Summer on the Mount - Matthew 6:25-34

Matthew 6:25-34Student Pastor Jason SalyerWorry or anxiety is something we all experience to some degree, but in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shows us how to find true peace and rest for anxious hearts and worried minds. Jesus points us to the sources of our anxiety as well as the answer to it.
Not all responses to stress are bad, but when things turn into the kind of worry Jesus speaks of here, they can also reveal to us where we have misplaced our faith. The good news answer for anxious hearts is that we can trust in the love of God and seek first His Kingdom.
Trust in the Love of GodJesus makes an argument from lesser to greater. God cares for the birds and flowers, and we are so much more valuable. Our worth is not measured in what we do for God but in what God has done for us. We can trust that God’s love for us is the defining story of our lives and find true peace (wholeness) when we are pulled in opposite ways by our worries. One way we do this is by coming to God often in prayer and thanksgiving.
Seek First His KingdomWhile we need to increase our faith in God’s love, the second problem is that we have a misplaced faith. Jesus challenges our priorities, showing us that we must keep first things first. We can walk by faith by identifying where we are placing our devotion and redirecting our hearts to the Kingdom of God in our daily lives.
Jesus is inviting us to live in the present. Remember, God is reigning over all creation and He loves you. Let that truth adjust your mind and heart so that you can live in peace (shalom).
Note: If you are experiencing consistent patterns of anxiety that affect your ability to function or impact your relationships with others, you may want to consider speaking with a counselor or a member of our care and counseling team. We do not have to walk through these struggles alone.
Discussion Questions:

1. What in your life causes the most worry? How does the truth of the gospel change how you see that area of your life? How can we pray for one another in these areas?
2. How does trusting God’s love and seeking first His Kingdom help us deal with worry?
3. How can a deep trust in God and peace in difficulties provide a unique witness to the world around us?
4. How can we recognize when second things have become first things? Use an example and share how we can adjust our focus when this happens.

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