Pastor Mac Hammond | September 5, 2021

Recap:
Read through the parable of the sower and you’ll see three different categories of worldly ideas that will choke out the Word of God: cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things. This week, Pastor Mac focused in on how the cares of this world will choke your faith. That includes both the distractions of this world as well as fear-based anxiety and worry that will keep you focused on what is wrong rather than on God and His Word. We counteract these weed seeds by seeking first the kingdom of God and trusting God to take care of everything else.

Dive Deeper:
Many people have become casual about worry. They worry about this; they are anxious about that. Worry is just a regular part of their day. However, worry doesn’t have to be front and center in your life, for worry is based in fear and a root cause of stress.

God wants us to become more dependent on Him than our worry.

When we worry, it chokes out our faith. When we are distracted by the world, it chokes out our faith. Thankfully, God has a three-fold cord that cannot be broken that will help us overcome worry and fear. Those three things are the power of the Holy Spirit, the love of God, and a sound mind.

When fear overwhelms you, pray in tongues. Put others first. Prioritize thoughts that are based on the Word. These three choices will push fear far from you. They are, you could say, the antidote to fear.

Remember, the thoughts running through your head don’t have to stay there. When negative thoughts or fear-based concern come into your mind, you can run them out by choosing thoughts that are based on God’s Word. How do you take those thoughts? You use your words. As you do these things, you cast your care upon the Lord. When you cast your cares on the Lord, you are choosing to humble yourself before the Lord and trust Him. This mindset is one that will keep weed seeds away from your heart.

Read More:
Mark 4:18-19 KJV
And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Mark 4:18-19 Amp.
And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries and cares of the world [the distractions of this age with its worldly pleasures], and the deceitfulness [and the false security or glamour] of wealth [or fame], and the passionate desires for all the other things creep in and choke out the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Matthew 6:31-34 Amp.
Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

James 1:2-4 KJV
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

1 Peter 5:6-7 KJV
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Discussion Questions:
1. Has anxiety ever overwhelmed you? What daily practices have you found that help you get rid of anxiety and worry?
2. How can you cast down negative thoughts and instead choose thoughts that point you to God?
3. What can you do today to seek first God’s kingdom?
4. What does humility look like to you?

Rewatch or catch up on the full sermon with the link below!

Watch Now
Share
Share
Share

Recent Sermon Notes

The Importance of Fresh Encounter | Heidi Baker

Mar 30, 2025

Pastor Mac taught the fourth message in his series, “The Impossible Dream.” We are called to dream the impossible dream. Or you could say God’s dream for us, because for us, it’s an impossibility. But nothing is impossible for God. That’s why it’s called the impossible dream. Pastor Mac said, “I feel like that this particular subject is something that will do as much to move your life forward in God while you’re on this earth as anything possibly could.”

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM, “Trust” #4 | Mac Hammond

Mar 23, 2025

Pastor Mac taught the fourth message in his series, “The Impossible Dream.” We are called to dream the impossible dream. Or you could say God’s dream for us, because for us, it’s an impossibility. But nothing is impossible for God. That’s why it’s called the impossible dream. Pastor Mac said, “I feel like that this particular subject is something that will do as much to move your life forward in God while you’re on this earth as anything possibly could.”

GRACE UNVEILED: “Law of the Spirit of Life; The Law of Sin and Death” | Jim Hammond

Mar 18, 2025

Pastor Jim presented his 30th installment in his series on the book of Romans entitled, “Grace Unveiled.” The book of Romans has been deemed one of the most priceless literary treasures in the world. In fact, many secular colleges study the book of Romans just for its literary value. Many scholars call Paul’s letter to the Romans the Definitive Statement of the Christian Doctrine. Presently, our study of Romans brings us to chapter 8—a chapter scholars claim to be one of the most powerful chapters in all the Bible.

GRACE UNVEILED: “Ever Doing the Things I Don’t Want to Do” #29 | Jim Hammond

Mar 9, 2025

Last weekend, Pastor Jim gave the 29th installment to his teaching series on the book of Romans entitled, “Grace Unveiled.” In this chapter, Paul talks about his own personal struggle as to why he keeps doing carnal things that he doesn’t want to do, yet he keeps doing them. This portion of scripture has to do with believers who are alive in their spirit man but are walking out their lives in spiritual defeat because they’re trying to obey the law with all of its rules and regulations in their own self-effort, their own strength. Thus, the subtitle of this message is “Ever Doing the Things I Don’t Want to Do.”

The Impossible Dream: Strongholds, #3 | Mac Hammond

Mar 2, 2025

Pastor Mac presented the third installment of his new series entitled, “The Impossible Dream.” He said it was important that we have a clear understanding of what is the impossible dream. It’s not enough simply to dream. You need to go out on a limb and dream an impossible dream. What is an “impossible” dream? It’s a dream that can’t be fulfilled without God’s ability and power! Pastor Mac said, “God has called us to be dreamers.”