Sermon on the Mount – Pt 7
Matthew 6:19-24 (NLT)
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
Matthew 4:8-10 (NIV)
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Romans 8:31-32 (NLT)
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
1. Truly trusting God as our provider comes from a heart that is rooted in seeking the Kingdom of God above all else and living righteously.
– Who do I trust as my provider?
– What themes dominate my thought life?
– Where do I spend my energy and put my focus?
– When am I spending time with Jesus?
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
2. Not only is God our Provider, but he is also our provider who cares.
SMALL GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: Trusting God as our provider comes from a heart that is rooted in seeking the Kingdom of God above all else and living righteously.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Matthew 6:19-24.
– What challenges may hinder our ability to trust God as our provider?
– In what ways does trusting God as our provider impact our daily lives and decision-making?
– How can we cultivate a heart that is rooted in seeking the kingdom of God above all else?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share with the Group.
Read 1 Peter 5:7. Ask God to show you an area in your life where you have been wrestling through worries, doubts, and fears in his ability to provide for you and where you could experience peace and contentment in your life. Surrender these things to God and thank Him for His care for you.
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Pray that we will continue to cultivate a kingdom mindset as followers of Jesus and as a church so that the truth that God is our Provider will grow deep in our hearts.