WHEN THE FASTEN SEATBELT SIGN COMES ON: SEEK.

Sermon Notes, July 7, 2013

Pastor Jan Sinozich

 

            Pastor Jan continued her sermon series “When the Seatbelt Sign Comes On” with this week’s sermon “Seek,” based on Matthew 6:25-34.  How do we respond to uncertainty?  We’re into survival.  Uncertainty can back us into self-centeredness.

            Wherever Jesus went, he drew a crowd.  They had heard of him, of his healing power.  He was surrounded by people with needs.  People of that day had trouble: corrupt government, high taxes, a culture that confused and misled the youth. . . This day he was speaking to a crowd on the side of a mountain.  In verse 25 he tells them—don’t worry: there’s more to life than food and clothes.  Take your eyes off self, and look to Jesus. 

In verse 26 he reminds us that God will meet our critical needs.  The birds are fed by God; He knows we need housing, food, a job.  Jesus tells us we’re much more valuable than the birds.  In verse 27 he asks if anyone has been able to add an hour to their life or anything to their height by worrying.  Worry and anxiety can’t add years or height. God provides for his creatures’ needs.

In verse 28 he asks why we worry about clothes, spend so much time and effort on things that support our appearance or image.  God isn’t boring—look at the flowers of the field: they are beautiful whether anyone sees them or not.  If God cares for the small stuff, he’ll care for us.  He knows how to be extravagant.  He will provide for our non-critical needs. 

In verse 30 Jesus asks us, “If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown in the fire, won’t He take care of you, O you of little faith?”   In verse 31 he tells us again that we don’t need to worry—God can be trusted.  When we’re anxious, what we worry about becomes the object of what we seek.  That’s all unbelievers have—image.   Uncertainty is an opportunity to shine—trust God to meet our needs.  He knows what we need and has the power to provide. 

In verse 33 he tells us to seek God above all, and everything else will be added.  The word “seek” in this case means to pursue.  We are to pursue God’s kingdom.  We are to work with God to bring others to His kingdom, to seek righteousness in times of uncertainty.  Isn’t eternal life more than food?  Isn’t the body of Christ more than clothes?  Verse 34 tells us again not to worry about tomorrow; each day has enough trouble of its own.  We know who is in charge of tomorrow, and we know we can trust Him.