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Sermon Transcript:

We are in the middle of this series, we have at least one more week next week don't want to miss sort of the culmination of it all next week. But I want to kind of tell you where you've been. So we can kind of know where we're going. We had our first week on this series a couple of weeks ago, where he talked about an overview of fear, worry and anxiety and how we all habit even if it's just a little bit, but for some of us, it's absolutely debilitating. It can lead to depression, and anger issues, and just all kinds of things that can throw us out of whack. Last week, we looked at the idea of what if we're a people pleaser? What if we have the fear of man or the fear of people? And we kind of talked about that, again, it's in all of us to different degrees, and is it debilitating. And in all this whole series, I really do want to be helpful and practical and trying to give us some steps and how we can get out of this and continue on. In our journey. Nobody wakes up in the morning says, Boy, I wish I had more fear, worry and anxiety as I go throughout the day. But yet we find ourselves there we find ourselves, looking up looking at the horizon and seeing problems and issues and wanting to know how we can deal with it. Today, we're going to look at fear, worry, and anxiety around the issues of money, or what the Bible sometimes calls Mammon. It's really asking the question of God, and anyone who will listen is will I be taken care of. Now, to be honest, when we think about any of the issues of fear, worry and anxiety, it can feel such pressure on us. I mean, that's why we have panic attacks isn't it's that whole idea of where our physical bodies literally revolt against our mind, because our mind is going one place and our body is at a different place. And we and our body begins to convulsing, we go into panic attacks, I realized that we all have different degrees of that. So I'm not making light of any of that, I think we can get help wherever we're at. I haven't mentioned this, but you understand that sometimes, there are different ways to sort of help us with the symptoms, whether it's just breathing, I mean, just that in and of itself, can help out a lot when we are under attack with fear, worry, anxiety, whatever, even if you wake up, you know, from some sort of nightmare, or some sort of demonic force that you feel like has come upon you just breathing. But then we also understand that, that some of you maybe have been prescribed drugs at time to help you with the symptoms of that. But let's just be real clear. That's all they can kind of help us with that he can help us with the symptoms. What we really want to do here at Life Church, and I think biblically, is to help us are there things that need to be removed, things that we're believing that are not of God that are not helpful, that need to be removed? A way to say it is that if you have set on a thumbtack, and I was your medical doctor, and I say, Hey, listen, we've got two choices here, I can either continue to numb the area around your bottom where you have set on this thumbtack or I can remove it, and it'll hurt a little bit, but you'll get better eventually. And so that's in the same way, when we think about our hearts, and what has taken root in our lives. It needs to be removed. And I will say this, too. I don't mean this in some sort of simplistic way, like, throw up your hands and say, take it Jesus, and you'll walk out of here. And it'll all be better instantly. Sometimes that does occur. But keep in mind, a lot of times, however long it took us to get into whatever it is we're believing and thinking it may take that long to get us out of that. And this is a journey that we may be on for a while. But where do we want to go? Psalm 23. One, you've heard of Psalm 23. It's very famous at weddings and funerals and in times of comfort that we need. The first verse of Psalm 23 says, The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need. Or you may have heard it more traditional saying, Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. That is really our aim. When I think about my own Christian life and what I'm aiming for this morning. And what I want, all of us to kind of come together in is wouldn't it be nice if we can just be okay with the fact that the Lord is our shepherd, he'll take care of me, and he'll provide for me all that I need and want. So that can be without fear, worry, concern, and that's where we want to head that's our aim. This morning. I want to live a life like that because it is true. Now, I said that today we're going to talk about issues around fear of money or Mammon. So I'm gonna give some examples that I've thought about in terms of kind of what do we sort of concern what brings us angst at the minimum? How's our bank account looking? I'll think about schooling for ourselves, our children, our loved ones, think about our own comfort, man. I like these kinds of things around me that bring me comfort to think about medical care, medical bills or getting the best medical care possible. I don't want to die early because I didn't have the right medical care furnishings just What I actually surround myself with I'm tired of that old whatever Can I can I replace it hobbies, I like to do fun things I like to spend money, like spend money dining out. That's a lot of where our money goes, if we're not careful. I like certain amount of clothes. I don't like this, I can fit this way. I like to be in style like it'd be this brand. Vacations Have I gone on the right amount? How do I look on Instagram or Facebook and try to figure out what's everybody else doing? Am I going to Disney enough? Or whatever? fears around retirement? Do I have enough? Have I saved enough? Do I have a pension plan? No, that's a long time ago. That's what my daddy or mama had? What about retirement? What about helping family? Should I do this? Should I not I really have a concern or desire things to pass on? Right? Influence, I want to be in the right spots to be able to get that right job. And in the right relationships. If I can be around this type of person or have this kind of income, then I can maybe find a significant other or friendships that have this think about all these concerns that we have. These are all legitimate. I've felt almost all of these if not all of these, and you have as well as you've interacted with these at different points in your life, Jesus knows that. That's why he shares this passage with us this morning, a familiar passage in Matthew chapter six, beginning in verse 25, often called the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus says that is why I tell you do not worry about every day life. As soon as you start with the pastor, it's easier said than done. I understand this. But don't forget the lesson that I taught us last week, because I know we all have family of origins and things that were done to us that that we can point to and say this is why I'm screwed up. And this is why I think that way or this is why I feel that way. And I understand all that but here's the deal. You may not have caused it but it is your and eyes problem to deal with. Right? We talked about that last week, it may not be your fault. But it is our problem that we have to deal with. 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 live more than food and your body more than clothing. Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns for your heavenly Father feeds them.

And aren't they you? Aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries at a single moment to your life? 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 at Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautiful as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow. Well, he certainly care for you. He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don't worry about these things saying What will we eat, what we drink? What will we wear these things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. Again, a passage that if you've been around church, or even sometimes culture long enough, you may have been exposed to something like this kind of the idea of what Jesus is talking about. So what is important, just ask yourself right now as we're going to go through this process together. And I'm maybe I can be some help this morning, as we just do this in our minds. And I'll give some examples. But what is important to you right now? What is it you're thinking about? Man, this is something that's on the top of mind, for me in my life right now that it's just on the forefront that I've been thinking about it is something that does bring me angst, which is anxiety and, and concern and fear. So just think about that. And then also, I think the other thing that we need to think I'm just walking through the passage is know that your father cares for the needs of the birds, as well. It's that's one of the first points you see here is just the whole idea that listen, Jesus gets it, God gets it. And remember that the sermon on the mount is a New Testament ethic. It's a way that we are to live and conduct ourselves in light of who God is and what he's done in light of the kingdom, which is what we'll talk about later. But what is important know that your father cares for the needs of the birds. And the number three that I see arising out of this is just the fact that you and I are more important than the birds. That's what he says in very clearly you and I are more important than the birds. Fourth thing I'd say is he close non humanity, creation and beauty if that's what he does, right. So if he if people are not humans, if he makes them beautiful, he will certainly do the same and more for you and for me. Then he says something we don't like to hear which is Oh, you have little faith or why are you so faithless? One of the things that we have to grapple with is that anytime we are gripped with fear, worry and anxiety, we are having trust issues. Now maybe sometimes for legitimate reason, then you thought this in terms of your own interpersonal rules. externships The reason why I get all concerned about them is because I can't trust them. And I've got evidence and facts or you know, you think about this in terms of because I've had a relationship with someone else who was similar whether it was in a job setting or relationship setting. I'm already coming in with baggages, to where I have trust issues. Same thing can happen with our Heavenly Father, I'm sure we're aware of this. That's why we spent a whole series on fatherhood just to sort of unpack are there issues that are in between us and God, that are acting as roadblocks to even be able to say, God, I trust you? Or to just be honest and say, God, I don't trust you. I'm struggling with faith. That in of itself is progress forward. Remember, that's, that's what was cried out by the centurion, when he says, I do believe that helped me in my unbelief. Third thing we sit here and that third, several lists on down that I saw coming out of this passage is seek first his kingdom. We're going to talk about that. But we need to recognize that all of us, every single one of us in the room will prioritize our life and look to something. Christianity, the reason why we're Christians, Christ's followers is that we strive to look to God, we strive to literally put our heads up. That's why we look up to worship, we raise our hands up to worship, the alternative is to what look to self, but to mammon, look to money look to success. I mean, there are other alternatives or other gods little gods in terms of all the the Mini and Hindu and other kinds of religions or Allah, God, whatever. But that that is not what we understand here in Christianity, why do you think we come to church regularly week in and week out? He said, Well, I went one Sunday, I think that should be good enough. I'm 42 years old, I've been in church regularly, my whole life, there's never been a long season, where I've ever been out of church, I still need him. I need him every hour, because why I need my literal eyes to look up. Because all of us are prone to wander and we feel it in our hearts. So that's where you might want to seek first the Kingdom, if you're not going to intentionally seek first the kingdom of God or look to Christ, look to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we will be enslaved. And that's I'm using that word very specifically, we will be hooked to something we'll be, we'll look to something because we're made to be worshipers. So he says all this and you know, you're supposed to seek first kingdom of God and, and trust me and know all these things that I've said here, therefore, don't worry about tomorrow, because that's literally what we're doing when we are worrying. Have you ever thought about this, it's just that basic. Okay. I was concerned about the past, I'm concerned about the future. And so he's saying just just today, just focus on today. This is so hard for all of us around the room at different levels. And at different times, and even around different issues. Some of y'all may say, Well, I'm good at trusting God with my money, but I'm not going to trust him with my relationships. And we'll talk about that as well as terms of why we always seek control. So I want to close with actually the close the first point with the actual, verse 24, which says this, 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. This is actually the verse that started this whole this whole passage off, but I wanted to sort of show it here at the end. Because I think we're seeing the implications if we say, No, I'm going to reject that paragraph that Jesus just spoke to us. Well, then just know that you are not going to be able to be divided this I am Pastor, yes, I'm only able to have one foot in the world, and one foot in the church. And what he's saying is no, that's, that's not gonna work that well for you. So first point, I want us to just think about, which is another way of saying what is important to you and me right now is, What do you lack?

What do you like? I mean, let's just be honest, I mean, because we know that God will provide for us the basics of food, shelter, and love, if we are in his will, if we're just if we're just doing what God has for us. If we're being what God has for us, we will have that food, shelter, love is what the church is for another way to say that as community. And so what is it that you and I feel like we are lacking because the passage is over and over again, gonna say let the Lord be your shepherd, I shall not want or seek first the Kingdom. And again, I know this can feel debilitating at times, not just financially, but all the different ways that we've talked about fear, worry and anxiety in this series. And that when we think about our fears, like a lot of things perception defines reality. Right? So for one individual, they'll look at another individual and say, Why are you so scared of flying or why you say scared of being on a motorcycle? Or why are you so scared of doing whatever public speaking or whatever it is like, that's easier? I don't have any concerns about that. And then you've seen other people do it. Like, it's logical, like, what, what in the world are you afraid of? And what we have to realize is that perception defines reality for a lot of us, right? That's why we'll have physical responses to the anxiety that wells up within us. Whether it is a fear that's rooted in legitimacy or not, and give them on their little anxiety is not bad. Like, if there's a deep dark hole you want me to go into, I think it'd be like, Hey, I'm good to go. Like, I don't need to do that. I mean, even if you got a flashlight, and maybe if you give me a gun or source of maybe, but you know, there's good anxiety, I don't think I want to go there. And we're, you know, snakes are in or whatever. So there's a good sense in which we God wired us and designed us to have, you know, these little antennas that go up to say, No, I don't think that's a good idea. I don't think I want to go down that path. But what happens is, is that our mind is so powerful, that will elevate fear, worry, anxieties, to heights that they were meant to have. And it begins to distort our view of reality. That's why fear and anxiety works like a lot of things we're trying to get over it. There's both the head and headspace that we have to wrap our heads around, no pun intended. And there's the practicality. So let's say let's take this issue of money. So I could, but I'm not going to talk a lot about how you can get certain apps to help you track your spending. Or you can have a notebook where you can track your spending and make sure that you're giving the first 10% A guy and making sure that you have enough money allotted to all these needs and concerns that could be a concern for us in our life that we live here on Earth. That's the practical aspect. But you and I both know that if we don't get our head, right, that will surely fail. I mean, how many diets have you been on or known someone who's been on or tried yourself or new routines, whether it's exercise routine, and it failed, not because you couldn't put one foot in front of the other, not because you didn't know that the way to get healthy is to eat right and to exercise more. But because there was something that was blocking you mentally from being able to get there. That's why it's not just enough to say, Stop it. Don't do that. I mean, because there's more going on here. And so that's where I'm trying to go for the head in the heart. And of course, there's gonna be all kinds of practicalities and little tools that we can do. But if you try to use the tools to sort of fix you in terms of your financial situation, being out of control, or your you know, lack of good diet and exercise, being out of control, if you just say, Oh, I'm gonna go join the gym and download the app. And you know, that won't work. It may work in the short term, but it's not gonna work in the long term. Because why? Because you haven't, you haven't figured out what is it that I'm believing that needs to be shifted. And that's what Jesus is talking about here. He's saying, that's what I want to go after. And so I know that we have generational setbacks, we've already talked about those a little bit. But keep in mind that if you were reared in a home, that lived paycheck to paycheck, you were probably raised in a home that had somewhat of a scarcity mindset, right, that maybe we were just trying to survive, you know, whatever we got, we were just glad to have food on the table and a roof over our head. And so that plays into how you and I even view money, which therefore it plays into our fear, worry and anxiety issues. Why? Because that was given to us again, maybe not your fault, but it is you and I's problem. So we have to think about how does the Bible talk about right living or, or even right living when it comes to things such as finance, or even interpersonal relationships, there are the foolish people and The Foos people. It's just always, always a problem. There's always some issue always broke, never being able to do anything, always just never able to rise above circumstances because of the choices that they ultimately make. There's, there's some foolishness there, and Proverbs talks about that. There's also evil, some of us are scared of financial conversations, because it has been used as power over us, whether it was by your parents, whether it was by a boss, who was a bully, and that they sort of use that whole idea of your very livelihood or your pocketbook to be able to Lord authority over you. And you've felt that and so you didn't want anything to do with that. And so you just kind of wanted to do your job and go home or you just kind of want to stay away from that or you want to stay away from money because you yourself thought well if I try to grow money, or I try to do all this, that in of itself is evil. Why? Because you are given a distorted view of how to deal with money issues. And so it created a lot of angst, a lot of fear, worry and anxiety why because someone was evil to you, and how they interacted with you around the issue of money. But the third vision which is I don't want us to have and by God's grace, we can walk in that. And that's the way of wisdom. Proverbs talks about this a lot. The rest of the scriptures talk about this, that we want to be wise with our money, we want to be wise with our relationships, we want to be wise with our hearts and our bodies. Why? Because we're stewards of it, as God has put us here on Earth. But here's the deal, we're gonna need to get a new vision about money, we're gonna have to root out some wrong thinking, some unbelief. And what are we going to replace it with? It's very dangerous to go rooting things out. If you don't know what you're going to replace it with. The Bible actually talks about this. And when you try to, to get rid of evil spirits in your home, and you try to sweep them out, if you don't come along and figure out what you're going to replace that with, you'll be worse off than what you started because more will come in and take root. Here's the new vision, Jesus gave it to us. And it is a kingdom vision, give you a couple of parables on the kingdom of heaven and then talk about maybe a working definition of the kingdom. Verse 31, of the book of Matthew says this right here of chapter 13. Here is another illustration Jesus used the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes a largest of garden plants, and it grows into a tree. And birds come and make nests in his branches. So this is provision. You see this here is that that we understand that it grows in that it provides when we think about people who we admire, and then we want to look at who live wise lives patriarchs and matriarchs of families where they can have enough to not only take for the care of themselves, but to take care of others under their care on a rainy day. Another way to think about this and kingdom of heaven use this illustration and given heavens like a yeast, a woman used to making bread even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour. It permeated every part of the dough, why it's expansive, that whatever you and I touch, it reminds me of Psalm one that God blesses this is the righteous man or woman. And here's really one that's directly related to finances. The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure. And we know what that is, right? We all watch little treasure shows and movies, when we were kids, that a man discovered hidden in the field. In his excitement, he hid it again. So everything he owned, to get money to buy the field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant. on the lookout for choice pearls, again, financial, when he discovered a pearl of great value. He sold everything he owned and bought it what is going on here. It's really saying the infinite value of the kingdom of heaven, and how that is where our hearts and our mindsets have to be. I know what you're saying, easier said than done. Pastor Brian, I get that. That's why it's a journey. That's why we're working towards that. We're asking ourselves, what are the lies that we're believing so that we can replace them with the truths of what God says this leads to? Our second really major point in question this morning is what kingdom are we living for? Now, again, I told you, I would define the kingdom of heaven. So let me try to do that. For us. Real quick. We hear this phrase all the time. In our in our prayers, and in our worship, and even around church or churchy type things. Think about this in terms of the Lord's Prayer. I know some of y'all grew up in liturgical settings, Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I think that's the best way to maybe give a good explanation of what the kingdom of heaven is, the kingdom of heaven, is ultimately that place where we will go to be with God and where everything is set, right, and everything is perfect, and everything is the way it should be. However, the kingdom of heaven starts here. And now the moment that we say, we want to be a Christ follower, the moment we say, I'm not going to look at my own problems, own ways anymore, but I'm going to look to you God, to be my source, and author and you are in control. And I submit to that, that is when the kingdom of heaven starts. That's why in the Lord's Prayer, it's very clear that we are ushering in the kingdom of heaven that we, and wherever we go, we are bringing the kingdom of heaven because we're bearers of it. And that's why Christians, by and large, are the people who bring about, you know, relief, and we're the ones who bring about a place to worship to come, but not just that, but we're the ones who bring about schooling and helping the poor and all these sorts of things flow from a Christian life. Why? Because we're bringing the kingdom a taste of it, to whoever and whatever we touch while we're here on Earth. Another way to say it, if you like little phrases is the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven. Same understanding, is a sense that it's already here. Like we're getting a taste of it right now that we're worshiping together and we're hearing God's word together, which is what we'll do for eternity forever. We're never in heaven together. So it is that idea where it's already occurred. But it's not yet. That's why we still cry out for justice. That's why we still cry out for things not quite right. That's why we still cry. I'll say it's not fair. I live in a world where people who do wrong things, the unrighteous seem to prosper while I am doing the right thing. And I'm still kind of love. And God's saying, Listen, I'm gonna set all things right. You don't worry about them. You keep your eyes on me. That's what the kingdom of heaven is. And so we have to ask ourselves, what are we living for, because we will live for one kingdom or another, even if you go to the highest good of what secularism offers, and secular is just a word that says anything and the absence or devoid of God is some version of humanity. It's just some version of live your best life now and be about human flourishing and, and get the best you can in terms of here and now in a life and be live a life of service and calls and all of that, and that will get you far. But that won't answer everything that won't do everything. And at some level, you will be brought back to self and what the self want, and you'll try to actualize and push forward your own self, and you will be enslaved to sin still. Only Christianity is the only way that we can look to the Father say, Okay, I'm going to intentionally choose that kingdom because you first love me. And you chose me before the foundation of the earth. I'm going to choose that kingdom and not wander or be enslaved to this thinking, or this kingdom or this world anymore. I am telling you, it's especially in 2024, in the West, which is anything in America and Europe, the West, there is no more straddling the fence, you and I realize this every time we walk out these doors, and we go into work, we go into office, we flip open our phones, we understand that. And so let's be the people who worship God who look to God and not worry about tomorrow, it's got its own worries enough on its own, not just look to the past and be anxious and fearful about that. But say, I'm going to live for the kingdom of God, I'm gonna seek His kingdom first. And then I'm going to trust Him that these other things are going to flow because you and I know you and I know that if we figure out a way to be generous towards God, that we figure out a way to be generous towards God with our money, then we'll be okay. It'll come back to us. I've never met a Christian yet, or someone who even claims the name of Christ, who did what they were supposed to do with their finances, and all of a sudden found themselves out, down and out. Because you realize it goes hand in hand together, once your mind starts switching and you really figure out that I'm looking for the kingdom of God, then these other things are coming into place where you now have a better understanding of your finances, a better stewardship and responsibility over what God's giving you. And he grows that because the biblical principles that lead to growth in finances are the same things that God's calling us to it's it's one in the same. But our concern is that scarcity mindset is so deep for many of us in this room. I mean, every study says that 50% of people live paycheck to paycheck, or may have no more than 500 to $1,000 a month in emergency savings. I assume that is true for many in this room. And so I understand that what I am calling you to is hard to even think about much less to wrap your head around yet. God is saying you and I can do this by His grace, if not will continue to be enslaved to something it's a it's not money. It's this political calls, I get it. But we'll be enslaved to something but what kingdom are you living? For? That's the second question. I think I've defined what the kingdom of heaven is have more questions or concerns about that we can always talk later, let's take this pick that I've been throwing up or putting up here for the last several weeks. And that is that you can you can do this with anything with fear, worry, anxiety, desire to be rich, realize you aren't rich, you start experiencing fear because you're looking at someone else around you, they get to take their children to Disney World, he or she's got those clothings they've got that choose, I'm going to try to control that. And whatever way I can, I'm gonna try to look good, or I'm going to even steal if I need you to, to make sure that I can have what everyone else has. But that still doesn't satisfy me. And so all of a sudden I find myself angry, isolated and depressed. Because even when I got that, let's say you got all these things legitimately that you you know, you did the corporate job and you were able to have your own self employment and you were able to control enough to where you're able to get this things that you wanted by not unrighteous means, but you did them all. Without even thinking about God or His kingdom. You will still in some way it will eventually lead to some sort of anger isolation depression. Why? Because it won't taste the way you think it's going to taste once you get it. And you and I have all been there, you and I have all spent too much on some item of clothing or some car or some house and we thought, okay, this was going to solve all these problems, or it was least going to solve these, I'm sorry. And you realize you got it home and still went in the closet, or it still ripped, or it still didn't quite bring about everything that it promised to bring you about. And so eventually, this happens to all of us, even if we try to get what we want by legitimate means apart from God. And then we realize we're really not in control, we've tried to control it, now it's spinning out of control. And so what we do, instead of bending our knees and our hearts towards God, is we just clamped down more, okay, what I need to do is I need to store more, I need to lock down more, I need to make sure he or she doesn't hurt me anymore. Remember, that's why we can have a distorted view of finances because of someone who's been evil to us manipulated us use money against us. And so we find ourselves just in this cycle. And the only way to break out of this issues of fear, worry and anxiety, whether it's with people, whether it's with finances, or anything else, is to look to Christ. Is that really a good idea? Is he really big enough to be able to handle this? Are his shoulders really wide enough? leaves my third and final point, give all your worries and cares to God, this is from First Peter five, seven, give all your worries and cares to God for he cares about you.

I mean, he really does. And that is God really does care for you and me. That is the starting point where we have to believe that we have to internalize that, then we have to ask ourselves, God, how Now shall I live? Because I've got some things that are being exposed in a series like this, I got some roots of anxiety that I know need to be dealt with. Don't be like an unwise person who looks at themselves in the mirror and then goes and lives the same way they were before. That is always a temptation for any of us, when confronted with anything. You can do this at the end of, you know, annual reviews. And you'll wonder why am I never getting you know, raises or promotions at work. It's because whatever they tell you about in there you go. And you continue to do whatever. And we need to be people who are wise. And as far as it's up to us with whatever we have in our hands, we need to say I'm going to hit my knees and I'm going to pray to God, I'm going to actually read scriptures, because I need my mind set on things above. Because you know that left to our own devices, literally our phones, but our own devices, we will we will not float into righteousness, we will not float into discipleship, we will not just float into thinking about the right thing will just take in whatever's around us. And we have to be honest to say that most of what is downloaded to us in 2024 in the West is godless. That doesn't mean it's all bad. It just means it's devoid of God. It is as secular as we've ever been in our country, knocking on us. That's just the reality of, of where we're at. So then we have to come back and cast all of our cares on God. Because why? Because he really does care about us. Let's pray. Father, we thank You for Your Word. We thank you that you didn't leave us wondering or wondering what you have for us. But you have shown us in Your word. I pray for those in the room that are just gripped by fear, worry and anxiety that it almost feels too heavy on their chest right now to even breathe. I pray you give them much grace in this moment. And in the days ahead as they seriously consider your claims as they seriously begin the work. I'm trying to root out fear worrying anxiety that I'm under no illusion can be generational and to live a life that honors you, that looks to you. And that values what you think above all else, because your kingdom comes first and believing really, really believing that if we seek first the kingdom of God, that we can trust that everything else will be given to us. We ask this in Christ's name. Amen. Amen.