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Jeff Fry
  - Joined on 07-30-2006
- Lichfield, UK
- Posts 216
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6 - Exploring Faith: What is God Like? (Part 1)
6 - Exploring Faith: What is God Like? (Part I)
by Jeff Fry NIV Luke 12:22-32 Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
I. Intro
A. In our "Exploring Faith" series we have looked at:
1. What Should we do? (Luke 3)
2. Who is this man? (Mt 8:23-28 - Jesus calms the wind and waves)
3. How do I enter the kingdom of God (John 3:1-15 Nicodemus)
4. What can keep me from entering the kingdom of God (Luke 8:4-15 : parable of the Sower)
5. What kind of person is fit for the kingdom? (Luke 15:11-32 : Parable of the Prodigal Son)
B. This week we are exploring the question "What is God like?"
1. This is an incredibly important question because if effects how you relate to God on a daily basis
a) How do you see God?
(1) do you see him as the driving test examiner - ticking off all the boxes to make sure you follow all the rules?
(2) do you picture him as the friendly neighbourhood pcso who is there to turn to in case you need help but otherwise not really of any use?
(3) do you see him as a courtoom judge ready to punish your next wrong act?
(4) do you see him as a grandfather figure who is always smiling and turning a blind eye toward any wrongdoing.
(5) do you see him as a father Christmas figure - always handing out presents?
(6) do you see him as a stern, cold and distant parent who is not intimately involved in your life - only at a distance.
2. And if Christians have a warped view of God you can imagine how non-Christians, those who do not read the Scripture, how more likely it is that they too would have an untrue picture of God
3. For our own sakes and for the sake of others outside the faith, it is important that we characterize God correctly and minimize the slandering of God's character.
II. God loves to provide for His people
A. State
1. Read Luke 12:22-32
2. Getting our head in the game
a) Who is Jesus talking to?
b) What topic does Jesus start talking about in v. 22?
c) In v24. he gives his first illustration - what animal does he use to illustrate his point? What do they illustrate?
d) In v.27 he uses something else as a second illustration - what is it? What does this illustrate?
e) In the last 4 verses he sums it up - how would you put this into your own words - the idea he puts across in those last 4 verses?
3. I want to focus on what this passage says to us about God more than what it is telling us to do.
4. God considers us valuable and therefore provides for us (vv. 22-26)
a) The logic of Jesus' argument is:
(1) God provides for the ravens of the air by feeding them (v. 24)
(2) In God's mind we are much more valuable than the ravens (v. 24)
(3) Therefore, we can be sure that God will provide for us
b) Do you see God as someone who is greatly valued by God?
(1) this means God cares about you
(2) this means God cares about your well-being
(3) this means God cares about you having what you need for life
(4) this means that when God looks at you he sees someone of great worth
5. God is powerful and therefore can provide for us
a) In v. 25 we see that God is pictured as the one who has control over the span of our life, not us
(1) He is the one who determines when we will die, not us , not doctors or surgeons, not medicine but God ultimately is sovereign over all things.
(2) We are small, God is great.
b) God's providence provides for the birds and will also provide for us.
(1) The birds fly here and there finding berries and worms to eat
(2) birds chirp and sing and are by their nature rather carefree from day to day
(3) they don't store away food as if they are worried if the next worm might not be there tomorrow - they trust it will
c) Illustrate
(1) Let's consider this illustration of the birds - what does it show us about God's power?
(a) it shows us that God is at work in this world (i) He is at work every day to provide the birds their next meal(ii) Even more so He is at work behind the scenes to provide us with our next meal.(iii) We are to work just like the birds fly here and there in search of food(iv) This passage is not advocating laziness or irresponsibility.(v) Paul says in Thessalonians that whoever does not work does not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10)(vi) It even is not saying that we should abandon farming(vii) And it is not advocating a happy go lucky attitude that throws all responsibility aside. (a) the Christian who is not concerned with reaching his lost friends with the saving message of Christ is not to be applauded for being worry-free, but is irresponsible
(2) What it is advocating is trust and faith in God and His provision. Worrying about food and clothing (the necessities) would be showing a lack of faith and confidence in God to supply our needs.
(3) In fact in v. 28 Jesus says to the disciples: "how much more will he [God] clothe you, O you of little faith!" Jesus links worry to lack of faith in God.
6. God knows our needs and therefore can provide for them
a) v. 30 says, "For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
(1) that's the key phrase - "knows that you need them".
(2) It shows that God is intimately involved in our lives to the point where He knows our needs
b) Jesus also emphasizes this fact just before this passage in Luke 12:6-7 when he says,
(1) "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
c) He has not forgotten about you
d) God knows you intimately -even the number of hairs on your head.
B. Apply
1. So, if you find yourself worried ask yourself this:
a) are my worries kingdom worries or worldly worries?
b) am I trusting God in this worry?
c) have I prayed about it
(1) Paul teaches us the means for dealing with worry in Phillipians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus".
III. Conclusion
A. In the fourth century the Roman Emporer Julian the Apostate, failed in his efforts to suppress Christianity, largely because of the distinctive living he found among believers. He told his officials, "We ought to be ashamed. Not a beggar is to be found among the Jews, and those godless Galileans [he meant Christians] feed not only their own people but ours as well, whereas our people receive no assistance whatever from us".
B. When we follow Jesus' advice at the end of this passage and truly set our hearts on kingdom values and not worldly values, then our lives will be different and shine a bright and beautiful light in this community for Jesus.
1. Scripture throughout calls us to be different - good different, not weird different. You don't want people saying, "Look he doesn't shower or brush his teeth because he says he's trying to be different for Jesus!" Good different is not being tied to material things (i.e. - pursuing them, thinking about them, dreaming about them, planning about them) which then frees you up to serve others. That's good different.
2. One thing we've been doing lately is that we've been doing bouncy castle outreaches. And people have said to me, "who is doing this?" "who is paying for this?"
a) And when I tell them the church they don't really understand why but they are thankful for it and happy for it.
b) it's light that is properly shone - light can shine in a harmful way and in a helpful way.
(1) light shone in the eyes is irritating to people
(2) light shone in front of them showing them the way and meeting their needs is light shone properly.
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