I resumed my study of the Ten Commandments this past Sunday with a message on the seventh commandment. Yes, where's still counting number seven!

Here is the sermon skeleton...

Title: "Keeping Pleasure in its Place"

Text: Exodus 20:14

Series: The Ten Commandments: Loving God, Loving Your Neighbor

Theme: The sanctity of marriage and sex

Point: Do not have sex with any person you are not married to.

Outline:

I. Do not commit literal adultery: To commit adultery is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.

II. Do not commit moral adultery: To commit fornication is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.

III. Do not commit emotional adultery: To lust is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.

IV. Do not commit spiritual adultery: To live in sin is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place.

Finishing the Beatitudes

I am preaching through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) on Wednesday nights. Last night, I complete the introductory section - The Beatitudes of Jesus (Matt. 5:3-12).

The next section of the passage in Matthew 5:13-16, where Jesus describes the influence his disciples should have on the world for the kingdom of heaven. Using to gripping and dynamic word pictures, Jesus declares, "You are the salt of the earth" (5:13) and "You are the light of the world" (5:14-16).

Following this paragraph, I will be venturing into new ground in my exposition. Over the past two months, I have taken a fresh look at the beatitudes. But I have benefited from study notes that I already had on file. But I am now at a place in the text where I must study each text from scratch. I am looking forward to digging into portions of scripture that I have never studied or taught before. But it will require a lot more work. So please remember my study time in your prayers and my sequential exposition of Philippians on Sundays and the Sermon on the Mount on Wednesdays.

I preached last night from the final beatitude recorded in Matthew 5:10-12, in which Jesus blesses those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. I entitled the message, "In the Line of Fire." It was very hard work. But the Lord is faithful. Here is the sermon skeleton from last night's message:

Title: "In the Line of Fire"

Text: Matthew 5:10-12

Series: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)

Theme: The blessing of Christian persecution

Point: The Lord blesses those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.

Outline:

I. The reality of Christian persecution (5:10-11)

A. You will be reviled (v. 11)

B. You will be persecuted (v. 11)

C. You will be slandered (v. 11)

II. The reason for Christian persecution (5:10-11)

A. You will be persecuted for righteousness' sake (v. 10)

B. You will be persecuted for Christ's sake (v. 11)

III. The response to Christian persecution (5:12)

A. Look up and rejoice: "for your reward is great in heaven"

B. Look back and rejoice: "for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you"

Lay Your Religion Down!

Last Sunday, I continued my study of the book of Philippians. I covered the first portion of Paul's testimony, in which he discusses his conversion from Judaism to Christianity.

What a text!

Here is the skeleton from Sunday's sermon.

TITLE: “Lay Your Religion Down”

TEXT: Philippians 3:4-9

SERMON SERIES: PHILIPPIANS: PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL

THEME: The dynamics of Christian conversion

POINT: Lay your religion down!

OUTLINE:

I. Paul’s past confidence in his flesh (3:4-6)

A. Paul boasting about his confidence in the flesh (v. 4)

A. A confession (v. 4a)

B. A challenge (v. 4b)

B. Paul basis for confidence in the flesh (vv. 5-6)

1. Paul’s confidence was in who he was (v. 5)

2. Paul’s confidence was in what he had done (vv. 5-6)

II. Paul’s powerful conversion to faith in Christ (4:7-9)

A. What Paul gained (vv. 7-8)

1. The extent of Paul’s loss (vv. 7-8)

2. Paul’s estimation of his loss (vv. 7-8)

• Paul made a definite decision (v. 7)

• Paul made a daily decision (v. 8)

B. What Paul gained (vv. 8-9)

1. Paul gained the knowledge of Christ (v. 8)

2. Paul gained the righteousness of Christ (v. 9)

Power Under Control

I continued my new study of the Sermon on the Mount. I am presently through the Beatitudes of Jesus in Matthew 5:3-12. What a challenge it is to wrestle with the demands of Jesus. My soul is being stretched and my mind is being renewed. I pray the congregation of SMBC is being blessed by the study so far.

Here is the sermon skeleton from last night's message:

Title: "Strength Through Meekness"

Text: Matthew 5:5

Series: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)

Theme: The blessedness of meekness

Point: God blesses the person who lives with confidence that God is in control.

Outline:

I. What is meekness?

- Meekness is not weakness.

- Meekness is power under control.

- Meekness is self-control rooted in confidence that God is in control.

II. What is the blessing of meekness?

- Jesus calls the meek blessed because of their inheritance.

- Jesus promises that the meek will inherit the earth.

* This is a promise for tomorrow

* This is a promise for today

The Blessing of Brokenness

Last week I started a study of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) in our midweek services at Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church.

The first section of the message records the Beatitudes of Jesus (Matt. 5:3-12), in which Jesus announces those who exhibit certain kingdom attributes blessed.

Last week, we studied the first beatitude on “the poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3). Last night, the blessing Jesus announces on those who “mourn” (Matt. 5:4).

Here is the sermon skeleton from last night’s message.

TITLE: “The Blessing of Brokenness”

TEXT: Matthew 5:4

SERMON SERIES: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)

THEME: The blessedness of godly sorrow

POINT: God blesses those who mourn.

OUTLINE:

Consider what Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:4 about the sorrow and the comfort of the mourners.

I. The sorrow of the mourners (5:4a)

A. The place of natural sorrow

1. Natural sorrow can be evil.

2. Natural sorrow can be beneficial.

B. The priority of spiritual sorrow

II. The comfort of the mourners (5:4b)

A. God comforts the mourners through repentance of sin.

B. God comforts the mourners through faith in Jesus Christ.

1. Christ comforts believers by his atoning blood.

2. Christ comforts believers by his Holy Spirit.

Tonight, I began a new Wednesday night sermon series through Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

I had planned on doing another series, on "Total-Life Stewardship." It was very eager to get that study going. But I just could not get a green light to start it. I trust that the Lord will allow me to get to it at another time.

For the meantime, I will be in the Sermon on the Mount for a while. I plan to cover the entire passage. And I do not intend to rush through it. I need to spend this time studying the radical, exacting, and counter-cultural principles of the kingdom that Jesus teaches in Matthew 5-7. My congregation needs these encounter with Jesus, as well.

Please pray for us.

I began tonight with the opening section of the Sermon on the Mount, known as the "Beatitudes" (Matthew 5:3-12). God willing, I will go through each of them individually.

Here is the sermon skeleton from tonight's message:

Title: "Good Credit for the Spiritually Bankrupt"

Text: Matthew 5:3

Sermon Series: "The Sermon on the Mount"

Theme: The blessed paradox of human depravity.

Point: God blesses the poor in spirit.

Outline:

I. What does it mean to be blessed?

A. True blessedness cannot be measured in man-centered terms.

A. It is not about emotional happiness.

B. It is not about favorable circumstances.

C. It is not about material prosperity.

B. True blessedness must be measured in God-centered terms.

II. What does it mean to be poor in spirit?

A. To be poor in spirit is to have a high view of God.

B. To be poor in spirit is to have a low view of self.

1. Spiritual poverty is necessary for salvation.

2. Spiritual poverty is necessary for spiritual growth.

III. What does it mean to have the kingdom of heaven?

A. The kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit exclusively.

B. The kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit presently.

I'd Rather See A Sermon Than Hear One Any Day

This past Sunday, I preached from Philippians 2:16-18. I entitled the message, “How to be a Living Sermon.”

I labeled the sermon based upon a poem that I had read by an anonymous author. But for some reason, I did not have the guts to quote the poem in either of my two sermon presentations Sunday. But, apparently, I do have the guts to publish it here. So here it is:

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.
I’d rather one would walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear.
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear.
The best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds.
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done.
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
The lectures you deliver may be very wise and true.
But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do.
I may not understand the high advice that you may give.
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

And here is the sermon skeleton from Sunday’s sermon:

Title: “How to be a Living Sermon”

Text: Philippians 2:16-18

Theme: An example of humble servanthood

Point: We should live in such a way that our walk matches our talk.

Outline:

I. Live purposefully.

A. To live purposefully requires partnership.

B. To live purposefully requires perspective.

C. To live purposefully requires perseverance.

II. Live sacrificially.

A. We sacrifice by laying down our lives for Christ.

B. We sacrifice by laying down our lives for the church.

III. Live joyfully.

The Gift of Suffering

This past Sunday, I concluded my study of Philippians chapter 1 with a message on verses 29-30, entitled, "The Gift of Suffering." Here is the sermon skeleton:

TITLE: “The Gift of Suffering”

TEXT: Philippians 1:29-30

SERIES: PHILIPPIANS: PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL

THEME: The gift of suffering

POINT: Christian suffering is a gift from God to be embraced and endured with joy.

TRANSITION: Consider with we me three things these two verses teach us about Christian suffering.

OUTLINE:

I. The privilege of Christian suffering (1:29)

A. Belief in Christ is a gift from God: "For it has been granted to you for the sake of Christ not only to believe in him"

B. Suffering for Christ is a gift from God: "but also to suffer for his sake"

II. The purpose of Christian suffering (1:29) - "for the sake of Christ"/"For his sake"

A. Our suffering advances the gospel of Christ

B. Our suffering advances our growth in Christ

III. The proof of Christian suffering (1:30)

A. We are engaged in a spiritual conflict: "engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and hear that I still have"

B. We are engaged in the same conflict: "engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and hear that I still have"

God Is Bigger Than You Think

Last night, I concluded my brief study of the Old Testament book of Jonah with a message on chapter 4, entitled, "God Is Bigger Than You Think."

I have been stretched, challenged, and encouraged by studying Jonah over the past four weeks. And I pray that the saints of SMBC have been enriched and edified through the ministry of the word.

Here is the skeleton from last night's message:

Title: "God Is Bigger Than You Think"

Text: Jonah 4:1-11

Series: Jonah: God Won't Take No For An Answer

Theme: The Sovereign Mercy of God

Point: God is bigger than you think.

Outline:

I. God is bigger than what you think about him (4:1-4).

A. Jonah's angry prayer (vv. 2-3)

B. God's gracious response (v. 4)

II. God is bigger than what you think about yourself (4:5-8).

A. God appointed a plant (V. 6).

B. God appointed a worm (v. 7).

C. God appointed a strong east wind (v. 8)

III. God is bigger than what you think about other people (4:9-11).

A. A word about Jonah's anger (v. 9)

B. A word about Jonah's compassion (v. 10-11)

The Service Driven life

This Sunday, I continued by study of the book of Philippians with a message on chapter 1, verses 22-26. Here is the sermon skeleton:

Philippians 1:22-26 is the final portion of Paul’s report to the Philippians about his personal circumstances and missionary work. In verses 12-18, Paul looks back and remembers what the Lord had done through his life and ministry. In verses 19-26, he looks ahead and anticipates what the Lord will do through his life and ministry. In verse 19-21, Paul speaks about the future with great confidence. Yet his confidence is tempered with uncertainty. In our text, verses 22-26, continues to address matters of life and death with this tension between confidence and uncertainty.

This text is a soliloquy, in which Paul muses over the possibilities of life and death. There are no commands or exhortations in this text. Paul speaks here for himself and about himself. Yet Paul writes this deeply personal letter in an open letter to the church at Philippi.Yet Paul does not write this passage to get some things off his chest. He writes this passage for the sake of the Philippians.

In the next passage, verses 27-30, Paul will exhort the church to live in unity and steadfastness. In chapter 2, Paul will emphasize the attitude of humble servanthood that is required for unity and steadfastness to take place in the church. But in our text, Paul makes this point, not by exhortation, but by testimony.

Title: "The Service Driven Life"

Text: Philippians 1:22-26

Series: Philippians: Partnership in the Gospel

Theme: A Christ-centered life of service to others

Point: Real Christian Service

Outline:

I. The service-driven life is marked by Christian devotion (1:21-22).

A. A devotion in life or death (1:21)

B. A dilemma about life or death (1:22)

II. The service-driven life is marked by Christian desire (1:23).

In verse 23, Paul makes three points about death from a Christian perspective:

A. To die is to depart.

B. To die is to be with Christ.

C. To die is far better.

III. The service-driven life is marked by Christian duty (1:24-26).

A. Our responsibility to serve others (1:24)

B. Our reasons for serving others (1:25-26)

1. The immediate reason (v. 25)

2. The ultimate reason (v. 26)

God Wants To Give You Another Chance

Last night, I continued my exposition of the book of Jonah with a message on the entire third chapter. One more chapter to go.

Here is the skeleton from last night's message:

Title: "God Wants To Give You Another Chance"

Text: Jonah 3:1-10

Theme: The Mercy of God

Point: God wants to give you another chance.

Outline:

I. God wants to give you another chance to change your ways (3:1-4).

II. God wants to give you another chance to change the world (3:5-10).

A. God's word can change the world (vv. 3-4)

B. God's power can change the world (vv. 5-9)

1. The scope of Ninevah's conversion (vv. 5-6)

- The citizens of Nineveh were converted (v. 5)

- The king of Nineveh was converted (v. 6)

2. The seriousness of Nineveh's conversion (vv. 7-8)

3. The source of Nineveh's conversion (v. 9)

C. God's mercy can change the world (v. 10)

We Rejoice in our Sufferings

Here is the sermon skeleton from the sermon I preached this past Sunday morning on Romans 5:3-5.

Title: “We Rejoice In Our Sufferings”

Text: Romans 5:3-5

Theme: The Christian Response to Suffering

Point: We rejoice in our suffering.

Outline:

I. The reality of Christian suffering

There are four major reasons why the Lord allows suffering in the lives of Christians:

A. An act of divine chastisement (Heb. 12:6-11)

B. A platform for God’s glory (John 9:1-4)

C. The result of spiritual warfare (Job)

D. The means of spiritual growth (Romans 5:3-5)

II. The response to Christian suffering

A. We rejoice in our sufferings

B. We rejoice because of what we know

III. The reason for Christian suffering

There are three Christian virtues God produces through our sufferings:

A. Suffering produces endurance

B. Endurance produces character

C. Character produces hope

The Prayer of Jonah

The story of Jonah is recorded in two acts. Jonah 2 is the second scene of the first act. Chapter 1 is the first scene of the first act, in which we see Jonah’s disobedience. In chapter 2, we see Jonah’s deliverance.

Verse 1 tells us that Jonah prayed to the Lord from the belly of the fish. And verse 10 tells us that the Lord commanded the fish to vomit Jonah onto the dry land. But sandwiched in between these two verses is a psalm in which Jonah gives thanks to the Lord for answering his prayer for deliverance. Some challenge the unity of the book of Jonah at this point, questioning how a psalm fits in the middle of a historical narrative. But there is no legitimate reason to question the place of this psalm. From a literary perspective, the place of this psalm may seem odd. But from a spiritual perspective, the place of this psalm is obvious. God the Holy Spirit moved Jonah to place this psalm of thanksgiving here in order to leave on record a word of hope, comfort, and encouragement for every other Jonah: There is nothing you are into that God cannot deliver you out of. God can deliver you!

Here is the sermon skeleton from last night’s message:

Title: “God Can Deliver You”

Text: Jonah 2

Theme: The prayer of Jonah

Point: There is nothing that you are into that God cannot deliver you out of.

Outline:

I. God can deliver you, if you pray (2:1-2).

II. God can deliver you, when there seems to be no hope (2:3-6).

A. God can reach you no matter how for you go (2:3-4).

B. God can reach you no matter how low you sink (2:5-6).

III. God can deliver you, before it’s too late (2:7).

IV. God can deliver you, but you must trust him alone (2:8-9).

IV. God can deliver you, because he is in charge of everything (2:10).

Conclusion: If God can speak to a fish and make it obey him, can he not speak to your situation and deliver you?

True Deliverance

I am being greatly challenged by the study of Philippians. And it has been very convicting to preach the radical ideals of the Apostle Paul. Actually, Paul's thoughts here are not radical. They are Christian! However, many of us who follow Christ today (including and especially me) are so spoiled by the blessings of God that we do not really know what it means to live radically for the Lord Jesus Christ.

I praise God for all that I am learning in my studies. And I pray that congregation of SMBC is also being edified as we study "the Epistle of Joy."

Here is the sermon skeleton from Sunday's message:

Title: "True Deliverance"

Text: Philippians 1:19-21

Series: Philippians: Partnership in the Gospel

Theme: Rejoicing in Christ in the midst of life's uncertainties

Point: True deliverance is the ability to rejoice in spite of life's uncertainties, trusting that the Lord will cause your situation to work out for your good.

Outline:

I. The assurance of true deliverance (1:19)

A. The prayers of the saints: "through your prayers" (v. 19a)

B. The help of the Spirit: "the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ" (v. 19b)

II. The ambition of true deliverance (1:20)

A. May I never let Christ down: "as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed" (v. 20a)

B. May I always lift Christ up: "but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death" (v. 20b)

1. How? "with full courage"

2. When? "now as always"

3. Where? "in my body"

III. The advantage of true deliverance (1:21)

A. Christ is all in life: "For to me to live is Christ" (v. 21a)

B. Christ is all in death: "and to die is gain" (v. 21b)

Facing Friendly Fire

I am having a ball preaching through Philippians!

I am still in Paul's missionary report to the church, where he discusses the advancement of the gospel. In verses 14-18, Paul describes how God worked through his difficult circumstances to advance the gospel. Now, in verse 15-18, Paul describes how God worked through his ministerial opposition to advance the gospel.

Some parents were not satisfied with the explanation they were given about their son's death in the Vietnam War. They continued to ask questions and demand answers, until the found out the truth. Their son was not killed by the enemy. Rather, he was accidentally killed by the artillery of a fellow-soldier. They called it "friendly fire." Unfortunately, it happens in the church, as well.

The matter that Paul discusses in this text was not doctrinal or moral. It seems to have been a purely personal issue that caused the church at Rome to divide into two camps: pro-Paul and anti-Paul. But Paul responds by concluding that all that matters is what they say about Christ. What they say about him is secondary.

Here is the sermon skeleton of the message:

Title: "Facing Friendly Fire"

Text: Philippians 1:15-18

Sermon Series: Philippians: Partnership in the Gospel

Theme: A Christ-centered response to interpersonal conflict

Point: There is joy in Christ that transcends how other people treat you.

Outline:

I. The humanity of the church's members (1:15)

A. The problem of sin in the church: "Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry" (v. 15a)

B. The power of sanctification in the church: "but others from goodwill" (v. 15b)

II. The motivation of the church's ministers (1:16-17)

A. God uses people whose motives are right: "The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel" (v. 16)

B. God uses people whose motives are wrong: "The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment" (v. 17)

III. The priority of the church's message (1:18)

A. How should I respond when I am mistreated? "What then?" (v. 18a)

B. How should I respond when Christ is magnified "Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice" (v. 18b)

What Happens to What Happens to You

This Sunday, I continued my exposition of Philippians. I preached from the beginning of the main body, verses 12-14. Here is the sermon skeleton from Sunday's message:

Title: "What Happens to What Happens to You"

Text: Philippians 1:12-14

Sermon Series: Philippians: Partnership in the Gospel

Theme: The overruling providence of God

Point: God is in control of everything that happens in your life.

Transitional Sentence: Look beyond what happens to you and trust that God rules over and works through the circumstances of life.

Outline:

I. God reigns over the circumstances of life (1:12)

A. God's sovereign providence overrules what happens to you (v. 12a)

B. God's eternal purpose overrules what happens to you (v. 12b)

II. God works through the circumstances of life (1:13-14)

A. God can use your circumstances to influence unbelievers (v. 13)

B. God can use your circumstances to influence other believers (v. 14)

Praying for God's Best

This past Sunday, I continued my exposition on the book of Philippians with a message on the prayer report of Paul recorded in Philippians 1:9-11.

Here is the sermon skeleton.

TITLE: Praying for God’s Best

TEXT: Philippians 1:9-11

SERMON SERIES: PHILIPPIANS: PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL

THEME: A prayer for spiritual growth and maturity

POINT: Pray for God’s best. (God accomplishes his best with our partnership through believing prayer.)

TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE: Philippians 1:9-11 teaches us three ways to pray for God’s best.

OUTLINE:

I.    Pray that love may abound (1:9)

     A.    True love goes beyond the boundaries: "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more"
 
     B.    True love stays within the boundaries: "with knowledge and all discernment"

        1.    Love should be governed by knowledge.

        2.    Love should be governed by discernment.

II.    Pray that excellence may prevail (1:10)

    A.    God wants you to know what is best: "so that you may approve what is excellent"

    B.    God wants you to do what is best: "and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ"

        1.    Live with sincerity

        2.    Live with integrity

III.    Pray that fruit may grow (1:11)

    A.    The priority of the fruitful life: "filled with the fruit of righteousness"

    B.    The power of the fruitful life: "that comes through Jesus Christ"

    C.    The purpose of the fruitful life "to the glory and praise of God"

       1. We are to exalt the majesty of who God is: "glory"

       2. We are to exalt the power of what God has done: "praise"

The Perseverance of the Saints

I preached on the perseverance of the saints (eternal security) this past Sunday from Philippians 1:6. Here is the sermon skeleton.

SERMON: “The Perseverance of the Saints”

TEXT: Philippians 1:6

SERMON SERIES: PHILIPPIANS: PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL

THEME: The perseverance of the saints

POINT: The perseverance of the saints is enabled by the preservation of the saints by God.

TRANSITION SENTENCE: Philippians 1:6 highlights two sovereign acts of God that guarantee the perseverance of the saints.

OUTLINE:

I.    God has begun a good work in you.

     A.    It is a work of God.
 
     B.    It is a good work.

     C.    It is only the beginning.

II.    God will finish what he has started in you.

     A.    We have divine assurance in Christ.
 
     B.    We have eternal security in Christ.

     C.    We have great confidence in Christ.

What a Fellowship!

Here is the sermon skeleton from my message yesterday.

Title: "What a Fellowship!"

Text: Philippians 1:1-2

Sermon Series: Philippians: Partnership in the Gospel

Point: True Christianity binds believers to Christ and to one another.

Theme: The relational elements of a healthy church

Outline:

I. A healthy church is marked by servant leadership (1:1a).

    Paul teaches a lesson about servant leadership through...

    A. The omission he makes: He does not identify himself as an "Apostle"

    B. The association he shares: and Timothy

    C. The designation he embraces: servants of Christ Jesus

II. A healthy church is marked by a consecrated membership (1:b-c)

    What it means to be a saint is seen in...

    A. Our relationship to Jesus Christ: saints in Christ Jesus

    B. Our relationship to the world around us: at Philippi

    C. Our relationship to godly leadership: with the overseers and deacons

       1. Overseers serve by leading

       2. Deacons lead by serving

III. A healthy church is marked by true fellowship (1:2)

    A. The basis of true fellowship: grace

    B. The result of true fellowship: peace
   
    C. The source of true fellowship: from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Breaking Free from the Chokehold of Anxiety

Sunday, I took a shot at our temptation to worry. I preached from one of my favorite sections of scripture - the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7). My pastoral burden was to challenge and encourage my congregation to trust God and stop worrying.

Here is the sermon skeleton:

Title: ""What Are You Worrying About?"

Text: Matthew 6:25-34

Theme: Overcoming Worry through Faith in God

Point: In order to be a full-devoted follower of Jesus Christ, you must overcome the sinful tendency to worry about the needs in your life.

Outline:

I. Do not worry about the needs in your life (6:25-30).

    A. Do not worry about what you will eat (vv. 26)

    B. Do not worry about how long you are going to live (v. 27)

    C. Do not worry about what you are going to wear (vv. 28-30)

II. Learn to worry about the things that matter the most (6:31-33).

    A. People who do not know God seek after things (v. 32).

    B. People who know God seek God (v. 33).

III. Wait to worry about tomorrow (6:34).