For Lord’s Day, February 12, 2012

Dear Saints,

I’d like to ask you all, how much does worry dominate your life?  I venture a guess that the answer is a good amount.

This guess I think is likely accurate because I remember my preaching professor, Dr. Prutow, saying one of the most meaningful sermon series during his time in ministry was that on worry.  It also is one of his most listened to series on his sermonaudio page.

I recently heard Dr. David Jeremiah (right here in Santee) give a message on the radio about worry.  I found it very insightful and encouraging.  If you struggle slaying the giant sin of worry (the series of these messages is entitled Slaying the Giants), I encourage you to give a listen.  One thing he said that stood out to me is how Satan uses worry in our lives:  “It doesn’t rob tomorrow of its sorrow, it robs today of its strength.”  He also said Jesus teaches that worry is irreligious, unchristian, and acting like we don’t have a Father in heaven and a family on earth.  Wow.  He has lots of great things for us to consider in this message I’ll refrain from typing here.  But if you find yourself often giving yourself over to the sin of worry, let these messages help you subdue your anxiety to the glory of King Jesus:

Dr. Jeremiah’s message on worry (pt. 1 of 2):  http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio_player.aspx?id=658

Dr. Jeremiah’s series (Slaying the Giants): http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio_archives.aspx

Dr. Dennis Prutow’s series on worry and anxiety: http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?seriesOnly=true&currSection=sermonstopic&sourceid=rptsprof&keyword=Worry+and+Anxiety&keyworddesc=Worry+and+Anxiety

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Mat 6:34) (King Jesus’ command to us, not a suggestion).

Dr. Jeremiah has a helpful comment about this verse.  It’s not that Christian’s don’t have times of worry.  But Christian’s should visit worry, not stay there.  We should not move in with worry.  For, as he says, he knows people that he believes worried themselves out of life early.

Semper Reformanda,

Pastor Grant