Rev. Steven B. Miller Scripture: Psalm 40:1-5 & Matthew 6:25-34 A Warmup from Pastor Steve: Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus said: "But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" Matthew 6:33 (NIV) Some years ago I took a class with Dallas Willard as part of my Doctor of Ministry degree. It was an amazing class on many levels. One of the main "aha!" moments was the teaching surrounding the concept of the "Kingdom of God," also known as the "Kingdom of Heaven." As I listened to Dr. Willard speak about what Jesus talked about throughout his whole ministry, I realized that there is an operational understanding for how we are to live as Christ's disciples - living the values and teachings that are at the core of kingdom living! These values and encouragements are all over the New Testament, but there is a high concentration of kingdom teaching in the Sermon on the Mount that is found in Matthew chapters 5-7. So it is only right that we dive into one passage in Matthew 6 that talks about how we are to live our lives without worry. Worry is one of those emotions that can cause us to do crazy things. There are all kinds of things to worry about in this world - just spend 5 minutes thinking about it and you have a prayer list for weeks! The people who do not know God, worry - because they have not seen the provision of God meet their needs in amazing ways. If we are in the Kingdom of God, we trust that the Lord will supply our daily needs! Whether it is food, clothing, shelter or a cool cup of water, the Lord is there for us because he knows our needs. I have a lot more to say about living and seeking the Kingdom of God, and I hope you will come Sunday and listen a bit more - because the Kingdom of God is an amazing place to live. See you Sunday. Blessings, Pastor Steve Psalm 40:1-5 To the leader. Of David. A Psalm. I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods. You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted. Matthew 6:25-34 ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
