Trusting God: The Path to True Provision
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we continue our series called "The Other Way," focusing on the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 6. This series is about walking the narrow path that Jesus described, a path that leads to life but is often less traveled. We began by reading the passage where Jesus instructs us not to store up treasures on earth but to store up treasures in heaven. He emphasizes that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. Jesus also teaches that the eye is the lamp of the body, and if our eyes are healthy, our whole body will be full of light. However, if our eyes are unhealthy, our whole body will be full of darkness. He concludes by saying that no one can serve two masters; we cannot serve both God and money.
This passage is both beautiful and challenging. It calls us to trust God as our provider and not to worry about our material needs. Jesus points out that the birds of the air and the flowers of the field are taken care of by God, and we are much more valuable than they are. Therefore, we should not worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear. Instead, we should seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to us as well.
I prayed for those who are hurting, sick, or afraid, asking Jesus to bring peace and healing. I emphasized that the most important thing about the narrow way is that it is the way of following Jesus. We don't have to be afraid or worried because He is with us.
We then discussed the concept of trust, which is a relational position. Jesus sent His disciples out without a bag or purse, and they returned, not complaining about their lack of provisions but rejoicing in the power of God they had witnessed. This illustrates that God wants to take us on a journey, and our material possessions can often be a hindrance. It's not wrong to have things, but we should hold them loosely and understand their proper place.
I encouraged everyone to do an honest assessment of their focus. What do we think about a lot? What do we worry about? What do we dream about? These are indicators of our vision and focus. Jesus instructs us to seek first His kingdom, and everything else will fall into place.
We also talked about the importance of living simply. Jesus assumes a certain simplicity when He talks about food and clothing. Our culture often measures success by acquisition, but Jesus calls us to a different standard. It's not wrong to have things, but pursuing them should not be the central focus of our lives. God knows our needs and will provide for us.
Generosity is another key aspect of living in the kingdom. Jesus tells us to store up treasures in heaven, and one way to do that is through generosity. This not only helps others but also trains our hearts and rewires our operating system. I encouraged everyone to support the work of the church and to be generous to the poor.
Finally, we must decide who our provider is. Is it us, our job, or our Father in heaven? Jesus assures us that our Father knows what we need and will provide for us. We should trust His character, His intentions, and His ability to meet our needs. This trust allows us to live without fear and to focus on His kingdom.
### Key Takeaways
1. Trust in God's Provision: Jesus teaches us not to worry about our material needs because our Father in heaven knows what we need and will provide for us. This trust allows us to live without fear and to focus on His kingdom. When we truly believe that God is our provider, we can let go of our anxieties and live in the freedom of His care. [33:20]
2. Assess Your Focus: Jesus emphasizes the importance of having a healthy vision. What we think about, worry about, and dream about are indicators of our focus. By seeking first His kingdom, we align our priorities with God's will, allowing everything else to fall into place. This requires regular self-assessment and a willingness to adjust our focus as needed. [55:56]
3. Live Simply: Jesus assumes a certain simplicity when He talks about food and clothing. Our culture often measures success by acquisition, but Jesus calls us to a different standard. Living simply means rejecting a life of pursuing more and instead focusing on what truly matters. This simplicity frees us from the burdens of materialism and allows us to experience contentment. [01:01:03]
4. Embrace Generosity: Generosity is a way to store up treasures in heaven and to train our hearts. By being generous, we not only help others but also rewire our operating system to align with God's kingdom. This generosity should start within the church community and extend to the poor and those in need. [01:09:39]
5. Decide Who Your Provider Is: We must make a conscious decision about who our provider is—ourselves, our job, or our Father in heaven. Jesus assures us that our Father knows what we need and will provide for us. Trusting in God's provision allows us to live without fear and to focus on His kingdom. This trust is not just theoretical but should be evident in our daily lives and decisions. [48:07]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [29:19] - Introduction to "The Other Way"
3. [31:33] - Reading Matthew 6
4. [33:20] - Trust in God's Provision
5. [35:00] - Prayer for Healing and Peace
6. [39:06] - The Operating System of Our Lives
7. [45:26] - Do Not Worry
8. [48:07] - Decide Who Your Provider Is
9. [55:56] - Assess Your Focus
10. [01:01:03] - Live Simply
11. [01:09:39] - Embrace Generosity
12. [01:14:35] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:19-34 (NIV)
- "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 Jesus say about storing up treasures on earth versus treasures in heaven? ([32:28])
2. How does Jesus describe the relationship between the eye and the body in this passage? ([32:28])
3. According to Jesus, what should we seek first, and what will be the result? ([34:15])
4. What examples does Jesus use to illustrate God's provision for our needs? ([33:20])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"? How does this relate to our daily lives? ([32:28])
2. What does it mean for the eye to be the lamp of the body, and how can this affect our spiritual health? ([32:28])
3. How can seeking first God's kingdom and His righteousness change our perspective on material needs and worries? ([34:15])
4. In what ways does Jesus' teaching on God's provision challenge our cultural norms about success and security? ([36:01])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current focus. What do you think about, worry about, and dream about the most? How can you align these with seeking God's kingdom first? ([55:56])
2. Jesus calls us to live simply. What are some practical steps you can take to simplify your life and reduce the pursuit of material possessions? ([01:01:03])
3. Generosity is a key aspect of storing up treasures in heaven. How can you practice generosity in your daily life, both within the church and in your community? ([01:09:39])
4. Consider your trust in God's provision. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to trust God as your provider? How can you grow in this trust? ([48:07])
5. Jesus tells us not to worry about our material needs. What specific worries do you need to surrender to God, and how can you remind yourself of His faithfulness? ([33:20])
6. How can you incorporate the practice of regular self-assessment to ensure your focus remains on God's kingdom and not on material concerns? ([55:56])
7. Think about a recent decision you made. Was it influenced more by financial concerns or by a desire to follow Jesus? How can you make future decisions that reflect trust in God's provision? ([45:26])
Devotional
Day 1: Trust in God's Provision
Jesus teaches us not to worry about our material needs because our Father in heaven knows what we need and will provide for us. This trust allows us to live without fear and to focus on His kingdom. When we truly believe that God is our provider, we can let go of our anxieties and live in the freedom of His care. Jesus points out that the birds of the air and the flowers of the field are taken care of by God, and we are much more valuable than they are. Therefore, we should not worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear. Instead, we should seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to us as well. [33:20]
Matthew 6:26-27 (ESV): "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?"
Reflection: What specific material need are you worried about today? Can you take a moment to pray and release this worry to God, trusting Him to provide for you?
Day 2: Assess Your Focus
Jesus emphasizes the importance of having a healthy vision. What we think about, worry about, and dream about are indicators of our focus. By seeking first His kingdom, we align our priorities with God's will, allowing everything else to fall into place. This requires regular self-assessment and a willingness to adjust our focus as needed. Jesus instructs us to seek first His kingdom, and everything else will fall into place. This means that our thoughts, worries, and dreams should be centered on God's will and His kingdom. [55:56]
Colossians 3:2 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: What do you find yourself thinking about the most throughout the day? How can you shift your focus to seek God's kingdom first in those moments?
Day 3: Live Simply
Jesus assumes a certain simplicity when He talks about food and clothing. Our culture often measures success by acquisition, but Jesus calls us to a different standard. Living simply means rejecting a life of pursuing more and instead focusing on what truly matters. This simplicity frees us from the burdens of materialism and allows us to experience contentment. It's not wrong to have things, but pursuing them should not be the central focus of our lives. God knows our needs and will provide for us. [01:01:03]
1 Timothy 6:6-8 (ESV): "But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice simplicity today? How can simplifying this area help you focus more on what truly matters?
Day 4: Embrace Generosity
Generosity is a way to store up treasures in heaven and to train our hearts. By being generous, we not only help others but also rewire our operating system to align with God's kingdom. This generosity should start within the church community and extend to the poor and those in need. Jesus tells us to store up treasures in heaven, and one way to do that is through generosity. This not only helps others but also trains our hearts and rewires our operating system. [01:09:39]
2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can be generous to today? What specific action can you take to show generosity to them?
Day 5: Decide Who Your Provider Is
We must make a conscious decision about who our provider is—ourselves, our job, or our Father in heaven. Jesus assures us that our Father knows what we need and will provide for us. Trusting in God's provision allows us to live without fear and to focus on His kingdom. This trust is not just theoretical but should be evident in our daily lives and decisions. Jesus sent His disciples out without a bag or purse, and they returned, not complaining about their lack of provisions but rejoicing in the power of God they had witnessed. [48:07]
Psalm 37:25 (ESV): "I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread."
Reflection: In what ways are you relying on yourself or your job as your provider? How can you shift your trust to God as your ultimate provider today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "So many of our fears and the things that drive us are rooted in financial concerns. Think about fear. What's going on with the economy? Every single election always seems to center on the economy, doesn't it? There's other things, you know, but the economy is always going to be one of those major things that centers around. And there's kind of a fear associated fear that I won't have enough or I won't make enough. I don't make enough. What am I going to do? And that's a fear that a lot of people live with and struggle with and wrestle with." [41:49]
2. "God doesn't want you stressed. He doesn't want you hurried. He doesn't want you unable to enjoy the good gifts that he's given you. That's not his desire. It is not about packing your calendar full of things. In fact, for a bunch of us, it might be, you know, it might very well be, examining our focus might mean, yeah, pulling some things off our calendar. Pull some things off, and just create space. Live for the kingdom without fear, because your Father is your provider. And when we understand that, we can make that kind of space. We can make those kind of decisions." [01:01:03]
3. "I want to suggest that when it comes to vision and focus, you can approach, of course, there's a time outside your job. You can approach your job with a different vision and focus. Your job, you spend 40, 50, 60 hours a week. I don't know how many. You spend hours. A bulk of your time at your work. Do you have a sense of God's calling and his plan and his vision for your work? Or are you just buying time to get out of work? Because that's one of those things I really encourage you." [58:08]
4. "Live for the kingdom without fear because your father is your provider. Keep that up for a minute. Say that with me. Live for the kingdom without fear because your father is your provider. Let's change the pronoun. My father is. Live for his kingdom without fear because my father is my provider. That's the main point. That's what Jesus is trying to tell us. He's trying to illustrate for us. He's wanting to urge us to look at the world differently." [46:52]
5. "One day, when I'm getting to that place of retiring, my father is going to be my provider. He's going to be there, the same one who has provided for us so amazingly all our lives. When nobody thought we'd be able to make it. We didn't think we'd be able to make it, but God took care of us. God met our needs. God provided for us. Do you know, after that last day at work and that last paycheck stops, you know who's still there? Father." [51:19]
### Quotes for Members
1. "We have to decide who our provider is. And I don't mean in theory. I don't mean in theology. I mean like in practice. Who's your provider? Am I my provider or is God my provider? This is the question. This is what we must decide. And here's where even, not just me, am I my provider? Here's one. Is my job or my company my provider? Or is my father my provider?" [48:07]
2. "Do an honest assessment of your focus. How is your eye doing? How is your eyes, your vision, what is your vision? And here's some ways to think about it. What do you think about a lot? What do you worry about? What do you dream about? These are indicators of, okay, what's your vision? Like the picture of your life that you have for 10 years down the road, 20 years, 30 years down the road, however long. What is that? What occupies your thoughts, your mind?" [55:56]
3. "Learn to live simply. What I mean by that is reject a life of pursuing more. You know, Jesus made it crystal clear. He's talking in Matthew 6, he talks about food, clothes. He illustrates with birds and flowers. He assumes a certain simplicity. That's the way he approaches this. And for us, again, we're bumping into, some of you right now are just going, okay, Sean, this is ridiculous. Because you're bumping into the operating system. Because acquisition is our scorecard. It's what we use to measure how we're doing." [01:01:03]
4. "Leverage the power of generosity. See, that's where one of the things Jesus, it's where he began. Leverage the power of generosity. He said, don't store up here on earth where moth, where vermin can get in and destroy it. Store up in heaven where it can't. Well, you go, okay, well, how do I do that? And his answer is generosity. He talks about this heart surgery in verse 21. He says, where your treasure is, there your heart will be. Literally, generosity being a way for us to train our hearts and to begin to rewire our operating system." [01:09:39]
5. "Choose faith over fear. Verse 25, verse 31, don't worry. Your father knows. He'll provide. He says it. Over. And over. And over. Again. It says in verse 34, multiple times in that passage, choose faith over fear. Don't worry." [47:38]
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