Two Masters – The Beginning of Anxiety (part 2)
(Matthew 6:24)
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Sermon Notes
Stewardship – the process of being responsible for someone else’s property while it is entrusted to you.
From a Christian Tradition
Stewardship is the recognition and faithful management of God’s gifts to advance God’s Kingdom and serve others. – Elder Michelle Jackson
The management of God’s Possessions, in accordance with God’s values, in pursuit of God’s agenda.
Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
24“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Serving two masters PREVENTS ME FROM PRACTICING BIBLICAL STEWARDSHIP.
If money is my master, I cannot practice biblical stewardship.
Biblical Stewardship Requires
1. Properly Placed Treasures – vs. 19-21
Why? That determines where your HEART is
2. Properly Placed Eyes – vs. 22-23
Why? That determines your FOCUS
3. Properly Placed Devotion – v. 24
Why? That determines your ALLEGIANCE
Central Truth
Serving Two Masters Sets the Table for Anxiety
Anxiety is not merely emotional—it is spiritual.
It is the internal strain created when divided loyalties pull the soul in opposite directions.
Matthew 6:25 (ESV)
25“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Defining Anxiety
• Anxious (merimnaō) – to be pulled apart internally; to worry based on perceived threats or lack
• It paints the picture of a mind divided…
a heart stretched between trust in God and trust in resources.
a heart stretched between trust in God and trust in resources.
FOUR AREAS WHERE ANXIETY MANIFESTS
Jesus now moves from allegiance → to application.
1. Anxious About Your Life
Matthew 6:25-27 (ESV)
25“Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
2. Anxious About Food
Matthew 6:25-27 (ESV)
25“Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
3. Anxious About Clothing
Matthew 6:28-30 (ESV)
28And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
4. Anxious About the Future / Tomorrow
Matthew 6:34 (ESV)
34“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
THE SOLUTION TO ANXIETY
Matthew 6:31–33 (ESV)
31Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
1. Settle Who You Serve
Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
24“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
2. Sanctify What You Say
Matthew 6:31 (ESV)
31Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
3. Prioritize Who You Seek
Matthew 6:32–33 (ESV)
32For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you
Spiritual Insight on Seeking
“Prayer is the highest activity that the human spirit can engage in, which is communion with God.” — New Bible Dictionary
Key Takeaway
You cannot eliminate anxiety by managing circumstances…
YOU ELIMINATE ANXIETY BY SURRENDERING MASTERY.
Because when God is your only Master:
• Provision becomes His responsibility.
• Peace becomes your inheritance.
