25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. —Matthew 6:25-34

What we look to for life will

I. Christmas is the promise of peace

• A. Proclaimed thousands of years ago – Isaiah 9:6

  6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. —Isaiah 9:6

• B. Heralded at Christ’s birth – Luke 2:14

  14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” —Luke 2:14

• C. Promised by Jesus – John 16:32-33

  32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” —John 16:32-33

God

II. Illusiveness of peace

• A. How it can be lost? – Jeremiah 2:13

  13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. —Jeremiah 2:13

  1. Rejection of God and His provision
  2. Settling for our empty and broken efforts
     

• B. How it can be restored? – Matthew 6:25-30

  25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? —Matthew 6:25-30

  1. Don’t take matters into your hands! Matthew 6:25-30
     a. It does not fit our position – Servants 6:25

     1. “For this reason” points us back to 6:24
     2. We are to be servants of God, not money
     3. Servants are dependent upon the master
     4. God is the giver and supporter of life

     b. It does not fit His position – Father 6:26-30

     1. Our responsibility as children is to trust
     2. Illustrations of that trust 6:26-30
        i. Birds of the air 6:26-27
        ii. Flowers of the field 6:28-30
        

  2. Trust Him! Matthew 6:31-34

     31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. —Matthew 6:31-34

     a. Seek His kingdom and righteousness 6:31-33

     1. Isaiah 57:13-21

        13 When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them all off, a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain. 14 And it shall be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people’s way.” 15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. 16 For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made. 17 Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry, but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart. 18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, 19 creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal him. 20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” —Isaiah 57:13-21

     2. John 16:33

        33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

     3. Romans 5:1

        1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. —Romans 5:1

     b. Live for today and trust Him for tomorrow 6:34

     1. Isaiah 26:3-4

        3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock. —Isaiah 26:3-4

     2. I John 2:15-17

        15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world–the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life–is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. —I John 2:15-17

     3. I Peter 5:7

        7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. —I Peter 5:7

Peace in this life is not only

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind? This would be a great opportunity as a group to use the Ask a Pastor feature and that way we can address it either directly or in the messages in the future.

3. What are some circumstances that cause you to lose peace in your life?

4. What are the applications we can glean from Matthew 6 to secure this peace?

5. What are some ways you can share this peace during the Christmas holidays?