The Heathenism of Worry
Jesus teaches us to trust in our heavenly Father and not worry about our needs, because he is a caring, providing, loving Father who can supply all our needs.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that worry is a characteristic of those who do not know God as a loving and providing Father. He points out that Jesus instructs us not to worry about our needs, as this reflects a lack of faith in God's provision. Instead, we are called to seek God's kingdom first, trusting that He will supply all our essential needs. Wilkerson challenges believers to consider how their worry might appear to the angels, who understand God's omnipotence and care. Ultimately, he encourages us to trust in our heavenly Father, who knows and provides for our needs.
Text
"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek)" (Matthew 6:31-32).
Jesus tells us that worry--about the future of our family, about jobs, about how we are to survive--is a heathen's way of life. Jesus is talking here about those who have no heavenly Father. They do not know God as he wants to be known, as a caring, providing, loving Father in heaven.
"Take no thought for tomorrow" (v. 34). In these plain words, Jesus commands us, "Do not give a thought, do not give a worry, about what might or might not happen tomorrow. You can't change anything. And you can't help by worrying. When you do, you're only doing as the heathen do." Then Jesus says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (v. 33). In other words, you are to go on loving Jesus. You are to move on, casting all your cares on him. You are to go on resting in his faithfulness. Your heavenly Father will see to it that you are supplied with all the essential things of life.
I wonder if the angels are baffled by all the worrying and anxiousness of those who claim to trust in God. To them it must seem so degrading, so insulting to the Lord, that we worry as if we had no caring Father in heaven. What perplexing questions the angels must ask among themselves: "Have they no Father who is in heaven? Do they not believe he loves them? Did he not tell them he knows all about their needs? Do they not believe that he who feeds the birds and the whole animal kingdom will feed and clothe them? How can they fret and worry if they know he owns all power, all wealth, and can supply the needs of all creation? Would they accuse their heavenly Father of neglect, as if he was not true to his word?"
You have a heavenly Father. Trust him!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Heathenism of Worry
- A. Worry is a heathen's way of life
- B. Those who worry have no heavenly Father
- C. They do not know God as a caring, providing, loving Father
- II. Jesus' Command to Not Worry
- A. 'Take no thought for tomorrow'
- B. Do not give a thought or worry about what might or might not happen tomorrow
- C. You can't change anything, and you can't help by worrying
- III. Seeking the Kingdom of God
- A. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
- B. All these things shall be added unto you
- C. Go on loving Jesus, resting in his faithfulness
Key Quotes
“You have a heavenly Father. Trust him!” — David Wilkerson
“You can't change anything, and you can't help by worrying.” — David Wilkerson
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We should trust in our heavenly Father and not worry about our needs.
- We should seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and trust that our heavenly Father will take care of us.
- We should remember that our heavenly Father owns all power, all wealth, and can supply the needs of all creation.