(Jwplayer)

March 20, 2017

Totally Dependent Upon the Creator...

GOD Knows Your Needs...What Are You Worried About?

(Matthew 6:31-32)

FEAR is LACK of FAITH...



Matthew 6:31-32

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.

Matthew 6

V 1–18: SECRECY Secrecy in giving (verses 1 to 4), praying (verses 5 to 8), and fasting (verses 16 to 18) is taught by Jesus. It is in this context that the pattern of the Lord’s Prayer (verses 9 to 15) is given. This contrasts with the hypocrisy of men, which is encountered in this chapter. V 19–23: SIMPLICITY Our attitude to wealth should be such that we are not seeking to live to gain money. Our heart is where our treasure is, and that should be in spiritual things. We also need simplicity to look honestly at the darkness inside us and have it dealt with by the Light of the world. V 24: SINGULARITY The Christian must be single-minded in serving God and not ‘mammon’. Mammon stands for being dominated by money and materialistic considerations. V 25–34: SERENITY Nature tells us that God cares even for birds and flowers. Those with a special relationship with God should not worry, therefore, about provision of needs, now or in the future, but seek to please God first by seeking as a priority His kingdom and His righteousness. (This is not to encourage laziness but to underline the need for faith and trust.)


King James Study Bible:
  • Introduction to the Gospel According to Matthew  

    Introduction to the Gospel According to Matthew

    The four Gospels present a fourfold view of the life of Christ. Except for scant references by Tacitus and Josephus, our entire knowledge of the life of Jesus comes from these gospel accounts. The early accounts probably were passed on verbally in the Aramaic language and then recorded in Greek manuscripts between A.D.
  • God the Father: Matthew 6:9 The Father is the first person of the Trinity. With only one exception (John 17:3), Jesus always spoke of God as the Father. The Scriptures identify the fatherhood of God in... 


     

  • Matt. 6:26–32   Jesus illustrates His point by referring to objects in nature that were immediately at hand, the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. The key point of this passage is found in...  

  • Luke 6:17–49   This may be Luke’s version of the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7). Or it may be similar teaching drawn from a different setting. In a three-year ministry Jesus would probably not give...  

  • Luke 12:22–31  See Matthew 6:25–33. 


  • Means of Revelation:  Hebrews 1:1 God has revealed Himself through various means, such as visions (Is. 6), dreams (Dan. 2), poetry (Ps. 139), biography (especially the Gospels), sermons (Matt. 5—7),...  


  • Introduction to the General Epistle of James  

    Introduction to the General Epistle of James

    Title: James, like all of the general epistles except Hebrews, is named after its author (verse 1). Authorship: The author is identified only as James, and there are four men so named in the New Testament. Yet the evidence unquestionably favors one candidate.

Luke 12:13-34
13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 
14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness : for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul , thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat , drink, and be merry. 
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself , and is not rich toward God. 
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 
24 Consider the ravens : for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 
32 Fear not, little flock ; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom . 
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms ; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.


Resources » Asbury Bible Commentary » Part III: The New Testament » MATTHEW » Commentary» II. The Proclamation of Jesus Messiah to Israel (4:17–16:20) » C. Announcement of the Kingdom Through Teaching, Preaching, and Healing (4:23–9:35) » e. Requirements of the kingdom: Possessions (6:19–34)
e. Requirements of the kingdom: Possessions (6:19–34)
e. Requirements of the kingdom: Possessions (6:19-34)
Participation in the kingdom is dependent not only on true righteousness and a piety that seeks God's glory, but also on a proper attitude toward material things. Jesus addresses two problems in this passage: wealth (vv. 19-24) and worry over basic needs (vv. 25-34).
In 6:19-24 Jesus demands that his disciples give their full allegiance and devotion to God (“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven”) rather than to the accumulation of wealth (treasures on earth). He gives three reasons for this admonition: (1) material things offer no security, since they are themselves susceptible to destruction (v. 20); (2) the quality of personal character (the heart) is determined by the object of commitment and devotion (v. 21); (3) the attempt to divide allegiance between God and money is doomed to failure; it can lead only to self-deception (vv. 22-23) and the despising of God (v. 24).
Jesus goes on to indicate that worry is just as destructive to the spiritual life as is greed. Disciples must not worry about the basic needs of life (vv. 25, 31-32), for such worry stems from little faith (v. 30). Rather, disciples should recognize that the heavenly Father is able and willing to provide for all of their needs (vv. 25b-30). Indeed, as disciples invest themselves in the work of God in the world, they will be freed from all anxiety regarding the future (vv. 33-34).


● Matthew 6:27-31 "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:" "And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." "Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith?" "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?"
“O ye of little faith”: This was the Lord’s recurring rebuke of the weak disciples 8:26; 14:31, 16:8; 17:20)
In these verses above, Jesus was trying to tell us that we should not be concerned about material things. Fear is lack of faith.
When God told Abraham to leave Ur of the Chaldees and go to a land He had never seen, Abraham did not question how he would make a living. He knew if God told him to go, that God would provide for him.
When a person is called to the ministry, it seems the first thing that happens is you are out of money. God wants us to realize that He is our source.
All the care and planning that we do can be wiped out with one market crash. We have to finally depend on God, anyway. Why not just start out that way and save time?
In Psalms 37, God said He will take care of the righteous.
Psalms 37:25-29 "I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." "[He is] ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed [is] blessed."
Psalms 37:2-29 "For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off." "The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever."
God's plan has always been to bless the believers not just spiritually, but financially, as well. We just need to trust God completely. Work diligently and expect miracles. The main word in this is TRUST. It goes beyond faith. The Scriptures, in Matthew above (25-31), are positive statements letting us know that God cares about our needs.
In (Luke 12:31), we see what we must do to have our needs met.
Luke 12:31-32 "But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
● Matthew 6:32 "(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things."
When it speaks of "Gentiles", it is speaking of worldly people, i.e., those outside the people of promise and outside the blessing of God (Eph. 4:17-19). The people of the world are seeking wealth and fame in this life, and take no thought for the hereafter.
The Word of God says that God knows the desires of our hearts even before we pray. God knows our needs; and if we put God first, and work, and do our very best, and not worry or fret, God will see that our needs are met.
In John we read "Let not your heart be troubled". (John 14:1).
It is an act of faith not to worry or be troubled. Throughout the Bible, God had blessed his people, Noah, Abraham, David, and Solomon. Lot, after he passed through tribulation was blessed abundantly. God takes care of His own.
Verses 33-34: This portion of the Sermon on the Mount is summarized by the statement “seek ye first the kingdom of God.” The disciples who have pledged their allegiance to the King must continue seeking the kingdom and its righteousness. The present imperative form of the verb (Greek zeteo) indicates a continual or constant seeking.
The contrast between the spiritual and the material is again emphasized. The believer is to seek first the righteousness that is characteristic of God’s kingdom and then “all these things” (material things), shall be added to him. When our priority is spiritual, God will take care of the material, for where God guides, He provides.
We need not even worry about tomorrow, for “sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (verse 34). This means that each day has its own troubles and challenges to be responsibly handled, without worrying about the hypothetical problems that could arise tomorrow.
● Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
“The kingdom”: This is the same as the kingdom of heaven. It refers to the sphere of salvation. Jesus was urging them to seek salvation – and with it would come the full care and provision of God (Rom. 8:32; Phil. 4:19; 1 Peter 5:7).

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God.”—Matthew 6:33.


The people who listened to the words of Christ were still anxiously watching for some announcement of the earthly kingdom. While Jesus was opening to them the treasures of heaven, the question uppermost in many minds was, How will a connection with Him advance our prospects in the world? Jesus shows that in making the things of the world their supreme anxiety they were like the heathen nations about them,
living as if there were no God, whose tender care is over His creatures.
“All these things,” said Jesus, “do the nations of the world seek after.” “Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Luke 12:30; Matthew 6:32, 33. I have come to open to you the kingdom of love and righteousness and peace. Open your hearts to receive this kingdom, and make its service your highest interest. Though it is a spiritual kingdom, fear not that your needs for this life will be uncared-for. If you give yourself to God's service, He who has all power in heaven and earth will provide for your needs.
Jesus does not release us from the necessity of effort, but He teaches that we are to make Him first and last and best in everything. We are to engage in no business, follow no pursuit, seek no pleasure, that would hinder the outworking of His righteousness in our character and life. Whatever we do is to be done heartily, as unto the Lord.
Jesus, while He dwelt on earth, dignified life in all its details by keeping before men the glory of God, and by subordinating everything to the will of His Father. If we follow His example, His assurance to us is that all things needful in this life “shall be added.” Poverty or wealth, sickness or health, simplicity or wisdom—all are provided for in the promise of His grace.
God's everlasting arm encircles the soul that turns to Him for aid, however feeble that soul may be. The
precious things of the hills shall perish, but the soul that lives for God shall abide with Him. “The world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” 1 John 2:17. The city of God will open its golden gates to receive him who learned while on earth to lean on God for guidance and wisdom, for comfort and hope, amid loss and affliction. The songs of the angels will welcome him there, and for him the tree of life shall yield its fruit. “The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.” Isaiah 54:10.



What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? etc. - These three inquiries engross the whole attention of those who are living without God in the world. The belly and back of a worldling are his compound god; and these he worships in the lust of the flesh, in the lust of the eye, and in the pride of life.
For after all these things do the Gentiles seek - The fifth reason against solicitude about the future is - that to concern ourselves about these wants with anxiety, as if there was no such thing as a providence in the world; with great affection towards earthly enjoyments, as if we expected no other; and without praying to God or consulting his will, as if we could do any thing without him: this is to imitate the worst kind of heathens, who live without hope, and without God in the world.
Seek - Επιζητει from επι, intensive, and ζητεω, I seek, to seek intensely, earnestly, again and again: the true characteristic of the worldly man; his soul is never satisfied - give! give! is the ceaseless language of his earth-born heart.
Your heavenly Father knoweth, etc. - The sixth reason against this anxiety about the future is - because God, our heavenly Father, is infinite in wisdom, and knows all our wants. It is the property of a wise and tender father to provide necessaries, and not superfluities, for his children. Not to expect the former is an offense to his goodness; to expect the latter is injurious to his wisdom.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God - See on Mat 3:7 ( But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 
Repentance : There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Mat 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo , meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. (3.) This verb, with the cognate noun metanoia , is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical repentance consists of (1) a true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Psa 119:128; Job 42:5, Job 42:6; Co2 7:10) and turning from it to God; and (4) a persistent endeavour after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments. The true penitent is conscious of guilt (Psa 51:4, Psa 51:9), of pollution (Psa 51:5, Psa 51:7, Psa 51:10), and of helplessness (Psa 51:11; Psa 109:21, Psa 109:22). Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be. But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin, but also an apprehension of mercy, without which there can be no true repentance (Psa 51:1; Psa 130:4).)

His righteousness - That holiness of heart and purity of life which God requires of those who profess to be subjects of that spiritual kingdom mentioned above. See on Mat 5:20 (note).
The seventh reason against these worldly cares and fears is - because the business of our salvation ought to engross us entirely: hither all our desires, cares, and inquiries ought to tend. Grace is the way to glory - holiness the way to happiness. If men be not righteous, there is no heaven to be had: if they be, they shall have heaven and earth too; for godliness has the promise of both lives. Ti1 6:3.
All these things shall be added unto you - The very blunt note of old Mr. Trapp, on this passage, is worthy of serious attention. All things shall be added. "They shall be cast in as an overplus, or as small advantages to the main bargain; as paper and pack-thread are given where we buy spice and fruit, or an inch of measure to an ell of cloth." This was a very common saying among the Jews: "Seek that, to which other things are necessarily connected." "A king said to his particular friend, 'Ask what thou wilt, and I will give it unto thee.' He thought within himself, 'If I ask to be made a general I shall readily obtain it. I will ask something to which all these things shall be added:' he therefore said, 'Give me thy daughter to wife.' This he did knowing that all the dignities of the kingdom should be added unto this gift." See in Schoettgen.
To this verse, probably, belong the following words, quoted often by Clement, Origen, and Eusebius, as the words of Christ: αιτειτε τα μεγαλα, και τα μικρα υμιν προστεθησεται· και αιτειτε τα επουρανια, και τα επιγεια προστεθησεται υμιν. "Ask great things, and little things shall be added unto you; ask heavenly things, and earthly things shall be added unto you."

There is scarcely any sin against which our Lord Jesus more warns his disciples, than disquieting, distracting, distrustful cares about the things of this life. This often insnares the poor as much as the love of wealth does the rich. But there is a carefulness about temporal things which is a duty, though we must not carry these lawful cares too far. Take no thought for your life. Not about the length of it; but refer it to God to lengthen or shorten it as he pleases; our times are in his hand, and they are in a good hand. Not about the comforts of this life; but leave it to God to make it bitter or sweet as he pleases. Food and raiment God has promised, therefore we may expect them. Take no thought for the morrow, for the time to come. Be not anxious for the future, how you shall live next year, or when you are old, or what you shall leave behind you. As we must not boast of tomorrow, so we must not care for to-morrow, or the events of it. God has given us life, and has given us the body. And what can he not do for us, who did that? If we take care about our souls and for eternity, which are more than the body and its life, we may leave it to God to provide for us food and raiment, which are less. Improve this as an encouragement to trust in God. We must reconcile ourselves to our worldly estate, as we do to our stature. We cannot alter the disposals of Providence, therefore we must submit and resign ourselves to them. Thoughtfulness for our souls is the best cure of thoughtfulness for the world. Seek first the kingdom of God, and make religion your business: say not that this is the way to starve; no, it is the way to be well provided for, even in this world. The conclusion of the whole matter is, that it is the will and command of the Lord Jesus, that by daily prayers we may get strength to bear us up under our daily troubles, and to arm us against the temptations that attend them, and then let none of these things move us. Happy are those who take the Lord for their God, and make full proof of it by trusting themselves wholly to his wise disposal. Let thy Spirit convince us of sin in the want of this disposition, and take away the worldliness of our hearts. 
http://bibletools.info/Matthew_6:31

For after all these things do the Gentiles seek - That is, those destitute of the true doctrines of religion, and unacquainted with proper dependence on Divine Providence, make it their chief anxiety thus to seek food and clothing. But you, who have a knowledge of your Father in heaven; who know that He will provide for your needs, should not be anxious. Seek first His kingdom; seek first to be righteous, and to become interested in His favor, and all necessary things will be added to you. He has control over all things, and He can give you what you need. He will give you what he deems best for you.


 Dictionary of Bible Themes:
  • 1020 God, all-knowing  The omniscience of God is that attribute by which He knows all things past, present and future. What is hidden from human sight is still known by God. Scripture stresses the wisdom of God in all His actions, and often grounds this in His all-embracing knowledge.
  • 1040 God, fatherhood of  Primarily signifying God’s paternal relationship to Jesus Christ, the term also refers to God’s fatherly relationship to His creation, especially to believers as the “children of God”.
  • 1330 God, the provider  God supplies the needs of all creation, but gives special care to his own people.  

    God’s special provision for his own people:

    ● He provides for their practical needs 
    ● He provides for their protection 
    ● He provides for their every need 
  • 1660 Sermon on the Mount  A collection of Jesus Christ’s teaching on the theme of discipleship. It deals with the righteousness required of disciples, the way they are to perform their religious duties, and the blessing and persecution they will know as followers of Christ. It can be seen as a manifesto setting out the nature of life in the kingdom of God. The righteousness required of Jesus Christ disciples:  Not only murder but also anger and broken relationships are wrong. Not only adultery but also lust is wrong: Faithfullness in marriage is called for; Faithfulness in speech is called for; Retaliation must be abandoned, and enemies as well as neighbours must be loved.
  • Jesus Christ’s disciples are to seek only God’s approval in their religious duties 
    How religious duties are to be performed ●Giving to the poor is to be done secretly;  ●Prayer is not to become a public display; ●Fasting is to be done without show.
    The kingdom is to be valued above material possessions 
    Jesus Christ’s disciples are to avoid being judgmental 
    Jesus Christ’s disciples should pray, confident of an answer 
    True disciples will obey Jesus Christ teaching 
  • 2363 Jesus Christ, preaching and teaching of   A vital feature of Jesus Christ’s ministry, focusing on his authoritative proclamation of the kingdom of God.
  • 4030 world, human behaviour in  Human behaviour in the world is now characterised by self-centredness as a result of sin. Believers are called upon to renounce such sinful behaviour.  

    Believers are to renounce the passions of the world:

    ● Through a renewed mind 
    ● Through obedience 
    ● Through having spiritual priorities 
    ● Through growing to maturity 
  • 4438 eating  The consumption of food, necessary for survival. Scripture cites enjoyment of eating as a gift of God but emphasises that it is not the main priority in life, for God will provide abundantly for his children.
  • 4460 grass  Green vegetation, which grows rapidly after rainfall, and serves as good food for many animals. The withering of grass in hot weather is often used in Scripture as a symbol of the frailty and brevity of human life.
  • 4472 lily  
  • 5003 human race, and God  Though vastly superior to the human race, God nevertheless loves, sustains and governs it, sending his Son as a human being to redeem humanity.
  • 5027 knowledge, God’s of humanity  God knows all people comprehensively, their nature, their deeds and their thoughts. He understands every aspect of their lives, past, present and future.
  • 5057 rest, physical  The need for physical rest is recognised in Scripture, and provision is made for ensuring that people are allowed time for rest.  

    The purpose of rest:

    ● To renew strength 
    ● To know peace 

    The character of rest:

    ● The absence of war 
    ● The absence of social strife 
    ● The absence of fear 
    ● The absence of anxiety 
    ● The presence of God 
    ● The experience of security 
    ● The experience of peace in death 

    The destruction of rest:

    ● By business 
    ● By conflict 
    ● By grief 
    ● By unconfessed guilt 
    ● By sickness
  • 5136 body  Used in Scripture in both a physical and metaphorical sense, the body is susceptible to sin and suffering, but may be offered to God in worship and will finally be transformed by resurrection.
  • 5178 running  Scripture gives pictures of running in both its literal and metaphorical senses, the image of the Christian life as a race being particularly significant.
  • 5191 thought   The human ability to reason and reflect. Believers are called to reflect upon the words and works of God as they are made known through Scripture and to avoid speculation based purely upon human reason.
  • 5503 rich, the  It is hard but not impossible for rich people to enter God’s kingdom. They must put their hope in God, not in their riches. Rich people who live selfishly, abuse their position and fail to repent and live for Jesus Christ, are in peril.  

    Warnings to rich people:

    ● They should recognise that God is the giver of riches 
    ● They should not be arrogant or complacent on account of their riches 
    ● They should not trust in their riches 
    ● They face disaster if they lack wisdom 
    ● They must live moral lives 
    ● Wealth can bring anxiety 
    ● Riches are of fleeting value 
    ● Ultimate security is found in God alone 
    ● It is hard for rich people to enter God’s kingdom 

    Rich people will be judged for their behaviour:

    ● If they exploit, oppress or kill the poor 
    ● If they hoard wealth and live selfishly 
    ● If they slander the name of Jesus Christ

    Commands to rich people:

    ● To seek God’s kingdom as first priority 
    ● To repent from sin 
    ● To be generous towards the needy 
  • 5566 suffering, encouragements in   Believers are encouraged by the loving care and faithful promises of God and by the example, support and prayers of fellow believers. The prospect of heaven helps them to endure.    

    The encouragement of God’s love:

    ● The care of the Father 
    ● The sympathetic understanding of Jesus Christ 
    ● The comfort of the Spirit 
    ● The promises of God 

    The encouragement of the fellowship of believers:

    ● Examples from the past 
    ● Support from other believers 
  • 5698 guardian  

    ● God’s guardianship of people:

    He loves and cares 
    He defends and protects 
    He teaches and guides 
    He keeps and provides 

    ● God’s guardianship of other things:

    He is guardian of his word 
    He is guardian of the world 

    ● Christians are guardians of God’s truth

  • 5766 attitudes, to life  The way in which people think or feel about human life is of major importance to morality. Scripture declares the sanctity of life, and the attitudes towards life which should follow.
  • 5802 care  A practical outworking of loving vigilance, efforts and tenderness. Care is perfectly shown by God. People should imitate God’s care, but human care is often limited, faulty or misplaced in self-centred ways.  

    God relieves HIS people of cares:

    There is a vital distinction between “care” in the sense of “loving care” which Christians are to practise, and “worldly care” in the sense of “anxiety” which Christians should transfer to God, since they and their needs are HIS responsibility
  • 5805 comfort  The consolation and reassurance of those who are in distress, anxiety or need. Such comfort is an essential aspect of human relationships. Scripture declares that God comforts his people in times of distress.  

    Promises of comfort:

    ● When worried
    ● When lonely 
    ● When tired or weary 
    ● When discouraged 
  • 5853 experience, of life  Experience of life comes with increasing age and through observation, reflection and the application of lessons learned. Experience in a craft or profession comes through training and practice.                                                                 ● Human experiences find fulfilment only in relation to God. 
  • 5933 restlessness  A lack of peace, experienced physically, spiritually or mentally.

    Causes of restlessness:

    ● Worry 
    ● Illness
    ● Lack of purpose 
    ● Uncompleted business 
    ● Rebelliousness 
    ● Demon-possession 
    ● Sinfulness 

    Restlessness as part of God’s judgment against sin

    Antidotes to restlessness:

    ● Trusting in God 
    ● Trusting in Jesus Christ 
  • 5967 thrift   Saving by the careful use of resources. In general this is encouraged in Scripture, though the dangers of meanness, materialism and anxiety are recognised.

    ● Encouragements to thrift:

    To provide for the future 
    To provide for children 
    To provide for others 
  • 6209 pagans  

    In the Gospels “pagans” is synonymous with “Gentiles”

    The term “pagans” is used to refer to people who were neither Jews nor Christians

  • 6611 adoption, privileges and duties of  As adopted members of the family of God, believers receive both the privileges and responsibilities of being children of God.

    ● The privileges received by believers through adoption:

    Believers are given the Spirit of adoption 
    Believers have access to their heavenly Father
    Believers become heirs with Christ of heaven 

    ● The benefits God gives to those he adopts:

    Believers are pitied by Him 
    Believers are protected 
    Believers are provided for 
    Believers receive loving discipline 
    Believers are never forsaken 
    Believers are assured by the Spirit 

    ● The responsibilities of God’s adopted children:

    Believers are to walk in the light
    Believers are to shun evil 
    Believers are to purify themselves 
    Believers are to live obediently 
    Believers are to live in peace 
    Believers are to live in love 
    Believers are to be watchful 
  • 6702 peace, human destruction of  Because of human sinfulness, God’s provision of peace is always under threat. Scripture shows that this breaking of peace has implications for the whole of creation.

    ●  Causes of the destruction of peace:

    Sin and self-centredness 
    Idolatry 
    Fear and anxiety
    The sins of ancestors 
    Friends 
    Enemies 

    ●  The consequences of the human destruction of peace:

    Humanity suffers 
    Nations suffer 
    The land suffers 
    The whole creation suffers 
  • 6704 peace, divine in NT  God’s ultimate provision of peace is discovered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is only through Christ that peace with God can be achieved and maintained.

    ●  Provision of peace through the Father:  

    Peace in a believer’s relationship with the Father 
    Peace through the Father’s provision for the believer 

    ●  Provision of peace through Jesus Christ:

    Through Jesus Christ’s coming 
    Through Jesus Christ’s teaching 
    Through Jesus Christ’s ministry 
    Through Jesus Christ’s death 
    Through Jesus Christ’s resurrection 
    Through Jesus Christ’s ascension 

    ●  Provision of peace through the Holy Spirit

    Through the Holy Spirit’s inner witness 
    Through the Holy Spirit’s presence 
    Peace as the Holy Spirit’s fruit and gift Gal 5:22 See also Ro 14:17
  • 7115 children of God  Israel and the church are the chief objects of God’s fatherly love. People become God’s children through faith and are then encouraged by Scripture to imitate their heavenly Father in their daily living.

    ●   Human beings as God’s children

    ●   Israel as God’s children

    Israel as God’s rebellious children

    ● God’s son

    Jesus Christ as God’s son 

    ●  Jesus Christ’s followers as God’s children

    ●  Becoming God’s children through faith in Jesus Christ

    Becoming God’s children by new birth 
    Becoming God’s children by adoption 
    Becoming God’s children by the Spirit

    ●  God’s dealings with His children

    God loves His children 
    God disciplines His children 
    God does not abandon His children God had previously (Hos 1:9) announced his judgment that Israel would be His people no longer

    ●  Behaviour expected of God’s children

    God’s children imitate their heavenly Father 
    God’s children live by the Father’s standards 

    ●  The privileges and blessings of being God’s children

    God’s children are eternally secure 
    The needs of God’s children are always supplied
    God’s children have a sure inheritance 
  • 8136 knowing God, effects of  Knowing God has a transforming effect on a person spiritually and morally and makes that person bold in actions for God. Not knowing God in the present will result in dissatisfaction and degeneration into wickedness and in the future will bring eternal alienation from him.
  • 8160 seeking God  God’s desire is that all people should seek after him and find him. Those who seek God with all their heart are rewarded, but those who fail to seek him do so to their eternal loss.

    ● God’s heart is for people to seek Him:

    God wants people to seek Him 
    God calls people to seek Him 
    God promises that people will seek Him 
    God promises to be found by those who seek Him 
    God’s opportunity for seeking Him is now and is restricted to this life 

    ● Seeking God is an issue of the heart:

    Seeking God begins in the heart 
    Wholeheartedness in seeking God is required 

    ● Seeking God and his kingdom is the priority of life

    ● The consequences of seeking God:

    It leads to life 
    It leads to forgiveness 
    It leads to blessing 
    It leads to provision 
    It leads to protection 
    It leads to understanding and wisdom 
    It leads to renewed strength 
    It leads to rejoicing 

    ● Hindrances to seeking God

    Unrighteousness 
    Pride
    Trusting in human resources 
    Idolatry 
    Superficial religion

    ● Seeking God through occult practices is forbidden

    ● Consequences of not seeking God:

    Loss of life 
    Loss of salvation 
  • 8359 weakness, spiritual  Human standards of strength and weakness are overturned by God’s perspective and may be used for his glory.                                         Weakness can be overcome by trusting in God 
  • 8409 decision-making, and providence  

    ● Decisions should be grounded in a relationship with God

     Wisdom involves making right moral decisions

    ● God guides decision-making

    Through Scripture The temptation of Jesus Christ is a good example of how Scripture can inform decision-making
    Through supernatural intervention 
    Through prayer 
    Through circumstances 

    ● The work of the Holy Spirit in decision-making

  • 8658 Lord’s Prayer, the  The name given to the prayer Jesus Christ taught his disciples, probably as a model prayer for regular use.

    ● Aspects of the Lord’s Prayer:

    A recognition of God as Father and Lord 
    A desire for God’s perfect will to be done 
    Asking for physical provision 
    Asking for forgiveness
    Asking for spiritual protection 
    The doxology 
  • 8744 faithlessness, as disobedience   A lack of faith and obedience to God, which is seen especially in the lives of unbelievers. However, Scripture makes clear that believers can occasionally lapse into faithlessness towards God.

    ● Faithlessness among the ungodly:

    In their character and lifestyle
    Examples of faithless men: Nabal; Haman; Herod the Great;  Demetrius
    The faithless appear to prosper 
    Faithlessness results in judgment 

    ● Faithlessness among the Jews:

    Their failure to trust God for deliverance
    Their rejection of the gospel 
    Specific examples  the people of Nazareth; the rich young ruler; Many Jews reject Paul’s ministry in Rome;Paul’s own persecution of the church arose from unbelief in Jesus Christ.
    Israel’s estrangement from God 
    The acceptance of the Gentiles The Jews’rejection of the gospel opens the way for Gentiles to be incorporated into the people of God, represented here as branches grafted onto a cultivated olive tree.
    Israel’s faithlessness is partial and temporaryThough the people as a whole have rejected Jesus Christ, a faithful remnant remains; God’s purpose for the faithful of Israel is their ultimate salvation.

    ● Faithlessness among believers:

    Lack of faith is rebuked  worrying about food and clothing;Fear during a storm at sea; inability to cast out a demon
    Causes of faithlessness  failure to learn from the lessons of the past; failure to accept teaching that has been given
  • 8780 materialism, as an aspect of sin  The pursuit of possessions and wealth and a preoccupation with physical things is futile and dissatisfying.

    ● Materialism as the result of human sin:

    At the fall 
    Among pagans
    Within Israel itself

    ● Materialism and possessions:

    Possessions are to be seen as a gift from God 
    Material goods can turn the heart away from God 
    Possessions and riches can make it difficult to enter the kingdom 

    ● The weaknesses of materialism:

    It is transitory 
    It does not satisfy 
    It can encourage greed 
    It can lead to worldliness 

    ● Jesus Christ’s non-materialistic attitude

    ● Warnings to believers to guard against materialism

  • 8849 worry  A sense of uneasiness and anxiety about the future. Scripture indicates that such anxiety is ultimately grounded in a lack of trust in God and His purposes.

    ● The causes of worry

    Being world-centred 
    Lacking confidence in God 
    Abandoning God

    ● Worry leads people away from God

    ● Remedies for worry

    Being God-centred
    Prayer 


satan's demons can do absolutely nothing to me unless GOD gives satan permission... and even when God allows that, out of that situation ONLY good will come...

Luke 22:31–32. JESUS says, “Simon, Simon, satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Clearly in this case satan had asked GOD’S permission to test Peter and the other disciples. JESUS tells Peter that HE has prayed specifically for him so that Peter’s faith would not fail and so that Peter can strengthen the other disciples when the test was over. The implication is that Peter and the rest would be sifted in whatever way satan intended. So GOD allowed the harassing of HIS disciples, within limits, but HE had a higher purpose in mind—the strengthening of them all.

... And we know that, ultimately, GOD controls everything in the universe, including satan. “In all things GOD works for the good of those who love HIM, who have been called according to HIS purpose” (Romans 8:28).

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