 00:13:45,691 That's always saying 261 00:13:46,659 --> 00:13:48,661 what he's saying is, don't get so worried 262 00:13:48,661 --> 00:13:51,964 about the accumulation of riches in this world. 263 00:13:54,200 --> 00:13:55,467 Quit living to gain 264 00:13:55,467 --> 00:13:58,470 more stuff, to put in a storage shed somewhere. 265 00:13:59,205 --> 00:14:01,507 We talked about it last week, yet so much stuff can be a parking 266 00:14:01,507 --> 00:14:04,510 your garage like there's a. 267 00:14:05,477 --> 00:14:08,080 Like don't. 268 00:14:08,080 --> 00:14:11,083 Why are you so worried about that 269 00:14:11,383 --> 00:14:12,384 if God so close? 270 00:14:12,384 --> 00:14:15,421 The grass of the field which is today, is a living of ours thrown in the oven. 271 00:14:16,055 --> 00:14:19,124 Well, you not much more like. 272 00:14:19,124 --> 00:14:20,759 Take care. You you got so little. 273 00:14:20,759 --> 00:14:23,762 Faith is what Jesus is. 274 00:14:24,530 --> 00:14:24,930 Verse three. 275 00:14:24,930 --> 00:14:27,666 When therefore don't be anxious, 276 00:14:27,666 --> 00:14:29,034 saying, what shall we eat? 277 00:14:29,034 --> 00:14:30,302 What shall we drink? What shall we were? 278 00:14:30,302 --> 00:14:34,673 Don't worry issues about all this stuff that we get so anxiety riddled about. 279 00:14:37,543 --> 00:14:38,844 For the Gentiles, those 280 00:14:38,844 --> 00:14:43,182 people who don't know God, they seek after all that stuff. 281 00:14:43,182 --> 00:14:46,185 They get worked up about that 282 00:14:46,652 --> 00:14:49,755 you shouldn't because your heavenly father knows what you need. 283 00:14:49,755 --> 00:14:52,224 That's what he says. 284 00:14:52,224 --> 00:14:53,759 Verse 33, this is the kicker. 285 00:14:53,759 --> 00:14:56,762 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness 286 00:14:57,329 --> 00:15:00,332 and all that other stuff that you need. 287 00:15:00,432 --> 00:15:03,435 God will take care of it. 288 00:15:03,736 --> 00:15:05,237 Verse 34 therefore don't be anxious 289 00:15:05,237 --> 00:15:08,240 about tomorrow, for tomorrow be anxious for itself. 290 00:15:08,607 --> 00:15:11,610 Today has enough trouble of its own, so don't live in tomorrow's trouble. 291 00:15:13,746 --> 00:15:15,447 The word he uses there is actually evil. 292 00:15:15,447 --> 00:15:16,649 Tomorrow is bad enough. 293 00:15:16,649 --> 00:15:17,449 It's evil enough. 294 00:15:17,449 --> 00:15:20,452 Don't live in tomorrow's evil. 295 00:15:21,153 --> 00:15:24,690 Just like right now, God knows now. 296 00:15:24,690 --> 00:15:25,858 He'll know tomorrow too. 297 00:15:25,858 --> 00:15:28,861 But right now. 298 00:15:29,495 --> 00:15:32,498 And so, in this issue of worry, therefore, 299 00:15:32,965 --> 00:15:38,103 because of what he's just said in verses 30, 25 through 34, is in light 300 00:15:38,103 --> 00:15:43,575 of what he's just said, especially in verses 19 through 24 of chapter six. 301 00:15:45,811 --> 00:15:49,181 Now he's turning our attention to anxiety 302 00:15:49,348 --> 00:15:52,451 over our own earthly personal agendas. 303 00:15:54,486 --> 00:15:56,555 You saying you've been so focused 304 00:15:56,555 --> 00:16:00,426 on the accumulation of stuff as if you are your own provider? 305 00:16:00,993 --> 00:16:04,396 Don't live that way, because all that does is make 306 00:16:04,396 --> 00:16:07,399 you live in a constant state of worry. 307 00:16:09,902 --> 00:16:13,405 See, the command in this section to not to worry 308 00:16:13,672 --> 00:16:16,709 is based on the love a father has for his child. 309 00:16:17,509 --> 00:16:20,045 And if any of your parents moms dads, 310 00:16:20,045 --> 00:16:23,048 this should resonate with you. 311 00:16:23,248 --> 00:16:24,850 Now, I don't know what your parent well, 312 00:16:24,850 --> 00:16:28,020 I don't know what your father was like and maybe that was a bad situation. 313 00:16:28,654 --> 00:16:31,790 But if you're a parent, you know what your love is like for your kids. 314 00:16:33,359 --> 00:16:35,461 How would it feel to you as a parent 315 00:16:36,595 --> 00:16:39,398 to have your child 316 00:16:39,398 --> 00:16:43,202 be constantly worried about your provision 317 00:16:43,202 --> 00:16:46,171 for them? 318 00:16:48,107 --> 00:16:50,642 Like like, how would that feel as a mom or as a dad? 319 00:16:50,642 --> 00:16:53,512 To have your little child, your little boy, your little girl? 320 00:16:53,512 --> 00:16:56,582 You live in a constant state of worry and concern 321 00:16:56,582 --> 00:17:00,019 as if you are not capable of taking care of them. 322 00:17:00,019 --> 00:17:03,022 How would that feel? 323 00:17:04,256 --> 00:17:07,259 Feel terrible right? 324 00:17:11,964 --> 00:17:12,631 Someone said that. 325 00:17:12,631 --> 00:17:15,634 Show me how you were and I'll show you what you believe about God. 326 00:17:19,038 --> 00:17:21,507 Worry is when God's children 327 00:17:21,507 --> 00:17:24,510 live like orphans. 328 00:17:29,281 --> 00:17:31,083 And so verses 19 through 24. 329 00:17:31,083 --> 00:17:32,618 Don't focus on the accumulation of stuff. 330 00:17:32,618 --> 00:17:34,420 Don't focus on your agenda. 331 00:17:34,420 --> 00:17:37,523 In this world, God will provide what you need. 332 00:17:38,223 --> 00:17:40,492 Start your treasures in heaven. 333 00:17:40,492 --> 00:17:42,895 You can't pursue material and spiritual stuff at the same time. 334 00:17:42,895 --> 00:17:44,229 One of them is going to be more important 335 00:17:45,998 --> 00:17:47,099 and Jesus follows out. 336 00:17:47,099 --> 00:17:48,967 So just don't be anxious about stuff. 337 00:17:48,967 --> 00:17:51,003 It's not that important 338 00:17:51,003 --> 00:17:52,471 because there's something more important. 339 00:17:52,471 --> 00:17:54,606 He doesn't say this stuff is unimportant. 340 00:17:54,606 --> 00:17:57,342 He said they're they're little important, but there's something more important. 341 00:17:57,342 --> 00:17:58,510 And we'll get to that in just a minute. 342 00:17:58,510 --> 00:18:01,280 But that's what he's saying. 343 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:03,515 Verse 25 and 26 read again, therefore I tell you, 344 00:18:03,515 --> 00:18:05,050 don't be anxious about your life, what you will eat 345 00:18:05,050 --> 00:18:08,387 and what you will wear a drink, or about your body, what you will put on. 346 00:18:09,021 --> 00:18:11,356 Is not life more than food in the body, more than clothing? 347 00:18:11,356 --> 00:18:13,492 Look at the birds of the air. 348 00:18:13,492 --> 00:18:16,161 They neither show nor read nor gather in the barn. 349 00:18:16,161 --> 00:18:18,764 Your heavenly father knows that feeds them. 350 00:18:18,764 --> 00:18:20,432 Aren't you more important than the birds? 351 00:18:21,500 --> 00:18:23,235 He is? 352 00:18:23,235 --> 00:18:26,238 Is comparing us to birds. 353 00:18:26,371 --> 00:18:29,341 Life is like the birds. 354 00:18:29,908 --> 00:18:32,911 Like they don't get stressed about tomorrow 355 00:18:33,679 --> 00:18:36,648 because they know the performance is going to be there in one way or another. 356 00:18:36,648 --> 00:18:39,017 Now know you're 357 00:18:39,017 --> 00:18:40,419 and you saying let mean go. 358 00:18:40,419 --> 00:18:43,422 Like if God's going to take care of birds, going to take care of you like 359 00:18:43,622 --> 00:18:45,124 it should be a no brainer. 360 00:18:45,124 --> 00:18:47,192 But, but, but here's what I have to say. 361 00:18:47,192 --> 00:18:49,928 He's not saying don't work and don't labor. 362 00:18:49,928 --> 00:18:51,997 And don't be concerned and don't take care of your future. 363 00:18:51,997 --> 00:18:55,267 It's not that's not what he's saying when he says, look at the birds. 364 00:18:55,267 --> 00:18:56,335 They don't toil. 365 00:18:56,335 --> 00:18:57,603 It's not that they don't work. 366 00:18:57,603 --> 00:19:00,139 They just don't worry about their work. 367 00:19:00,139 --> 00:19:01,907 You understand? 368 00:19:01,907 --> 00:19:05,711 I was thinking about this, and I did a little bit of research about birds 369 00:19:06,945 --> 00:19:09,948 and the work life of a bird. 370 00:19:10,048 --> 00:19:13,886 And when Jesus says, don't worry, look at the birds. 371 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:16,188 He's not saying, don't work. 372 00:19:16,188 --> 00:19:18,123 Look at the birds. 373 00:19:18,123 --> 00:19:21,660 He's saying, just don't be over consumed with worry about you 374 00:19:21,660 --> 00:19:24,763 providing for yourself as if you're the only provider for yourself. 375 00:19:25,831 --> 00:19:27,065 Birds. Did you know this? 376 00:19:27,065 --> 00:19:31,236 Birds work 12 hours a day, every day, 377 00:19:32,171 --> 00:19:35,174 their entire life. 378 00:19:35,307 --> 00:19:38,010 They were 12 hours a day getting food, 379 00:19:38,010 --> 00:19:41,380 feeding kids, building the nest over and over 380 00:19:41,446 --> 00:19:44,383 12 hours a day, every single day. 381 00:19:44,383 --> 00:19:48,220 Some birds eat 4 to 7 times their body weight because they expend 382 00:19:48,220 --> 00:19:49,788 so much energy working. 383 00:19:49,788 --> 00:19:54,092 So Jesus is not saying, don't work and don't be concerned and don't plan 384 00:19:54,092 --> 00:19:55,394 and don't work your tail off. 385 00:19:55,394 --> 00:19:59,131 He's saying, just don't stress over it all and get so worried and consumed as if 386 00:19:59,131 --> 00:20:00,599 you are your only provider. 387 00:20:01,934 --> 00:20:04,937 You understand. 388 00:20:05,871 --> 00:20:07,539 There's a difference 389 00:20:07,539 --> 00:20:10,542 between a godly sense of responsibility 390 00:20:10,776 --> 00:20:14,179 and an ungodly level of worry. 391 00:20:17,516 --> 00:20:18,784 The Bible talks on and on 392 00:20:18,784 --> 00:20:21,887 and on about the necessity to work and to plan. 393 00:20:21,887 --> 00:20:25,591 The Bible says the plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance. 394 00:20:25,591 --> 00:20:27,926 So plan, work. 395 00:20:27,926 --> 00:20:30,929 Just don't worry about it. 396 00:20:31,830 --> 00:20:33,932 No. Well, the conditions of your flocks. 397 00:20:33,932 --> 00:20:35,167 You got to know what's in your bank. 398 00:20:35,167 --> 00:20:36,602 You got to know what's going on with the business. 399 00:20:36,602 --> 00:20:39,938 You got to know what your assets and liabilities are. 400 00:20:39,972 --> 00:20:41,640 Just don't stress about it. 401 00:20:41,640 --> 00:20:44,443 Don't worry about it. All. 402 00:20:44,443 --> 00:20:46,278 Without counsel, plans fail. 403 00:20:46,278 --> 00:20:50,182 So get a lot of wisdom from everybody about what you do and how you think about 404 00:20:50,182 --> 00:20:51,483 the birds of the air. 405 00:20:51,483 --> 00:20:54,786 They don't stress about it, but they work a ton, right? 406 00:20:55,087 --> 00:20:57,623 They don't sit in their nest with their mouth open, waiting for God 407 00:20:57,623 --> 00:20:58,490 to drop a worm. 408 00:20:58,490 --> 00:21:01,460 And there's a lot of work that goes involved with being a bird, 409 00:21:02,561 --> 00:21:05,430 but they're not worried about it. 410 00:21:05,430 --> 00:21:06,732 Work. 411 00:21:06,732 --> 00:21:09,468 Be diligent. Do your due diligence. 412 00:21:09,468 --> 00:21:10,969 Don't sit back and think God's 413 00:21:10,969 --> 00:21:13,605 going to give you a free pass just because you're trusting him. 414 00:21:13,605 --> 00:21:15,774 He's not going to do the work that he's asked you to do. 415 00:21:15,774 --> 00:21:17,175 Just don't worry about it. 416 00:21:17,175 --> 00:21:18,844 What the Bible saying. 417 00:21:18,844 --> 00:21:21,213 Prepare your work outside. 418 00:21:21,213 --> 00:21:24,316 Get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that, 419 00:21:24,883 --> 00:21:25,550 build your house. 420 00:21:25,550 --> 00:21:29,388 This is such an interesting verse because this verse says, 421 00:21:29,521 --> 00:21:33,225 take care of business and take care of finances before 422 00:21:33,225 --> 00:21:36,228 you get yourself wrapped up in the comfort of your own home. 423 00:21:37,529 --> 00:21:38,697 The Bible has a lot to say 424 00:21:38,697 --> 00:21:41,700 about working hard and working your tail off. 425 00:21:42,467 --> 00:21:45,270 Just don't worry about it all. 426 00:21:45,270 --> 00:21:47,873 And and you know the the great passage. 427 00:21:47,873 --> 00:21:48,540 Take this on honest. 428 00:21:49,675 --> 00:21:52,077 When we were with you, we told you this is the come in. 429 00:21:52,077 --> 00:21:55,080 If you're not willing to work, you don't get to eat. 430 00:21:57,449 --> 00:21:59,618 That doesn't go over very well in this country anymore. 431 00:21:59,618 --> 00:22:01,320 Like, 432 00:22:01,320 --> 00:22:03,055 but what he said is that there's no free. 433 00:22:03,055 --> 00:22:04,056 There's no free handouts. 434 00:22:04,056 --> 00:22:06,825 If if you're not, if you're not like, disabled or a widow, 435 00:22:06,825 --> 00:22:08,527 they can't provide for themselves in that context. 436 00:22:08,527 --> 00:22:11,530 You don't you don't get something for nothing. 437 00:22:12,531 --> 00:22:15,534 And so Jesus is not about anti work. 438 00:22:15,901 --> 00:22:18,904 Matter of fact he's very pro work. 439 00:22:19,171 --> 00:22:22,174 Just not worried about work. 440 00:22:22,507 --> 00:22:24,343 You following. 441 00:22:24,343 --> 00:22:26,211 It's biblical to plan. 442 00:22:26,211 --> 00:22:28,146 It's biblical to work. 443 00:22:28,146 --> 00:22:32,250 Just don't allow yourself to live in a state of anxiety over it 444 00:22:32,250 --> 00:22:35,220 all, because that's where most people live. 445 00:22:36,121 --> 00:22:37,456 He's condemning anxiety. 446 00:22:37,456 --> 00:22:38,790 He's not condemning effort. 447 00:22:40,992 --> 00:22:42,861 Plan diligently. 448 00:22:42,861 --> 00:22:45,564 Work your tail off 449 00:22:45,564 --> 00:22:47,532 and then sleep peacefully. 450 00:22:47,532 --> 00:22:50,736 And don't worry, that's what he's saying when he talks about us 451 00:22:50,736 --> 00:22:53,739 being compared to birds. 452 00:22:54,439 --> 00:22:56,875 Well, why verse 27, 453 00:22:56,875 --> 00:23:00,479 and which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to his span of life? 454 00:23:04,282 --> 00:23:05,417 I want to ask for a show of hands, 455 00:23:05,417 --> 00:23:09,788 but how many of us have worried about our health at some point 456 00:23:10,989 --> 00:23:13,291 I said I would ask for a show of hands, but you just said, 457 00:23:13,291 --> 00:23:16,261 okay, that's fine. 458 00:23:16,995 --> 00:23:19,531 And we do. 459 00:23:19,531 --> 00:23:22,501 And Jesus is saying, look, would you quit? Like 460 00:23:23,635 --> 00:23:25,937 eat, drink your body? 461 00:23:25,937 --> 00:23:30,242 You could like your sustenance, your very health 462 00:23:31,009 --> 00:23:34,012 and the accumulations of don't worry about any of that. 463 00:23:37,516 --> 00:23:37,916 What? 464 00:23:37,916 --> 00:23:39,951 Because worry accomplishes nothing, he said. 465 00:23:39,951 --> 00:23:42,421 How many of us who have worried about some issue of our health 466 00:23:42,421 --> 00:23:46,324 have added health to us by worrying about it? 467 00:23:46,792 --> 00:23:47,292 Anybody? 468 00:23:49,861 --> 00:23:51,930 Know it doesn't say, don't be concerned about your health. 469 00:23:51,930 --> 00:23:53,665 You better be concerned about yourself. 470 00:23:53,665 --> 00:23:56,668 You better take care of what you got to take care of. 471 00:23:57,035 --> 00:24:00,038 But don't be worried. 472 00:24:00,572 --> 00:24:02,374 A study and I don't know who did this study. 473 00:24:02,374 --> 00:24:04,776 I don't know who these people are, but they did. 474 00:24:04,776 --> 00:24:08,747 Whoever they are did a study and decided for us 475 00:24:09,014 --> 00:24:12,250 that 91% of what we worry about never happens. 476 00:24:14,453 --> 00:24:16,321 Would you agree with that? 477 00:24:16,321 --> 00:24:17,656 Mostly 91%. 478 00:24:17,656 --> 00:24:20,659 I don't know how they even discovered that, but that's what they discover 479 00:24:20,759 --> 00:24:21,393 to me. 480 00:24:21,393 --> 00:24:24,896 That would say, well, that that's an indication that I should worry 481 00:24:24,896 --> 00:24:28,700 about a lot of things because 91% whatever about not going to happen. 482 00:24:28,700 --> 00:24:31,503 So it makes sense. I should worry right? 483 00:24:31,503 --> 00:24:33,038 Are you following? That was a joke. 484 00:24:34,973 --> 00:24:37,409 Sometime I'll just tell you, sometimes I feel like I'm at the UN 485 00:24:37,409 --> 00:24:40,412 talk of the UN with nobody, with their earpieces in. 486 00:24:51,356 --> 00:24:51,723 Whoever 487 00:24:51,723 --> 00:24:55,894 they were also discovered that of the 9% of stuff that does happen 488 00:24:55,894 --> 00:24:58,897 that we hear about, the reality of it 489 00:24:58,964 --> 00:25:01,967 is less severe than the fear of it. 490 00:25:05,103 --> 00:25:07,339 So the fact is that 491 00:25:07,339 --> 00:25:10,442 there may be greater sins than worry, 492 00:25:11,109 --> 00:25:14,112 but none of them are more self-defeating and useless. 493 00:25:17,949 --> 00:25:20,719 Worries never added a day to anybody's life, but it's stolen. 494 00:25:20,719 --> 00:25:23,722 Plenty of them. 495 00:25:24,956 --> 00:25:27,959 When I was growing up. 496 00:25:28,293 --> 00:25:29,327 And this was back 497 00:25:29,327 --> 00:25:32,330 when I was early elementary. 498 00:25:33,031 --> 00:25:35,534 And for some reason, I was riddled 499 00:25:35,534 --> 00:25:38,537 and paralyzed with worry. 500 00:25:38,970 --> 00:25:41,873 I was a little boy in elementary school 501 00:25:41,873 --> 00:25:44,876 dealing with chronic migraines 502 00:25:45,310 --> 00:25:46,344 because of worry. 503 00:25:48,880 --> 00:25:50,582 What do I have to be worried about? 504 00:25:50,582 --> 00:25:53,451 My parents love me. They took care of me. 505 00:25:53,451 --> 00:25:56,454 But there was this overwhelming sense of dread 506 00:25:57,455 --> 00:26:00,492 as a little boy that I lived with that I could not shape. 507 00:26:00,492 --> 00:26:03,562 My parents took me to a, a Christian therapist 508 00:26:03,562 --> 00:26:06,565 and counselor. 509 00:26:09,634 --> 00:26:11,803 And and I struggled with it 510 00:26:11,803 --> 00:26:14,806 for a long time as a little boy. 511 00:26:16,741 --> 00:26:18,276 And I remember having conversation. 512 00:26:18,276 --> 00:26:21,279 My mom, my mom told me, she said, Carl, you're worried about so much, 513 00:26:21,479 --> 00:26:22,981 and none of it ever happens. 514 00:26:22,981 --> 00:26:26,051 I remember telling her, that's why it's important for me to worry. 515 00:26:33,291 --> 00:26:33,959 And God's done 516 00:26:33,959 --> 00:26:36,962 a lot of work in my life regarding that, 517 00:26:37,829 --> 00:26:41,399 and I thank him for it, because worry will rob our life 518 00:26:42,200 --> 00:26:45,203 from our life. 519 00:26:49,107 --> 00:26:52,711 And some of you, I might also want to say some of you are living on borrowed time 520 00:26:54,379 --> 00:26:56,181 because you've sold so 521 00:26:56,181 --> 00:26:59,184 much of your life to worry. 522 00:27:04,289 --> 00:27:07,292 Verses 31 and 32. 523 00:27:12,030 --> 00:27:14,232 Therefore again, 524 00:27:14,232 --> 00:27:15,767 what is it? 525 00:27:15,767 --> 00:27:17,702 Therefore, God's going to take care of you. Don't worry. 526 00:27:17,702 --> 00:27:20,138 Therefore, don't be anxious. Seen. 527 00:27:20,138 --> 00:27:22,674 What shall we? What shall we drink? What shall we wear? 528 00:27:22,674 --> 00:27:24,676 For the Gentiles seek after all these things. 529 00:27:24,676 --> 00:27:27,679 Your father knows that you need them all. 530 00:27:28,213 --> 00:27:32,117 What Jesus is doing, he's inviting us into freedom 531 00:27:32,417 --> 00:27:35,420 out of worry. 532 00:27:36,388 --> 00:27:38,957 See, here's what this is. 533 00:27:38,957 --> 00:27:40,692 Here's what happens 534 00:27:40,692 --> 00:27:42,694 when stuff becomes central. 535 00:27:42,694 --> 00:27:45,697 Jesus becomes supplemental. 536 00:27:46,297 --> 00:27:48,266 And when I say when 537 00:27:48,266 --> 00:27:51,903 when stuff becomes central, either the accumulation of stuff 538 00:27:52,103 --> 00:27:56,608 or the stuff of my own agenda or the stuff of my own very life, 539 00:27:57,108 --> 00:28:00,445 when I become central, Jesus becomes supplemental. 540 00:28:01,513 --> 00:28:04,416 And this is where so many of us are. 541 00:28:04,416 --> 00:28:08,753 It might be okay to start here as an introduction to Jesus in the kingdom, 542 00:28:08,753 --> 00:28:12,991 but we can't remain here because when I remain central, 543 00:28:13,291 --> 00:28:16,995 my life, my health, my agenda, 544 00:28:16,995 --> 00:28:20,432 my goals, my what I see for my future, 545 00:28:20,532 --> 00:28:24,803 when that remains central, then Jesus is simply supplemental. 546 00:28:24,803 --> 00:28:29,841 And I just want to supplement my stuff with Jesus to make my stuff better. 547 00:28:30,809 --> 00:28:32,844 You understand? 548 00:28:32,844 --> 00:28:35,647 And so many of us have lived in this place 549 00:28:35,647 --> 00:28:40,452 where my future, my present, my life is central. 550 00:28:42,087 --> 00:28:43,988 And God, I want to add you to it to make it better. 551 00:28:43,988 --> 00:28:46,991 And it doesn't work. It doesn't work. 552 00:28:47,292 --> 00:28:48,760 It was never designed to work. 553 00:28:48,760 --> 00:28:52,097 The kingdom is too big for that to work. 554 00:28:53,498 --> 00:28:57,001 And so what Jesus does is he contrasts 555 00:28:57,335 --> 00:29:00,972 those who are his disciples with those who are not his disciples. 556 00:29:03,775 --> 00:29:04,776 And he says that 557 00:29:04,776 --> 00:29:08,446 those who aren't his chase after all this stuff, 558 00:29:08,546 --> 00:29:11,916 those who aren't his, keep their stuff centralized 559 00:29:13,118 --> 00:29:15,653 and they pursue God as a supplement 560 00:29:15,653 --> 00:29:18,656 to their stuff. 561 00:29:18,890 --> 00:29:21,059 And they become the provider for their stuff. 562 00:29:21,059 --> 00:29:25,497 And when you are the provider for your future, you live in a constant 563 00:29:25,497 --> 00:29:28,833 state of fight or flight and worry because you're not enough. 564 00:29:33,371 --> 00:29:34,973 And he says you're you're going to live life. 565 00:29:34,973 --> 00:29:37,242 One of these two 566 00:29:37,242 --> 00:29:39,277 as a disciple or as a non disciple. 567 00:29:39,277 --> 00:29:42,380 And so what we have to ask ourselves is this 568 00:29:42,580 --> 00:29:45,817 does my worry, my stress and the accumulation of stuff 569 00:29:45,884 --> 00:29:48,887 look more like a disciple of Jesus or a non disciple? 570 00:29:53,691 --> 00:29:56,694 That's the question Jesus is asking us here. 571 00:29:57,729 --> 00:30:00,298 Does my life and how I've worked, I've worked 572 00:30:00,298 --> 00:30:05,904 my whole to accumulate all this stuff and my worry level and my stress level. 573 00:30:05,970 --> 00:30:09,140 Does that look like someone who is a disciple, an apprentice of Jesus? 574 00:30:09,240 --> 00:30:12,210 Or does it looks like someone who's not? 575 00:30:18,449 --> 00:30:19,651 And so he 576 00:30:19,651 --> 00:30:24,122 he wraps this in these, these two verses I want to do with one. 577 00:30:24,122 --> 00:30:26,291 And then the other, verse 33 and 34. 578 00:30:26,291 --> 00:30:28,026 And this is what he does. 579 00:30:28,026 --> 00:30:31,329 He, he, he gives us the culmination. 580 00:30:31,329 --> 00:30:32,530 That is the solution. 581 00:30:33,631 --> 00:30:35,133 This is what he says in verse 33. 582 00:30:35,133 --> 00:30:36,835 Y'all ready to memorize if you haven't yet? 583 00:30:36,835 --> 00:30:40,605 Matthew 630 seek first the kingdom of God 584 00:30:40,805 --> 00:30:43,608 and his righteousness, and all these things 585 00:30:43,608 --> 00:30:46,611 will be added to you. 586 00:30:48,279 --> 00:30:48,847 This is 587 00:30:48,847 --> 00:30:51,850 this is both the culmination and the solution 588 00:30:52,984 --> 00:30:55,987 and what he's saying here. This 589 00:30:56,087 --> 00:30:59,090 seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. 590 00:30:59,190 --> 00:31:02,493 This must be the rule when ordering 591 00:31:02,493 --> 00:31:05,496 all other priorities in life. 592 00:31:06,931 --> 00:31:08,833 It's wrong to think 593 00:31:08,833 --> 00:31:12,437 that the Kingdom of God is the first in a list of priorities. 594 00:31:12,737 --> 00:31:16,274 When Jesus says the first, that word first 595 00:31:16,741 --> 00:31:21,279 means of paramount importance, surpassing all other priorities. 596 00:31:21,279 --> 00:31:22,981 There's not even a close second. 597 00:31:22,981 --> 00:31:23,882 It's not the first. 598 00:31:23,882 --> 00:31:26,851 Among many priorities, it's the only priority. 599 00:31:29,320 --> 00:31:31,756 The kingdom of God, 600 00:31:31,756 --> 00:31:34,893 the Kingdom of God must become the filter through 601 00:31:34,893 --> 00:31:39,864 which all other priorities are understood and prioritized. 602 00:31:41,733 --> 00:31:42,734 Jesus is saying 603 00:31:42,734 --> 00:31:45,737 the number one priority for his disciples 604 00:31:46,371 --> 00:31:48,573 of their life, 605 00:31:48,573 --> 00:31:50,541 of their finances, 606 00:31:50,541 --> 00:31:54,045 of their agendas, of their design 607 00:31:54,612 --> 00:31:59,817 must be the Kingdom of God and the righteousness of God in the world. 608 00:32:00,051 --> 00:32:04,489 In everything Jesus disciples do, it's kingdom first. 609 00:32:05,223 --> 00:32:06,324 That's what he's saying. 610 00:32:06,324 --> 00:32:09,327 This is here's what is. 611 00:32:10,295 --> 00:32:11,429 The Kingdom of God 612 00:32:11,429 --> 00:32:14,432 is of highest priority because. 613 00:32:16,367 --> 00:32:18,002 God's kingdom doesn't 614 00:32:18,002 --> 00:32:21,005 fit in leftover spaces. 615 00:32:22,273 --> 00:32:24,509 Now let this sink in. 616 00:32:24,509 --> 00:32:28,780 The kingdom of God is too big to fit in leftover spaces. 617 00:32:29,414 --> 00:32:32,116 That's why when my stuff 618 00:32:32,116 --> 00:32:37,422 and my agenda and my life is central, and I try to take Jesus 619 00:32:37,422 --> 00:32:41,092 and make Jesus supplemental, he's too big 620 00:32:41,159 --> 00:32:44,162 to be a supplement 621 00:32:44,162 --> 00:32:47,165 and it doesn't fit. 622 00:32:47,532 --> 00:32:51,302 The Kingdom of God is too big to be a supplement to my kingdom. 623 00:32:52,337 --> 00:32:52,670 And when 624 00:32:52,670 --> 00:32:55,740 I try to supplement my kingdom with the Kingdom of God 625 00:32:55,740 --> 00:32:59,744 to make my kingdom better, my future better, it doesn't fit. 626 00:32:59,744 --> 00:33:02,747 So what I'm left with is me. 627 00:33:02,981 --> 00:33:05,984 And because I'm just left with me, 628 00:33:06,851 --> 00:33:09,220 I worry 629 00:33:09,220 --> 00:33:12,857 because I know I don't possess within me 630 00:33:12,857 --> 00:33:15,860 the ability to completely control my future. 631 00:33:19,464 --> 00:33:22,233 The Kingdom of God is too big 632 00:33:22,233 --> 00:33:24,669 to be supplemental to fit into our left. 633 00:33:24,669 --> 00:33:27,672 But this is where most people are, 634 00:33:27,939 --> 00:33:30,942 and that's why most of the church lives 635 00:33:30,942 --> 00:33:33,945 in a constant state of worry. 636 00:33:42,987 --> 00:33:45,723 Seek. 637 00:33:45,723 --> 00:33:51,462 But a lot of us are fans of Jesus, but we're not fanatical about him. 638 00:33:52,230 --> 00:33:54,298 What do I get? I mean, I live there sometimes too. 639 00:33:54,298 --> 00:33:56,634 Like I'm a big fan of Jesus. 640 00:33:56,634 --> 00:33:57,668 I mean, you know what I'm saying? 641 00:33:58,736 --> 00:34:00,605 What would you do? 642 00:34:00,605 --> 00:34:03,574 And I agree, are you not a fan of Jesus? 643 00:34:03,574 --> 00:34:06,577 How terrible of you. 644 00:34:06,577 --> 00:34:09,580 Like we're fan, right? 645 00:34:09,847 --> 00:34:13,351 But what Jesus is saying is, I don't I don't want you to be a fan, boy. 646 00:34:13,351 --> 00:34:15,953 I want you to be fanatical. 647 00:34:15,953 --> 00:34:18,956 That's what discipleship is. 648 00:34:21,192 --> 00:34:24,829 And in context, Jesus is saying your own physical comfort 649 00:34:24,962 --> 00:34:29,333 and your own very life is not a worthy object 650 00:34:30,001 --> 00:34:33,538 of the pursuit of your life, because it's all going to pass away. 651 00:34:33,738 --> 00:34:36,441 Even your very life 652 00:34:36,441 --> 00:34:39,243 is passing. 653 00:34:39,243 --> 00:34:42,246 Only the kingdom of God is eternal. 654 00:34:43,047 --> 00:34:46,851 And so what he says here in verses 33 and four, seek first 655 00:34:46,851 --> 00:34:48,619 the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all this 656 00:34:48,619 --> 00:34:50,788 so that God will take care of all the other stuff. 657 00:34:50,788 --> 00:34:55,226 If your pursuit is the primary, the kingdom of God 658 00:34:55,226 --> 00:34:58,496 and the righteousness of God in the world, he's going to take care of everything 659 00:34:58,496 --> 00:35:01,499 you need to pursue and propel the kingdom of God. 660 00:35:01,499 --> 00:35:03,101 That's what he's saying. 661 00:35:03,101 --> 00:35:04,602 Not not fulfilling. 662 00:35:04,602 --> 00:35:08,973 Pursue every one of your agenda items and everything you want for you, 663 00:35:09,207 --> 00:35:11,242 but everything you need 664 00:35:11,242 --> 00:35:14,612 for the proliferation of the Kingdom of God and His will in this world. 665 00:35:14,745 --> 00:35:16,747 He will provide all of that stuff. 666 00:35:16,747 --> 00:35:18,783 Therefore, don't be anxious about tomorrow, 667 00:35:20,017 --> 00:35:21,219 because tomorrow be anxious for it. 668 00:35:21,219 --> 00:35:24,021 Self sufficient for the day is its own trouble, he said. 669 00:35:24,021 --> 00:35:25,957 Tomorrow's bad enough. 670 00:35:25,957 --> 00:35:27,592 Don't live in the evil of tomorrow. 671 00:35:27,592 --> 00:35:29,193 Today, 672 00:35:29,193 --> 00:35:32,196 right now the kingdom of God. 673 00:35:38,669 --> 00:35:41,506 Jesus isn't saying, 674 00:35:41,506 --> 00:35:44,142 just don't worry, he's not that simplistic. 675 00:35:44,142 --> 00:35:46,911 He doesn't have that type of Pollyanna view about life. 676 00:35:46,911 --> 00:35:49,147 He's not saying, just don't worry, 677 00:35:49,147 --> 00:35:50,681 he commands us to replace. 678 00:35:50,681 --> 00:35:53,584 We're through with a greater passion, which is the kingdom. 679 00:35:53,584 --> 00:35:54,519 Let me just ask you, is 680 00:35:54,519 --> 00:35:58,322 how many of us in this place have ever gotten that place in life? 681 00:35:58,389 --> 00:35:59,724 So, you know, I'm just not going to worry. 682 00:35:59,724 --> 00:36:01,993 I'm not going to worry anybody. 683 00:36:01,993 --> 00:36:04,962 I'm not gonna worry. I'm not going to worry. 684 00:36:04,962 --> 00:36:06,731 A few of us verse. 685 00:36:06,731 --> 00:36:07,532 You are liars. 686 00:36:07,532 --> 00:36:10,635 We've all been there like New Year's resolution time right 687 00:36:10,635 --> 00:36:13,738 at last until like a few weeks into January or February. 688 00:36:14,372 --> 00:36:16,607 News rolls through. I'm just. I'm not going to worry so much this year. 689 00:36:16,607 --> 00:36:17,875 I'm just going to worry so much. 690 00:36:17,875 --> 00:36:19,677 Does it ever work? 691 00:36:19,677 --> 00:36:20,411 Like when you tear? 692 00:36:20,411 --> 00:36:22,480 So I'm not going to worry. I'm not. 693 00:36:22,480 --> 00:36:23,781 I'm sorry that my whole life, I'm just. 694 00:36:23,781 --> 00:36:25,650 I'm just gonna choose not to worry. It doesn't work. 695 00:36:27,218 --> 00:36:30,221 Because here's, here's, here's 696 00:36:30,488 --> 00:36:32,156 you can't defeat a bad habit. 697 00:36:32,156 --> 00:36:35,159 You have to dethrone it. 698 00:36:35,693 --> 00:36:37,261 And so very bad habit. 699 00:36:37,261 --> 00:36:39,797 Worry. You can't just stop worrying. You have to. 700 00:36:39,797 --> 00:36:42,800 You can't just defeat where you have to dethrone worry. 701 00:36:42,867 --> 00:36:46,604 And the only way to dethrone a bad habit is to replace it with a greater passion. 702 00:36:46,771 --> 00:36:50,408 That's why Jesus, don't worry, but seek first the kingdom of God. 703 00:36:50,508 --> 00:36:54,212 The kingdom of God has to be a greater passion than your habit of worry. 704 00:36:54,512 --> 00:36:58,082 And when the Kingdom of God becomes a greater passion than your habit of worry, 705 00:36:58,082 --> 00:37:01,052 you'll quit worrying because now you have a greater passion 706 00:37:01,819 --> 00:37:04,822 to understand. 707 00:37:11,162 --> 00:37:12,930 This teaching of Jesus. 708 00:37:12,930 --> 00:37:15,700 This is command, 709 00:37:15,700 --> 00:37:17,635 and he commands us to find 710 00:37:17,635 --> 00:37:21,572 and do the will of God and to promote his kingdom 711 00:37:22,573 --> 00:37:23,941 above all other things. 712 00:37:23,941 --> 00:37:28,579 And when that is the foundation and driving force of my life, 713 00:37:29,747 --> 00:37:32,750 there's no worry. 714 00:37:34,385 --> 00:37:35,620 See, oftentimes 715 00:37:35,620 --> 00:37:38,990 we love comfortable balance more than radical obedience. 716 00:37:38,990 --> 00:37:41,993 And what Jesus is calling us here is to a radical obedience 717 00:37:43,094 --> 00:37:46,264 to the fulfillment, proliferation of his kingdom and his will. 718 00:37:46,464 --> 00:37:50,067 And when that is the driving force in life, what have I had to worry about? 719 00:37:52,003 --> 00:37:55,206 Things might not go like I planned and like I want. 720 00:37:55,206 --> 00:37:57,675 I understand that, 721 00:37:57,675 --> 00:37:59,810 but as long as they go according 722 00:37:59,810 --> 00:38:02,813 to the proliferation of the Kingdom of God, 723 00:38:03,714 --> 00:38:05,750 that's enough. 724 00:38:05,750 --> 00:38:08,352 And I'm willing to sacrifice 725 00:38:08,352 --> 00:38:12,323 my agenda and my goal and even my life. 726 00:38:12,790 --> 00:38:15,459 If God says this is what serves my kingdom 727 00:38:15,459 --> 00:38:18,462 best. 728 00:38:19,997 --> 00:38:21,666 It gets us back to the prayer 729 00:38:23,467 --> 00:38:26,470 when Jesus taught his disciples to pray, 730 00:38:26,971 --> 00:38:28,739 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 731 00:38:28,739 --> 00:38:30,574 I praise you because you are the God who is with me. 732 00:38:30,574 --> 00:38:33,210 You're the God who sees. You are my provider. 733 00:38:33,210 --> 00:38:35,846 You're my sustenance. 734 00:38:35,846 --> 00:38:36,781 Your kingdom come. 735 00:38:36,781 --> 00:38:38,482 Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 736 00:38:38,482 --> 00:38:41,485 God, even, 737 00:38:44,021 --> 00:38:45,523 Even if my agenda does. 738 00:38:45,523 --> 00:38:46,691 Even if my goals don't. 739 00:38:46,691 --> 00:38:48,659 Or even if 740 00:38:48,659 --> 00:38:52,596 the reality of my life is very different than what I would have chosen for me. 741 00:38:52,596 --> 00:38:54,665 Your kingdom, 742 00:38:54,665 --> 00:38:56,567 your kingdom. 743 00:38:56,567 --> 00:38:59,570 If this is the way I serve your will best, so be it. God, 744 00:39:00,638 --> 00:39:02,573 these are my desires. This is what I want. 745 00:39:02,573 --> 00:39:04,575 This is what I'm asking. 746 00:39:04,575 --> 00:39:07,578 But all of that I sacrificed for your kingdom. 747 00:39:08,946 --> 00:39:11,649 When that is the found, where's the worry? 748 00:39:13,651 --> 00:39:16,654 Do you understand? 749 00:39:16,921 --> 00:39:18,089 Reminds me so much. 750 00:39:18,089 --> 00:39:21,859 I was thinking about this this week and it reminds me so much of Genesis 13. 751 00:39:22,660 --> 00:39:25,363 Genesis 13. Abraham and Lot. 752 00:39:25,363 --> 00:39:26,530 They both kind of like God does. 753 00:39:26,530 --> 00:39:28,432 Like blessed them with a whole bunch of stuff. 754 00:39:28,432 --> 00:39:29,633 And they came to this place 755 00:39:29,633 --> 00:39:33,504 and, and Abraham Abraham's like, look, we can't live in the same area anymore. 756 00:39:33,671 --> 00:39:35,339 Like the land does not support us. 757 00:39:35,339 --> 00:39:37,842 Gospel so gracious to us and so Bountiful. 758 00:39:37,842 --> 00:39:39,443 We got to split up. 759 00:39:39,443 --> 00:39:41,078 And Abraham told lot, a lot. 760 00:39:41,078 --> 00:39:42,546 I'm going to give you first right of refusal. 761 00:39:42,546 --> 00:39:44,215 You choose anywhere in this whole country, 762 00:39:44,215 --> 00:39:46,617 like wherever you want to live, you just choose and I'll go. 763 00:39:46,617 --> 00:39:48,319 I'll take the leftovers. 764 00:39:48,319 --> 00:39:50,454 Abraham wasn't worried about his sustenance, 765 00:39:50,454 --> 00:39:52,656 wasn't worried about his provision, was worried about his future. 766 00:39:52,656 --> 00:39:55,126 Wasn't worried about his family. Is like, whatever. God will take care of me. 767 00:39:55,126 --> 00:39:56,394 Well, I'll just take the leftovers. 768 00:39:56,394 --> 00:39:57,995 And the Bible says in Genesis 13 769 00:39:57,995 --> 00:40:01,832 that lot looked over in the the area where Sodom and Gomorrah wasn't. 770 00:40:01,832 --> 00:40:02,833 It was beautiful. 771 00:40:02,833 --> 00:40:06,804 And it was it was successful and it was lush and green, 772 00:40:06,804 --> 00:40:08,639 and they had all the bells and whistles 773 00:40:08,639 --> 00:40:10,741 and I'm just like, oh, that's where you want to be. 774 00:40:10,741 --> 00:40:12,309 That's the answer to everything. 775 00:40:12,309 --> 00:40:14,011 That's just awesome and losses. 776 00:40:14,011 --> 00:40:14,879 I'm going to go there a lot. 777 00:40:14,879 --> 00:40:16,547 And Abraham was like, that's fine, I'll go over there. 778 00:40:16,547 --> 00:40:18,949 It's kind of dirty and nasty and nothing there. But 779 00:40:20,584 --> 00:40:23,487 but I trust God. 780 00:40:23,487 --> 00:40:24,722 And the Bible says that God came to 781 00:40:24,722 --> 00:40:27,725 Abraham and said, Abraham, I got you. 782 00:40:27,725 --> 00:40:29,660 I'm a great nation out of you. 783 00:40:29,660 --> 00:40:33,531 I'm going to take care of you because you've chosen me and my kingdom 784 00:40:34,198 --> 00:40:38,602 over all the other stuff of the agenda of this world, agenda of your life. 785 00:40:39,703 --> 00:40:43,340 The Bible says lot chose all the stuff that one would chase in this world. 786 00:40:44,241 --> 00:40:47,378 And the the book of Jude in the New Testament says of lot 787 00:40:47,378 --> 00:40:51,148 in the Old Testament, he was a man with whose spirit was vexed, 788 00:40:52,183 --> 00:40:54,919 was miserable. 789 00:40:54,919 --> 00:40:57,221 And it says of Abraham 790 00:40:57,221 --> 00:41:00,224 that he never lived in a home. 791 00:41:00,391 --> 00:41:02,226 He never built a home, 792 00:41:02,226 --> 00:41:04,361 said he lived in tents 793 00:41:04,361 --> 00:41:08,699 because he knew that his life was made for a better land. 794 00:41:11,001 --> 00:41:14,004 And he chose altars over assets. 795 00:41:16,373 --> 00:41:17,341 And at the end of the day, 796 00:41:17,341 --> 00:41:20,344 that's what Jesus is asking. 797 00:41:20,911 --> 00:41:23,881 Will you choose an altar over an asset? 798 00:41:25,049 --> 00:41:28,052 And will you put your life on that altar? 799 00:41:32,056 --> 00:41:34,558 To understand. 800 00:41:34,558 --> 00:41:37,261 And when that is the foundation of life, 801 00:41:37,261 --> 00:41:40,231 there is no worry. 802 00:41:41,265 --> 00:41:43,634 Your kingdom, 803 00:41:43,634 --> 00:41:45,636 your will and I will sacrifice. 804 00:41:45,636 --> 00:41:48,639 This was Jesus in the garden. 805 00:41:48,739 --> 00:41:50,241 Father, I don't want to do this. 806 00:41:50,241 --> 00:41:52,676 I want a different way. 807 00:41:52,676 --> 00:41:54,445 Have you ever been there? 808 00:41:54,445 --> 00:41:55,913 I want a different way for my family. 809 00:41:55,913 --> 00:41:58,482 I want a different way from my life. I want a different way for my health. 810 00:41:58,482 --> 00:41:59,717 I want a different way for my kids. 811 00:41:59,717 --> 00:42:02,286 I want a different way. 812 00:42:02,286 --> 00:42:04,121 We've all been where Jesus was. 813 00:42:04,121 --> 00:42:05,823 Where we haven't been is where Jesus went. 814 00:42:07,258 --> 00:42:09,760 But not my will. 815 00:42:09,760 --> 00:42:12,763 Your kingdom first. 816 00:42:13,330 --> 00:42:16,333 And I will willingly walk the road. 817 00:42:17,668 --> 00:42:20,404 So don't worry. 818 00:42:20,404 --> 00:42:22,072 Replace your worth or greater passion. 819 00:42:22,072 --> 00:42:25,075 The Kingdom of God. 820 00:42:25,376 --> 00:42:28,379 Won't you pray with me? 821 00:42:29,079 --> 00:42:30,180 Oh, father. 822 00:42:30,180 --> 00:42:33,183 Thank you. 823 00:42:33,751 --> 00:42:35,920 That you love us 824 00:42:35,920 --> 00:42:38,689 and that your care for us is based in your love. 825 00:42:38,689 --> 00:42:41,025 That you've loved us with an everlasting love. 826 00:42:41,025 --> 00:42:43,661 That we will never walk ourselves out of your love. 827 00:42:43,661 --> 00:42:44,995 And know we can always trust your love. 828 00:42:44,995 --> 00:42:47,932 Thank you. 829 00:42:47,932 --> 00:42:50,701 I know for me 830 00:42:50,701 --> 00:42:55,239 there are plenty of times and I have not lived in that reality. 831 00:42:57,074 --> 00:42:59,710 Instead, I've been worried 832 00:42:59,710 --> 00:43:02,646 and fearful. 833 00:43:02,646 --> 00:43:04,748 God, you know that of me all too well. 834 00:43:04,748 --> 00:43:07,217 And I'm sorry. 835 00:43:07,217 --> 00:43:09,453 And father, I can preach this all day long. 836 00:43:09,453 --> 00:43:10,921 It's hard for me to live sometimes. 837 00:43:16,827 --> 00:43:17,161 And so, 838 00:43:17,161 --> 00:43:20,397 father, before you, before this church, I say, your kingdom come. 839 00:43:20,397 --> 00:43:23,334 Your will be done. 840 00:43:23,334 --> 00:43:26,337 In my life. 841 00:43:27,137 --> 00:43:30,407 God, I've got things that I've been asking and pleading. 842 00:43:30,407 --> 00:43:33,410 Begging for years. 843 00:43:35,279 --> 00:43:38,282 And a lot of them are still answered prayer. 844 00:43:42,419 --> 00:43:44,488 But before your angels in heaven, your kingdom come, 845 00:43:44,488 --> 00:43:47,491 your will be done. 846 00:43:48,325 --> 00:43:49,660 And, father, I feel like there's probably 847 00:43:49,660 --> 00:43:52,663 a lot of people in this church that could pray the same thing. 848 00:43:53,330 --> 00:43:56,333 And so here their hearts. 849 00:43:57,334 --> 00:43:57,668 And friends, 850 00:43:57,668 --> 00:44:00,671 I want to invite you into discipleship, 851 00:44:00,871 --> 00:44:03,841 into what Jesus has asked and commanded. 852 00:44:04,108 --> 00:44:05,943 Don't worry, 853 00:44:05,943 --> 00:44:08,312 Kingdom first. 854 00:44:08,312 --> 00:44:11,482 And would you just take this moment in your own life to say, God, I'm sorry 855 00:44:12,516 --> 00:44:15,519 I've lived as this worry is 856 00:44:16,053 --> 00:44:17,821 who you created me to be, and it's not. 857 00:44:19,423 --> 00:44:20,357 It's just become so 858 00:44:20,357 --> 00:44:23,360 comfortable and normal for me and I confess it to you. 859 00:44:24,962 --> 00:44:26,964 And today, I'm choosing your kingdom and your will. 860 00:44:26,964 --> 00:44:29,967 Even over my agenda, over my dreams, over my hopes, 861 00:44:30,000 --> 00:44:32,970 even over my own life and my own health. 862 00:44:33,070 --> 00:44:35,506 Do with me what you will 863 00:44:35,506 --> 00:44:38,008 for the expansion of your kingdom, 864 00:44:38,008 --> 00:44:41,011 for your will to be done. 865 00:44:41,245 --> 00:44:44,248 I choose you and your will and your way, 866 00:44:45,282 --> 00:44:48,285 and give me a peace that passes understanding. 867 00:44:49,620 --> 00:44:52,623 As I trust you. 868 00:44:52,790 --> 00:44:55,025 Father, I thank you on behalf of us, on behalf of this church. 869 00:44:55,025 --> 00:44:58,028 I thank you for your love. 870 00:44:59,163 --> 00:45:00,831 I pray that you help us live 871 00:45:00,831 --> 00:45:03,834 in a way that reflects. 872 00:45:04,168 --> 00:45:07,171 The fact that we trust you and your love. 873 00:45:07,671 --> 00:45:08,605 In your name I pray. Amen. 874 00:45:11,108 --> 00:45:14,111 Good job. 875 00:45:14,878 --> 00:45:17,281 My encouragement for you is to go back home this week 876 00:45:17,281 --> 00:45:19,116 and read Matthew chapter six. 877 00:45:19,116 --> 00:45:22,119 In totality and the re chapter seven. 878 00:45:22,853 --> 00:45:25,856 The sermon on the Mount ain't easy, right? 879 00:45:26,156 --> 00:45:29,159 I said last week, it's real easy if you don't pay attention to the words, 880 00:45:30,794 --> 00:45:31,862 the patterns of the words. 881 00:45:31,862 --> 00:45:33,564 It ain't easy, but it's doable 882 00:45:33,564 --> 00:45:37,201 because of the Holy Spirit that God has enabled us to live within us. 883 00:45:37,201 --> 00:45:40,170 If we choose a relationship with him. 884 00:45:41,038 --> 00:45:41,972 Read Matthew seven. 885 00:45:41,972 --> 00:45:44,641 It's not going to get easier. It's going to get more difficult. 886 00:45:44,641 --> 00:45:46,376 But Jesus changed it now. 887 00:45:46,376 --> 00:45:49,379 Now here's how we relate to each other 888 00:45:50,314 --> 00:45:51,782 as I relate to God has already. 889 00:45:51,782 --> 00:45:53,050 To me, that's what we've gone through so far. 890 00:45:53,050 --> 00:45:54,318 Now here's how we relate to each other. 891 00:45:54,318 --> 00:45:56,286 So read Matthew seven and get ready for it. 892 00:45:57,354 --> 00:45:59,056 But I want to reiterate this, my friends, 893 00:45:59,056 --> 00:46:01,358 that there are some people in this church have those little prayer lanyards. 894 00:46:01,358 --> 00:46:04,361 Some of you need to spend some time in prayer over this very issue. 895 00:46:05,996 --> 00:46:08,966 And you've prayed by yourself long enough, 896 00:46:08,966 --> 00:46:11,969 and you invite someone in your life to pray alongside you, 897 00:46:12,736 --> 00:46:13,771 so I'll leave that to you. 898 00:46:13,771 --> 00:46:16,106 You see some of these people in this church with us, a little prayer, 899 00:46:16,106 --> 00:46:16,840 then just grab them. 900 00:46:16,840 --> 00:46:19,843 They love to pray with you. 901 00:46:20,277 --> 00:46:22,346 Sometimes you need to go to God together with other people. 902 00:46:22,346 --> 00:46:25,349 Sometimes we ourselves are in prayer closets, sometimes with other people. 903 00:46:25,949 --> 00:46:27,751 I'll leave that with you. 904 00:46:27,751 --> 00:46:30,721 I love you, I'm proud of you. 905 00:46:34,458 --> 00:46:37,261 We're going to make it y'all right. 906 00:46:37,261 --> 00:46:37,895 Let's sing just.