Tell Someone: The Gospel Is Only Good News If It Gets There in Time

Notes: Tell Someone: The Gospel Is Only Good News If It Gets There in Time

Acts 16

Pastor Greg Laurie

Thursday, July 30, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

Part two of a four part series.

Greg had decided to start spreading the Gospel about two weeks after he became a believer. He fumbled through a flyer as he shared with a woman. Even though he didn't know much, the lady accepted Christ and he got to see how he can affect the people around him.

Proverbs 11:30 NKJV

[30] The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

Daniel 12:3 NLT

[3] Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.

1. We should all be sharing the Gospel.

2. We should be sharing the Gospel with everyone.

Things that we know about everyone:

1. We are all empty inside.

2. Everyone is lonely.

Top words searched at night... Porn. Suicide. Lonely

3. Everyone feels guilty.

Romans 2:15 NLT

[15] They demonstrate that God's law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.

4. There is a universal fear of death.

Everyone wants to be happy and everyone will die.

Everyone has to die.

We need to bring the Gospel to all those people.

John 3:16 NLT

[16] "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

That scripture can do some serious damage to the kingdom of darkness.

3. We should share the Gospel wherever.

FRANgelism..Friends, Relatives, Associates and Neighbors should be Evangelized by you.

Jonah was someone that didn't want to evangelize as God commanded. God said go, Jonah said no, so God said oh... So Jonah went!

Esther was called to save her people. She was made queen for "such a time as this."

Maybe you are where you are at this moment for such a time as this.

Is there someone that you need to be sharing the Gospel with right now?

Jonah 4:2 NLT

[2] So he complained to the LORD about it: "Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.

The Old Testament God is the same God as the New Testament God!

God is God! He loves us and doesn't want to judge us.

Many people don't share their faith for the same reason Jonah didn't want to. Fear of success!

We may think it may be an inconvenience if a new believer is around us.

A new believer is good for us and we are good for them.

Are you a bridge or a barrier to people coming to Christ?

You don't have to be a preacher to preach the Bible.

You not only need to preach but be a good example.

We are the only Bible some people see.

Christians are walking epistles, written by God and read by man.

We are to be salt and light in our culture.

Salt in the past used to be valuable. It was used as a preservative.

We aren't always the best representatives of Christ but we need to try to be.

It's a sad thing when a non-Christian knows better what it means to be a Christian than a Christian does.

Salt stimulates thirst also, a thirst for Christ.

Acts 16:23-25 NLT

[23] They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape. [24] So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. [25] Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

They were beaten, whipped and put in stocks yet they sang praises at midnight.

Acts 16:28-30 NLT

[28] But Paul shouted to him, "Stop! Don't kill yourself! We are all here!" [29] The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. [30] Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Paul and Silas earned the right to preach the Gospel by the way they live. We need to earn that right by the way we live.

Romans 10:14 NLT

[14] But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

1 Corinthians 1:21 NLT

[21] Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.

We don't know why God chooses to use people to reach people, but He does.

He uses us telling people the Gospel. God uses verbal communication.

We have the cure for death. We need to share it .

Do everything you can to reach everyone you can.

4. When should we share the Gospel? Answer: Whenever!

We aren't in front of people by coincidence, it is called providence.

2 Timothy 4:2 NLT

[2] Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

Share the Gospel: Whosoever, Wherever, Whenever.

Tell Someone: Sharing Starts with Caring

Notes: Tell Someone: Sharing Starts with Caring

Luke 15 / Matthew 28

Pastor Greg Laurie

Sunday, July 26, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

The message today is part of a 4-part series on evangelism called "Tell Someone" that Pastor Greg will be teaching on 7/26,7/29, 8/2, 8/9.

Greg became a believer when he was 17. He grew up in an alcoholics home, mom remarried seven times. It set him on a search to find more.

He started doing drugs in his teens, but knew that was not what life was all about. 

When he was at his high school, Greg sat and listened to a young man teaching about Jesus. He had been told by his friends that they were a "bunch of Jesus freaks." 

He heard that he was either for Jesus or against Him. He didn't want to be against Jesus.

He found his faith on his high school campus that day.

Greg didn't know what to do after that, he was thinking maybe he would be a solo Christian.

Then his life started to change, the Holy Spirit started to guide him. He was being led to share the Gospel, but had a hard time doing it.

Christians have been given the Great Commission. Yet we seem to be like nonbelievers, where we are both not evangelizing.

95% of all Christians have never led another person to Christ.

The sin of commission is doing what you are not suppose to be doing.

The sin of omission is not doing what you are suppose to be doing. 

James 4:17 NLT
[17] Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

God wants to use you to lead others to Jesus.

Tell Someone: you can bring others to Christ.

Our part is to share the Gospel and God's part is to lead them to Himself.

Sharing your faith can be an exciting experience. Being led by God is fun.

Psalm 126:6 NLT[6] They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

There is joy, bringing others to Christ. It makes you happy.

The last person you would ever expect seems to be who God uses.

God called Moses:

Exodus 4:10-13 NLT[10] But Moses pleaded with the LORD, "O Lord, I'm not very good with words. I never have been, and I'm not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled." [11] Then the LORD asked Moses, "Who makes a person's mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? [12] Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say." [13] But Moses again pleaded, "Lord, please! Send anyone else."

You are never too old or too young to be used by Christ. God can use you!

What's your excuse?

God is not looking for ability, He is looking for availability.

God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

Evangelizing ensures our spiritual growth.

God does not give to us so that we can horde His blessings. He gives us His truths to share.

We are to share.

Isaiah 58:11 NLT[11] The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

1. Effective Sharing Starts with Caring.

A simple fact is that none of us like to share. We could all see this when we were children getting new toys, we didn't want to share.

With the Gospel, we seem to not want to share either.

2 Timothy 2:26 NLT[26] Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

We are here to liberate nonbelievers from the captivity of satan. We used to be just like them.

We need to care.

2. Caring about a Person also includes Anger.

We should be angry that satan is holding people captive. 

Don't get angry at the sinner, get angry at the sin.

Acts 17:16 NLT[16] While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city.

Jesus gives parables in Luke:-A lost sheep who needs a shepherd-A woman who lost a coin-Like a father who lost his son

Being compared to sheep is not a compliment. They are unintelligent animals.

Every time someone on earth believes in Jesus, all of Heaven rejoices!

Luke 15:7 NLT[7] In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!

Luke 15:10 NLT
[10] In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents."

The story of the father losing his son is one of the closest illustrations to God and His people. The Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Luke 15:20-22 NLT[20] "So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. [21] His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' [22] "But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.

Jesus compares God to a father willing to lose his dignity to have his son.

3. We are Commanded by Jesus to Fulfill the Great Commission.

We have been commanded to share the Gospel.

When is the last time you shared the Gospel?

Sharing the Gospel can be compared to going to Disneyland with either an adult or a child. With an adult it can seem to be a drag, but with a child it can be the greatest experience they have ever had.

Bring a nonbeliever to church and your experience at church changes, you look at it through their eyes.

To not share the Gospel can be hazardous to your spiritual health.

Sharing the Gospel is a joy.

The Fight We Must Win!

Notes: The Fight We Must Win!

Ephesians 6

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: Live, Love, Fight

Thursday, July 23, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

Have you ever been going through life with God and then all of a sudden, you are attacked with a barrage of crazy problems? That is how spiritual warfare can work.

You don't need to be a sitting duck for the devil. Victory is not won by evacuation.

How do we take back what is ours? Its in Ephesians 6

Sometimes we can say the devil is doing this, and the devil is doing that, when we should be saying what God is doing in our lives.

We need to know the devil's strategies so we know how to defeat him. The battle will never stop, in some ways the battle will intensify for those serving God.

Ephesians 6:10-17 NLT

[10] A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. [12] For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. [14] Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. [15] For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. [16] In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. [17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

There are six pieces of armor there to keep on at all times and three for attack and utility purposes.

1. The utility belt of truth.

The fact that as followers of Jesus Christ we need to live truthfully before the Lord.

2. The breastplate of righteousness.

This protects the vital organs of a soldier.

We need to stand in a position of righteous before God. Giving us the want to live righteously before God.

3. Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

Giving you a good foothold in the Bible, and the Gospel of peace.

Romans 10:14-15 NLT

[14] But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? [15] And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

Are you using your life to bring others to Christ?

4. The shield of faith

Ephesians 6:16 NLT

[16] In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

These fiery darts are what we should protect ourselves from. Flaming arrows from satan are aimed in our direction.

These arrows can be an impure thought, it could be anxiety, and it could be a bad thought against God.

That is not you, that is an attack. You need to be protected in the word.

1 Peter 5:9 NLT

[9] Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

The word of God is ours to use.

We have partners and fellow soldiers in the Bible that we can join together with. We can pray with and lean on to fight off these attacks.

We are stronger together then we are alone. It is hard to be a single Christian alone in this battle.

1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT

[8] Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. [9] Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

5. The helmet of salvation

Ephesians 6:17 NLT

[17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

We need to protect our minds.

Don't feed yourself bad thoughts. Nip those bad thoughts at the bud.

Thoughts feed ideas and that may lead you to think you can just get away with it sometimes. If you think you can get away with it, then you might just do it.

If you acknowledge you are standing in front of God then you probably won't do it.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NLT

[4] We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. [5] We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

You can't think two thoughts at the same time. You can't have an impure thought if your mind has a pure thought in it right now.

Tomorrow will be 7 years that Greg lost his son Christopher in a car accident. Pastor Greg says this kind of pain can bring many bad thoughts. So the Bible is so important to keep you pure.

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.

The word of God is the best thing to go back to in a time of pain.

Train your mind to think properly.

Natural reflex is like pulling your hand away from a burn. Conditioned reflex is taught, like typing or driving.

As a Christian we need to have the pure conditioned reflex.

6. The sword of the Spirit

This is the only offensive weapon in his armor.

Ephesians 6:17 NLT

[17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Sin will keep you from the Bible and the Bible will keep you from sin.

The word of God needs to be how you start everyday. Don't let the devil keep you from it.

The Holy Spirit will bring scripture to your mind.

God will apply the word to specific times and places in your life.

When Jesus Christ was in the desert and the devil is tempting Him, Jesus Christ refuted the devil with scripture.

Is your sword polished with daily use or is it rusty or dulled with disobedience?

The Bible is a great place to carry the word, but your heart is even a better place to carry the word of God.

Ephesians 6:17-18 NLT

[17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Pray always, the word of God and prayer are inseparable.

One of the secrets of answered prayer is knowing the word of God.

The word of God enlightens us while prayer enables us.

You are a sitting duck for the devil if you are not a follower of Christ.

We all need Jesus Christ. He has a plan and purpose for our lives.