Trusting God: Fasting, Treasures, and Overcoming Worry
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to Canyon Creek! Today, we delve into the profound wisdom found in Romans 11:33-36, which speaks of the depth of God's riches, wisdom, and knowledge. We are reminded that everything comes from Him, exists through Him, and is destined to return to Him. This sets the stage for our exploration of Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on fasting, money, and worry.
Fasting, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:16-18, is not just a religious ritual but a means to draw closer to God. It helps us conquer sin, seek wisdom, and develop self-control. Jesus emphasizes that fasting should be done with the right motives, not for public display but in secret, where God sees and rewards.
Next, we examine Jesus' teachings on money and possessions in Matthew 6:19-24. Jesus warns against storing up earthly treasures that can be destroyed or stolen. Instead, we should store up treasures in heaven. He highlights the danger of serving two masters, stating that we cannot serve both God and money. This teaching is particularly relevant in our social media-driven culture, where the temptation to accumulate wealth and possessions is ever-present.
Finally, we address the issue of worry and anxiety, as Jesus does in Matthew 6:25-34. Jesus teaches us to focus on eternal things rather than temporary ones. He assures us that God, who takes care of the birds and flowers, will surely take care of us. Worry, Jesus explains, is unproductive and rooted in a lack of trust in God. Instead, we should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all our needs will be provided.
### Key Takeaways
1. Fasting as a Spiritual Discipline: Fasting is more than abstaining from food; it's a spiritual discipline that helps us focus on God. It can aid in conquering sin, seeking wisdom, and developing self-control. Jesus expects His followers to fast, but with the right motives, not for public display but in secret, where God sees and rewards. [31:02]
2. The Danger of Earthly Treasures: Jesus warns against storing up earthly treasures that can be destroyed or stolen. Instead, we should store up treasures in heaven. Earthly possessions are temporary and can distract us from our relationship with God. True satisfaction and security come from God alone, not from material wealth. [36:31]
3. The Illusion of Control: When we focus too much on money and possessions, we create a self-reliance orbit, believing we are in control. This opens the door to worry and anxiety. Jesus teaches us to trust in God's provision and to focus on eternal things, which can deliver us from worry. [43:35]
4. God's Providence and Our Value: Jesus assures us that God, who takes care of the birds and flowers, will surely take care of us. We are His prized possession, made in His image, and co-heirs with Christ. This understanding should alleviate our worries and help us trust in God's provision. [48:24]
5. Living in God's Grace for Today: Jesus teaches us to focus on God's grace for today, as each day has enough trouble of its own. Worrying about tomorrow robs us of today's peace. God's mercies are new every morning, and He provides enough grace for each day. Trusting in this daily grace is key to overcoming worry. [53:23]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[11:33] - Connect Card and Announcements
[12:03] - Scripture Reading: Romans 11:33-36
[12:31] - Opening Prayer
[27:12] - Baptism Celebration
[29:03] - Introduction to Sermon on the Mount
[29:36] - Fasting: A Spiritual Discipline
[31:02] - Right Motives in Fasting
[32:26] - Personal Anecdote on Fasting
[33:45] - Fasting Beyond Food
[35:12] - Money and Possessions
[36:31] - Earthly vs. Heavenly Treasures
[37:59] - The TSA Line Analogy
[39:12] - The Temporary Nature of Earthly Possessions
[40:39] - Identifying Your Treasure
[42:09] - Spiritual Blindness and Generosity
[43:35] - Trusting in God's Provision
[45:21] - The Cure for Anxiety
[46:51] - Focusing on Eternal Things
[48:24] - God's Providence and Our Value
[49:55] - God's Promise to Provide
[51:42] - The Unproductiveness of Worry
[53:23] - Living in God's Grace for Today
[55:08] - God's Mercies Are New Every Morning
[56:40] - Closing Prayer
[58:00] - Invitation to Trust in Jesus
[59:21] - Closing Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 11:33-36: "Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God. How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways. For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? And who has ever given to God that he should be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen."
2. Matthew 6:16-18: "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
3. Matthew 6:19-34: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, 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. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that 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, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 11:33-36 say about the nature of God's wisdom and knowledge?
2. According to Matthew 6:16-18, what are the correct and incorrect ways to fast?
3. In Matthew 6:19-24, what does Jesus say about storing up treasures on earth versus treasures in heaven?
4. How does Jesus describe the relationship between worry and trust in God in Matthew 6:25-34? [45:21]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of fasting in secret rather than for public display? [31:02]
2. How can the pursuit of earthly treasures lead to spiritual blindness, according to Jesus' teachings in Matthew 6:19-24? [35:12]
3. What does Jesus mean when he says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"? How does this relate to our daily lives? [40:39]
4. How does Jesus' teaching on God's provision for the birds and flowers help us understand our value to God? [48:24]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own practices of fasting. Are there ways you can ensure your motives align with Jesus' teachings on fasting in secret? [31:02]
2. Consider your current financial priorities. Are there areas where you might be storing up earthly treasures instead of heavenly ones? How can you shift your focus? [36:31]
3. Identify a specific worry or anxiety you are currently facing. How can you apply Jesus' teaching to seek first the kingdom of God in this situation? [45:21]
4. Think about a time when you felt God's provision in your life. How can remembering this help you trust Him more in your current circumstances? [48:24]
5. What are some practical steps you can take to focus on God's grace for today, rather than worrying about tomorrow? [53:23]
6. Is there something in your life that you recognize as a "treasure" that might be distracting you from your relationship with God? How can you address this? [40:39]
7. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude for God's daily mercies and provisions, as described in Lamentations 3:22-23? [55:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Fasting as a Path to Spiritual Depth
Fasting is more than abstaining from food; it's a spiritual discipline that helps us focus on God. It can aid in conquering sin, seeking wisdom, and developing self-control. Jesus expects His followers to fast, but with the right motives, not for public display but in secret, where God sees and rewards. Fasting is a way to draw closer to God, to seek His guidance, and to develop a deeper relationship with Him. It is a practice that helps us to deny our flesh and focus on our spiritual growth. Jesus' teaching on fasting in Matthew 6:16-18 emphasizes the importance of doing it with the right heart and intention, not for the approval of others but for a genuine connection with God. [31:02]
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: Think about a specific area in your life where you need God's guidance or breakthrough. How can you incorporate fasting into your spiritual practice to seek His wisdom and strength in this area?
Day 2: The Danger of Earthly Treasures
Jesus warns against storing up earthly treasures that can be destroyed or stolen. Instead, we should store up treasures in heaven. Earthly possessions are temporary and can distract us from our relationship with God. True satisfaction and security come from God alone, not from material wealth. In a world driven by consumerism and social media, the temptation to accumulate wealth and possessions is strong. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-24 reminds us to focus on what is eternal and to invest in our spiritual lives rather than in material things. [36:31]
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV): As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Reflection: Identify one material possession or financial goal that has been consuming your thoughts and energy. How can you shift your focus from this earthly treasure to storing up treasures in heaven?
Day 3: The Illusion of Control
When we focus too much on money and possessions, we create a self-reliance orbit, believing we are in control. This opens the door to worry and anxiety. Jesus teaches us to trust in God's provision and to focus on eternal things, which can deliver us from worry. The pursuit of wealth and material success can lead us to believe that we are in control of our lives, but this is an illusion. True peace and security come from trusting in God's provision and focusing on His eternal promises. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:25-34 encourages us to let go of our worries and to seek first the kingdom of God. [43:35]
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: Reflect on an area of your life where you have been trying to maintain control. How can you surrender this area to God and trust in His provision?
Day 4: God's Providence and Our Value
Jesus assures us that God, who takes care of the birds and flowers, will surely take care of us. We are His prized possession, made in His image, and co-heirs with Christ. This understanding should alleviate our worries and help us trust in God's provision. Knowing that we are valued by God and that He cares for us deeply can bring great comfort and peace. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:25-34 reminds us of our worth in God's eyes and His promise to provide for our needs. [48:24]
Psalm 8:3-4 (ESV): When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
Reflection: Consider how you view your own worth and value. How does knowing that you are God's prized possession change the way you approach your worries and anxieties?
Day 5: Living in God's Grace for Today
Jesus teaches us to focus on God's grace for today, as each day has enough trouble of its own. Worrying about tomorrow robs us of today's peace. God's mercies are new every morning, and He provides enough grace for each day. Trusting in this daily grace is key to overcoming worry. By focusing on the present and relying on God's daily provision, we can experience His peace and grace in our lives. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:34 encourages us to live in the moment and to trust in God's faithfulness. [53:23]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Reflection: Think about a specific worry or concern you have about the future. How can you shift your focus to trust in God's grace and provision for today?
Quotes
1. "Fasting is essentially giving up something important for a period of time so that we can focus our thoughts and our attention on God. And fasting is good for a lot of reasons. It can help us to conquer sin and temptation. It can help us to seek wisdom and revelation from God. It can help us to seek God's help when we're in a desperate situation. Fasting can help us as we mourn over our sin or a difficult loss or the brokenness in our lives." [31:02] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There are a lot of things vying for our attention. And our affection. There are a lot of things vying for our devotion. There are a lot of things that are distracting us, that are holding us back. And when we lay those things down for a given period of time, we can fix our attention back on God where it belongs. Fasting assures that the main thing remains the main thing. And we find ourselves consumed with worry and anxiety. And when that happens, fasting is great, because it grounds us, and it realigns us, and it reorients our attention and our devotion." [33:45] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Temporary things will never satisfy the eternal longings of your heart. That's why Jesus said, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty again. He satisfies the longing soul. The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied. Those who seek him shall praise the Lord, for in his presence there is what? Fullness of joy. This is great news." [40:39] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So often we trust that our wealth, our possessions, is going to take care of us when something goes wrong, or when a storm of life comes. We trust in that wealth. We trust in those possessions. We trust in what we've accumulated, and we focus all of our attention on those things, and we take our attention off of God. We also tend to believe that our treasure will satisfy our hearts. And the world tries to prove that to us in every way possible. Hey, you just need this thing. Then you'll be happy, right?" [39:12] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Think about this. The birds, they're not made in the image of God. We are his prized possession. The birds, they're not sons and daughters of God. They're not co-heirs with Christ, but God still takes care of them. So how much more will he not make sure you and I are taken care of too? Now, let me be very clear. God does not promise us our wants. I know that there are a lot of things that you want. There are a lot of things that I want. And here's what happens. We worry about the things we want." [49:55] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Worry, it doesn't protect us from tomorrow's problems. It robs us of today's peace. And I believe the way to overcome worry is to live in today, to take advantage of the fact that God has given you enough grace for today. So don't worry about tomorrow because God's mercies, they're going to be new in the morning. There's going to be more grace for tomorrow. So let's just focus on the grace that God has given us for today." [55:08] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Jesus is teaching us that we must pursue the promises of a God that never fails. There are over 3,000 of these promises in all of scripture. And I believe that this verse, verse 33, holds one of the greatest. Jesus is promising us when, God's kingdom is your focus. You're going to have everything you need, which can ultimately deliver us from worry and fear and anxiety. See, what you worry about exposes what you're seeking. And what should we seek? Jesus says, seek first the kingdom of God." [51:42] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "So we need to ask ourselves a few questions, and these questions will help us to search our hearts and discern what we treasure. The first question is this, what occupies my thoughts when I have nothing else to do? Okay, when you first wake up in the morning, when you're back in bed at night, where is your mind going? What are these thoughts about? I would argue that's where your treasure is. And the second question is this, what do I know I won't be happy without?" [42:09] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So let's recap this section in its entirety. Focus on how we look or how we sound when we pray, when we give, or when we fast. Or if we're too concerned with money and material possessions, we create this self-reliance orbit where we start to believe that it's all about us. I'm in control here. And when we do that, we open up the door to worry and anxiety. Let's see what Jesus has to say about that. Verse 25. This section, by the way, in my Bible is titled, The Cure for Anxiety." [45:21] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Worry negatively affects us, and whether we like it or not, worry is ultimately rooted in a lack of trust in God. The difference between worry and concern is the why behind them. Notice what Jesus says right off the bat in verse 25. He says, therefore, I tell you, don't worry about your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is it life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" [46:51] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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