A Very Practical Question – Why Worry?
Matthew 6:25-34 (text v. 27)
What does the word “practical” bring to your mind? I think of something that effectively works in my daily life. I don’t need another “theory.” I need a workable solution to a problem or situation I am facing.
There is no better practical book than the Bible. It is more than a book of doctrine. It is a book of instruction (2 Tim. 3:16).
Our text deals with a very practical problem. It is taken from Christ’s “Sermon on the Mount.” Although it applies doctrinally to His coming kingdom on earth, how different our world would be if people actually lived by the principles in the “Sermon on the Mount.”
The question Jesus asks in our text deals with a very practical problem—WORRY and ANXIETY (v. 27).
The words “worry” or “anxiety” are not found in a King James Bible, but the words “fret,” “care/careful” and “taking thought,” mean the same thing.
In 1 Corinthians 7:32 the Apostle Paul wrote, “I would have you without CAREFULNESS. Philippians 4:6—“Be CAREFUL for nothing…” In other words—Don’t worry about anything!
Someone said, “Don’t tell me worry doesn’t work. I know it works because the things I worry about don’t happen.”
Let’s be honest—How many of you ever worry?
We live in a world filled with anxiety and worry. I don’t think there has ever been a time when worry and anxiety has been more widespread than it is today. People take pills for anxiety attacks!
- Ignorant people worry—They don’t know any better.
- Educated people worry—Because the more they know the more they have to worry about.
- Old people worry about retirement and their health.
- Young people worry about their friends, dating, and school.
- Single people worry about who they are going to marry and married people worry about who they did marry.
- Non-Christians worry—Because have no steadfast hope.
- Christians worry—When they are the only ones who have no reason to worry. I can understand why the world worries, but for a Christian to worry doesn’t make sense.
The ABSURDITY of worry. The CRAZINESS.
A. Worry is DUMB. We know we shouldn’t worry… we know it’s wrong… we know it doesn’t help; yet we worry anyway… DUMB!
1. Why open an umbrella before it starts to rain? It would be dumb to walk around all day with an open umbrella above your head when it ain’t raining. It doesn’t make sense to worry about the weather when you can’t change it.
2. This is at the heart of Jesus’ question.Thequestion is particularly troubling to me since I am a “little guy” (like Zacchaeus or “Bildad, the Shuhite”). I must confess I have often thought it would be nice to be a little taller—“I’m going to worry myself six inches taller!” You say, “Preacher, you’re wasting your time!” EXACTLY! Worrying is a waste of time. We are commanded to REDEEM THE TIME! When we are worrying, we are wasting our time.
Why worry when worry will never change your situation one way or the other? To worry about something you cannot change is DUMB… To worry about something you can change is DUMBER!
B. Worry is DEBILITATING. Psalm 127:2—“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows…”
1. Worry will wear you out emotionally and physically!
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It only empties today of its strength.” (cf. Mt. 6:34).
Some people are just as tired in the morning when they get out of bed as they were when they went to bed. Why? Because they take their anxieties to bed with them! The best medicine for that is to count your blessings and thank God for His goodness as you drift off into sleep.
PARTIAL SERMON: CLICK HERE FOR FULL PDF
4 Replies to “A Very Practical Question – Why Worry?”
Worry never got anybody anywhere…That was just the message I needed to hear!
I knew as soon as I heard this message that I would go through a time of testing. That is how the Lord helps me to learn the lesson He is trying to teach me. Sure enough, that very afternoon, I heard a disturbing bit of information and began to fret about it. However, after much prayer and yielding the “problem” to God, I am filled with peace.
God bless you Jerry. The message helped me TOO!
This was a very good and important sermon. I know it will help me and my family. Thanks Pastor Hughes!