The Ups and Downs and Ups of a World Changer

Notes: The Ups and Downs and Ups of a World Changer
Greg Laurie
World Changers
Sunday, April 23, 2017
2 Samuel 11, Psalm 32
Music: Matthew West

Kind David the World Changer.

King David was fearless in battle. A poet, a man after God's own heart.

Jesus identified Himself as, "Jesus, the Son of David."

The rise of David....
The people chose King Saul, but God decided that he would be replaced.

1. God uses ordinary people to change the world.

1 Corinthians 1:26-27 NKJV
[26] For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. [27] But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

You can't control your circumstances, but you can control your reactions.

2. World Changers are focused on what matters in life.

Psalm 34:1 NKJV
[1] I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psalm 57:7 NKJV
[7] My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.

David new the meaning of life.

Psalm 27:4 NKJV
[4] One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.

3. World Changers are faithful in little things so God gives them bigger things.

Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV
[1] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. [3] He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

David took down Goliath, he depended on God to do so.

When the fall of David began...
2 Samuel 11:1-5 NKJV
[1] It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. [2] Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. [3] So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" [4] Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. [5] And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, "I am with child."

When things are going really well, that is when the devil hits.

When you face a crisis, you hang on to God and He gives you the strength you need when you need it. God always comes through. 

When things are going good, hanging on to God seems to be less important to most. That is when we are most vulnerable.

You don't feed lust; you starve it!

Sometimes other people have a better sense of what we are doing then we do.

God puts up road blocks to our sin. 

David sinned, then tried to cover it up and then did even worse things to continue to try to cover it.

2 Samuel 11:27 NKJV
[27] And when her mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.

Psalm 32:1-5 NLT
[1] Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! [2] Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! [3] When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. [4] Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude [5] Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude

Psalm 32 describes the futility and misery of sin that is unconfessed.

Nathan the prophet calls David out through a story.

2 Samuel 12:5-7 NLT
[5] David was furious. "As surely as the LORD lives," he vowed, "any man who would do such a thing deserves to die! [6] He must repay four lambs to the poor man for the one he stole and for having no pity." [7] Then Nathan said to David, "You are that man! The LORD, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul.

2 Samuel 12:13-14 NLT
[13] Then David confessed to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "Yes, but the LORD has forgiven you, and you won't die for this sin. [14] Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORD by doing this, your child will die."

God will forgive you of your sins if you repent, you will still have to pay for those sins.

David managed to still get into the lineage of God, so did Bathsheba, that is the grace of God.

In for worship, out for service.

John 10:9 NLT
[9] Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.

The Treasure Principle

Notes: The Treasure Principle 
April 9, 2017
Pastor Greg Laurie and Randy Alcorn 
Harvest OC

Today is Palm Sunday.

Right before the Triumphal Entry...
John 12:9-11 ESV
[9] When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. [10] So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, [11] because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

What is the significance of Palm Sunday? It is the plan and purpose of God.

John 12:12-13 ESV
[12] The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. [13] So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!"

The price was paid for our redemption on the cross.

Acts 4:27-30 ESV
[27] for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, [28] to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. [29] And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, [30] while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

We are risen with Christ.

What do people in Heaven know about people on earth?
We will be aware of passing of time, we won't know everything, we will still be finite. 

It is possible that people in Heaven, will know what is going on here on Earth. It will be with a Heavenly perspective.

Romans 8:28 ESV
[28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

We will recognize each other in Heaven.

God Himself is called Happy.

Hebrews 1:9 ESV
[9] You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."

We will live happily ever after. Knowing that, we should participate in that happiness today.

Acts 20:35 ESV
[35] In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

God is a giving God.

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV
[9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

You can't take it with you...
Matthew 6:19 ESV
[19] "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,

...you can send it on ahead.
Matthew 6:20-21 ESV
[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.

Tithing isn't the ceiling of giving, it's the floor. Jesus didn't lower the bar of living, He was raising the bar.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV
[17] Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. [18] Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, [19] storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

To be prepared for Heaven is to be be prepared to meet God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV
[21] For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

In Christ our sins are covered and we are prepared for Heaven.

Lost and Found

Notes: Lost and Found
Pastor Jeff Lasseigne
Harvest OC
April 6, 2017
Luke 15

Luke 15:1-32 NKJV
[1] Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. [2] And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." [3] So He spoke this parable to them, saying: [4] "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? [5] And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. [6] And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' [7] I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. [8] "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? [9] And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' [10] Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." [11] Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. [12] And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. [13] And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. [14] But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. [15] Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. [16] And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. [17] "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! [18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, [19] and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."' [20] "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. [21] And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' [22] "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. [23] And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; [24] for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. [25] "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. [26] So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. [27] And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.' [28] "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. [29] So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. [30] But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.' [31] "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. [32] It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'"

There's probably no chapter that has done greater good to the souls of men.

More than 1/3 of the teachings of Christ came to us in forms of parables.

Parables are used to teach profound truths.

1st is "The parable of the lost sheep."

Luke 15:1 NKJV
[1] Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.

These people had no place in the Temple. Yet they were drawn to Jesus.

Before there was the passion of Christ, there was the compassion of Christ.

God knows you with an everlasting love. There is nothing you can do to change God's love for you.

Luke 15:2-3 NKJV
[2] And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." [3] So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

Luke 19:10 NKJV
[10] for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

The religious leaders were out of step with God and out of tune with Heaven.

Luke 15:10 NKJV
[10] Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

The parable of the lost son.

The prodigal son story has been stated to be the greatest short story ever written.

Many want God's blessings but they don't want God.

The father gave his son what he wanted.

We become like the prodigal son every time we look for happiness apart from God.

Sin will take you further then you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more then you want to pay.

Some people want to be saved from their misery but not from their sin.

The fathers mercy gave the boy peace, the fathers grace gave him a feast.

God is our creator. 

Many use free will to run from God. 

You can't work to receive God's grace and mercy, you can't work to receive God's forgiveness.

Our compassionate God will run to us if we come home.

It's not a parable of a prodigal son, it's a parable of a loving father.

John 6:29 NKJV
[29] Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

Legalism is to preach grace and practice law.

Christianity is not what we are outwardly, it's who we are inwardly.

How do we stop being the prodigal son and not turn into the brother.

Sinners will end up in Hell because they are unsaved, not because they are unloved.

You can't force a prodigal to come home, but you can pray for them.

Swipe Right

Notes: Swipe Right

Pastor Levi Lusko

4/2/2017

Exodus 2:12 and Genesis 2:24

Proverbs 4:23 NKJV

[23] Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

"The life and death power of sex and romance"

What does it mean to swipe right? The average American touches their screens on their phones over 150 times a day.

36% of the internet is people looking at pornography. The average young person will be exposed to pornography as young as age 6.

Tinder has 100 million users. Its an application that you "swipe right" to indicate you like someone and "swipe left" that you don't. Tinder has had a trillion swipes to date.

Exodus 2:12 NKJV

[12] So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

Moses was beginning a pattern of doing what he liked to do per his own desires.

We need to look up and not just swipe right or left.

God invented sex and He gave it to us as a gift.

Genesis 2:23 NKJV

[23] And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man."

God knows sex is pleasurable. He also knows that it was powerful.

Genesis 2:24 NKJV

[24] Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

That is the arena where we should be having sex.

God tells us when and where to use sex in our lives.

Lies about sex that you may be lead to believe:

Lie 1: Sex is just a physical activity.

1 Corinthians 6:16 NKJV

[16] Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says, "shall become one flesh."

Lust on any level impacts who you are. Addiction to pornography results in a higher level of depression and physical issues.

Lie 2: I can do what I want and have what God wants.

Galatians 6:5 NKJV

[5] For each one shall bear his own load.

You don't get things out of your system and move on, you get things into your system that you have to bear later.

Your past has a sneaky way of slipping into your future.

God does forgive you, but the best for your life is not that God forgives you, it's that God wants to bless you now!

What you do today can bless your wedding one day or haunt it.

Lie 3: Sexual temptation and dating are only issues before you're married.

It's not purity just till we are married, it is purity our whole lives!

Working on your marriage, is working for a successful marriage.

The devil will do everything he can to get you to have sex with your girlfriend prior to marriage. Then he does everything he can to keep you from having sex with that exact same person after you are married.

Lie 4:" I've already messed up so there is no hope for me."....Not true!!

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

[11] For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.