NO FUTURE TRIPS

Table of Contents

1. Communion Reminder: Christ’s Body and Blood
2. A Personal Confession: The Pastor as a “Future Tripper”
3. Jesus’ Teaching: Do Not Worry About Your Life
4. The Feeding of the Multitude and God’s Provision
5. Seek First the Kingdom and His Righteousness
6. Righteousness by Faith, Not by Works
7. Rejoicing Instead of Worry: Philippians 4
8. The Peace of God as a Guard Over the Heart
9. Personal Messages of Encouragement from God
10. Final Exhortation: Rest in Grace, Not the Future

Communion Reminder: Christ’s Body and Blood

The service opens with a communion reflection based on the sacrifice of Jesus. The bread represents Christ’s body, broken so believers could be made whole. The cup represents His blood, which cleanses from every sin and brings righteousness, protection, healing, wholeness, and provision.

Matthew 26:26-28- “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” This sets the foundation for the entire message: everything believers need flows from what Jesus has already done.

A Personal Confession: The Pastor as a “Future Tripper

Pastor Leonard explains that the message is first for himself. He openly confesses that he often worries about the future. He calls this habit “future tripping.”

He describes what that looks like:

• Calculating days until payday

• Wondering how bills will be paid

• Thinking about church finances

• Worrying about health problems returning

• Concern about who would care for his wife if something happened to him

He explains that this type of thinking weighs him down and fills his mind with anxiety about tomorrow.

Jesus’ Teaching: Do Not Worry About Your Life

Pastor Leonard says that during a time of worry, he was reminded of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6.

Matthew 6:25-27- “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? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?”

Jesus tells believers not to worry about food, clothing, or daily needs. He points to the birds, which are cared for by God, as proof of His provision.

Pastor Leonard explains that the people Jesus spoke to were poor and oppressed under Roman rule. They were anxious about survival. Yet Jesus told them to rest and trust God.

The Feeding of the Multitude and God’s Provision

He connects this teaching to the miracle of the loaves and fish. The crowd Jesus fed was likely the same group of poor followers.

He explains:

• The bread used was barley bread, the food of the poor.

• Wealthier people would have eaten wheat bread, which was three times more expensive.

• The disciples estimated it would take 200 days’ wages to feed the crowd.

This shows the people were in real need. Yet Jesus told them to sit down and rest in the green grass, symbolizing grace and provision. In their place of rest, the miracle happened.

The lesson: provision comes in rest, not worry.

Seek First the Kingdom and His Righteousness

Jesus then gives the key instruction.

Matthew 6:33-34- “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Pastor Leonard explains that Jesus is saying not to trip over the future. Instead, seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and everything needed will be added.

Righteousness by Faith, Not by Works

He explains that when Jesus spoke these words, people were still under the law and had to work for righteousness. But today, believers live under the new covenant of grace. He says “his righteousness” means someone else’s righteousness, not our own. It points to the righteousness given through faith in Christ.

Romans 5:1- “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Through faith, believers are declared righteous.

Colossians 1:12- “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.”

God Himself has qualified believers for their inheritance. Pastor Leonard says this righteousness qualifies believers for all of God’s blessings and provision.

Rejoicing Instead of Worry: Philippians 4

He then turns to Paul’s instructions on how to live without anxiety.

Philippians 4:4-7- “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Instead of worrying about the future, believers should:

• Rejoice in the Lord

• Give thanks

• Pray

• Present their requests to God

Pastor Leonard explains that when believers rest in God’s love and promises, their needs will be met.

The Peace of God as a Guard Over the Heart

He focuses on the word “keep” or “guard” in the passage.

Philippians 4:7- “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

He explains the Greek word means:

• A guard or sentinel

• Soldiers stationed to protect a city

• A garrison defending a territory

• Protection over a conquered area

He says the believer’s life has been conquered by Christ, and when they stop worrying, God’s peace stands guard over their hearts and minds.

Personal Messages of Encouragement from God

Pastor Leonard shares two messages he received during his time of worry.

The first reminded him to slow down, breathe, and not treat each day as a test.

He was reminded of:

Psalm 118:24- “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

The message emphasized that today is a gift, not a test, and that he did not have to solve everything at once.

The second message reminded him he was not behind in life, even if others seemed ahead.

Ecclesiastes 3:11- “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”

He was encouraged to trust God’s timing and believe that nothing in his season would be wasted.

Final Exhortation: Rest in Grace, Not the Future

Pastor Leonard closes by urging listeners not to be “future trippers.” Instead, they should rest in:

• God’s love

• God’s grace

• The righteousness given through Christ

When believers rest in these truths, their needs will be met, and God’s peace will guard their hearts and minds.

Thank you for reading this message. We hope this teaching blessed you and reminded you that God is faithful to provide for every need. Share this message with someone who may be struggling with worry about the future, and encourage them to rest in God’s grace, righteousness, and peace.