Hurried, Worried, Buried (How to Overcome Fear, Worry, and Anxiety)

Notes: Hurried, Worried, Buried (How to Overcome Fear, Worry, and Anxiety)
Matthew 6
Pastor Greg Laurie
SERIES:
God Came Near
Sunday, November 9, 2014 — 8:00 a.m.
http://bit.ly/1qmcFbA

What does the favorite verse of the nonbeliever actually mean?

Matthew 7:1 ESV
[1] "Judge not, that you be not judged.

Pastor Greg said he really likes how people in Australia say "No Worries, mate."

Greg is talking about all the worries people have and the new big world worries like, Ebola and ISIS. 

A study said Most people's number one worry is their appearance. Public speaking typically ranks higher than death.

He told a story about how death usually comes to those that worry about it too much?

How can we overcome worry? Matthew 6 speaks of this.

Matthew 6:25-33 ESV
[25] "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? [27] And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? [28] And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, [29] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? [31] Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' [32] For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. [33] But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.


1. The believer should not worry.
Matthew 6:25 ESV
[25] "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

The word worry from the old English word means to choke.

Jesus Christ says stop worrying about your life. Pastor Greg says he can argue that worry can be a sin.

It could be a sin because it is a lack of trust of God. God is in control.

Worry does not empty tomorrow of of its sorrow. But it possibly removes your strength to face it.

Greg says there is a difference between trusting the Lord and testing the Lord.

He is talking about Daniel in the Lions den.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV
[7] casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

This is saying throw your worries on God.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
[6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Birds don't worry, so why should we?
Matthew 6:26 ESV
[26] Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

He says birds don't sit and wait for food, they have to take action. They wait and look for the food and then go get it.

Greg is talking about how seagulls were around and he thought they are his fish burrito. 

Flowers don't worry, so why should we?
Matthew 6:28 ESV
[28] And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,

He says that many are obsessed with the way they look, but we will never be as beautiful as the flowers God created.

He is talking about Jennifer Lopez, saying how her entourage of stylist may have hurt her relationships with all of her past lovers.

You can have a chiseled body and a dying soul. 

1 Peter 3:3-4 NKJV
[3] Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel- [4] rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

Who can add one day to their by worry? 

Only God knows your birth and your death.

1 Timothy 4:8-9 NKJV
[8] For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. [9] This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.

2. Worry does not make life better.

4. Put God and His will first in your life.

Psalm 90:1-17 NKJV
[1] Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. [2] Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. [3] You turn man to destruction, And say, "Return, O children of men." [4] For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past, And like a watch in the night. [5] You carry them away like a flood; They are like a sleep. In the morning they are like grass which grows up: [6] In the morning it flourishes and grows up; In the evening it is cut down and withers. [7] For we have been consumed by Your anger, And by Your wrath we are terrified. [8] You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance. [9] For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh. [10] The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. [11] Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. [12] So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. [13] Return, O LORD! How long? And have compassion on Your servants. [14] Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days! [15] Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, The years in which we have seen evil. [16] Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children. [17] And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.

Speaking of your career, are you doing it for God's glory? If you can not honor God in everything you do, then get a new job.

Proverbs 22:1 NKJV
[1] A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

There are people in life that cheat and do it the wrong way that appear to be doing better than you. But you have to wait to see ones life play out. Do not look at what others do. Look at what God wants you do.

Seek first not only His Kingdom, but also his righteousness.

He is talking about single people dating. As he calls it "missionary dating" he says it is easier for a non- believer to pull you down from God then you pull them up to God. He says the best place for them to find a spouse is at church.

When you seek God first, you will find the right perspective.

What would you do if God came to you and said, just ask and I will give you what ever you want?

Greg is talking about Solomon and how he asked God for the wisdom to rule His people.

Matthew 6:19-21,31-32 NKJV
[19] "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [31] "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' [32] For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

He says when scripture says "therefore" look and see what it is there for.

Greg is talking how you should not flaunt the things you have. That is not putting the Lord first.

Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV
[9] Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; [10] So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

2 Corinthians 9:6 NKJV
[6] But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

In Malachai is the only time the Lord says to test him.


Do you giving while your living, then you are knowing where it is going!

Greg is talking about Billy Joel and how Billy Joel said that even with all his success he felt like a failure because he does not have a true love to share it with.

You need to love Jesus Christ first. Then you will not have that void.

The faith of the Christian, provides the hope that we need in this life and to take us into the next life!