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  EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS ON LUKE - LUKE 12:22-31
  by J.C. Ryle
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CONTENT
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WARNINGS ABOUT WORRY

We have in these verses a collection of striking arguments against over-
anxiety about the things of this world.

At first sight they may seem to some minds simple and common place. But
the more they are pondered, the more weighty will they appear. An
abiding recollection of them would save many Christians an immense
amount of trouble.

Christ bids us consider the RAVENS. "They neither sow nor reap. They
have neither storehouse nor barn. But God feeds them." Now if the Maker
of all things provides for the needs of birds, and orders things so that
they have a daily supply of food, we ought surely not to fear that He
will let His spiritual children starve.

Christ bids us look at the LILIES. "They toil not, they spin not; Yet
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Now if God
every year provides these flowers with a fresh supply of living leaves
and blossoms, we surely ought not to doubt His power and willingness to
furnish His believing servants with all needful clothing.

Christ bids us remember that a Christian man should be ashamed of being
as anxious as a heathen. The "pagan world" may well be anxious about
food, and clothing, and the like. They are sunk in deep ignorance, and
know nothing of the real nature of God. But the man who can say of God,
"He is my Father," and of Christ, "He is my Savior, ought surely to be
above such anxieties and cares. A clear faith should produce a light
heart.

Finally, Christ bids us think of the perfect knowledge of God. "Our
Father knows that we have need" of food and clothing. That thought alone
ought to make us content. All our needs are perfectly known to the Lord
of heaven and earth. He can relieve those needs, whenever He sees fit.
He will relieve them, whenever it is good for our souls.

Let the four arguments now adduced sink deep into our hearts, and bear
fruit in our lives. Nothing is more common than an anxious and troubled
spirit, and nothing so mars a believer\

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/jc-ryle/expository-thoughts-on-luke-luke-1222-31/
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