"What Are You So Worried About?" (Luke 12:22–34)

"What Are You So Worried About?" (Luke 12:22–34)

Pastor Cameron Jungels

Eastside Baptist Church

Sunday AM, January 17, 2021

 

Luke 12:22–34 (NIV)

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

I. Do not focus your attention on the physical treasures of this life (vv. 22–30).

 

A. Do not covet wealth (v. 22a).

 

Luke 12:22 NIV

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.

 

B. Do not worry about the basic necessities of life (v. 22b–30).

 

1. Because there is a higher goal. (v. 23).

 

Luke 12:23 NIV

For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

 

2. Because God will take care of your basic necessities.

 

a) God takes care of the rest of his creation (vv. 24, 27, 28).

 

Luke 12:24 NIV

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

 

Luke 12:27–28 NIV

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!

 

b) His disciples are the special object of his love (vv. 24, 27, 28).

 

c) God knows what you need, and he is good. (v. 30).

 

Luke 12:30 NIV

For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.

 

3. Because worrying doesn’t do any good anyway (vv. 25–26).

 

Luke 12:25–26 NIV

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

 

II. Focus all your attention on the kingdom of Christ and the spiritual treasures of the next life (vv. 31–34).

 

A. Because the kingdom of Jesus Christ is the higher goal (v. 31 cf. v. 23).

 

Luke 12:31 NIV

But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

 

Luke 12:23 NIV

For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

 

B. Because God will supply the needs of his children that are seeking the kingdom (v. 31).

 

Luke 12:31 NIV

But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

 

C. Because the kingdom of Jesus Christ is better than all other physical treasures (v. 32).

 

Luke 12:32 NIV

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

 

D. Because the kingdom of Jesus Christ is the only treasure that endures (v. 33 cf. v. 20).

 

Luke 12:30 NIV

For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.

 

Luke 12:20 NIV

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

 

E. Because what you are seeking for reveals what is in your heart (v. 33a, 34, 30a, cf. v. 22a).

 

Luke 12:33–34 NIV

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

Luke 12:30 NIV

For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.

 

Main Idea: Disciples of Jesus find their complete satisfaction and security in Jesus Christ and his kingdom.