Heaven Will Open
Carter Conlon teaches that trusting God and seeking His kingdom first leads to divine provision and peace, even in times of loss and uncertainty.
Pastor Carter Conlin shares a personal testimony of God's faithfulness in providing for his family after losing everything in a fire. He emphasizes the importance of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that God knows our needs and will provide. Encouraging believers to not worry about tomorrow but to focus on being the person God has called them to be, Pastor Conlin reminds us of God's unfailing faithfulness and provision.
Full Transcript
This is Pastor Carter Conlin from Times Square Church. I'm at home today and I just had the privilege during the coronavirus quarantine that a lot of us are experiencing now to just be bringing you thoughts of encouragement from the Word of God. Here's something very special to my heart I want to share with you today from the Gospel of Matthew chapter 6 verses 31 to 34.
The Lord says, Therefore do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For after all these things the Gentiles seek, that means the people outside of the kingdom of God, spend their day seeking these things. For your heavenly Father knows that you need these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Now I'm sitting in front of our fireplace and above my head is a piece of barn board from our old barn in Canada that our daughter Kate traveled there two Christmases ago to get it for us and to have our name printed on it.
And I thank God for it. I look at it almost every day when I'm home because it reminds me of the faithfulness of God. You see it was at this farm that our house burnt down in late 1989 and we lost everything.
We lost everything. Everything we'd worked for, everything we'd built was gone in literally a day. But I remember opening my Bible and I remembered this verse and I said, God, I have sought you and your kingdom and I've sought to be the person that you called me to be.
And you promised that you would add to me everything I need. So Lord, I'm just taking you at your word. And I have to tell you that heaven opened and God provided for us, for our children, and we even had leftover to give to others when it was all said and done.
And so I'm thankful for these little reminders that God's going to be faithful to you. He's going to be faithful to all of us. He will not fail you.
He won't forsake you. I've been there. I've lost everything.
I've seen the hand of God. And I want to encourage you today to believe with me that we don't need to be worried about these things, but seek God, seek his kingdom, ask him that you could be the person he's destined you to be. And you watch his hand of provision come into your life.
Be encouraged today. Jesus Christ will never fail you. God bless you.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction during coronavirus quarantine
- Reading and explanation of Matthew 6:31-34
- The call to not worry about daily needs
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II
- Personal testimony of loss and faith
- The story of the barn board and house fire
- Trusting God's promise for provision
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III
- Encouragement to seek God's kingdom first
- God's faithfulness in times of trouble
- Invitation to believe and experience God's provision
Key Quotes
“Therefore do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear?” — Carter Conlon
“I have sought you and your kingdom and I've sought to be the person that you called me to be.” — Carter Conlon
“Jesus Christ will never fail you. God bless you.” — Carter Conlon
Application Points
- Trust God daily by focusing on His kingdom rather than your worries.
- Remember past faithfulness of God to build confidence in His provision.
- Let go of anxiety about the future and live faithfully in the present.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God?
It means prioritizing God's righteousness and will above all else, trusting that He will provide for your needs.
How can I overcome worry about daily needs?
By trusting in God's provision and focusing on faith rather than anxiety about the future.
Is God's provision guaranteed even after loss?
Yes, as demonstrated by the speaker's testimony, God is faithful to provide even after significant loss.
What practical steps can I take to seek God's kingdom?
Engage in prayer, study scripture, and live according to God's principles daily.
How does this message apply during difficult times like a pandemic?
It encourages believers to trust God’s faithfulness and not be consumed by fear or worry.