Worry is rampant. From finances to family, politics to your purpose, there’s plenty to worry about. But Jesus posed a poignant question. Join us as Pastor Jeremy DeWeerdt takes a deeper look at this one question, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” We’ll dive into a long held truth that anything you give your attention to, you empower. So where’s your focus?
Notes 📓✏️:
Why Do You Worry? – Pastor Jeremy DeWeerdt
Arguments may form your opinions, but questions will expand your thinking.
“What are you afraid of?”
“What concerns you on a daily basis?”
Luke 12:25 (NIV) – “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”
Is our fear really building our future or is it framing our future?
Luke 12:22-34 (NIV) – “Then Jesus said to His disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will He clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
1. Life is more than what we wear, eat, or possess.
Possessions should not possess you.
Proverbs 30:8b-9 (NLT) – “Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.”
How much stress do we inflict upon ourselves because we strive for “more” rather than be content with what we have?”
2. You cannot determine your value.
Your value has been established by your Creator, not your accomplishments.
Give your best energy to the things you can control.
Let God take care of all the things you can’t.
3. Your focus builds fear or faith.
“And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”
Anything you give your attention to, you empower.
Jesus gives a solution…
“But seek His [God’s] kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”
What has worry done for you lately?
4. Put your treasure where you want your heart to be.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Hang on loosely to everything that won’t show up in heaven.
Treasure leads your heart. So, you must choose to have your heart lead your treasure.
“Where do I want my heart to be?” (That’s where you put your treasure.)
Discussion Questions 📝❓:
- What are some common worries and fears that you face in your daily life?
- How does Luke 12:25 challenge our perspective on worrying?
- Why is it important to invest our time, talent, and money in God’s kingdom?
- How does focusing on eternal values help to reduce worry?