“But seek for His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:31-32)

How are you responding to the inevitable difficult issues of life? Chuck Swindoll says. “Life is 10% what happens to us, and 90% how we respond to it.” The natural man will respond with fear, anxiety or frantic activity. It has been said that we are heading for a crisis, in a crisis, or coming out of a crisis of some kind in our lives. As a disciple of Christ, you must keep setting the Father’s perfect character before you. You must treasure Him above everything else. He is perfect in His purpose, providence and promises. He will never leave you nor forsake you. You are His child. He has everything under control. Do not worry about tomorrow. Every day will have enough trouble of its own. And on each day, seek first His kingdom and His righteousness – all this other stuff is just “add on”. Jesus revealed all of this in His life, death, burial and resurrection. This week’s passage is pure teaching for disciples of Christ, children of the Heavenly Father. And when this is accepted by faith, you are then set free to live, give, serve, and love in such a radical way, the nations will see the nature of the Father in us. (Matthew 5:16)

“I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8)

“Humble yourselves therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)

“If we undertake work for God and get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility will be overwhelmingly crushing; but if we roll back on God that which He has put upon us, He takes away the sense of responsibility by bringing in the realization of Himself.” (Oswald Sanders)

“Faith is confidence that God is who He says He is and that He will do all He has promised to do.” (Andy Stanley)


This week’s message

Trust Your Father: Luke 12:22-34

Jesus instructs His disciples on how to live with a trusting, God glorifying heart in a world that is often a source of anxiety, fear and worry. Our hearts must treasure:

1. The Father’s transcendent purpose (v.22-23)
a. Notice: Do not be anxious for the needs of your life.
b. Consider: In what way is life about more than food and clothing? What is life’s ultimate purpose?
c. Related Scripture: Prov. 4:23; Matthew 4:4; John 7:37-38; 10:10; 17:3; Phil. 3:8-10

2. The Father’s loving providence (v.24-28)
a. Notice: The ravens and the lilies are cared for and gloriously beautiful.
b. Consider: What does anxiety accomplish? What proves we are more valuable than the birds and grass?
c. Related Scripture: Psalm 55:22; Isaiah 43:1-7; Luke 12:6-7; 1 Peter 5:6-7;

3. The Father’s glorious promise (v.29-34)
a. Notice: We must seek first God’s kingdom, and all else will be added unto us.
b. Consider: What are the implications of the promise in verse 32? How does this empower us to give to charity and treasure the things of heaven?
c. Related Scripture: John 14:1; Romans 8:32; 2 Cor. 4:14-18; Hebrews 11:6;