Matthew 6:25-33. Seek first his kingdom?? 15/2/09
(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? {26} Look 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? {27} Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? {28} "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. {29} Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. {30} If 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? {31} So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' {32} For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. {33} But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Here today we are celebrating Harvest Thanksgiving, and this year again we are broadening our thoughts beyond simply the produce that we get from the land, to include the many blessings that we also receive through other work that is carried out in our society. This we also need to do so that we recognise and give thanks to God for all the good that we have received in those areas as well.
At the same time we do so with the cloud of tragedy that has struck our nation through the rages of bushfires, hanging in our midst. Our thanksgiving is surely tempered with awfulness that has struck these people affected by this disaster. At the same time we must not forget the smaller tragedies that beset many in our society day after day in one way or another. Yet in the midst of all of this we need to keep in mind God’s Word given here: God speaking to us knowing full well that our lives are confronted by these awful things again and again.
Through tragedy and suffering which is brought about by the sinfulness of humanity, God seeks to turn us to himself and the good that he has in mind for us. He wants us to see that his gifts and blessings stretch far beyond the difficulties and the struggles we face in this life. As we are connected to him and live in him we find that the sufferings and death that we face in this life is nothing compared to the surpassing greatness of God and all that he has in mind for us.
We all here, in the face of this tragedy, as well as the fact that we are still in the midst of one of the worst droughts for many, many years; and on top of that we are in the midst of a major, world-wide financial recession, we need to remember that we are still blest and still have much to be thankful for. Here in Glandore/Underdale we are still getting our three feeds a day, a roof over our heads, and clothes on our backs, and for most of us, in luxury. We have so much to be thankful for: so much that we should surely be going forward confidently with and looking forever to our God, knowing that he is looking after us very well.
Yet what do we find? We are worried and upset by many things: we are looking with consternation at many of the things that are going on around about us, and we are wanting more and more, while doing less and less. We expect that everything should go well for us, while at the same time thinking that we can live and do as we please. Throughout much of our life, most of our efforts are focussed on what we want and what we do; and our society is pushing us further and further down that track. ‘You have to have the latest and the greatest: your house must be a huge mansion; and you must have a superannuation scheme that will allow you to retire in your fifties and travel the world and all the rest’. We are told to go for the very top and to let no-one and nothing get in our way: to be very selfish in our approach to life.
The more we are looking and going down that path, the more we find life a struggle, and unfulfilling. When things like fires, droughts and recessions hit we worry and worry. As we face more corruption, fraud, and violence we become more and more uncertain and frustrated. As selfishness increases, so does the lack of fulfilment and satisfaction with life. The picture is not good and it is getting worse.
But it doesn’t need to be that way. Here our Lord Jesus is reminding us how stupid it is for us to go down that track in our thinking. Even from a mere practical point of view, he says, why worry? Nature takes care of itself. The birds don’t sow and reap and store away in bigger and bigger barns and yet they survive. The flowers look splendid without labouring and spinning. He says in the scheme of things we are far more important and valuable than they, so don’t worry: we will be taken care of.
Instead he says, Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and then all these other things will be added unto us. Yes seek God’s kingdom first and foremost. Remember this world that we see around us and our short time here in it is not all there is to the picture. What this world says and sees as important is something far more insignificant than God’s kingdom which lasts for ever. This is but a blinking of the eye: it is not lasting; Whereas God’s kingdom is eternal.
But what is this Kingdom? God’s kingdom is where God rules: where he is in control, where he determines what is good and right, and where his people live as his loyal subjects, and he supplies their needs and safety. God’s rule is good and perfect and lasting, and so we can rely on it; we can look up to it, and know that it will be true to its word. His kingdom is his ruling as king over the whole universe as well as his church on earth and in heaven. In other words his kingdom extends over all things.
However the problem is we have forgotten to look up to him as King over all. We have rebelled against him: failed to listen to and follow his ways: chosen not to receive from him what is good; and have placed ourselves and what we want in his place. We haven’t allowed him to rule for our good, and so is it any wonder that things do not go as well as we would like; or as we think God should do for us. We haven’t given him a chance.
However instead of the King sending in his army and destroying all of us, who have rebelled against him: and by that I mean every single one of us; instead he sends his own Son into our world, and then punishes him instead of us. He allows him to be strung up on a cross to die in order to satisfy God’s wrath for our rebellion. Then he extends forgiveness and a renewed chance at living at peace in God’s kingdom with the King. He declares us righteous once again: holy and perfect in his sight. He again promises to rule graciously over all he has made. It is all there once again for us, so that we no more need worry, or be hassled with the rough and tough of life.
To guarantee that this is so for us, he gave to his Church baptism, so that we can be sure that he forgives us and accepts us as his very own. He there accepts us as his loyal citizens and members of his family. He gives us his Word to remind us again and again of his forgiveness and love for us; and gives us Holy Communion so that we are constantly extended and reminded of the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation that is now ours through Jesus’ body and blood which he shed on the cross for us.
So now we are able to go forward confidently in life. We can seek this kingdom of God and his righteousness because we know that it is there; and it is for us. The King guarantees our safety and wellbeing for all eternity; he assures us of life and salvation, so we can now live as his loyal subjects; looking to him. We can actively seek to live according to his rules and guidelines.
We can forget about striving to gain and maintain our own food, drink, health and welfare. We don’t need to worry about whether we will survive, or things will work out for us, or if we will have enough, or any of those things. We now know that our gracious and caring King has it all under control, even if things may not look too good on the surface. We know that the King is using it all for a good purpose.
Yes we will however do our work and be responsible citizens, because we know that is what our King wants of us. We will work together at looking out for and caring for one another. We will constantly seek to do what is right for Him and his kingdom and also for the people in need around about us. We will share our wonderful, and many blessings with those around us who are less fortunate than ourselves. And above all we will thank our Heavenly Father for all the goodness that he has sent our way.
Now instead of looking inward and downward, we can lift our eyes and look upwards and outwards. We can constantly seek after God’s kingdom: his good and gracious rule, and the righteousness that he has extended to us through our Lord Jesus Christ and we can then go forward boldly and confidently, to live and be his citizen and giving thanks to him at all times.
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
May each one of us then give thanks to our gracious God in the face of difficulty and tragedy as well as the good, and in so doing go forward looking to our Lord at all times and knowing that in him and through him we have everything going for us. God’s blessings continue to go with you now and always. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
(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? {26} Look 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? {27} Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? {28} "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. {29} Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. {30} If 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? {31} So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' {32} For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. {33} But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Here today we are celebrating Harvest Thanksgiving, and this year again we are broadening our thoughts beyond simply the produce that we get from the land, to include the many blessings that we also receive through other work that is carried out in our society. This we also need to do so that we recognise and give thanks to God for all the good that we have received in those areas as well.
At the same time we do so with the cloud of tragedy that has struck our nation through the rages of bushfires, hanging in our midst. Our thanksgiving is surely tempered with awfulness that has struck these people affected by this disaster. At the same time we must not forget the smaller tragedies that beset many in our society day after day in one way or another. Yet in the midst of all of this we need to keep in mind God’s Word given here: God speaking to us knowing full well that our lives are confronted by these awful things again and again.
Through tragedy and suffering which is brought about by the sinfulness of humanity, God seeks to turn us to himself and the good that he has in mind for us. He wants us to see that his gifts and blessings stretch far beyond the difficulties and the struggles we face in this life. As we are connected to him and live in him we find that the sufferings and death that we face in this life is nothing compared to the surpassing greatness of God and all that he has in mind for us.
We all here, in the face of this tragedy, as well as the fact that we are still in the midst of one of the worst droughts for many, many years; and on top of that we are in the midst of a major, world-wide financial recession, we need to remember that we are still blest and still have much to be thankful for. Here in Glandore/Underdale we are still getting our three feeds a day, a roof over our heads, and clothes on our backs, and for most of us, in luxury. We have so much to be thankful for: so much that we should surely be going forward confidently with and looking forever to our God, knowing that he is looking after us very well.
Yet what do we find? We are worried and upset by many things: we are looking with consternation at many of the things that are going on around about us, and we are wanting more and more, while doing less and less. We expect that everything should go well for us, while at the same time thinking that we can live and do as we please. Throughout much of our life, most of our efforts are focussed on what we want and what we do; and our society is pushing us further and further down that track. ‘You have to have the latest and the greatest: your house must be a huge mansion; and you must have a superannuation scheme that will allow you to retire in your fifties and travel the world and all the rest’. We are told to go for the very top and to let no-one and nothing get in our way: to be very selfish in our approach to life.
The more we are looking and going down that path, the more we find life a struggle, and unfulfilling. When things like fires, droughts and recessions hit we worry and worry. As we face more corruption, fraud, and violence we become more and more uncertain and frustrated. As selfishness increases, so does the lack of fulfilment and satisfaction with life. The picture is not good and it is getting worse.
But it doesn’t need to be that way. Here our Lord Jesus is reminding us how stupid it is for us to go down that track in our thinking. Even from a mere practical point of view, he says, why worry? Nature takes care of itself. The birds don’t sow and reap and store away in bigger and bigger barns and yet they survive. The flowers look splendid without labouring and spinning. He says in the scheme of things we are far more important and valuable than they, so don’t worry: we will be taken care of.
Instead he says, Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and then all these other things will be added unto us. Yes seek God’s kingdom first and foremost. Remember this world that we see around us and our short time here in it is not all there is to the picture. What this world says and sees as important is something far more insignificant than God’s kingdom which lasts for ever. This is but a blinking of the eye: it is not lasting; Whereas God’s kingdom is eternal.
But what is this Kingdom? God’s kingdom is where God rules: where he is in control, where he determines what is good and right, and where his people live as his loyal subjects, and he supplies their needs and safety. God’s rule is good and perfect and lasting, and so we can rely on it; we can look up to it, and know that it will be true to its word. His kingdom is his ruling as king over the whole universe as well as his church on earth and in heaven. In other words his kingdom extends over all things.
However the problem is we have forgotten to look up to him as King over all. We have rebelled against him: failed to listen to and follow his ways: chosen not to receive from him what is good; and have placed ourselves and what we want in his place. We haven’t allowed him to rule for our good, and so is it any wonder that things do not go as well as we would like; or as we think God should do for us. We haven’t given him a chance.
However instead of the King sending in his army and destroying all of us, who have rebelled against him: and by that I mean every single one of us; instead he sends his own Son into our world, and then punishes him instead of us. He allows him to be strung up on a cross to die in order to satisfy God’s wrath for our rebellion. Then he extends forgiveness and a renewed chance at living at peace in God’s kingdom with the King. He declares us righteous once again: holy and perfect in his sight. He again promises to rule graciously over all he has made. It is all there once again for us, so that we no more need worry, or be hassled with the rough and tough of life.
To guarantee that this is so for us, he gave to his Church baptism, so that we can be sure that he forgives us and accepts us as his very own. He there accepts us as his loyal citizens and members of his family. He gives us his Word to remind us again and again of his forgiveness and love for us; and gives us Holy Communion so that we are constantly extended and reminded of the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation that is now ours through Jesus’ body and blood which he shed on the cross for us.
So now we are able to go forward confidently in life. We can seek this kingdom of God and his righteousness because we know that it is there; and it is for us. The King guarantees our safety and wellbeing for all eternity; he assures us of life and salvation, so we can now live as his loyal subjects; looking to him. We can actively seek to live according to his rules and guidelines.
We can forget about striving to gain and maintain our own food, drink, health and welfare. We don’t need to worry about whether we will survive, or things will work out for us, or if we will have enough, or any of those things. We now know that our gracious and caring King has it all under control, even if things may not look too good on the surface. We know that the King is using it all for a good purpose.
Yes we will however do our work and be responsible citizens, because we know that is what our King wants of us. We will work together at looking out for and caring for one another. We will constantly seek to do what is right for Him and his kingdom and also for the people in need around about us. We will share our wonderful, and many blessings with those around us who are less fortunate than ourselves. And above all we will thank our Heavenly Father for all the goodness that he has sent our way.
Now instead of looking inward and downward, we can lift our eyes and look upwards and outwards. We can constantly seek after God’s kingdom: his good and gracious rule, and the righteousness that he has extended to us through our Lord Jesus Christ and we can then go forward boldly and confidently, to live and be his citizen and giving thanks to him at all times.
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
May each one of us then give thanks to our gracious God in the face of difficulty and tragedy as well as the good, and in so doing go forward looking to our Lord at all times and knowing that in him and through him we have everything going for us. God’s blessings continue to go with you now and always. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
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