Cornerstone Baptist Church - Sunday AM, May 29, 2011
Text: Matthew 6:19-34
Another verse comes to mind when I think on these things: Romans 8:28 “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Providence is… 1. The act of providing for future use or application. 2. Foresight; timely care; accompanied with the procurement of what is necessary for future use. 3. In theology, the care and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures.
A belief in Divine Providence is a source of great consolation to good men.
As you examine Matthew 6:19-27 you see that God is concerned about every area of our life. He is interested in those…
v 19-21 – Facing financial loss.
v 22-23 – Groping in darkness.
v 24 – Standing in the place of indecision.
v 25 – Overcome with fear.
v 26 – Battling with God’s acceptance.
v 27 – Struggling with God’s design.
v 28-30 – Fraught with materialism.
Many people spend much of their life worrying about things of temporal value. These conflicts and struggles are natural to fallen man. However, as we grow in Christ these concerns should be increasingly less time consuming.
Amazingly, God can take all of our conflicts and struggles, and turn them into valuable experience.
#1. His Voice Is Worth Hearing. John 5:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
· The Voice of Salvation. Isa 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
· The Voice of Education. Prov 8:33 “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.”
· The Voice of consolation. 1 Thess 4:18 “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
#2. His Storms Are Worth Weathering. Matthew 8:23-27 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, “Lord, save us: we perish.” 26 And he saith unto them, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”
Psalm 107:29 “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.” [68:19] “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.”
#3. His Touch Is Worth Feeling. Matthew 14:35-36 “When the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.” His touch changes lives!
· Jesus Touched Jacob’s Thigh and He Never Walked The Same Again. Genesis 32:24-25 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
· Jesus touched the life of… A Leper;… A Demon possessed man;… A lady of the night;… A Tax collector…
#4. His Will Is Worth Knowing. John 1:47-51 “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. 50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
#5. His Mountains Are Worth Climbing. Psalm 121:1 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.”
· The Mount of Transfiguration. Matthew 17 (Peter, James, John).
· The Mount of Sacrifice. Genesis 22.
#6. His Valleys Are Worth Walking. Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
· The Valley of Decision. Joel 3:14 “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”
· The Valley of Death. Ps 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Christ will be there.”
#7. His Heaven is Worth Seeing. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”
When We See Christ
Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God's eternal day.
Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We're tossed and driven on , no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav'n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem - just go to Him in pray'r.
Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past,
We'll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We'll share the joys of heav'n - a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.
Refrain
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.
