September 11th, seven reasons not to worry, part one.

Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, or what you will

drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than

clothing. Look at the birds of the air, they need their soul, nor reap, nor gather into barns,

yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of much more value than they? Matthew 6.25 to 26.

We are going to spend three days on this part of Jesus' sermon on the Mount.

In Matthew 6.25 to 34, Jesus is dealing specifically with anxiety about food and clothing, but in fact,

it relates to all anxiety. Even in America, with its extensive welfare system, anxiety over finances,

and housing and food and clothing can be intense. Not to mention Christians who live in situations

where much greater poverty threatens life. But Jesus says in verse 30 that our anxiety comes from

little faith in our Father's promise of future grace. O you of little faith.

These verses 25 to 34 contain at least seven promises designed by Jesus to help us fight the good

fight against unbelief and be free from anxiety. Today, we look at promises one and two, then over

the next two days at the rest. Promise number one. Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about

your life. What you will eat or what you will drink or about your body, what you will put on,

is not life more than food and the body more than clothing.

Since your body and your life are vastly more complex and difficult to provide than food and

clothing are, and yet God has, in fact, created and provided you with both, then surely he will be

able and willing to provide you with food and clothing. Moreover, no matter what happens,

God will raise your body someday and preserve your life and body for his eternal fellowship.

Promise number two. 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 much more value than they, Matthew 626?

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