Matthew 6:19-34
Introduction: Have you ever heard the term/expression worry wart? Have you ever wondered where that came from?
In the late 1920’s a character called ‘worry wary’ appeared in a cartoon strip in Dell comics and was drawn by J.R. Williams.
‘Worry Wart’ became a generic nickname or insult for any character who caused others to worry.
Data from the National Institute of Mental Health
- An estimated 31.1% of U.S. adults experience any anxiety disorder at some time in their lives.2
Transition: Jesus in Matthew 6 addresses the issue of ‘worry,’ ‘anxiety,’ ‘take no thought.’
Worry – mermina = from merizo, which means ‘to divide into parts.’ The word suggest a distraction, a preoccupation with things causing anxiety, stress, and pressure.
- Treasures and Treason(s) Matthew 6:19-24
Treasure = the place in which good and precious things are collected and laid up or stored. b. a casket, coffer, or other receptacle. c. collected treasures or goods.
Jesus teaches about a different or heavenly banking system!
Earthly Bank – Where rust or canker can consume and where thieves can steal. (There were no ‘banks’ then).
Heavenly Bank – We are to treasure the Lord Jesus most of all. When Jesus is our treasure, we will commit our resources—our money, our time, our talents—to His work in this world.
Our motivation for what we do is important (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Paul encourages servants that God has an eternal reward for those who are motivated to serve Christ: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23–24).
- God’s rewards are guaranteed and will not / cannot perish or best lost in any way.
Application: We’ve heard of banks failing lately. Even those who are FCIC Insured.
Jesus says, ‘Store up treasures for yourself in heaven.’
Ways to ‘Invest in Heavenly Riches’
- Giving to the needy and poor.
- Seeking first the kingdom of God
- Tithing
Let me share with you the difference between (true) treasure as opposed to treason.
‘The action of betraying someone or something’.
The Oxford Dictionary uses this example, ‘(that) doubt is the ultimate treason against faith.’
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is a United States government corporation supplying deposit insurance to depositors in American commercial banks and savings banks.
This section of Treasure or Treason ends in Matthew 6:21 with a Biblical Principle: ‘For where your treasure is, there will you heart be also.’
‘If God be the treasure of our souls, our hearts, i.e. our affections and desires will be placed on things above. An earthly minded man proves that his treasure is below; a heavenly minded man shows that his treasure is above’.
Application: It is a very honest and simple principle: ‘What we love, value, believe and trust in (our Heart) will be reflected is what / how we spend the resources God has blessed us with (treasures) there also.
6:21 – What one sees and can be seen by others is exposed by the light and can be seen/known by us and by others.
6:24 – ‘You cannot serve two masters.’
You will treasure one or treason the other!
Transition: Whether you like Bob Marley and reggae music or not…
Jesus says, ‘Don’t worry, be happy.’
Question: Don’t worry about what?
- What we will eat
- What we will drink
- What you will wear
- Even our very life/lives
Question: Why not Worry?
- God Knows and Cares
Matthew 6:26, ‘Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?’ (NLT)
- Has no value or gain.
What will our uneasiness do? Nothing! Can/will all your worries add a single additional moment to your life? No!
All that ‘WORRY WART’ does is cast doubt, fear, mistrust, treason and shame against our relationship to God!
Conclusion: Jesus speaks against worry because of the watchful care of a heavenly Father who is ever mindful of our daily needs.

But The Greatest of These
1 Corinthians 13 Introduction: Valentines Weekend. There is nothing wrong with dinners, chocolates, cards or flowers. When it come to Love, there are all kinds of things uses and pointed to as objects or illustrations: • Books – Romeo & Juliet; Gone with the Wind, etc. • Music / Songs – ‘Endless Love’, Diana Ross…

Champions
1 Corinthians 1:25-26 Introduction: Superbowl Sunday. Champion – noun– a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place: the heavyweight boxing champion. Anything that takes first place in competition. One definition that I found that I like about what it means to be a…

Flood or The Blood
Psalm 32:1-7 Psalm 32:6, ‘Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment’. (Psa. 32:6 NLT) Introduction: Let’s look at a ‘communion text’ as we are contemplating the beauty of celebrating around the Lords Table. NKJ Psalm 32:1 <A Psalm of…

God In The House
NKJ – Psalm 127:1 <A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.> Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. The Psalms of Ascent are a collection of psalms in the Bible, Psalms 120–134, that were sung by Jewish pilgrims…

But Others – When All Else Seems to Fail
Introduction: I started the year with Immanuel, God with us, then last week, ‘Getting Rid of Stuff’, and now I will spend the next two weeks to speak to you about the role of Faith in our lives. 11:1-2, ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen: it gives us assurance…

Presence and Activity of Faith
Hebrews 11:1-2, 33-35 Introduction: I started the year with Immanuel, God with us, then last week, ‘Getting Rid of Stuff’, and now I will spend the next two weeks to speak to you about the role of Faith in our lives. 11:1-2, ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen: it…

Getting Rid of Stuff
Introduction: ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by…

It’s All Good
Romans 8:31-39 Introduction: Last Sunday we gathered around this altar as we called on Immanuel. 8:31, ‘What can we say about such wonderful things as these? God works all things together for good—both His good and our good. As God is glorified, His people benefit. In Romans 8, Paul contrasts a life lived in selfish…

Christmas Presence
Matthew 1:18-24Introduction: Emmanuel – God with Us Jesus = ‘for he will save his people from their sins.’ List / describe some of the diverse people whom He saved: Application: What Jesus’ presence can do? Inner peace: Experiencing Jesus’ presence can bring a deep sense of calm and serenity even amidst turmoil. Healing power: Believers…