Trusting God: Overcoming Worry and Embracing Value

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through Formation

Description: The journey of faith is often a gradual process marked by small, incremental changes that make us more Christ-like. This transformation involves reflecting on our past actions and striving to respond better in the present, guided by the Holy Spirit. True transformation is a lifelong journey that requires intentionality and commitment. As we look back at our past, we can see how God has been working in our lives, shaping us into the people He wants us to be. This process is not always easy, but it is essential for our spiritual growth and maturity. [01:11]

Bible Passage: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: Think about a specific area in your life where you have seen growth over the past year. How can you continue to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in this area?

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Day 2: Intrinsic Value and Identity

Description: Understanding that we are created in the image of God gives us intrinsic value and purpose. This knowledge should shape how we view ourselves and others, recognizing that every person has inherent worth. Our value is not based on our achievements or possessions but on our identity as God's creation. This understanding can transform our relationships and how we interact with the world around us. It reminds us that every person we encounter is valuable and worthy of love and respect. [14:59]

Bible Passage: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on how you view yourself and others. Are there any areas where you struggle to see your own worth or the worth of others? How can you remind yourself of your intrinsic value in God's eyes today?

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Day 3: Trust in God's Provision

Description: Jesus teaches us not to worry about our basic needs because God, who cares for the birds and flowers, will surely care for us. This trust in God's provision allows us to live in the present, free from anxiety about the future. It challenges us to shift our focus from material concerns to spiritual priorities. By trusting in God's provision, we can experience peace and contentment, knowing that He will meet our needs. This trust is not passive but active, requiring us to seek God's Kingdom and His righteousness first. [07:53]

Bible Passage: "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?" (Matthew 6:25, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one specific worry you have about your future. How can you actively trust God with this concern today and shift your focus to seeking His Kingdom?

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Day 4: Seek First the Kingdom

Description: Prioritizing the Kingdom of God and His righteousness means aligning our lives with God's values and purposes. When we seek God's Kingdom first, we trust that He will provide for our needs. This requires a shift in perspective, from self-reliance to dependence on God. Seeking the Kingdom involves daily choices and actions that reflect our commitment to God's will. It means putting God's priorities above our own and trusting that He will take care of the rest. [20:44]

Bible Passage: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to prioritize God's Kingdom over your own desires? What practical steps can you take today to align this area with God's values?

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Day 5: Living in the Present

Description: Jesus encourages us to take life one day at a time, focusing on today's challenges rather than worrying about the future. This approach helps us to remain grounded and trust in God's daily provision. It also allows us to be more present and engaged in our current circumstances, fostering a deeper sense of peace and contentment. By living in the present, we can fully experience God's grace and provision for each day, without being burdened by the uncertainties of tomorrow. [21:48]

Bible Passage: "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:34, ESV)

Reflection: Think about your daily routine. How can you be more present and engaged in your current circumstances today? What steps can you take to trust God with your future worries?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound teachings of Jesus on worry, as found in Matthew 6:25-34. We began by acknowledging that while some people experience dramatic transformations upon coming to faith, most of us undergo a gradual process of becoming more Christ-like. This journey involves looking back at our past actions and striving to improve how we respond in the present. The focus of our discussion was on the concept of worry and how it affects our lives. Jesus instructs us not to worry about our basic needs—food, drink, and clothing—because life is more than these things. He uses the example of birds and flowers to illustrate God's provision and care, emphasizing that we are much more valuable than these.

We also touched on the importance of understanding our intrinsic value as human beings created in the image of God. This understanding should shape how we view ourselves and others, recognizing that every person has inherent worth. Jesus challenges us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that all our needs will be met if we do so. This teaching encourages us to live in the present, trusting God for our daily needs and not being consumed by worries about the future.

We concluded by reflecting on the story behind the hymn "His Eye is on the Sparrow," which beautifully encapsulates the faith and hope we should have in God's care for us. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of Jesus' sacrifice and the hope it brings, even in the midst of our worries and anxieties. The call to action is to observe the natural world, take a deep breath, and trust in God's provision and care.

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Key Takeaways

1. like. This process involves reflecting on our past actions and striving to respond better in the present, guided by the Holy Spirit. True transformation is a lifelong journey that requires intentionality and commitment. [01:11]
2. Intrinsic Value and Identity: Understanding that we are created in the image of God gives us intrinsic value and purpose. This knowledge should shape how we view ourselves and others, recognizing that every person has inherent worth. Our value is not based on our achievements or possessions but on our identity as God's creation.

3. Trust in God's Provision: Jesus teaches us not to worry about our basic needs because God, who cares for the birds and flowers, will surely care for us. This trust in God's provision allows us to live in the present, free from anxiety about the future. It challenges us to shift our focus from material concerns to spiritual priorities.

4. Seek First the Kingdom: Prioritizing the Kingdom of God and His righteousness means aligning our lives with God's values and purposes. When we seek God's Kingdom first, we trust that He will provide for our needs. This requires a shift in perspective, from self-reliance to dependence on God.

5. Living in the Present: Jesus encourages us to take life one day at a time, focusing on today's challenges rather than worrying about the future. This approach helps us to remain grounded and trust in God's daily provision. It also allows us to be more present and engaged in our current circumstances, fostering a deeper sense of peace and contentment.

### [01:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:11] - Reflecting on Past Actions
[02:52] - Becoming More Christ-like
[03:52] - Introduction to Matthew 6:25-34
[04:51] - Expanding the Concept of Worry
[05:57] - Internal vs. External Worry
[06:54] - Prayer for Understanding
[07:53] - Jesus' Teaching on Worry
[09:51] - Finding True Meaning in Life
[10:51] - Importance of Relationships and Faith
[11:47] - Story Behind "His Eye is on the Sparrow"
[14:59] - Intrinsic Value of Humans
[18:41] - Finite Nature and God's Care
[20:44] - Seek First the Kingdom
[21:48] - Living in the Present
[28:42] - Next Week's Preview
[34:08] - Communion Reflection
[41:55] - Closing and Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What examples does Jesus use to illustrate God's provision and care in Matthew 6:25-34?
According to the sermon, what are some of the basic needs Jesus tells us not to worry about? [07:53]
How does Jesus describe the value of human beings compared to birds and flowers in Matthew 6:26-30?
What does Jesus say we should seek first, and what promise is attached to this command in Matthew 6:33?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus emphasize that life is more than food and clothing in Matthew 6:25? How does this perspective help in dealing with worry?
How does understanding our intrinsic value as being created in the image of God shape our view of ourselves and others? [14:59]
What does it mean to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and how does this shift our focus from material concerns to spiritual priorities? [20:44]
How can living in the present, as Jesus encourages in Matthew 6:34, help us manage our worries about the future? [21:48]

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent situation where you were worried about your basic needs. How might trusting in God's provision have changed your response? [07:53]
Think about a time when you felt undervalued or insignificant. How does knowing you are created in the image of God and have intrinsic value change your perspective on that situation? [14:59]
What are some practical ways you can prioritize seeking the Kingdom of God in your daily life? How might this change your approach to your current worries? [20:44]
Identify one area of your life where you tend to worry about the future. What steps can you take to focus more on living in the present and trusting God for tomorrow? [21:48]
The sermon mentioned the story behind the hymn "His Eye is on the Sparrow." How can reflecting on this story and the faith of the Doolittles inspire you to trust in God's care despite your circumstances? [11:47]
Jesus teaches that our life is more than our possessions and achievements. How can you shift your focus from material concerns to building meaningful relationships and deepening your faith? [09:51]
The pastor shared a personal story about reacting differently in a stressful situation due to gradual transformation. Can you think of a similar instance in your life where you noticed a change in your behavior? What does this tell you about your spiritual growth? [02:52]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We want to encourage a faith that is all-consuming, that changes who we are, makes us different people as we grow. We talk about this concept about looking in the rearview mirror, about how we act and how we show up. And we look at things in the past and go, man, I wish I showed up differently there." [01:11] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Hopefully over time, we change, right? We become more and more Christ-like, more and more open to the mood of the spirit. And hopefully over time, we're not looking in the rear view, but we're looking at our life in present moment and reacting the way we want to react in the moment. Not looking back and we're like, oh, I blew that one." [02:52] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The more important things are our relationships. The more important things are our faith. The more important things for followers of Jesus are seeing the kingdom of God advance in our life and around us. The good things of God are being expressed in us and around us and impacting the world in a positive way." [10:51] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We need to know that we are more valuable than the birds, more valuable because we bear the image of God. We need to understand that our worrying and our fretting doesn't actually create anything. We don't have that ability. That's God's space. But we are valuable and we are important. There is a hierarchy to things." [33:05] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "As followers of Jesus, there's times and moments where we just have to accept, God, I'm like a little flower, pushing up through the ground. Everything seems like it's falling apart, and I'm stressing, but the things that are sustaining me, the things that are giving me life, are really from your hand." [39:47] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "For many of us, the bulk of us, there are things about worry that are not necessarily external. They're really internal things. Yeah, but this thing's going on over here. Yeah. But how you respond and how you think about it and how you come up with things is an internal process that we need to learn how to control and surrender to. Surrender over to the way of Jesus." [05:57] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We need to understand that we, humans, have deep, intrinsic value. We are not, well a part of nature and a part of it. There is something about us that is set apart. If we go back to the creation. The creation story. We see God, this interesting part that happens right at the beginning. Where God says, let us make humans in our image." [14:59] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "As followers of Jesus, if there are things in our life that don't look much different than the culture around us we are maybe in a place where we're not really enjoying the ways of Jesus fully following Jesus. I mean I got the opportunity to be a part of stuff like this being in churches for almost 20 years now I've just heard stories story after story of followers of Jesus who have lost position in the world if you will you use that language because they put the way of Jesus above the way of the world." [27:05] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We need to know what's really meaningful. It's not our stuff. We need to know that we are more valuable than the birds, more valuable because we bear the image of God. We need to understand that our worrying and our fretting doesn't actually create anything. We don't have that ability. That's God's space. But we are valuable and we are important. There is a hierarchy to things." [33:05] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We need to run after that filter, first being the kingdom. As we respond to things, as we receive things, we receive them a kingdom way. And then we just take day by day. When things get rough, just take it today. Yeah, but this is going to happen. Yeah, I know. And when it happens, we'll take care of that. And when that happens, we'll take care of that. Take it day by day." [33:05] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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