Topical · Week 4 of 6

Tomorrow's Troubles

Matthew 6:25-34

Living one day at a time

Main Point

Most of what you're anxious about hasn't happened yet — and God's grace is only available for today.

Application Ideas

When tomorrow's worries creep in, practice saying 'that's tomorrow's problem, and God will be there for it.' Focus on today.

Discussion Questions

What does 'seek first the kingdom' have to do with anxiety? How do the birds and lilies illustrate God's care?

Detailed Sermon Outline

Primary Text: Matthew 6:25-34

Supporting Texts: Luke 12:22-31, Proverbs 31:25, 2 Corinthians 10:5

Big Idea: Jesus teaches us not to worry about tomorrow. Focus on God's kingdom today, and trust that tomorrow's provision will come.

Target Length: 35-40 minutes

Introduction

Jesus teaches: 'Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'

We're wired to worry about the future. What if I lose my job? What if my health fails? What if, what if, what if?

But Jesus is calling us to a different way of living: One day at a time. One concern at a time. Trusting that each day brings what we need.

I. Life Is More Than Food and Body (Matthew 6:25)

'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?'

Jesus isn't saying food and clothing don't matter. He's saying they're not the most important thing. Life is more than survival.

Your worth isn't determined by what you eat, wear, or own. Your life has value beyond your physical provision.
So when you're anxious about having enough, you're reducing your life to those basics. You're forgetting that you're more than your circumstances.

The antidote to worry about provision isn't to ignore it. It's to remember your life is more than that. Your spiritual life matters. Your relationships matter. Your character matters.

What are you reducing your life to? Where have you made provision the whole story instead of part of the story?

II. God Cares for Creation (Matthew 6:26-30)

'Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?'

Jesus points to nature. The birds don't have job security. They don't know where their next meal comes from. But they're fed. Why? Because God feeds them.

'Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.'
Jesus is using creation to show God's provision. If God dresses the flowers in beauty without their effort, if God feeds the birds without their anxiety, don't you think God will care for you?

This isn't magical thinking. It's an invitation to trust the Provider more than to fear the future.

The question for you: If God cares for flowers and birds, why do you doubt his care for you?

III. Seek First the Kingdom (Matthew 6:31-34)

'So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.'

Seeking the kingdom first doesn't mean ignoring provision. It means ordering your priorities. Making God's purposes your main concern.

When you're focused on his kingdom—on justice, mercy, love, truth—you're freed from the obsession with accumulation and security.
'Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'

Don't carry tomorrow's problems today. Today has what you need to handle today. Tomorrow will have what you need to handle tomorrow.

Each day, seek his kingdom. Each day, trust his provision. That's the rhythm of faith Jesus invites you into.

Conclusion & Appeal

Jesus teaches a counterintuitive path: Stop worrying about tomorrow. Stop obsessing about provision. Seek the kingdom. Trust the Provider.

This isn't poverty or recklessness. It's freedom from anxiety because you've repositioned your life around something deeper than comfort and security.

What would change if you adopted Jesus' rhythm: One day at a time. One concern at a time. Seeking his kingdom. Trusting his provision.