THE ABUNDANT LIFE (Part 1)

 TEXT: John 10:10: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 10 speaks about Jesus being the “Good Shepherd”! He contrasts Himself with false shepherds—leaders or influences that drain, mislead, or harm. These thieves can be SIN, which steals peace; FEAR, which steals rest; FALSE TEACHING, which steals truth; EMPTY AMBITIONS, which steals contentment. But the Abundant life is what happens when the true Shepherd leads, protects, and nourishes God’s people.

·       1^st Peter 2:25: For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the SHEPHERD (poimen’) [a shepherd; pastor] and BISHOP (epis’kopos) [superintendent; overseer] of your souls.

·       1^st Peter 5:4: And when the chief Shepherd (archipoi’men) [a head-shepherd] [in order; place; time; rank] (CHRIST) shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

The “crown of glory” in 1^ST Peter 5:4 speaks of the eternal reward Christ, the Chief Shepherd, gives to faithful shepherds of His flock. Also, to them that believe in Him and the One that sent Him. The word “CROWN” points to a victor’s wreath or prize of honor, not merely a royal crown:  and “GLORY” speaks of honor, praise, and divine approval. Peter emphasizes that this crown “fadeth not away” showing that unlike earthly recognition, Christ’s reward is everlasting and unfading. It is the Lord’s promise that faithful service done in humility, love, and obedience will be openly honored by Him at His appearing. The word “appear” in this verse is the Greek word phanero’o, meaning to render apparent (evident; plain; obvious; clear; visible; manifest) within us God’s people. This appearing is not out in the sky, but within us! Greater is he, that is WITHIN YOU, than he that is in the world (1^st John 4:4).

ABUNDANT is the Greek root word peris’so meaning in the sense of beyond; superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); excessive; beyond measure; having the advantage; exceedingly abundantly above; a great deal. LIFE is Zoe, meaning life in the absolute (complete; perfect); eternal; everlasting]. Life as God Himself has in Himself!

·       John 5:26: For as the Father has life (Zoe) in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself!

This ZOE LIFE is the life man was alienated (estranged; turned away) from in Genesis, but man has now been restored back to this ZOE LIFE (ABUNDANT LIFE) through Christ Jesus! Jesus said:

·       John 3:15: Whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal (quality) life: vs 16: God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting (unending) life.

·       John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life”!  

This ETERNAL and EVERLASTING LIFE is the ABUNDANT LIFE we receive by coming to KNOW (understand; recognize; fully discern; acknowledge) the Father and the Son that is sent to us (John 17:3).

WHAT ABUNDANT LIFE IS NOT: more money; more comfort; more success. Scripture consistently shows that material abundance is not the measure of God’s blessing, and Jesus warns against equating life with possessions.

·       Matthew 6:24: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (mamonas’) [(confidence, as related to wealth, personified); avarice (deified)] [to elevate; worship; or regard someone or something as if they were a god].

The phrase “the abundant life” refers to a way of living that is full, meaningful, and satisfying. It often implies experiencing joy, fulfilment, and purpose beyond material wealth or possessions. Many people associate the abundant life with having strong relationships, personal growth, and a sense of well-being that comes from living in alignment with one’s values and beliefs.

·       John 10:10, Jesus said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might (du’namai) [to be able or possible: can (could); may; be of power] have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”.

The Abundant Life scripture here contrasts two forces: THE THIEF who steals, kill, and destroys: and JESUS who give life “more abundantly” (perisson) [exceedingly beyond what is expected]. This is a life overflowing in depth and purpose: referring to a life not about wealth, status, or comfort, but a life that’s full, meaningful, a spiritually rich life rooted in knowing God, not a promise of material prosperity. Yet I do believe that God wants His people to have the best, but we must put God first!  

·       Matthew 6:31: Therefore, take no thought, saying, “What shall we eat”? Or “What shall we drink”? Or “Wherewithal shall we be clothed”? Vs 32: For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. Vs 33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

When the Israelites left Egypt, they didn’t go out empty handed: Exodus 12:35: And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses: and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: vs 36: And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent (sha’al’) [inquire; request; demand; ask; desire; borrow] unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled (natsal’) [to snatch away; recovered; strip] the Egyptians.

Deuteronomy 28 [the blessings of obedience]: vs 1: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: vs 2: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Vs 6: Blessed shall thou be when you come in and blessed shall thou be when thou go out. Vs 8: The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou set thine hand unto: and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee: vs 10: And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD and they shall be afraid of thee. Vs 11: And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD swore unto thy fathers to give thee. Vs 12: The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure (owtsar’, a depository (storehouses; cellars; armoury; garners), the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. Vs 13: And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail: and thou shall be above only, and thou shall not be beneath: if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them.

The same God that said that to natural Israel, is saying the same thing to His spiritual Israel, that we now are today!! THE SAME GOD THEN IS THE SAME GOD NOW!!!

·       Malachi 3:6a: I am the LORD, I change not!

·       Hebrews 13:8: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

Jesus Himself said: Matthew 6:31: Therefore, take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or wherewithal shall we be clothed? Vs 32: (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek): for your Heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. Vs 33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

·       Philippians 4:19: My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

WHAT COMES WITH THIS ABUNDANT LIFE?

Spiritual richness – a restored relationship with God.

·       Genesis 1:26: And God said let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. Vs 27: So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them. Vs 28: And God blessed them and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.

In the beginning God and man (male/female) had a spiritual love relationship! God didn’t have to give Adam (male/female) a law saying, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy might”, because they were created with the “love” of God within them. They knew to LOVE God and His creation with their entire being, because it was LOVE that created them! Therefore, LOVE preceded (came before in time, order, or rank) everything else that God did in His creation.

John 4:24, God is Spirit! 1^st John 4:8b: God is love! Therefore, “love is Spirit”! So, it is right to say, Genesis 1:1: In the beginning LOVE created the heaven and the earth.

But when Adam disobeyed the LORD God, he moved himself out of that love relationship he had with God and lost his dominion, authority, and power with God. Adam (male/female) fell from immortality back into mortality.

When God gave the ten commandments to the Israelites in Exodus 20, there was not a law saying anything about “love”. But He does mention “LOVE” in the commandments He gave them in Deuteronomy 6:1: Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgements, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you that you might do them in the land whither you go to possess it? Vs 2: That thou might fear the LORD, thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments which I command thee, thou and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life: and that thy days maybe prolonged. Vs 3: Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that you may increase mightily as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that flows with milk and honey. Vs 4: Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: vs 5: And thou shalt LOVE the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Vs 6: And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.

After the fall of creation, the command to love God was given, not before the fall, remember the Adam race didn’t need a law to tell them to love God.

Revelation 2 [the message to the church in Ephesus]: Vs 5: Remember (mnemoneu’o) [to exercise memory; recollect; rehearse; make mention; be mindful]  therefore from whence thou art fallen (ekpip’to) [to drop away; be driven out of one’s course; to lose; become inefficient] and repent (metanoe’o) [to think differently]  and do the first (pro’tos) [foremost [in time, place, order, or importance]; first day, former, before, beginning] works: or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick (luchni”a) [light producer] out his place.

What are the first works? The “first works” refers to the original acts of faith, love, and devotion that believers demonstrated when they first encountered God and entered relationship with Him. In the context of Scripture, especially in Revelation 2:5, Jesus urges believers to return to the passion, sincerity, and spiritual commitment they had at the beginning of their walk with Him. It’s about recapturing that initial spiritual richness—a restored relationship with God, fueled by genuine love, trust, and obedience—before distractions or complacency set in.

“First works” are those foundational expressions of love for God and others, such as prayer, worship, service, and seeking God’s kingdom above all else, as highlighted in Matthew 6:33. They represent the pure motivation and wholehearted dedication that originally characterized the believer’s life, before anything else took precedence. Returning to these “first works” is a call to rekindle spiritual vitality and intimacy with God our Heavenly Father.

Remember, the definition of fallen is to drop away from, to be driven out of one’s course, and become inefficient in one’s point of origin or original acts which was faith in God, love for God, and being devoted or committed to the command of God. Therefore, the Adam (male/female) race of people, through disobedience, also lost their original position of dominion, authority, and power. They moved out of the divinity of God back into their humanity!

Mark 12 [Jesus speaks of the great command]: vs 28: And one of the scribes came and having heard them reasoning together and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, which is the first commandment of all? Vs 29: and Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is, hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord: vs 30: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandant. Vs 31: And the second is like, namely this, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”. There is no other commandment greater than these.

There is only one commandment now, and that is to love!!! Romans 13:8: Owe no man anything but to love one another; for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Therefore, to have the abundant life of spiritual richness, we must restore relationship with God through faith, love, and obedience to His Word and not be distracted by other outside sources, but maintain and retain relationship with the source, God Himself!!

WHAT ELSE COMES WITH THIS ABUNDANT LIFE?

Inner peace and joy – that circumstances cannot take away.

ABUNDANT LIFE is a CALL TO PEACE!

The prophet Isaiah said: Isaiah 26:3: Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Peace in this verse in Hebrew is shalowm’ meaning safe; well; happy; friendly; healthy; prosperous. It goes to another root word shalam’, meaning to be safe (in mind, body, or estate); to (make) completed.

This touches the total man, all the areas that Jesus said we must love the Lord with, heart, soul, mind, and body (Mark 12:30). This is the only way we can be made perfect in God through Christ Jesus, by the power of the Holy Ghost that lives in us!

·       2^nd Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new (kainos’) [new in freshness] (of form or quality) creature (ktis’is) [original formation]: old things are passed away; behold, all things are made new (fresh).

This being in Christ, is not just having Christ in you the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27) only, but you and I must “be in Christ”.  When this happens, then we have returned to our original formation, which is the same formation the Adam (male/female) race had before the fall, which was a “LOVE RELATIONSHIP” with our Creator God!  Or we’ve remembered and returned to the “first works” [faith, love, and obedience], which is a call to a rekindled spiritual vitality and intimacy with God!!

The ABUNDANT LIFE is our appropriation of the PEACE He grants which is conditional upon:

·       Our Trust in God: (Isaiah 26:3) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth (batach’) [refuge; confidence or assurance] in thee. 

·       OUR LOVE FOR HIS WORD: (Psalm 119:165) Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

·       THE WORK OF HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Isaiah 32:17) And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.

·       James 3:18: And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

ABUNDANT LIFE is a CALL TO JOY!

The prophet Nehemiah is sent to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. In chapter six the walls were finished and in chapter eight the law is read and explained:

·       Nehemiah 8:10: Then he said unto them, go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the JOY (chedvah’) [rejoicing; gladness] of the LORD is your strength (maowz’) [fortified place; defense; fortress; fort; rock].

That’s the point of us casting (tossing; throwing) all our care (mer’iman) [distractions; solicitude; anxieties] on Jesus Christ because He careth (mel’o) [to be of interest to; to concern; it matters] for us (1^st Peter 5:7).

Abundant life includes divine health:

·       Isaiah 53:5: He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. (1^st Peter 2:24)

In Isaiah 53:5, TRANSGRESSIONS point to acts of rebellion—the willful crossing of God’s boundary—and in the Hebrew text comes from pesha‘, meaning a willful breach against God’s authority. INIQUITIES go deeper to the inner crookedness, corruption, and guilt within fallen humanity, and comes from the Hebrew word ‘avon, meaning crookedness, perversity, or inward moral distortion. In other words, Jesus was wounded for what we have done wrong and bruised for what has been wrong within us. Thus, Christ’s suffering addresses both the outward offense and the inward condition, showing the fullness of His redemptive work.

·       3^rd John 2: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.

Abundant life includes eternal and everlasting life:

·       John 3:15: Whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Vs 16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Both words eternal and everlasting are from the same root word aio’nios, meaning perpetual (of past or future); since the world began; forever. / aion’) [an age; perpetuity (also past); ever (more). These words stress time in their unbroken duration. Eternal life stresses the quality of life; everlasting life stresses its length (unending).

·       John 5:24: Verily, verily, I say unto you, “He that hears my word and believe on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life”.

What we go through is of interest and concern to God! He sent Jesus Christ His Son to deliver us from all frustration and worries, or all the attacks of the enemy!

·       Hebrews 4:15: We have not a high priest which cannot be touched (sumpathe’o) [to feel sympathy with; to commiserate; have compassion] with the feeling of our infirmities (asthen’eia) [feebleness (of body or mind); malady; frailty; weakness; diseases; sickness; without strength]; but was in all points tempted (peera’zo) [to test; endeavor; scrutinize; enticed; disciplined; examined; proven; try]  like as we are, yet without sin.

This tells us that Jesus fully entered the human experience, facing every kind of temptation and struggle people encounter—whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. The phrase “all points” shows that He was touched in heart, soul, mind, and body, yet without sin. He was not shielded from pressure, pain, or testing, and this qualifies Him to be a compassionate and understanding advocate for us. Matthew 4:1-11 shows this clearly in His wilderness temptation, where He overcame the devil by the Word of God, saying, “It is written.” In the same way, we also overcome by the Word of God.

These are the areas Jesus said we must love the Lord with stated in Mark 12:30—heart, soul, mind, and strength—and they are echoed again in Revelation 4:7: And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

Why is man referred to as a beast? Beast here is zo’on meaning a live thing; an animal. Each of these beastly natures that’s in man must be conquered by the Spirit of the Living God.

·       1^st Corinthian 15:32: I fought with beasts (theriomache’o) [to be a beast-fighter (in the gladiatorial show); to encounter (furious men)] at Ephesus.

·       Jude 10: But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute (al’egos) [irrational; unreasonable] beasts (zo’on) [a live thing; an animal], in those things they corrupt (phthei’ro) (phthio) (to pine or waste); to shrivel or wither; to spoil (by any process) or to ruin (by moral influences; to deprave); defile; destroy] themselves.

What things cause us to become corrupt? The beastly nature of the lion, the calf, the face of a man, and the flying eagle, spoken of in Revelation 4:7 that hasn’t been totally yielded to God to be cleansed by the Word of God and purged or purified by the fire of God! But God has given us a way out through Jesus the Christ!

John the Baptist said he was baptizing with water unto repentance, but in relation to Jesus, John said, "He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire."

This means that while JOHN’S BAPTISM with water was an outward expression of repentance (metan’oia) [compunction; guilt; reformation; reversal, change of mind for the better]: Jesus’ baptism would be an inward baptizing bringing about a much deeper spiritual transformation, of God’s people being baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire!

Why the Holy Ghost?  Because the Holy Ghost is that which empowers us to do the works that Jesus Himself did.

·       Luke 10:19: I give unto you power (exousi’a) [ability; authority; jurisdiction] to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

·       Acts 1:8: You shall receive power (du’namis) [enablement to perform miracles] after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you to be witnesses unto me.

 And why with “fire”? Because the fire is that which purifies and burns out of God’s people everything that is not like Him, just as fire refines gold!  It’s this refining that gives us THE ABUNDANT LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS!!!

THIS FIRE IS WHAT’S BRINGING US INTO THIS ABUNDANT LIFE!! So, let’s praise God while we’re going through, because on the other side of through is peace, joy, health, dominion, authority, power – THE ABUNDANT LIFE!!!

Pastor Gracie Perry

THE WORRIED CHRISTIAN

 THE BOOK OF MATTHEWS   

 The author is not identified; however, its writings are attributed to Matthew, the apostle and former tax collector. Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfilment of the Law, the Messiah, King, and Jesus often refer to Himself as the “Son of Man”. 

TEXT: MATTHEW 6: 25-26, 33: 

(Sermon on the Mount- Chapter 5---7 Jesus’s famous teachings on moral living). In Matthew 6:19-23, He talks about possessions and masters; and vs 24-34 He talks about God’s Kingdom.

VS 25 Therefore, I say unto you, “Take no thought” or “Do not worry” about your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; or yet for your body, what you shall put on”.  “Is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment”?

 VS 26 “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

 Vs 33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Did you ever stop to think why Jesus’s teaching on “worry” was necessary? It seems to be the diet in today’s society. He is speaking to His committed disciples, alongside a large, curious crowd of hurting, oppressed Jewish farmers and labourers seeking healing. Most of the people hearing HIM were poor and living from day to day. For some, what they earned each day was all they had to live on for the next day.

Can anybody identify to some degree what that’s like, living from paycheck to paycheck?

One might ask! Did Jesus know the people were worried? According to biblical accounts, Jesus frequently knew when people were worried, anxious, or afraid, and often addressed them directly.

 He is “omniscient” God of all knowing/knowledge: Luke 12, Jesus taught a large crowd and then turned to his disciples, telling them, “Do not worry about your life”. He knew their minds were racing with anxieties about daily provisions and reassured them that God is aware of their needs.

 Jesus was able to discern their hidden fears. When his followers were panicking during a violent storm at sea, Jesus was asleep in the boat. When they woke him in fear, He calmed the storm and then questioned their lack of trust.

 In all these accounts, Jesus did not respond to their worries with judgement but by acknowledging their anxiety and encouraging them to replace their fear with trust. Jesus was letting the people know that life was more than material possessions, and that God, who provides for the birds and flowers, will certainly care for humans, who are of greater value. 

His goal is to move their thoughts from a state of worry to a state of peace, trusting that God knows and will provide what is truly needed for their life. Listen to these three definitions.

 Biblical perspective “Worry/thought” defined in Greek is merimna’o…meaning “to be pulled in different directions: or torn apart.” Think about it! One moment you’re stressing about finances, next you’re spiraling about a relationship, then, you’re replaying something you said three days ago.

Worry scatters us and keeps us living everywhere except the present. Jesus wasn’t ignoring their struggles. He pointed out that worry doesn’t solve them—it just fractures our peace. Instead, He invites us to trust the God who sees every need and promises to take care of us.

 Worry can be defined as the following;

Strangling origin – comes from an Old English word “wyrgan” -meaning to strangle or to seize by the throat. This roots its meaning of being constricted or choked by one’s thoughts.

 Medical doctors estimate that more than twenty five percent of their patients are what they have called "worried well".  Doctors spend a lot of time examining folks who are not sick, -- only worried, plagued by the “what if syndrome”.

What if my car doesn’t start in the morning?  What if, I get laid off my job?  People are worrying about a whole lot of, what ifs. 

If we have a good job, we worry that we’ll lose it. If we have good health, we worry that we won’t have it long. If our children leave the house, we worry if they’re coming back.

Psychological definition (effects that originate in or act upon the mind/behavior), the mental part where your brain tries to solve the “what if” scenarios for the future. What if I don’t get this job: What if my check doesn’t come? What if? Are you plagued by “what if” problems? Then, consider yourself in the “worried well” class.

I think it’s safe to say all of us have experienced worry to some degree, but how often and how intently do you worry? What kind of things do you worry about? Are they mostly big things such as world events; finances, crimes, family matters, relationships, your mate, jobs, health?

There’s a Professor of Psychology at Penn State university…Thomas Borkevec, an expert in the field of worry. He makes his living diagnosing what other people worry about. His claim is that the most single source of worry is other people’s opinion of you. What will they think? What will they say? Will I be laughed at? Will I be left out?

He stated that even clergy have experienced moments when they knew what God wanted them to do but failed to do it because of what others might think. Truth is, regardless of what we do or don’t do, we really can’t alter other’s opinion of us. Our focus should be…. what does God think of us.

Many times, we take worry to bed with us, we get up with it and carry it with us throughout the day. Jesus doesn't want us to worry. His walk (way of living) matched His talk.

Where or when was Jesus ever afraid? There’s no record of the Savior expressing his concern over what will happen or will not happen and never anxious or worrying about potential reactions of others.

Why? It’s simple: dependence. Christ, himself being God, expressed and demonstrated the model for humanity in his complete confidence, trust and dependence in God (“the Son can do nothing of his own accord” John 5:19). He knew and lived like He believed that God is sovereign (supreme) over everything: there is nothing that surprises or unsettles God.

Even in the Garden we see Christ pouring out His heart to the Father, proclaiming His commitment to and confidence in God. He marched with resolve to Calvary without being afraid of men or circumstances.

Why: Because He knew that God is sovereign. Look what He told Pilate: “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11).

Earthly power is limited and Pilate’s power was delegated. Jesus wasn’t losing His life by force, but by choice via His Father’s plan.

Jesus didn’t worry, but because of the ill effects of worry, HE tells us not to worry about the basic needs that God promises to supply (food, drink, clothing).

In our text, Jesus speaks to us where we live and give illustrations that worry is unnecessary, unproductive, and outside of God's natural design of mankind.

Prior to this teaching, He had told the people not to let money be their master and they couldn't serve two masters. They would either hate the one and love the other. He knew the reason a lot of people let money be their master is because they were worried about tomorrow.

The average person thinks if they had a large income, it would solve their problem, not so. Here Jesus gives them a better way to handle the problem of worry. Here are some reasons why we shouldn’t worry.

VS 25 FINANCIAL FEAR - UNREASONABLE

Jesus said, "Therefore, I say unto you, take no thought" or ‘do not worry.”  The word “thought/worry” meaning, “having a distracting care; divided mind,” a distraction that pulls a person’s focus away from trusting God and toward self-reliance.

The same word, same meaning is used in Philippians 4:6 "Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”. He used the same word to describe Martha in Luke 10:41-42, when she was stressing over Mary spending time with Jesus rather than helping with household work.  He said, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful (anxious) and troubled about many things:  but one thing is needful:  and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her”.

In other words, Mary had chosen to spend time with Him, which was the most needful thing to do. Don’t worry about your finances or your job.  It’s unreasonable. Don’t let that become distracting care!  Don’t worry about your children or your relationship.   That’s my responsibility (God’s), not yours!  

VS 26 WORRY IS UNNATRUAL

Jesus said, “Look up at the birds”. There’s no worry in their life. They don’t pile up goods for an unseen future, nor do you see them sowing seeds or harvesting crops, yet their lives go on, and their needs are met. We are the only creation of God who worries. If God provides for the birds He created, and He does, then surely, He will take care of us, His children, who are created in His image and likeness.

VS 27: Which of you by worrying can add one cubit (18") to his statue. It’s unhelpful, because it can’t change a thing even by the equivalent of “eighteen inches.”

Job 14:5 says, "Before we were born God established length of our days.” Worrying divides attention from spiritual priorities.

So, what good would you do to worry about something anyway?

A cubit is measure of length (18 in), making it an absurd, small change to height, it can’t make you taller, highlighting that worry is both useless, and incapable of extending life.

VS 28 WORRY IS A LACK OF FAITH

Now, look down: “Why take you thought for raiment/clothing? It’s unnecessary.  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin”. Vs 30 God clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, Oh, you of little faith?

Jesus refers to worry as “little faith” meaning weak, fearful, doubting trust in God’s power. He said vs 31, “Take no thought (don’t worry) about what you should eat or drink”. Vs 32, “These things the gentiles (unbelievers) seek”: for your heavenly Father knows how much a gallon of gas costs today. He knows how much the cost of groceries will be next week.

David said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).  

He knows what our future is and He knows how much money you have in the bank. He knows if you have no money at all.

He knows just who to send your way with enough money to meet your very needs. Why? That's God’s responsibility, He is Jireh-our Provider and He care for you.

In Exodus 12, when Moses began leading God’s people out of Egyptian bondage, there were millions of them.  Can you imagine the amount of food and water it would take to feed a group that size?  But did not God provide for them?  Not only that, but He also provided a way through the Red Sea.

Mind you, they didn’t have to press their way through mud; they went over on “dry ground”!!!!  This provision for the Israelites was not just for a couple of days, or a week or two, but He took care of them for forty (40) years during their wilderness experience!!!

Deuteronomy 8:4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years!!!!

What does that mean for us?  SAME GOD THEN – SAME GOD NOW!!!!

If Jesus’s command is “do not worry”, what was His reason and what can result from worry.

Worry damages your health. It brings on diseases, stomach ulcers, coronary thrombosis, insomnia (awake when you should be asleep), disrupted productivity, clouds judgement and you can’t make rational decisions. It negatively affects the way you treat others.

Whenever “worry” enters the mind, another emotion tags along with it called impatience, and one becomes irritated, easily provoked, restless, eager, snappy, anger. It can push you into making hasty and unwise decisions. There’s a saying, “it’s not what you eat that causes ulcers, but it’s what’s eating you”. I’m talking to the worried Christian.

1^st Samuel 13:6-11, the Philistines had accumulated a large army to fight against Israel. Saul is waiting in the wings for the Prophet Samuel according to the set time of seven days when Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, the people began to “worry” and they scattered themselves from Saul because of fear.

So, Saul, impatient, said bring me a burnt offering and peace offering, and offered the burnt offering up to God as a sacrifice before going into battle with the LORD as his ally. But it was God’s command that the “priest” offer up burnt offering’s, not the king. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, here comes Samuel.

When he saw what Saul had done, he was not happy with him. He said you have done foolishly! You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God. Now your kingdom shall not continue. Saul lost his kingship! Why! Because of worry and being impatient it accomplished absolutely nothing on Saul’s behalf.

 If you profess to know Christ, you can live a different life free from worry and anxiety. One might ask? How can this be? Simply! “When your thoughts change, by adopting the same mindset as Jesus...2^nd Corinthians 2:5 “Let this mind, be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”. When we have the mind of Christ, then, the same selfless, humble attitude and perspective Jesus displayed, prioritizing others, embracing humility, and submitting to God’s will above your own, will be displayed or exhibited in our lives.

 It’s uniting with Him, an internal transformation – 2^nd Corinthians 5:17 “If any man be in Christ” (placing your personal faith in Him, participating in His grace, the word says, “you are a new creature (creation)”. You are not just improved; you are completely regenerated.

The old is gone, the past sins, guilt, and the old way of living defined by the “flesh” had to loosen its condemning power. The original Greek suggests you are a brand-new species of existence created by God. The “New” has come. You have received a new identity, righteousness, and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus took time to preach and teach about worry, because it demonstrates a lack of trust in God’s character, and it accomplishes absolutely nothing and misplaces a believer’s priorities.

As believers and followers of Christ we need only concern ourselves with our Father's business and He'll concern Himself with ours. What is HIS business?  It’s KINGDOM. He personally delivered it to us. Luke 12:32, Fear not little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Jesus said, John 6:38 “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me”. His coming down from heaven was not from beyond the blue sky, but “heaven” is from the Greek word “oupavos” (oo-ran-os’) translated as elevation, “lofty” or high place, happiness, power, eternity, the Gospel. He came down to perfectly obey the Father’s will and Jesus’s entire mission on earth was dedicated to fulfilling this divine purpose rather than His own.

Jesus is not just the herald of the Kingdom of God, but the actual embodiment (physical form) of the Kingdom. In theology, this is often called “Autobasileiam”, a Greek term meaning “the kingdom in person”. I’m telling you, Jesus was the “kingdom”, walking around on two feet.

Mark 11:1-11 (The triumphal entry): vs 7: And they brought the colt to Jesus and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. Vs 8: And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. Now watch and listen to what these people did and said: vs 9: And they that went before and they that followed, cried, saying, “Hosanna” (oh save; saviour; rescue; avenge; defend); blessed is he that come in the name of the Lord”: vs 10: “Blessed be THE KINGDOM of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest” (hup’sistos) [the Supreme (God); the heavens; Most High].

You can see here in these verses, that THE KINGDOM of God entered Jerusalem in the PERSON of JESUS CHRIST, riding on a colt!! That’s why Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek ye first THE KINGDOM of God and HIS righteousness, and these things shall be added unto you”.

The KINGDOM cannot exist without its KING. When Jesus arrived, the KINGDOM arrived because He is the ruler. This is why He announced in Luke 17:21 that “the kingdom of God is in the midst/among you.” The KINGDOM was in their midst because HE was standing right in front of them talking to them, but they could not comprehend Him.

Therefore, your business and my business, is to seek the kingdom, identify it, believe it, and live in it. Again, Matthew 6:33 states, “SEEK FIRST” the “KINGDOM”! Therefore, our first priority (most important, urgent,) instead of focusing our energy on worry, Jesus provides a direct alternative, a solution.

His direction to us is, but seek, ‘GOD FIRST”- when you shift your primary focus to loving God and serving others, you can trust Him to handle your physical needs. He personally delivered the KINGDOM to us Himself.

My friends, you cannot separate the kingdom from the person of Jesus; to have Him is to have the kingdom.

What is it? It is not a physical kingdom and can’t be physically mapped or observed (Luke 17:21) “The kingdom is within you”. “God’s kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), but a present reality.  “The kingdom’s dominion is the rule of God, and it’s not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17). It’s the government of God.

His government is designed to produce for you everything you have need of – health, wealth, houses, jobs, cars, love, joy and peace, independent of what anybody think about it. It’s under the rule of God, our King who makes it happen for us. So, if you are a believer in Christ, then your citizenship is no longer “of this world”, you are a citizen of heaven.

Ephesians 2:18: For through him we both (Jew/Gentile) have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Vs 19: Now, therefore, you are no more strangers (xen’os) [guests] and foreigners (par’oikos) [aliens; strangers; sojourners], but fellow citizens (sumpoli’tes) [natives of the same town; united] with the saints, and of the household of God: vs 20: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone: vs 21: In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord: vs 22: In whom you also are built together for an habitation (dwelling place) of God through the Spirit.

In closing, if you are a worried Christian plagued by a world of “what if’s,” if you are choked by your own thoughts, worries about what people think of you, or problems with time management, the antidote for worry is “GOD FIRST”!

Steven Cole gives this illustration – a story of the time management expert who was speaking to a group of business students.

He pulled out a large, wide-mouth jar and filled it with a fist-sized rocks. When he couldn’t put any more in, he asked, “Is this jar full?” The class responded, “yes.” He said, “really?”

Then, he pulled out a bucket of gravel and poured it in, shaking it down through the cracks. Then, he asked, “Is the jar full?” The students were on to him, so they said, “no.” “Good” he replied.

Then, he dumped in a bucket of sand. Once more he asked, “Is the jar full?” “No,” they shouted, Again, he said, “Good.” He poured in a pitcher of water until the jar was full to the brim. Then, he asked, “What is the point of this illustration?”

One student ventured, “No matter how full your schedule, if you try hard, you can always fit more in.” “No,” the speaker replied, “That is not the point”. The point is, “If you don’t put the big rocks in first, you’ll never get them in at all.”

“First Things First,” by Stephen Covey, Roger & amp; Rebecca Merrill (Simon & amp; Schuster), pp. 88-89).

What should our “big rocks” be?

Jesus and His Word! Put them first in your life! If we put the pebbles, or sand, etc, in first, we won’t find time (room) for Jesus, the King of Kings, and His living Word, which endures forever!

To the worried Christian, do you want a life free of worry and anxiety? Then, the antidote is GOD FIRST!

AMEN!

Evangelist Brenda Hansley

 

Evangelist Brenda Hansley