Dear Christian friends:

Six weeks ago a man shot President Reagan and last Wednesday another man shot the Pope. We are shocked and upset and worried. We ask, "Has the world gone insane?" We also worry about many other things closer to us. We worry about money and inflation. Last Monday we had the funeral service and burial for our dear friend and member, Minerva Webb. I'm sure that many of you are worried about your health and wonder, "Will I be next?"

Although we worry a lot, and although life does not seem to be worth living, we Christians must not despair. We must not let worries conquer us. In our text Jesus tells us, "Don't worry!" (verse 1) He also tells why we should not worry, and instead live with confidence.


'Do not be worried and upset," Jesus told His disciples. "Believe in God, and believe in Me." (verse 1) If we really believe in God, we will not be afraid and worry so much. When we believe in God we depend on Him and trust Him to take care of us and protect us. If we worry, it shows that we do not really believe in God and that we do not really know God.

Therefore we need to know God better and better. The more we know God, the more we will trust Him and not worry.

How can we know God better? God is much hidden from us. We can't see Him and we can't talk to Him. How can we know God? By studying nature we can learn some things about God. He made the earth and all the living things on earth and in the sea and the birds that fly in the sky. When we study nature we learn that God is very wise, and strong. God shows Himself to us in nature. He shows Himself a righteous God who punishes sin and sinners. On nature we see God's curse.

God also shows Himself to us through His Word in the Bible. By reading and studying the Bible we can learn to know God better, especially when we study how He dealt with the people of Israel. The Bible also tells us about Jesus. In Jesus we learn the most important things about God. Jesus says to His disciples, “Now that you have known Me, you will know My Father also; and from now on you do know Him, and you have seen Him. Philip said to Jesus, Lord, show us the Father; that is all we need. Jesus answered, For a long time I have been with you all; yet you do not know Me, Philip? Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father." (verses 7-9)

If we know Jesus, we also know God, His Father. Therefore we need to learn more and more about Jesus, then we will know God better.

In Jesus we learn many things about God. The most important thing we learn is that God loves and forgives sinners. Sin and guilt are really the basis of all fear and worry. Without sin we would have a good and perfect world: no evil, no hatred or killing and no sickness or death. Sin is the basis of all our worries. In Jesus we learn that God shows mercy to sinners and has forgiveness of sins for all people. Even though we must suffer many things in this world which God cursed because of sin, yet we know God loves us and does not forsake us in our trouble and need. Yes, even in death, which shows God's anger and displeasure against sin, God does not forsake us. He loves us and shows mercy to us and forgives us in Jesus who died on the cross for us and arose on Easter morning.

Therefore we need not worry when we suffer all these troubles, but believe in God the Father whom we know through Jesus His Son, our Savior. He will protect us from these troubles and use them to bless us. Even death is a blessing, because through it we move to our new home. Jesus is now preparing a new and better home for us in heaven.

Jesus says, "Don't worry! There are many rooms in My Father's house, and I am going to prepare a place for you." (verse 2) Just think of it - Jesus has a room, a mansion, prepared for you in His Father's house in heaven! Many of you have nice homes here on earth now. Many of you live in our beautiful Pilgrim Towers. But Pilgrim Towers is not the "Father's House." Sometimes you act like you love Pilgrim Towers more than the Father's house. You want to stay and stay in Pilgrim Towers. You worry, worry about becoming sick and must move out. You worry, worry about death. You will move to your Father's in heaven where Jesus has prepared a beautiful home for you. Pilgrim Towers will not last very long - maybe 50 or 60 years and it will be old and ready for the wrecking crew. But your Father's house in heaven will never become old or be destroyed. It will always be your home where there is no sin or destruction - only love and joy forever.

So don't worry! Don't worry about anything! God loves you and God takes care of you! Don't sit alone in despair and frozen with fear! Become alive and live with confidence joy and hope as you wait for your Lord Jesus to welcome you into the Father's house. Keep busy. Do Jesus’ works while you live here on earth and wait to go home to heaven. Jesus Says, “I tell you the truth: whoever believes in Me will do the works I do - yes, he will do even greater ones, for I am going to the Father." (verse 12)

In this Minerva Webb was a good example for all of us. She did not waste her time sitting around worrying about anything. She kept busy doing Jesus' work until the day she died. She died "with her boots on," as they say of the old cowboys. She knew she had a weak heart, but she did not sit around worrying about it. She prayed to God and did His works.

So, don't worry! Believe in God! Hope eagerly for your new home in the Father's House, and keep busy doing His great works as you wait.

Amen.