AXIOM #4 “God cares more about it than we do.” Luke 12:22-32

REVIEW: We are learning to live like Jesus by looking at the world the way Jesus did. We are doing that by learning these AXIOMS. Quick Review:

• [Kiroas- being aware of God’s activity in my life.]
• [AXIOM 1- God is always present and at work.]
• [AXIOM 2- God is like Jesus]. [Axiom 3- God meets us in reality.]

ILL: Illustration of not telling our kids about a trip or a surprise until its going to happen. because they ask so many questions and in reality we as the parents care more than they do!

AXIOM 4: God cares more about it than we do.

APP> There is a reason that we NEED to know this and a reason that we DON’T believe this and it dominates our passage of scripture: FEAR. Jesus tells us this at the core of the passage, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 f there has ever been a year of Fear and Anxiety, 2020 is it. Not just with the COVID Crisis but with, what experts are calling the “second crisis” in the area of mental and emotional health.

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline has seen a 65% increase in calls and emails since March.

CONTEXT> In the context of Luke Chapter 12, it is specific teaching geared for his disciples, Luke 12:1 and Luke 12:22 and he speaks very specifically to his disciples about fear and focuses it into three areas: Fear of death. Luke 12:4, Fear of man. Luke 12:11, Fear of need. Luke 12:30-32. So…. Jesus answers our fear and our anxiety with an assurance an assurance of the Fathers love and care for us.

APP> Full confession, today I preach to you as the chief among sinners. I struggle with deep insecurities and recently anxieties in a way that I never have before.

1. Fear is the foundation for Anxiety.

• • • Out of all the commands that God gives us in the bible, he tells his people to “Fear Not!” the most.

Fear is:  (Adapted from Mark Driscoll)

1. 1. Fear is vision without optimism.
   2. Fear seems reasonable even when it’s not.
   3. Fear reveals what we love.
   4. Fear turns us into false prophets.
   5. Fear is not always sinful but is always an opportunity to sin.

APP> Do you fear not getting what you want? Do you fear losing what you have? Do you fear getting something you don’t want?

2) Anxiety is anticipating fear.

• • • • Anxiety is our body’s response to fear. Two things when it comes to experiencing anxiety.

1. Notice it. (*From Steve Cuss “Managing Leadership Anxiety)
   1. 1. 1. A Spinning mind.
         2. A Racing heart.
         3. A Tightening Gut.

2.  Name it.

• • • • “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?” Luke 12:25-26
  • Anxiety takes a future possibility and makes it a present reality.
  • The opposite of faith isn’t doubt, the opposite of faith is control.
  • Discipleship is learning to consent to God’s activity rather than controlling desired outcomes.

3) The assurance from the Father is the answer.

• • • • Jesus gives us the antidote to our anxiety by assuring us that God cares more about it than we do. He tells us three things:

1. Assurance that the Father has been faithful. “ravens and lillies”
2. Assurance that the Father knows what we need.
3. Assurance that the Father is good. “good pleasure”

APP> You can view “Fear Not” as a command or an invitation.

“Fear not, little flock… God cares more about it than you do.”

CLOSE>

What is “it” for you?

AXIOM 4: God cares more about it than we do.