February 4, 2020
Central Truth
Fear, anxiety, and worry may be real, but the Father has given His Son, His Spirit, His Word, and His people so that these things need not rule our hearts and minds.
"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. . . ." And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing."
1 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
4 I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. 1 12:5 Greek Gehenna Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? 2 12:6 Greek two assaria; an assarion was a Roman copper coin worth about 1/16 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer) And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
8 And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 3 12:25 Or a single cubit to his stature; a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 4 12:27 Some manuscripts Consider the lilies; they neither spin nor weave yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his 5 12:31 Some manuscripts God's kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
32 Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Fear. Anxiety. Worry.
Three words we are plenty familiar with. Take a moment to reread this passage again and count the number of times these words show up. Go ahead . . . I'll wait.
Did you count them? How many did you find?
I count 11.
Loosely, we can break down this passage into two sections, and in them we see Jesus remind us that we need not:
But can I be honest with you?
As I type this, I am knee-deep in a season of fighting against worry, fear of man, and anxiety about future unknowns. I'm wrestling against allowing fear, anxiety, and worry to rule in my heart. I know worry does not solve my issues (Luke 12:24-28). I know the truth God wants me to hide in my heart (Psalm 119:9-11). And yet, here I am wrestling . . . again.
Have you ever felt this way? Ever been discouraged by your discouragement? Ever been anxious about your anxiety?
If so, let me take a moment to remind you what I am currently reminding my own heart. This is truth that is true even during our fear, anxiety, and worry:
Fellow traveler, do not lose hope. Instead, let's commit to do the following:
1. Are you currently in a season of fear, anxiety, or worry? Take some time to write out what exactly is weighing you down, and begin to bring these before your Father who loves you. Then continue to acknowledge, moment by moment if necessary, these fears and insecurities.
2. Have you shared, in detail, where your heart is with other believers in your community group who can encourage you, pray for you, and exhort you toward truth?
3. What Scripture are you currently meditating on to help keep your heart pointed toward true north?
4. Do you believe—do you honestly believe—that God has your best interest in mind and that this world, rather than being the end of our narrative, is merely the prologue to our true story?
5. If you are experiencing anxiety, fear, or worry, what would the next faithful step of obedience look like for you right now?