The Biblical Worldview on Overcoming Worry

Notes: The Biblical Worldview on Overcoming Worry
Greg Laurie
Worldview: Thinking and Living Biblically
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Philippians 4:1–9
Music: Harvest Worship Band

We all know what it means and feels like to be afraid. Worry and fear go along with it.

People die everyday doing things that aren't dangerous. Falling out of bed kills 600 people a year, choking on hot dogs kill people.

The number one thing people said they worry about in a survey was their appearance.

Worry can keep your body from fighting off illness. So worry can kill you!

Worry comes from an old German word that means to strangle or choke.

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties the strength for today.

Australians have a great saying "no worries, mate"

Philippians 4:4-7 NLT
[4] Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! [5] Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. [6] Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

When Paul wrote this, he was on house arrest in Rome. 

God commands us to rejoice in all things.

Philippians 4:4 NLT
[4] Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice!

Rejoicing is an act of obedience, and worry can actually be a sin.

Paul had every reason to worry, he was facing trial, yet he rejoiced in the Lord.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 NLT
[17] Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, [18] yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

Gods plans for you are still good, even when you choose to worry.

Psalm 42:8 NLT
[8] But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.

Take your worries and turn them into prayers. Send them straight to God.

When you are in pain, it's not the easiest time for a worship service.

1. Right praying.
2. Right thinking.
3. Right living.

1. Right praying 

Right praying can be taught to become a conditioned reflex. A natural reflex to turn worries into prayer.

Put it in Gods hands, trust in Him.

Philippians 4:6 NLT
[6] Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Nothing is too big or too small to pray about.

Little problems can turn into big problems.

Great reason to pray for your child is because they grow up and have to face bigger and bigger problems.

Keep bringing your child to Jesus, because they need our prayer.

We are supposed to give thanks before we even offer the prayer. Your prayer will be answered with Gods perfect knowledge.

If you have big problems, you have a small god. With a big God, are problems are small.

Daniel got thrown in prison for praying during his time. Daniel didn't let that deter him.

Philippians 4:7 NLT
[7] Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

2. Right thinking.

Philippians 4:8 NLT
[8] And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Think about what you think about.

Run it through a grid of grace. Is it true, is it helpful.

Proverbs 23:7 NLT
[7] They are always thinking about how much it costs. "Eat and drink," they say, but they don't mean it.

Genesis 3:1 NLT
[1] The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, "Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?"

Protect your minds. Fill your minds with things that are true and God's word.

2 Corinthians 10:5 NLT
[5] We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Psalm 42:5 NLT
[5] Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again- my Savior and

Remind yourself of what the Bible says.

3. Right living

Philippians 4:9 NLT
[9] Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me-everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

85% of what you worry about, will never happen. 

Tomorrow marks 9 years of when Pastor Greg's son, Christopher, died.

What happens when your fears come true? God never promised us a pain free life.

Send your prayers and fears to God. Don't panic, God will be there for that. God will give you the strength you need when you need it.

Your lives will be changed forever by some tragedies. What will you chose to do with it? Give it to God and He can use it for good.

Your best days can always be ahead of you when you give them to God.

Even when death comes, we don't have to be afraid. We are leaving the land of the dying and going to the land of the living.

Revelation 1:17-18 NLT
[17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last. [18] I am the living one. I died, but look-I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

Jesus has the keys.

1 Peter 5:7 NLT
[7] Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.