Trusting God: Fasting, Treasures, and Overcoming Anxiety
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, we delve into the teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, specifically focusing on fasting, treasure, and anxiety. Jesus' teachings, though directed at a first-century audience, are profoundly relevant to us today. He challenges the misuse of Jewish piety and warns against the worship of material things, which were prevalent among the Gentiles of His time.
Starting with fasting, Jesus addresses it similarly to how He previously discussed giving to the needy and prayer. He assumes His disciples will fast, a practice that has been part of Christian tradition for 2,000 years. However, He rebukes the hypocritical fasting of the religious leaders of His day, who disfigure their faces to show their suffering. True fasting, as Jesus teaches, should be done in secret, with joy and normalcy, not for show. Fasting in the Old Testament was often associated with confession, mourning, and preparation for significant events. It was also a means to care for the needy, as seen in Isaiah 58.
Moving on to treasure, Jesus warns against laying up treasures on earth, which are subject to decay and theft. Instead, He encourages us to store treasures in heaven, where they are eternal. Our material possessions reveal the true treasure of our hearts. Jesus emphasizes that we cannot serve both God and money; we must choose our master. He uses the example of the ants in Proverbs, who wisely prepare for the future, to illustrate the futility of hoarding earthly wealth.
Finally, we address anxiety. We live in an anxious age, constantly feeling behind and overwhelmed by the world's calamities. Jesus offers a beautiful prescription for our anxiety in Matthew 6:25-34. He tells us not to worry about our lives, what we will eat or wear, because our Heavenly Father knows our needs. Jesus uses nature to illustrate God's care for us, pointing to the birds and lilies, which are provided for without worry. He assures us that we are of much more value than these and that worrying cannot add a single hour to our lives.
Jesus' teaching on anxiety is not just about stopping the feeling but about redirecting our focus. He calls us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that all our needs will be met. This non-anxious way of living can be a powerful testimony in our anxious world. Jesus acknowledges that some anxieties are due to chemical imbalances or spiritual attacks, but He also points out that some anxieties stem from a lack of trust in God's provision.
In conclusion, Jesus' teachings on fasting, treasure, and anxiety are deeply interconnected. They all point to the condition of our hearts and our need to trust in God's provision and care. As we practice these teachings, we grow in our relationship with God and become a testimony to His faithfulness in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Fasting as a Spiritual Discipline:
Fasting is an ancient practice that Jesus assumes His disciples will continue. It is not about showing off our spirituality but about deepening our relationship with God. True fasting involves joy and normalcy, not public displays of suffering. It is a time for confession, mourning, and preparation for significant events, as well as caring for the needy. [28:46]
2. The Folly of Earthly Treasures:
Jesus warns against storing up treasures on earth, which are temporary and subject to decay and theft. Instead, we should store treasures in heaven, which are eternal. Our material possessions reveal the true treasure of our hearts. We cannot serve both God and money; we must choose our master. [44:29]
3. Jesus' Prescription for Anxiety:
In an age of overwhelming anxiety, Jesus offers a beautiful prescription: do not worry about your life, what you will eat or wear. Our Heavenly Father knows our needs and will provide for us. Jesus uses nature to illustrate God's care, pointing to the birds and lilies, which are provided for without worry. We are of much more value than these. [52:06]
4. Seeking First the Kingdom of God:
Jesus calls us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that all our needs will be met. This non-anxious way of living can be a powerful testimony in our anxious world. Jesus acknowledges that some anxieties are due to chemical imbalances or spiritual attacks, but He also points out that some anxieties stem from a lack of trust in God's provision. [55:11]
5. The Interconnectedness of Jesus' Teachings:
Jesus' teachings on fasting, treasure, and anxiety are deeply interconnected. They all point to the condition of our hearts and our need to trust in God's provision and care. As we practice these teachings, we grow in our relationship with God and become a testimony to His faithfulness in our lives. [01:01:25]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [24:54] - Introduction: The Temptation of Materialism
3. [28:46] - Fasting: True Spiritual Discipline
4. [39:04] - The Purpose and Practice of Fasting
5. [43:05] - Treasure: Earthly vs. Heavenly
6. [44:29] - The Folly of Earthly Treasures
7. [52:06] - Addressing Anxiety in Our Lives
8. [55:11] - Seeking First the Kingdom of God
9. [01:01:25] - The Interconnectedness of Jesus' Teachings
10. [01:11:34] - Benediction and Sending Out
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:16-18 - "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
2. Matthew 6:19-24 - "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
3. Matthew 6:25-34 - "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus say about the way we should fast in Matthew 6:16-18? How does this contrast with the behavior of the hypocrites? ([29:44])
2. According to Matthew 6:19-21, what are the differences between treasures on earth and treasures in heaven? ([43:05])
3. In Matthew 6:25-34, what examples from nature does Jesus use to illustrate God's care for us? ([53:52])
4. What does Jesus mean when He says, "You cannot serve God and money" in Matthew 6:24? ([45:52])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of fasting in secret and with joy? How does this practice deepen our relationship with God? ([29:44])
2. How do our material possessions reveal the true treasure of our hearts, according to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-24? ([45:52])
3. What does Jesus' teaching on anxiety in Matthew 6:25-34 suggest about our trust in God's provision? How does this teaching challenge our modern-day worries? ([53:52])
4. How can seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness help us live a non-anxious life? ([55:11])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own practice of fasting. How can you incorporate the principles Jesus teaches about fasting in secret and with joy into your spiritual discipline? ([29:44])
2. Consider your material possessions. What steps can you take to ensure that you are storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth? ([45:52])
3. Identify a specific area of your life where you struggle with anxiety. How can you apply Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:25-34 to trust more in God's provision? ([53:52])
4. Think about a recent time when you felt overwhelmed by worry. How can you redirect your focus to seek first the Kingdom of God in similar situations? ([55:11])
5. Jesus acknowledges that some anxieties stem from a lack of trust in God's provision. How can you grow in your trust in God, especially in areas where you feel most anxious? ([55:11])
6. How can you use the practice of fasting to care for the needy in your community, as suggested by Isaiah 58? ([32:28])
7. In what ways can living a non-anxious life serve as a powerful testimony to those around you? How can you cultivate this non-anxious presence in your daily interactions? ([58:09])
Devotional
Day 1: Fasting with Joy and Normalcy
Fasting is an ancient spiritual discipline that Jesus assumes His disciples will continue. It is not about showing off our spirituality but about deepening our relationship with God. True fasting involves joy and normalcy, not public displays of suffering. In the Old Testament, fasting was often associated with confession, mourning, and preparation for significant events. It was also a means to care for the needy, as seen in Isaiah 58. Jesus rebukes the hypocritical fasting of the religious leaders of His day, who disfigure their faces to show their suffering. Instead, He teaches that fasting should be done in secret, with a joyful heart, focusing on God rather than seeking the approval of others. [28:46]
Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
Reflection: How can you incorporate fasting into your spiritual practice in a way that deepens your relationship with God and remains a private act of devotion?
Day 2: The Folly of Earthly Treasures
Jesus warns against storing up treasures on earth, which are temporary and subject to decay and theft. Instead, we should store treasures in heaven, which are eternal. Our material possessions reveal the true treasure of our hearts. Jesus emphasizes that we cannot serve both God and money; we must choose our master. He uses the example of the ants in Proverbs, who wisely prepare for the future, to illustrate the futility of hoarding earthly wealth. By focusing on heavenly treasures, we align our hearts with God's eternal purposes and find true fulfillment. [44:29]
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: What are some earthly treasures you find yourself holding onto? How can you begin to shift your focus towards storing up treasures in heaven?
Day 3: Jesus' Prescription for Anxiety
In an age of overwhelming anxiety, Jesus offers a beautiful prescription: do not worry about your life, what you will eat or wear. Our Heavenly Father knows our needs and will provide for us. Jesus uses nature to illustrate God's care, pointing to the birds and lilies, which are provided for without worry. We are of much more value than these. Jesus assures us that worrying cannot add a single hour to our lives. Instead of being consumed by anxiety, we are called to trust in God's provision and care, knowing that He values us deeply and will meet our needs. [52:06]
Matthew 6:25-27 (ESV): "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"
Reflection: What specific worries are you holding onto today? How can you release them to God and trust in His provision?
Day 4: Seeking First the Kingdom of God
Jesus calls us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that all our needs will be met. This non-anxious way of living can be a powerful testimony in our anxious world. Jesus acknowledges that some anxieties are due to chemical imbalances or spiritual attacks, but He also points out that some anxieties stem from a lack of trust in God's provision. By prioritizing God's Kingdom and righteousness, we align our lives with His purposes and experience His peace and provision. This shift in focus helps us live out our faith in a way that impacts those around us. [55:11]
Matthew 6:33-34 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Reflection: What does seeking first the Kingdom of God look like in your daily life? How can you make this a priority today?
Day 5: The Interconnectedness of Jesus' Teachings
Jesus' teachings on fasting, treasure, and anxiety are deeply interconnected. They all point to the condition of our hearts and our need to trust in God's provision and care. As we practice these teachings, we grow in our relationship with God and become a testimony to His faithfulness in our lives. Fasting helps us focus on God, storing up heavenly treasures aligns our hearts with His purposes, and trusting in His provision frees us from anxiety. Together, these practices cultivate a heart that is fully devoted to God and His Kingdom. [01:01:25]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: How can you integrate the teachings on fasting, treasure, and anxiety into your daily walk with God? What steps can you take to grow in trust and devotion to Him?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Friends, we live in an anxious age, don't we? Just by a show of hands. Who here feels behind? We all do, right? Whether it's the stuff that has to be done at our house, whether it's how we view our families or our romantic relationships, whether it's how we view our long-term wealth, whether it's how we view our Christian maturity, whether it's how we view anything in life. We all feel so behind. I think all generations feel this. Why do we always feel so behind? Well, we live in an anxious age in which we always are trying to catch up." [52:06]
2. "We have a mental health crisis in our country. We have a depression crisis, an anxiety crisis, a suicide crisis that is happening in our nation. We have more leisure and more creature comforts than any other generation before us. So even though our leisure time has exponentially increased and our creature comforts have exponentially increased, our anxiety has exponentially increased. And the irony is no one's asking the question, how can a society that is increasingly not looking for God, or relationship with Jesus, that same society is also increasingly vastly anxious. And no one's asking the question if that's a coincidence or not." [53:52]
3. "Maybe one of our most effective tools of evangelism in the 21st century is a non-anxious life in a world where everyone is losing their minds. Seriously. And so Jesus is not saying here that we'll never worry. There are some things to properly worry about. But Jesus is saying here, my disciples don't worry about the same things as non-Jesus followers. See these pagans? See these Gentiles over here? They're so worried about what they're going to eat and what they're going to wear. And what tomorrow holds? He says, my disciples, I'm not going to operate that way. We're going to worry about different things, more important things." [59:48]
4. "The irony is no one's asking the question, how can a society that is increasingly not looking for God, or relationship with Jesus, that same society is also increasingly vastly anxious. And no one's asking the question if that's a coincidence or not. But here's the beautiful thing about Jesus, is that he gives us a beautiful prescription for our anxiety. And he has some wonderful commands for us to rest in him, in the light yoke that he offers us." [53:52]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Jesus is addressing fasting in the same way he just previously addressed giving to the needy in prayer. He names an association. He assumes two things. One, that his disciples will fast. This is an assumption. And in modern church, we have often neglected the ancient practice of fasting. But Christians have been doing this. Followers of Jesus have been doing this for 2,000 years. So Jesus assumes, my disciples will fast. Two, that there is a distortion of the practice being taught by the religious leaders of Jesus' day." [29:44]
2. "Jesus is warning us here that any kind of material wealth or possessions that become the ultimate treasures of our heart, we are then putting our trust and our love in the wrong thing. And Jesus doesn't want us to focus on building treasure on earth for a couple different reasons. One, it's foolish because there's nothing you can gain in this world that won't be subject to what? Moth and rust and thieves. It will deteriorate. It will eventually break down, or someone will steal it eventually. And so there's nothing we can hold on to." [44:29]
3. "Jesus is not saying, love your material possessions a little less, and then you'll be a little bit better Christians. Jesus is not interested at any point in marginal behavior modifications, that we would just dress ourselves up a little bit. Can we make a pact? Can we just agree to that forever here at New City Church, that Jesus is not interested in marginal behavior modifications? He is not interested in self-help. We can agree to that? Cool. I'm going to hold you to that. You hold me to that. He just isn't. He wants the entirety of your heart, and he wants nothing less." [50:25]
4. "Jesus is providing a classic rabbinical and wisdom argument here. He's moving from lesser to greater. He's saying, look at the birds, look at the lilies, look at the grass of the field. If he takes care of these things with intimate care, how much more? Those of you who are walking us by the hand through all the anxious moments of our lives. Lord, today and beyond, would we feel your warmth? Would we feel your patience? Would we feel your love tangibly?" [58:09]
5. "Fasting doesn't make us have some kind of leverage over God. It's not a, Lord, don't you see me? I skipped three meals today. You better answer this. It doesn't indebt God to us. He doesn't owe us anything if we fast. It also doesn't make you more obedient. Fasting doesn't necessarily mean you're just going to wake up the next day and it's all going to be rainbows and butterflies and you're just instantly going to be like 20 years more sanctified because you fasted for a day. It doesn't work like that." [39:04]
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