This episode is a sermon by Jon Pinn at Calvary Chapel Woolacombe, delivered on the last Sunday of 2025. The format is a solo teaching, beginning with an introduction to the New Year's theme and a mention of the band Sixpence None the Richer. Pinn reads Proverbs 3:1-6 and Matthew 6:25-34 as primary texts. He immediately grounds the message in contemporary relevance by citing a 2023 UK survey on anxiety, noting statistics like 20% of adults feeling anxious most of the time and higher rates among young people, single parents, and those with long-term conditions. The sermon's arc moves from identifying the problem of worry to offering biblical solutions. Pinn uses rhetorical questions to engage listeners, asking how often they've worried unnecessarily or been encouraged by other believers. He employs pop culture references, such as the cartoon Top Cat, to illustrate habitual worrying. A key moment is his personal birdwatching story during 'the beast from the east' snowstorm, where he observed thrushes finding food, linking it to Matthew 6:26. He analyzes the context of Matthew 6, explaining the 'therefore' in verse 25 refers to the preceding verses about serving God or money. Pinn contrasts the frequency of 'do not worry' phrases (about 100 times in scripture) with 'trust in the Lord' phrases (about 200 times), emphasizing trust as the antidote. He discusses the dangers of leaning on one's own understanding, referencing Solomon's wisdom, and reads the hymn 'Trust and Obey' in full. The sermon concludes with a commentary on Proverbs 3, warning that human understanding is corrupted and that knowing God's will requires willingness to obey. Recurring themes include anxiety versus trust, biblical context, and practical faithfulness. Pinn admits his own struggles with worry, adding personal vulnerability. The message ends with an encouragement to trust God in 2026.
