Our pastor's sermon Sunday focused on the "Do not be anxious" passage in Luke 12:22-34.
Jesus said:
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food and body more than clothing." v23-24
Excessive worry makes a life miserable and ineffective. It keeps us from reaching our full God-given potential.
Worry is the opposite of faith.
"But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!" v28
"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" v25
"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." v32
In a 16th century sermon, Martin Luther also preached on this passage. He noted how the birds and the flowers become our teachers here. They "do what they are required to do, but we not." He calls worry "godless unbelief" and we should be somewhat embarrassed when we look at the birds and the flowers who worry about nothing, confident that God will provide. And oh how our God provides!
"Thank you, flowers, you, who are to be devoured by the cows! God has exalted you very highly, that you become our masters and teachers." ~Martin Luther
I sketched the cow, outlined her in micron pen and colored with watercolors. An excerpt from Luther's sermon is on the back.
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