Overcoming Fear of the Future
Dear Mosaic Family,
"Do not be anxious" Jesus commands His followers, three times in Matthew 6:25-34. Solid advice. However, Jesus doesn't offer this up just as a solid word of advice. As our Lord and King, He commands it. This imperative "Do not be anxious" isn't coming from a person. People can't change our hearts. Jesus can. Jesus is the Sovereign God of the Universe. When He commands us to cast our worries and anxiety upon Him, His word is effectual. He's not just commanding that we release our burdens. He's offering to take them from us. God's Word tells us, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7).
What about anxiety in a time such as ours? In a global pandemic! Are Christ's words relevant now? Yes, more relevant than ever. Helmut Thielicke, the German theologian and preacher, sometimes referred to as the German Billy Graham, preached a famous series of sermons on the Sermon on the Mount at St. Mark's church in Stuttgart in the immediate aftermath of WWII. His congregation was living through utter devastation, physical and psychological. He reminded them of what they had just lived through: daily running for cover as the air-raid sirens sounded, daily hearing bombs fall, daily seeing the fresh destruction when they ascended to ground level after the attack; seeing their homes go down in flames, witnessing their neighbors and loved ones dead or dying.
What comfort could they take, Pastor Helmut asked, from the Lord's remarks about birds and lilies? How could they apply his command, not to worry about their lives, in such a time? “I think we must stop and listen when this man, whose life on earth was anything but birdlike and lilylike, points us to the carefreeness of the birds and the lilies. Were not the sombre shadows of the Cross already looming over this hour of the Sermon on the Mount?”
Join us tomorrow, as we study, Matthew 6:25-34, a text that is absolutely and universally relevant in helping us battle fear of the future with faith in the Father.
With Love,
Pastor Jan
This Week's Announcements
Preaching & Prayer Services
Sundays, March 14th, 21st, & 28th at 5 pm
Join us in our usual worship space for prayer, worship through music, and a short message led by a member of Mosaic.
Membership 101 Class
Sunday, March 14th, 1:15 pm
If you'd like to learn more about Mosaic Boston Brookline, join us to hear why we are here and how you can join the church through membership. Visit our website to RSVP.
Baptism Class
Sunday, March 28th at 1 pm
If you are considering baptism or would like to learn more about the importance of baptism, we welcome you to join us for our baptism class. Visit our website for more information and to RSVP.
Good Friday
Friday, April 2nd at 6 pm
Join us on Good Friday in our usual worship space as we remember the life and death of Jesus Christ in preparation for Easter Sunday. Childcare will be available for newborn through 5th grade.
Songs for Sunday
If you would like to know what we'll be singing on Sunday, you can find the playlist here.
Reopening Process
For a full overview of our reopening process and the safety standards that we have in place, visit:
https://brookline.mosaicboston.com/covid-19.