Sermon Snippet – Lessons from the Lilies
INTRODUCTION – Matthew 6:25-34 contains what should be one of the easiest commands in the Bible: “Consider the lilies of the field” (verse 28b). However, this kind commandment of Christ Jesus is contrary to our culture and is inconsistent with our natural self-interest, which demands, “Consider yourself.” Thus, this command can be a real challenge and requires a reasonable response from each of us. Let us draw three applications from this passage.
1. BE STILL
This entire pericope is telling us to stop and be still. One of the first verses I learned as a lad was Psalm 46:10a: “Be still, and know that I am God.” The subtle message from the Sunday school teacher was that we had better behave in church or else Mrs. Young would stare us down with one of her disapproving glares! (I should point out that she was a caring, devoted, and accomplished lady – and not everyone did sit still.) The real meaning of this short verse, though, is that stillness (a ceasing to strive) is crucial to really knowing God well, to becoming acquainted with His will and His ways. Any devotional time, any prayer, any worship service, is time spent well. Think of the hectic pace of life and of how much time we have wasted in unprofitable – or even unrighteous – activities. Isn’t it good of God to tell us not only to slow down but also to stop? Even when we cannot fully stop, we can “consider” along our daily journey. Verse 26 directs us to look up to enjoy the birds. If we do, we can look even higher, for “the heavens are thine” (Psalm 89:11a). Still higher is the inward gaze that focuses us on our “heavenly Father.” Then we can look back down at “the lilies of the field,” admire the handsome handiwork of our “heavenly Father,” and thank Him. Let us come apart and consider, and let us consider along life’s busy way.
2. BE CONTENT
The main message of this passage is that our fears will decline as our faith increases. Faith is only as good as its object, and the object of our faith is this beautiful God Who creates beauty as an expression of His character. Verse 27 reminds us that our worries can add nothing to our lives; in fact, such disquietude actually subtracts from our enjoyment of God’s gracious provision. Think of the beauty, the variety, and the diverse colors of lilies. It is absurd to picture a lily drooping dejectedly in the corner of a garden, wishing that it could be a different flower. Similarly, it is unproductive to fret about our finances, our health, our looks, our intellects, and other such sources of discontent. We should recognize that in eternity we will be joint-heirs with God the Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17), will be fully healed (Revelation 21:4), and will have resurrection bodies (I Corinthians 15:51-54) and renewed minds (Romans 12:1-2). We should also remember the Tenth Commandment: “Thou shalt not covet” (Exodus 20:17a). Jesus spent considerable time on this subject, for discontentment imprisons us, controlling our thinking and driving our actions. If we learn to be content, we will also learn that it is the content of “life” (verse 25) that really matters.
3. BE READY
Verse 30 points out the brevity of life. Even the hardiest lily has a definite end (although, as Romans 8:18-25 clearly teaches, God’s entire creation will be eternally redeemed). As much as God cares for His entire creation, His focus is “much more” on us, for each one of us is created in His image (Genesis 1:27). Right now, Jesus desires to care for each one of us personally, based upon a relationship with Him. Moreover, this solicitude extends to all eternity.
CONCLUSION – Verse 33a commands, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.” We need Jesus as Savior; we need “his righteousness.” May each of us call upon Jesus for this salvation that He so willingly offers, that He died on the Cross to provide. May we then grow in contentment, knowing that our Lord is good to us now and forever.