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

Releasing the Anointing | Releasing the Anointing

Dec 3, 2024

Special guest Dr. James Tan continued his message entitled, “Releasing the Anointing.” He used Hebrews 5:14 as his text: “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Dr. James said, “This tells us there is solid food available, but it only belongs to those who are full age.” If there is full age, then that means these is a half age, or partial age, or young age. God’s goal for us is that we grow and mature into “full age.”

THE VISION IMPERATIVE, #5: The Commitment | Mac Hammond

Nov 26, 2024

This past weekend, Pastor Mac gave the last message in his series entitled, “The Vision Imperative.” Since it was the last message, that made it “Commitment Sunday.” He talked about commitment being the final step to whatever we need or desire from the Lord. Without commitment, he said, not much is going to happen in your life. Many people avoid commitment and, instead, are always seeking the proverbial “backdoor” of a situation. Pastor Mac said, “You can’t go through life that way. The only blessed person is a committed person.”

THE VISION IMPERATIVE, #4: What It Means to Be Blessed by God | Mac Hammond

Nov 17, 2024

Pastor Mac gave his fourth installment in his vision series, “The Vision Imperative.” The whole objective for this year’s vision series is designed for the purpose of setting our sails for the coming year in order to establish our goals and objectives as a local church for what God’s called us to do. And then, individually, you too must sharpen and clarify God’s vision in your own life and how it will fit into the larger vision of the local church. This is the very thing that will cause your life to “Come Alive!” After all, Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish!”

For His Kingdom, 2, Vision 2025 | Mac Hammond

Nov 10, 2024

Pastor Mac continued his Vision 2025 series entitled, “The Vision Imperative.” The Word of God tells us that having vision is an absolute imperative to His purposes for our lives. It’s not something we can avoid. And it doesn’t matter what a person of faith you may be, how often you come to church, or how spiritual you think you are, the Word says in Proverbs 19:18 that “without a vision, the people perish.” If you’re a person, then that’s talking about you! You need a vision for your life—a God-given vision.

For His Kingdom, 2, Vision 2025 | Mac Hammond

Nov 3, 2024

Pastor Mac’s first message in the vision series for this year was entitled, “The Vision Imperative.” The title underscores the vital importance of vision to your own experience of life. The vision being talked about is God’s vision for your life personally. How do you gain clarity of God’s vision for your life and then the human and financial resources to accomplish that vision?