SATAN'S THIEF --- WORRY!

MATTHEW 6

Pastor Rick Jackson

Don Wildmon calls worry, "the world's worst energy waster." He may just be right. Worry is a tool of the Devil to rob people of peace, time, thoughts, prayers, faith, health and more. Evangelist Lester Roloff said, "I'd soon cuss as worry... both are sins." W.R. Inge wryly said, "Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due." What causes worry? What does worry cause? What can cure the condition of worry? As always, God has the answer!

I. WHAT CAUSES WORRY? [Mt. 6:25-34]

1. A Lack of Security - we worry [v. 25]

2. A Lack of Faith - we don't trust [v. 26-29]

3. A Lack of Facts - we don't know the future [v. 30-34]

Worry is not a lack of concern--- it is undue concern. Worry is invalid concern. We need genuine, valid, sincere concern - it can properly motivate us. Worry cannot and does not!

II. WHAT DOES WORRY CAUSE?

1. Loss of Time & Energy [Luke 10:41]

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

Someone has said the Devil would "continually have us crossing streams that do not exist."

2. Loss of Health & Well-Being (Heart attacks, ulcers, etc.) [Ecclesiastes 2:20]

Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

Dr. Charles Mayo said, "Worry affects the circulation - the heart, the glands, the whole nervous system. I have never known a man who died from overwork, but many who died from doubt."

3. Loss of proper Perspective & Attitude [Jeremiah 18:12]

And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.

Blaming God, cursing, intemperate speech, whining, murmuring...

III. THE CURE FOR WORRY - WORKING FAITH!

1. Seek God's Way [Isaiah 26:3-4]

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

2. Do God's Will [2 Corinthians 8:16]

But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
Philippians 2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care ° of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

3. Let God Work [Philippians 4:6-7]

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds ° through Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.