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Be Anxious For Nothing
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the midst of life's many fears and anxieties, we are reminded not to let these concerns consume us. Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the heart of the Sermon on the Mount, urges us to take no anxious thought for the mundane needs of life, such as food, drink, and clothing. He teaches that we should not perpetually worry about even one thing, for such worry is unproductive and reveals a lack of faith in God's provision. Instead, we are to focus on heavenly treasures, on light rather than darkness, and on serving God alone, not the things of this world. If we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, He promises to supply all that we need, freeing us from the burden of tomorrow's troubles. The apostle Paul echoes this counsel, encouraging us to be anxious for nothing. He advises that we bring every concern to God in prayer, reorienting our minds to trust in His presence and help. This act of prayer brings the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds, reminding us that He is at work for us in every challenge. We are to be content with our circumstances, finding strength in Christ, who has overcome the world, and trusting that God will meet all our needs according to His riches in glory. Furthermore, we are called to cast all our cares upon Him, for He cares for us. Though fears and anxieties may cling to us, we can begin to overcome them by deepening our faith, living in obedient cooperation with Him, showing love through sacrificial service, and maintaining constant communication through prayer. By focusing on what is true, noble, and good, and by resting in the Lord, we can avoid being bogged down by the cares of this life, trusting that He is with us to save and guide, no matter the situation.
Fear of the Unknown
Sermonette by Craig SablichGod wants us to live in day-tight compartments, trusting that He protects us from the fear of the unknown and all the things that go bump in the night.
The Christian and the World (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus teaches that one must take no anxious thought for life regarding what to eat or drink or for the body regarding what to wear. This instruction connects directly to the principle of undivided loyalty in not serving two masters. Anxiety functions as a spirit that moves one toward the world more swiftly than other forces and requires the most consistent daily use of faith. Jesus employs arguments from the lesser to the greater to demonstrate that God who provides for the fowls of the air and the lilies of the field will much more provide for His children. Such anxiety proves senseless because it cannot add even a cubit to one's stature or length of life. It defies spiritual reasoning by attaching primary significance to what God shows is secondary and by refusing to consider how abundantly God provides for creation. The command to take no anxious thought therefore requires seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness so that all necessary things are added. This approach builds faith through continuous diligent effort in every sphere of life. Anxiety remains the enemy of faith while obedience to the command allows God to supply every need through His faithful involvement.
Antidotes to Fear and Depression
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus Christ instructs His disciples to take no anxious thought about life, what to eat or drink, or about the body and what to wear. Life is more than food and the body is more than clothing. The birds of the air neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet the heavenly Father feeds them, and the disciples are of more value than they. Worrying cannot add one cubit to stature. The lilies of the field neither toil nor spin, yet even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these, and if God so clothes the grass of the field, He will much more clothe the disciples. The heavenly Father knows that they need all these things. The disciples must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to them. They must not worry about the day, for the day will worry about its own things, and sufficient for the day is its own trouble. This instruction forms the beginning point for conquering fears and depression by admitting that God is in control and by transferring the burden of anxieties to Him.
The Christian and the World (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAnxious care and foreboding are debilitating and faith-destroying. Meditating on what God has already done strengthens our faith and trust in God.
Worry and Seeking the Kingdom
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWorry is a wired-in proclivity of carnal human nature, a response that Satan has programmed in a perpetual state of discontent and distrust in God.
The Christian and the World (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHaving anxiety, foreboding and fretting about food, clothing, and shelter, or being distressed about the future, demonstrates a gross lack of faith.
Facing Times of Stress: Controlled by Doubts
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe dare not equate can-do enthusiasm with genuine faith, as Peter did as he attempted to walk on water. Human faith or zeal is not godly, saving faith.
The Providence of God (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must learn to let God provide blessings rather than, through crafty scheming life our forefather Jacob, grabbing them from others for themselves.
Strategies for Interfacing with Babylon Without Becoming Assimilated (Part Two)
Sermon by David F. MaasThere are three basic causes for discontentment and three strategies to contentment, enabling us to emulate the apostle Paul's content state of mind.
Contentment
Sermon by John O. ReidMany people live in a state of discontent. Tragically, what they set their hearts upon often displaces the love for family and a relationship with God.
The Model Prayer (Part Six): Our Daily Bread
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughWhile Matthew 6:11 asks God to supply physical food, the entreaty should not be limited to physical needs but extend to the gamut of God's providence.
Limiting the Holy One of Israel (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod has self-imposed limitations when we go against His commands, testing His patience, purposely limiting Him by our faithlessness, robbing ourselves of blessings.
God Is Aware
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughUnlike human beings, who are very limited in their awareness, God knows all of our secret desires and urges, which are continually open to Him for inspection.
How Fear Resists Faith
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsBelievers are called to live, not in anxiety, but in confident faith. This courage is grounded in God's indwelling Spirit rather than human strength.
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Seven)
Sermon by David F. MaasThe antidote to double-mindedness and distractions is single-minded focus on God's law through meditating God's word, thus guarding our hearts.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-Eight): Ecclesiastes 11:1-8
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSolomon counsels us to exercise diligence, work hard, plan for disruptions, obstacles, and roadblocks, spreading risk to work within this futile world.
The Providence of God (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe have to exercise faith, realizing the timing will be right for us, enabling us to accept His provisions and decisions for us without fear or anxiety.
Facing Times of Stress: Faithfulness
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPrayers often become difficult because we fail to add thanksgiving, praise or adoration toward God. Thankfulness is an obligation to which we are bound.
Guarding Our Vulnerable Hearts
Sermon by Clyde FinkleaSome scholars hold that none of the words denoting rebellion are used in Jeremiah 17:9, but instead it means the heart is vulnerable and easily deceived.