Why Worry?
Mark 4:35-41
INTRO: Why worry? Can a leopard change his spots? Does worry really help? "I cannot help my self." Many will say! I know it is easier than said, but worry is not our friend. I want to look at worry tonight.
Mark 4:35-41 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
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And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.37
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.38
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?39
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.40
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?41
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?What is worry?
Wrong state of mind
Harmful physically
Harmful mentally
Sinful - doubting God
Worry robs us of clear thought and wise actions
Unable to change tomorrow
What worry does
Matt:10:29-31 29Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Doubts God's love - even in times of sickness and problems, God still loves us (not always chastening)
Heb. 12:6,11 6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
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Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.Doubts God's wisdom
God does not make mistakes
He watches over us (why should we fear?)
Psalms 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Doubts God's power
Psalms 46:1-2 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
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Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;What is there to worry about? (three basic things)
1st…
Life
We often worry about all kinds of things
Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
We worry about potential death - when death will take us home
Psalms 116:15 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
We worry about sickness - when we don't understand - God did not promise we'd understand
Isaiah 55:8-9 8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
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For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.2nd
Provisions
Jesus calls worry heathenish to worry about things (the Gentiles seek) - we think about all the worldly possessions instead of God
Matthew 6:31-33 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
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(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.Philippians 4:19 19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
He will supply all our needs
3rd
Future
Matthew 6:34 34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Don't worry about tomorrow
Does not mean - make no plans - do not care about our loved ones, etc.
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMMORROW (the future) HE WILL SUSTAIN US (not a carte blanche)
Commit our cares to Him
The cure for worry
Trust in God - if we trust and pray with thanksgiving to God, we show our faith and trust.
Philippians 4:6 6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
He will take care of us
Philippians 4:7 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Trust will end worry - they cannot live together
Psalms 37:5 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Rest iin the Lord - steady and patient
Psalms 37:7 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
To rest in the Lord, We need…
Thought without worry
Care without anxiety
Knowledge without fear
Faith without misgiving.
Trust God to direct and help,but allow no doubt to enter the mind - thus rest in the Lord
"Said the Robin the Sparrow,
'I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.'
Said the Sparow to the Robin,
'Friend, I think that it must be
That they have no Heavely Father
Such as cares for you and me."
(-- Elizabeth Cheny, in Overheard in An Orchard)
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 012305pm - modified from Malcom Fry's booklet - Christian and Emotions