Grapevine Ministries
Messages from the bible to uplift and encourage those that need a word from the Lord, to strengthen their faith. Ps Phillip Barker is an itinerant pastor in Perth, Western Australia.
Grapevine Ministries
From Anxiety to Trust and Fulfillment
What if you could find true peace and fulfilment by simply letting go of your worries? Join us as we uncover the powerful teachings of Jesus from Luke 12:22-31, inviting us to trust deeply in God's provision instead of being consumed by material concerns. Through relatable personal stories and thoughtful reflections, we compare these teachings with passages from John, highlighting the profound contrast between temporary fulfilment and eternal sustenance. This episode reveals how prioritising spiritual values over the anxious pursuit of wealth can lead to a more content and peaceful life.
Good morning, good afternoon, wherever you are in the world - Welcome to Grapevine Ministries.
Starting off today, we are still in the book of Luke, and we're going to start reading from Luke 12, 22, and we're going to go through to 31. And we'll just start with this. Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what will you put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn, and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds, and which of you, by worrying, can add one cubit to his statue? If you, then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the next? Consider the lilies how they grow. They never toil nor spin, and yet, I say to you, even Solomon, in all of his glory, was not arrayed like one of these. If, then, god so clothes the grass which today is in the field and into the oven, how much more will he clothe you or you of little faith? And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind for all of these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things, but seek the kingdom of God and all of these things shall be added unto you. Do not fear little flock, for it is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom Now. I just want you to keep that open there at the moment. I'm going to go through a few other scriptures, but I'm going to be going over this a little bit and I'm hopefully going to get you to understand why we don't need to worry, in mind the earlier teachings that he has done with them, so as to give them a better understanding of it. Now, through the book of Luke, you will find that he uses the kingdom of God more than any of the other gospels, even though the kingdom is mentioned on many times times. But the kingdom of God is not mentioned as much as what it is through the book of Luke. It's important to remember that Jesus in this time and in this place. So we're looking. So he's speaking from his perspective. He's actually speaking then, not now, and he's speaking about their times.
Speaker 1:So finding enough food to survive could take a day's work and clothes were very valuable back in those days. People of that region tried to make Jesus king because he fed them in one meal. Now we're talking about this. Now we move ahead to just hold your finger in that place there, but just jump forward to John 6, 26, when Jesus says Jesus answered them and said most assuredly, I say to you you seek me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of man will give you, because God, the Father, has set his seal on himself Now. So you see that here in John that Jesus is talking about the meal that he gave them and they're looking at the natural meal, where John is trying to say here that what Jesus is saying is focus on the spiritual type of things. Also, the soldiers that crucified Jesus in John 19, 23 to 24, this is where they valued his clothes that much that they drew lots and they were gambling to see who could win his clothing.
Speaker 1:See, this lesson is about the bare need for minimums to survive. This is not a lesson about a fuel pantry, refrigerator or freezer. When he speaks about clothing, he means a single garment a long tunic, a belt, a cloak and hopefully even sandals. A belt, a cloak and hopefully even sandals. He's not talking about a walk-in closet filled with all the clothes for every event, every type of weather.
Speaker 1:We have never been wealthy by any stretch of the imagination. I'm talking about me personally, personally. But I do remember one time my daughter's friends. They were telling me that they thought that we were quite well off financially because they'd never seen my daughter Stacey, they'd never seen her wear the same outfit to church on two consecutive days when she was in Bible college, and even more so every Sunday when she attended the services with us. We were financially quite stable, but I explained that we had actually taught both our kids the biblical principles about sowing and reaping. And on this day I still don't believe that her friends understood what I was talking about. Poor people only had one set of clothes, as Paul later says, but if we have food and clothes with these, we will be content, and that's in 1 Timothy 6.8. And this is also in Timothy where Paul actually acknowledges that Luke is his friend and his companion at that stage. Now, just like my kids, they're friends.
Speaker 1:Look, it was especially easy to misunderstand what Jesus is and is not promising. He's not guaranteeing that. None of us as his followers will starve to death or even find themselves without clothing. In the context of this chapter, he's pointing out that worrying about these things takes more energy than just trusting God. Now I can understand. Today it would be a lot more different and it would be a lot more urgent in our lives. God can provide in all circumstances, irrespective of where you are positioned within the kingdom of God. So, in other words, how I suppose the word is diligent you are at spending time in prayer, spending time with God, trusting the scriptures and relying on him for different things that we need through our lives. God values his children and he will always give us eternal life. He also makes it clear that whatever we need to accomplish his will, we will be given.
Speaker 1:The world system is so consumed with I need, I need. So what about the latest trend of the kids, my children at their age now? This is like early teens right through to the mid-30s after pay, zip, pay, affirm, and the list goes on about different ways that you can get what you want now and pay, pay later, or worry about paying it later. Now, I don't want you to take this the wrong way. I don't lose much sleep worrying, but I do have to admit to a certain amount of anxiety over things that sometimes I have no control over. You see, I am no different to many other listeners, with one exception my trust is in him, is based on my past experiences with a heavenly father. So Jesus' admiration of his disciples about worry does kind of hit home with a lot of people.
Speaker 1:Luke 12, 22-23 is nearly identical to Matthew 6, 25, except Matthew includes oh what you will drink, and although Luke includes drink in verse 29,. The similarities between these two scriptures in Luke 12, 22 to 31 and Matthew 6, 25 to 33, suggest that Luke may have been taken this event from the Sermon on the Mount and put it here for thematrical consistency. But there are other subtle differences that indicate that this might be from a different event altogether. For example, luke has fewer historical questions and more statements than Matthew. Does Not wanting to confuse you about what is said throughout the four Gospels, but the main thing to remember here is that they all cover the same content. But depending on who it is, they look at things as a higher value or a higher need to get your attention with. So sometimes the wording may vary, but they're saying the same things.
Speaker 1:See, in Luke 12, 22 to 34, it records Jesus telling his disciples to lay down their your anxiety and trust God for physical needs. He's already told them to reject fame, fear of death and the reliance on riches, in Luke 12, 1 to 21. Later he will tell them that they may have to leave their family as well. And that's further on in Luke 12, 49 through to 53. If you write these scriptures down, you can look up these later and you can get a full overview of what Luke is trying to tell his readers at this particular time. Luke is trying to tell his readers at this particular time. See, the thing is, instead of the focus being on the task that Jesus will give them, you've got to focus on what he actually wants holistically for them to do, which is build the church after his ascension.
Speaker 1:So what could worry do for me? It can ensure that I get my house locked up at night time. I don't forget to lock up, so I'm worrying about whether I've locked all the doors and all the windows, but it's debatable if that really is a result of worry or me being a little OCD. Worry is not going to get anyone to a meeting on time. It's not going to stop my knees from aching when I'm going to the gym or going for a run, and it won't help me spot a place to build a house or what job to take, and it sure won't guarantee that the economy doesn't put me out on the street holding a cardboard sign.
Speaker 1:I remember saying this once to someone who was working down at community services, because I had. This person came in and they had a very expensive car and they were dressed very nicely, and so not the sort of person that you would expect coming through a community outreach program. But the reality was that that person had been quite wealthy and they'd made some poor decisions, had been quite wealthy and they'd made some poor decisions, and so, realistically, they'd lost everything they had except literally the clothes on their back and their vehicle, and so they were coming down there to get some help. Now you know, to cut a long story short, this person's life did turn around fairly quickly, but we were there to help them when they needed it, and so you never know when someone is going to need help, and it doesn't mean that God has left them or forsaken them, it's just.
Speaker 1:Circumstances happen in this world and sometimes we find ourselves in greater need than when we are. But if there's anybody in Australia and and I'm not meaning this in, you know like a oh well, I mean I'm not meaning this in in a condemning way of whatsoever, you know, I mean I'm not meaning this in a condemning way of whatsoever, you know, I mean I personally have never been that bad off financially where I've had to live on the street, but I actually have got to the stage where I was surf couching. I was living with other people until I finally got round to getting a rental property for ourselves. So I have a little bit of an insight. But in saying that, I know that people are going through some difficult, challenging times with the economic situation the way it is. When COVID happened it didn't make things any better.
Speaker 1:But the reality of the fact is that Jesus, here with his disciples, is trying to let them know that these materialistic things aren't as important as what we think they are. You know and I've seen it, I've seen my daughter do it, I've seen my wife doing it aren't as important as what we think they are. You know, and I've seen it, I've seen my daughter do it, I've seen my wife doing it, I've seen other people do it when they go to their wardrobe and they open it up and they've been invited out somewhere and they go I've got nothing to wear, but in front of them there's like 20 outfits. But in their mindset they're saying that they need something new, because this is something important to them. But back in the days when Jesus was with his disciples, some people were very blessed by having one outfit to wear all the time, and so you've got to put things into their right perspective, and it's not my place to tell anybody whether they are comfortable, they're financially well off, they're struggling, they're basically needing help with everyday expenses or things like that. Or whether you look at someone who has got a very good job earning a lot of money, but it's still not enough for them.
Speaker 1:What are we going to focus on? Worrying seldom helps us achieve things that we don't have control over helps us achieve things that we don't have control over. It's all about worry, and we've got to put it in the right perspective. You know, jesus teaches the disciples about proper priorities. This includes recognising that God knows all things, even all your secrets. Believers should honour God more than they fear death or than they worry about things like food and clothing. Christians are to remain ready for Christ's return, even as faith separates those who believe from those who do not.
Speaker 1:These ideas revolve around the central theme of verse 34, that a person's heart reflects what that value is most important in their life. Now, I'm not saying that in a bad way, but we all value things differently and we prioritize things differently. But it does say seek ye first, the kingdom of God, and everything else will be added unto you. Because the NIV translation says it is best set your heart on these things. This may be just about the right way to do it. We can fix or fixate on getting enough to eat and clothes to wear. We can fixate on money for the rent, for the mortgage, fuel in your car and when bills pile up, we fixate on them. But what are we setting our hearts on? Sometimes people are setting their hearts on these things because not only they're materialistic, they're right there in front of them.
Speaker 1:The fixation belongs on the kingdom of God. Look at the flow of the thoughts in 12.29 to 13.1. That is why I wanted you to keep this open, so you can look back and reflect on what is really important. What's more, jesus says your father knows that you need them. Says your father knows that you need them. The implication is that how could a good and wealthy father look on and allow his children not to have enough food and clothing? We don't have to convince our father of our needs. He knows the needs, he is aware of it. You don't have to lay siege to heaven's gates asking for it. Now let's just look at that just for a second.
Speaker 1:The kingdom of God. In Christianity it's the spiritual realm over which God reigns as king, or the fulfillment on earth of God's will. A kingdom suggests riches, untold material wealth, and a ruler over all that you have and need and need. Luke being a high society status person, he's comfortable financially. He could write on the topic of the kingdom, and the word kingdom would also suggest a domain, a place where a leader rules. So if he's talking about that in the natural, you would assume that that's what it is because of his statue in the community. Right, but you'd be wrong. It's all about Jesus' ministry and his use of the phrase the kingdom of God is within you was and is all about relationship, kindness and attention to individuals. I think the best way to sum this up is to remind all Christians facing difficult situations to take comfort in Jeremiah 29, 11, knowing that it is not a promise to immediately rescue us from hardship or suffering, but rather a promise that God has a plan for our lives and, regardless of our current situation, he can work through it to prosper us and give us a hope and a future.
Speaker 1:Now I'm not saying in any stretch of imagination that I'm better off or worse off than anybody else, but try and make the yoke easy in the burden line. Lean not on your own understanding, but everything in prayer and supplication. Make your requests known to God. It can be something as you've just got the electricity bill and it's due to be shut off and you pray for God's intervention, for God to provide a way that you may be able to pay that bill. Or it may be you just praying for a car park when you go into the shops. Or it could be that, irrespective of your situation, you may just have enough money to buy the family groceries and to cover all your bills, but you've basically got nothing left to spend or to reward yourself for staying in your budget.
Speaker 1:But then you decide that you need to sit down and you need to pray for Johnny. You need to pray for Katie. You need to pray for, you know, jan, and you need to pray for, you know, anna. Pray for Anna and you think to yourself has this person got their priorities right? Are they focusing on the things of God, irrespective of what is going on in their own back door? You know, if you pray for others, it says that it comes back on you.
Speaker 1:What I'm trying to say is that we need to try and be kingdom minded. We need to focus on Jesus. He did it all at the cross for us and, irrespective of where we are, what our current circumstances are, worrying about everyday things, what are going on? Isn't your time better spent going to your prayer room and spending time in prayer and focusing on the needs of others and the way that you can support them through the challenges that they may have? And you never know, they might be doing exactly the same thing for you.
Speaker 1:Same thing for you, but worrying about something? It's like, okay, we've got a bill coming up for our car, we had a little ding and we've got an excess on our car insurance and when the car gets fixed, we've got to come up with that money. So wasting my time worrying about that money and how we're going to get it together and are we going to have it in time, if I just say, okay, lord, I give it all up to you. This is, you know, this is what's going on, and you say you'll supply all my needs according to your riches and glory, and so I'm asking you to provide for me, but I can't spend the next three or four weeks, you know, losing sleep, getting myself ill, getting myself more unwell than I already am, because I'm worrying about something that, in the natural, I don't really have any control over. It's not like I've got a money tree out the back and I've just got to wait for it to stop raining so I can go out there, pick some $50 bills and then dry it off and then I've got my money. Okay, that was a joke. Okay, trust me, don't send me messages and call me and want to access my money tree because it ain't there.
Speaker 1:But the point that I'm trying to make to you all today is that, yes, we have trials and we have tribulations. We go through challenges in our life we all do, irrespective of where we are on the food chain, every one of us will have times in the valley and will have times on the mountaintops, but put God first in everything you say and everything you do, and then he will make the crooked road straight. He will bring you through troubling and difficult times, irrespective of whether you deserve it or not, because we have faith through grace. I hope this helps you today to understand that worry really is non-productive. It doesn't give you the opportunity to have things change. So if you go to sleep with worrying about something that is up and coming, tomorrow morning it is still there. What have you done Except get anxious and lose sleep over it? So trust him. The kingdom of God is there. You do the Lord's work that he has told us. When Jesus ascended to be with the Father, he gave us a job Okay, go out into the world, preach the gospel, heal the brokenhearted, set those that are captivity free and declare the acceptable year of the Lord.
Speaker 1:You know, throughout the book of Luke you'll hear many times that Luke mentions things that aren't covered in the other Gospels. He does this for a reason because he's trying to make sure that we understand kingdom dynamics, and if we can do that, that alone enables us to have less worry, less stress in our lives and if we focus on the things of God. And if you need something in your life, find a scripture that lines up with what you are needing. And just remember there's a difference between a need and a want.
Speaker 1:Sometimes, what some people pray for is to be able to get a hot meal, whereas someone else may be praying for a silk dress that they need. It doesn't make either one of those prayers wrong, because you're still asking God to provide for you. But all I'm saying is that try and prioritise what you think is important in your life right now, because God is always there. He'll never leave you nor forsake you. And that's it for the day. I hope and pray that this helps you have less anxiety in your life and I hope and pray that you worry less, or at least, if you are worrying, you give it to God. Okay, god bless and see you next time on Grapevine Ministries. Bye for now.
