CONCERNING ANXIETY
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”. Matthew 6:25 & 26
In the above passage, Christ reproves that excessive anxiety about food and clothing with which men torment themselves, and at the same time applies a remedy for curing this disease. When he forbids them to be anxious, this is not to be taken literally, as if he intended to take away from his people all care. We know that men are born on the condition of having some care, and, indeed, this is not the least portion of the miseries which the Lord has laid upon us as a punishment in order to humble us. But immoderate care is condemned for two reasons. First, in so doing, men tease and vex themselves to no purpose by carrying their anxiety farther than is proper. Second, they claim more for themselves than they have a right to do, and place such a reliance on their own industry that they neglect to call upon God. We ought to remember this promise: Though unbelievers shall “rise up early and sit up late and eat the bread of sorrows,” yet believers will obtain, through the kindness of God, “rest and sleep” (Psalm 127:2). Though the children of God are not free from toil and anxiety, yet, properly speaking, we do not say that they are anxious about life, because, through their reliance on the providence of God, they enjoy calm repose.
Hence it is easy to learn how far we ought to be anxious about food. Each of us ought to labor as far as his calling requires and the Lord commands. And each of us ought to be led by his own needs to call upon God. Such anxiety holds an intermediate place between indolent carelessness and the unnecessary torments by which unbelievers kill themselves. But if we give proper attention to the words of Christ, we shall find that he does not forbid every kind of care, but only what arises from distrust. Be not anxious about what you shall eat or what you shall drink. That belongs to those who tremble for fear of poverty or hunger, as if they were to be in need of food every moment.
Is not the life of more value than food? He argues from the greater to the less. He had forbidden them to be excessively anxious about the way in which life might be supported, and he now assigns the reason. The Lord, who has given life itself, will not suffer us to lack what is necessary for its support. And certainly we do no small dishonor to God when we fail to trust that he will give us necessary food or clothing, as if he had thrown us on the earth at random. He who is fully convinced that the Author of our life has an intimate knowledge of our condition, will entertain no doubt that he will make abundant provision for our needs. Whenever we are seized by any fear or anxiety about food, let us remember that God will take care of the life which he gave us. – John Calvin
The Lord's Day Services
Sunday, May 24, 2020
9:00 a.m. Bible Class – Dr. McClelland – via SermonAudio, click here
10:00 a.m. Morning Service – Dr. Saunders – via SermonAudio, click here
4:30 p.m. Preservice Prayer Meeting – via Zoom
5:30 p.m. Evening Service – Dr. Saunders – via SermonAudio, click here
Weekly Announcements
Tuesday, May 26th
11:00 a.m. Funeral Service for Mrs. Fernandes – via SermonAudio
7:00 p.m. Women’s Bible Study – via Zoom
Wednesday, May 27th
7:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer Meeting – Mr. John Tors (Truth in My Days Ministry) – via Zoom
Advanced Announcements
Sunday, May 31st
9:00 a.m. Bible Class – Dr. McClelland – via SermonAudio
10:00 a.m. Morning Service – Dr. Saunders – via SermonAudio
4:30 p.m. Preservice Prayer Meeting – via Zoom
5:30 p.m. Evening Service – Dr. Saunders – via SermonAudio
Monday, June 1 – Wednesday, June 3, 2020
7:30 p.m. Congregational Prayer Times – via Zoom
We are setting aside these three nights for corporate prayer for our congregation. Please plan for you and your family to be in attendance each night if possible.
Deepest Sympathy
Our dear sister, Francesca Fernandes, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 21st, surrounded by her family. Please be in prayer for Louis, Suzanne and Karen at this sad and difficult time.
The funeral service will be held in our church on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. for the family only. The congregation and friends may view the funeral service live via webcast on Sermonaudio.
“…Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13
FPCNA Mission Board Appeal - Pandemic Relief
In light of this current pandemic of Covid-19, the FPCNA Mission Board is appealing to our churches for an emergency offering to help our missionaries and the families connected with their works. All of us have been affected to some degree by this virus and yet we know that there are those more needy who need our help. The Mission Board is asking for a denominational appeal so that funds can be carefully distributed and monitored.
The Children's Catechism
Q3. Why did God make you and all things ?
A. For his own glory.
The Shorter Catechism
Q3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.1
1. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (2Timothy 1:13).
FPCNA PRAYER REQUESTS
RICHARD CRAIG
Richard is the head deacon in the Jamaican mission church. He is taking GRS classes online.
- The Lord’s help as he and Randy Gunnings preach & oversee the work in Little London, Jamaica.
- The salvation of souls, especially among the children & youth.
- Safety for all the church people as violence increases in the area.