Dont Worry Be Happy – The Sermon

Worrying is a lasting preoccupation with past or future bad events. It is a type of thinking that makes you feel as if you were reliving a past event or living out a future one, and you cannot stop those thoughts from occurring. Such thoughts are often characterized by the phrases “If only…” and “What if…”

“If Only” Thoughts

“If only…” refers to thoughts about an unhappy event that you wish hadn’t happened. The event has left you with an unresolved emotional feeling, and under these circumstances your mind continues to try to resolve it, trying to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it.

Unfortunately, in many cases, because the event has already happened, nothing can be done. You cannot go back into the past and miraculously have the event turn out differently. But when your mind recalls the event, its natural tendency is to keep trying to solve the problem it represented.

“What If” Thoughts

“What if…” refers to thoughts about the future. In the case of worry, these thoughts are about any number of possible disagreeable things that could happen.

• “What if I have an automobile accident?”
• “What if I run out of money and can’t pay my bills?”
• “What if my spouse should someday no longer love me?”
• “What if I make a mistake and everyone thinks I’m a fool because of it?”

Dr. Charles Mayo of the famed Mayo clinic said: “I’ve never known a man who died of hard work, but MANY who die of worry.”

“The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work”. Robert Frost

“As a rule, men worry more about what they can’t see than about what they can”. Julius Caesar

Worry refers to negative self-talk that often detracts the mind from focusing on the problem at hand.

What does the Bible have to say about Worry?

Proverbs 12: 25 (NLT)

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Psalms 55:22 (NCV)

²² Give your worries to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will never let good people down.

Isaiah 26: 3-4 (TNIV)

³ You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.⁴ Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

I Peter 5:7 (NLT)

⁷ Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Is it a sin to worry? The answer is yes!

It is a sin to do anything that Jesus tells us not to do and Jesus says in the following passage 3 times,(Matthew 6:25-34)  “do not worry”.

Philippians 4: 6-7 (NLT) Author-Paul

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

vs. 25 has the word “therefore” and the therefore is referring back to the pervious scripture vs. 25

Jesus has just been speaking to the disciples (that is you if you know Jesus)on the subject of “treasures in Heaven” and He just said “No one can serve two masters. Either he or she will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Matthew 6: 25-34 (NIV)

²⁵“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 important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look 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?

²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Everyone of us should write this on a card and stick it in a prominent place)

²⁸“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If 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, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY

(What are some of the things we people worry about during the Christmas Holiday Season?)

What gifts do we buy for those we love?

What gift do we buy for that one we have to buy for and don’t like? lol.

How much money should we spend on that gift?

Will they really appreciate it anyway?

How much money should I spend on myself while I am buying all these nice things for everyone else?

Hey I need food, clothing, and shelter!

And by the way, those black shoes I have don’t go with the brown outfit, the brown shoes don’t go with the red outfit, the white shoes can’t be worn in the winter, the boots can’t be worn in the summer!

So, I need more shoes!

Then the biggie – how am I ever going to pay for all of this? The credit cards, the layaway’s, the bills that I have run up tying to please, impress, and satisfy?

The truth is: We have it all wrong!

We think to much about how much money to spend for all the wrong reasons.

We think too much about how good I look or how fashionable I am .

We think too much about buying gifts for everyone that we know.

We think too much about how to be a people pleaser.

We have gotten it all wrong!

Matthew 6: 25-34

Matthew 6: 33 (NIV)

³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Here is a Facebook status that I posted a few days ago in preparation for this sermon and some responses:

Ronnie G Collins HELP! Matt 6:33 Respond & tell me what this means, seek 1st his kingdom & his righteousness, & all these things will B given to you as well.

The verse is not about “receiving” as some might think. It is about worry (look at 6:25-34). We must turn to God for help and obey Him in everything. We tend to give our everyday worries (people, food, things, “stuff”) priority in our thoughts. Giving God priority thinking time causes all the “stuff” to fall into place. This is something I need to remind myself of everyday.

Jesus said just prior to this that the Gentiles seek after “worry” about food, drink, and clothing. Then Jesus said seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Wasn’t Jesus instructing us to worry about our own relationship, righteousness, right standing with God through salvation entered only by new birth. And God’s purposes and plans as it relates to us?

God wants us to focus on Him and His Kingdom. There are so many more important things in life than impressing other people with our gifts, with our clothes, our looks, and what money, power, and prestige can buy. God already knows what we need and He will give us our needs (not always our wants). We can trust Him for these things. We should … See More, spend more time thinking about others peoples relationship with God and how we can lead them to Christ, then the other things will not matter so much to us when we get a hold of the big picture of life and death and eternity.

Simply said…if we focus on God and evangelism our material wants will diminish then our desire to see people saved will match the will of God and he will hear our prayers and answer them accordingly. We must desire more of God and less of things. He already gives us what we need what else could we want?

Its base really the whole chapter 6 in Matthew. Like the others have said. One thing we have is little faith. We are to pray to God and have faith that we will receive. We need to keep our mind on Jesus not on this world. Where your treasure is , there will your heart be also. Seek God’s Face, his word. Ye of little faith…Therefore I say unto you… See More, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment..Trust more in God…The Gentile had little faith. We worry about things we don’t understand. God wants us to trust and believe in him. He knows what we need but he wants us to seek him first ( the kingdom of God) The Word. He will add to us what we need. We never go without. God somehow provides our needs. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof…Trust and Believe in Jesus. Put him first…and he will give you what you need and some of your wants…God first( The Word) The bible…God Bless. This is what it means to me…Don’t worry…The Gentiles seem to worry over everything, but God said Trust in him….The key is to Pray, Pray, pray…ask, believe, and receive…Amen…

To me it means put God first in all things seek out his will in everything and he will make a way for you . He knows our earthly needs , food,, clothing , money , ect. and he will provide .

Seek-to me it means that is the first and most important thing I need to do
each day( if I find myself in his presence and guidance then I will be content ). It will make the “things” of this world seem less important and souls can be witnessed to, etc.
God supplies all our needs. We, in this modern day, have it all backwards. We focus on ME, ME, Me. His rightouseness-that we see him as He is-AND THEN OUR LIVES REFLECT THAT.

I believe it means if we seek Christ and serve him that we will not do with out the things we need that are necessary for our well being.We may not have everything we want but our needs will be met. Not to say wee will not get things we want also if it is according to his will for our lives nothing is impossible with God

I like doing a study on words when I study the Word of God ~SEEK: I like my NIV study notes on this word – you will also! “The verb ‘seek’ implies being continually absorbed in a search for something, or making a strenuous and diligent effort to obtain something…” As Christian runners in a race that leads to the ‘final finish line’ we should give more than what we invest in the way of money, time and energy into our running ‘the races down here’. Dedication with total giving of our hearts and mind must be put into our daily lives with ways that demonstrate the importance of living for God in our every action – not just what is seen on the daily course of everyday living. Our secret times must flow with prayer power to draw others into a closer walk with our Lord. Every path, course needs to be surrounded with His righteousness covering us as we head towards His kingdom with the power of the Holy Spirit with our every breath and step forward.

I think Jesus was refering to the clothes we think we need, the bills we worry about, and all the unnessaries that take his place. If we just put him first he promises to take care of all those worries and needs. But we have to put him first in ALL things.

I take this as you are to live your life with purpose and on a Godly manner striving to be the Christian he wants us to be. If we live the way we are expected then we will be rewarded with a heavenly home in his kingdom….my perception

The example which comes to mind when studying this Scripture is King Solomon. In 1 Kings 3:5-14, Solomon does not seek fame, riches, or for the life of his enemies, but instead for the wisdom to govern God’s people. God, in turn, promises to give him this as well as these things which he did not request.

A key to fully grasping this comes in verse 14, when God puts a form of condition in the promise, “If you will walk in my ways”. Unfortunately, Solomon strayed from the straight and narrow path and allowed false Gods into his home, practiced sexual immorality, etc., and wasn’t able to fully experience God’s promise. Although Solomon will always be highly respected throughout history, he has a sort of Tiger Woods slant on his life now, as he seems somewhat exposed. Perhaps Solomon had great wisdom, but poor self-control.
God still blessed him with many of the promises made, but I would have loved to see what Solomon could have been had he sought only the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

I believe that God’s wisdom and knowledge are the first things that one needs to seek. Then once received that His spiritual gifts and manifestation of His spirit comes as needed to do His will. The key here is doing God’s will. The things added should be being able to help His children and making sure that the truth is given. He says in His word that whatever we ask and it’s in His will He will give it to us. This doesn’t mean material riches (unless it’s His desire) but rather to help God’s people receive salvation.

Interesting Points

The Greek word ζητέω

as a searching for what is lost

to seek after, look for, strive to find

try to learn about

want to

want, ask, ask for; demand, require, expect; consider, deliberate, examine investigate

I believe Jesus is saying “I love you more than anything else in the world. As a matter of fact, I came to earth in human flesh (Jesus the Christ) and died because I love you so much.

Therefore, love me more than anything or anyone else. To show that you love me this way is to spend time with me, reading and studying the Scripture, Giving, Praying, and Fasting as stated in Matthew Chapter 6: 1-18

Want to know me better, ask for understanding, demand insight, require nothing but to find me. Search with expectancy, examine every possibility and investigate every avenue.

Search for me as if I were treasure hidden in a field, search for me as if I were pearls more valuable than anything.

Make me #1 because I made you #1 over Two Thousand Years ago.

Give over your worries for your search for me and I will take care of the rest.

Ronnie

Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

Holston Evangelism Conference -Rudy Rasmus & Bishop James Swanson

3000 Baptisms in Holston on Pentecost Sunday

50 “Golden Days” of Evangelism

40 Days of Prayer and Preparation

TELL ME MORE!

You may remember hearing from the stage of Annual Conference that the Conference Witness team would challenge us to celebrate 3000 baptisms on Pentecost Sunday (May 23, 2010) in Holston Conference.  The Witness Team would like to take this opportunity to “brief” you, our Conference leaders, on the plan, invite you to ask questions, share comments, and help publicize as we continue refining and developing this time for an exciting and potentially Conference-transforming Spring in Holston Conference.  Info coming soon in the Call, Call 2 and a save the date(s) letter to each pastor under appointment in Holston.

In the book Prophetic Evangelist, Harry Denman called the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost the “50 Golden Days of Evangelism”.  He also wrote a letter in which he called on every pastor not only to observe Pentecost, but to lay the groundwork for experiencing Pentecost.  That is what we are praying for in Holston in 2010.  Here is an outline:

* Feb 19-20  Holston Evangelism Conference

This event will be held at Cokesbury Center in Knoxville, TN. We welcome the Rev. Rudy Rasmus and Bishop James Swanson to lead us through this inspirational and motivating event.  We will celebrate the past year’s theme and covenant to “Offer Them Christ” and to invite Holston to the next steps toward Pentecost 2010.  Friday: Optional Mission Outreach (“Grace bags” to Knoxville Homeless) 3-5; Registration 5-7; Session I begins 7pm.  Bishop Swanson will conclude the conference by 3pm on Saturday.

* 40 Days of Prayer and Preparation — beginning on Feb 23rd, we will encourage every congregation to pray, fast and ask God for a burden for the lost. Churches may organize specific prayer groups, teaching or preaching about prayer and fasting, or other creative Holston ways of preparation.  The Witness Team will provide a 40 Day Prayer Guide which will be daily devotions written by lay and clergy members of our Conference.  (District Superintendents – if you haven’t already, there may still be space for you to add a day’s devotional writing…) At this time we are working on the best delivery of these guides, but at the least we will be emailing copies to local church pastors and designated leaders for copying and distribution. The Witness Team is asking that every Pastor and Lay member who has a blog to add the daily devotional to your church and personal blogs.

*  50 Golden Days of Evangelism — from Easter to Pentecost 2010, each congregation will be asked to intentionally concentrate on evangelism in their community. Again, the Conference Witness Team will supply a guide (“50 Days of Evangelism”) with concrete, specific suggestions for individuals and groups within churches to start conversations, build relationships, and offer Christ in your community.  Some congregations may plan for a Pentecost celebration with dinner on the grounds where river baptisms and all other forms of baptism recognized by The UMC may take place.

*** 1 Great Day of Pentecost *** — baptisms, renewals and lives transformed for and by Jesus Christ

40 Days of Preparation + 50 Days of Evangelism = A 90 Day Investment in 3000 lives. Sound unlikely? Unbelievable? Too much?  In our 904 churches, this would be an AVERAGE of 3.1 baptisms per worshipping community.  What do we have to lose?  Suppose we ONLY baptize 1000???  Help the Witness Team make this Spring of Pentecost preparation a reality for Holston.  No single group, ministry team or leader can do this.  We believe that God is in this… and we ask for your support, feedback and most importantly for your prayers.

With Bold, Passionate, Risk-taking love —              The Holston Conference Witness Team

Contact Ronnie Collins         ronnie24317@yahoo.com or (276) 728-2434

or Amy Rollins Probst     pastor@broadwayumc.net or (865) 202-3019

with feedback or suggestions.

This day in the life of your pastor – December 5th, 2009

1. Going to bed and wrapping the foot. Very painful tonight. about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
2. New York City voted #1 most fun Marathon by Runners World readers. Pray I get picked for 2010. 100 bands play along the route, 40,000 run about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry

3. A Carton of Beer https://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/a-carton-of-beer/ about 10 hours ago from web

4. the plantar faciitis is very painful in my foot tonight. My foot is on ice and i will have to wear the contraption I bought for my ft to bed about 11 hours ago from web

5. 3rd round of meds for Samuels ear infection, need prayer warriors to pray he takes the meds about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry

6. It is definitely feeling like winter this evening about 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry

7. Misty got a heated foot massager 4 Christmas last year & never used it. Let’s just say it is now mine, just what I needed after the run 2day about 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry

8. Getting ready to go to dinner with mom and dad about 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry

9. my results from the Half Marathon today https://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/update-on-the-mistletoe-half-marathon/ about 17 hours ago from web

10. Out of the Box from a Teen Perspective https://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/out-of-the-box-as-viewed-by-one-of-out-teens/ about 17 hours ago from web

11. The rain stopped about mile 3 in the run and started again after we finished. Praise the Lord about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry

12. 13.1 complete 1:50 with 822 pace, very happy about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry

13. Countdown 58 minutes to 13.1 about 24 hours ago from TwitterBerry

14. A wet snow/rain is falling and I am headed out to run 13.1 miles. I pray that it will not rain the 145 time I am running, maybe 150, lol 4:56 AM Dec 5th from TwitterBerry

15. Myrtle Beach Marathon is 68 DAYS | 23 HRS | 59 MINS | 14 SECONDS away 4:31 AM Dec 5th from web

16. Mistletoe Half Marathon in 2 hours 4:17 AM Dec 5th from web