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Commentary on "Divine Provision for Anxiety""

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, January 1, 2011 - Introduction

 

Overview

The theme for this week concerns the common experience we all face of fear and anxiety.

The memory text for today:

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (I Peter 5:7 NIV)

 

Observations

In the following text Jesus is speaking to his disciples with words of encouragement that apply to all Christians:

Jesus replied, “You believe just now? The hour is coming and it has arrived when you will be scattered each to his place and you will leave Me alone; but I am not alone, for the Father is with Me. I have talked over these things with you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble; but have courage! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:31-33 MLB)

An excellent place to center our study on the topic of fear and anxiety is the first half of Luke chapter twelve where Jesus is speaking to his disciples. In verses 1 through 3 he warns them of the “leaven of the Pharisees”. Anyone who attempts to please God through self-righteous attempted obedience to the Law has good reason to be anxious and fearful because this is something we all fail to do, Romans 3:9-20.

In verses 4-7 Jesus tells his disciples that the only one we should fear is he who has authority to cast you into hell. Then, Jesus says “Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows”. For the prudent person the lesson is very simple. Our fear of God is meant to bring each of us to repentance and receive forgiveness our sins and eternal life. For those who truly love God, the promises found in Romans chapter eight cast out all fear and anxiety.

In verses 8-12 there is an interesting warning concerning times of “testing”, for those who deny Jesus. However for those who do not deny him, Jesus ends with the admonition not to be anxious for what we will say because the Holy Spirit will teach us what we should say. This is one of many promises that the Holy Spirit will never depart from those who are sealed into the Kingdom of God and have the promise of eternal life.

At this point in verses 13-21 someone interrupts what Jesus is teaching by asking him to arbitrate over an inheritance is he isn’t receiving. Jesus’ parable of the Rich Fool ends with the teaching that our treasures should be laid up in heaven and not on earth. You are a fool without the fear you should have when your treasures are the perishable things of this earth.

In verses 22 through 34 Jesus teaches an important reason to not be anxious about our lives and gives several examples from nature that demonstrates God’s provision for all that he has created with the admonition that life is much more than the food we eat or the clothes we wear. In verses 25 and 26 he points out that not one of us can add a single hour to our lives by being anxious so why worry about anything else. Verse 25 points out that anxiety is really lack of faith in the provision of God.

Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.  “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:31-32 ESV)

For those who have accepted the gospel message there is nothing to fear because Jesus has already overcome the world and his “little flock” has, without fail, been promised the kingdom. This section culminates with the admonition to put our treasures in heaven where no thief can get near them.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:34 ESV)

 

Summary

  1. The only person that should be feared is God who has authority to cast the wicked dead into hell.
  2. Jesus has already overcome the world. Satan is already defeated. This is central to why there is no need for a Christian to be overcome by fear and anxiety.
  3. Life is more than what we eat or the clothes we wear. We are of great worth to God and he will richly supply all our needs to those who place their faith in him.
  4. THE LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalms 27:1 MLB)
  5. Even in times of hardship, illness, danger or death Christians have no need to be fearful.

 

GO TO DAY 2

 

Copyright 2010 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised December 28, 2010. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.

The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

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