Notes: The Biblical Worldview on Finding Contentment
Greg Laurie
Worldview: Thinking and Living Biblically
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Are you content?
Do you think something you are trying to achieve will finally make you content?
Or is there always an "if only" thing in life?
The secret to happiness and joy for the Christian is in the way we think.
The good life does not begin with circumstances change, but when our attitudes do.
Philippians 4:10-13 NKJV
[10] But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. [11] Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: [12] I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Real contentment is not a state of account it is a state of heart.
Contentment is not our ability to change our circumstances, but in our ability to live with them.
1. Paul found contentment because he rejoiced in the Lord.
Grateful people demonstrate less envy, materialism and self-centeredness.
Philippians 4:11 NKJV
[11] Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
What you have in Christ is far greater than anything you don't have in life.
A sure sign of spiritual growth is when you recognize you need to grow spiritually.
2. Contentment does not necessarily come naturally.
Philippians 4:12 NKJV
[12] I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Paul found contentment because he learned to take life as it came.
3. Contentment does not come from what we have it comes from who we know.
Hebrews 13:5 NKJV
[5] Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
4. Contentment comes from leaning on Christ, not leaning on yourself.
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
[13] I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I'm sure no one in Heaven wants to come back to earth.
5. Contentment is knowing if I'm not content with what I have, I will never be content with what I want.
Jesus cares if "one light goes out" and so should we.
6. Contentment is not from getting but from giving.
Getting more stuff does not bring happiness or contentment; giving more stuff does.
Happiness and contentment does not come from seeking happiness and contentment. It comes from seeking God.
When you have Christ, you have everything.
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Sunday, July 30, 2017
Sunday, July 23, 2017
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.
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.
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Notes: Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Greg Laurie
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Series: Life: the Gospel of John
John 9
Music: Harvest Worship Band
We all have questions.
John 9:1-7 NLT
[1] As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. [2] "Rabbi," his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?" [3] "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. [4] We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. [5] But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world." [6] Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man's eyes. [7] He told him, "Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam" (Siloam means "sent"). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!
Some Jews of that day believed in reincarnation. Karma teaches that good deeds are rewarded and bad deeds are punished. That is Hindu teachings of today.
Christians understand that a soul comes at conception.
Psalm 139:13-16 NLT
[13] You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. [14] Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it. [15] You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. [16] You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
The disciples asked why God allows sufferings.
C.S. Lewis said that pain is the atheist most powerful weapon against the faith.
Can physical suffering on this earth be a result of sin? Yes and no. The sin of Adam and Eve has had repercussions on all of us.
Bad things just happen, they don't always have to have a cause and effect.
1. Corrective Suffering
God will allow or even send some pain in our lives to get our attention.
Sickness can come as a result of our sin.
Sometimes we bring pain on ourselves.
Hebrews 12:5-6 NLT
[5] And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the LORD's discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you. [6] For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child."
2. Consecutive Suffering
2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT
[17] For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
Paul had his thorn in the flesh.
3. There is sickness and tragedy allowed to glorify God.
Joni Ericsson Tads is a champion of the faith as she is in a wheelchair.
Nick Voicich with no arms or legs lives in Gods glory.
John 9:3-4 NLT
[3] "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. [4] We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.
Isaiah 53:4-5 NLT
[4] Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! [5] But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
1 Peter 2:24 NLT
[24] He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
God can heal. Does God heal everyone, no.
Don't ever be afraid of "thy will be done."
Maybe God is just waiting for you to ask Him for help.
John 9:6-7 NLT
[6] Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man's eyes. [7] He told him, "Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam" (Siloam means "sent"). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!
Jesus changed the way healed people so that we can focus on God and not God's methodology.
John 9:10-17 NLT
[10] They asked, "Who healed you? What happened?" [11] He told them, "The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.' So I went and washed, and now I can see!" [12] "Where is he now?" they asked. "I don't know," he replied. [13] Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, [14] because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. [15] The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, "He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!" [16] Some of the Pharisees said, "This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath." Others said, "But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?" So there was a deep division of opinion among them. [17] Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, "What's your opinion about this man who healed you?" The man replied, "I think he must be a prophet."
The entire life of Jewish people revolved around the synagogue.
John 9:24-28 NLT
[24] So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, "God should get the glory for this, because we know this man Jesus is a sinner." [25] "I don't know whether he is a sinner," the man replied. "But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!" [26] "But what did he do?" they asked. "How did he heal you?" [27] "Look!" the man exclaimed. "I told you once. Didn't you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?" [28] Then they cursed him and said, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses!
Classic statement: John 9:25 NLT
[25] "I don't know whether he is a sinner," the man replied. "But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!"
No one is a greater authority on what has happened to you, then you. Can you tell others that, once you were blind and now you can see?
God did not give us the gospel to horde it, He gave us the gospel to share it.
John 9:35-41 NLT
[35] When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" [36] The man answered, "Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him." [37] "You have seen him," Jesus said, "and he is speaking to you!" [38] "Yes, Lord, I believe!" the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. [39] Then Jesus told him, "I entered this world to render judgment-to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind." [40] Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, "Are you saying we're blind?" [41] "If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty," Jesus replied. "But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.
Religion turned the blind man away, Jesus took him in.
Greg Laurie
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Series: Life: the Gospel of John
John 9
Music: Harvest Worship Band
We all have questions.
John 9:1-7 NLT
[1] As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. [2] "Rabbi," his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?" [3] "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. [4] We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. [5] But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world." [6] Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man's eyes. [7] He told him, "Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam" (Siloam means "sent"). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!
Some Jews of that day believed in reincarnation. Karma teaches that good deeds are rewarded and bad deeds are punished. That is Hindu teachings of today.
Christians understand that a soul comes at conception.
Psalm 139:13-16 NLT
[13] You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. [14] Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it. [15] You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. [16] You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
The disciples asked why God allows sufferings.
C.S. Lewis said that pain is the atheist most powerful weapon against the faith.
Can physical suffering on this earth be a result of sin? Yes and no. The sin of Adam and Eve has had repercussions on all of us.
Bad things just happen, they don't always have to have a cause and effect.
1. Corrective Suffering
God will allow or even send some pain in our lives to get our attention.
Sickness can come as a result of our sin.
Sometimes we bring pain on ourselves.
Hebrews 12:5-6 NLT
[5] And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the LORD's discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you. [6] For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child."
2. Consecutive Suffering
2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT
[17] For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
Paul had his thorn in the flesh.
3. There is sickness and tragedy allowed to glorify God.
Joni Ericsson Tads is a champion of the faith as she is in a wheelchair.
Nick Voicich with no arms or legs lives in Gods glory.
John 9:3-4 NLT
[3] "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. [4] We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.
Isaiah 53:4-5 NLT
[4] Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! [5] But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
1 Peter 2:24 NLT
[24] He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
God can heal. Does God heal everyone, no.
Don't ever be afraid of "thy will be done."
Maybe God is just waiting for you to ask Him for help.
John 9:6-7 NLT
[6] Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man's eyes. [7] He told him, "Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam" (Siloam means "sent"). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!
Jesus changed the way healed people so that we can focus on God and not God's methodology.
John 9:10-17 NLT
[10] They asked, "Who healed you? What happened?" [11] He told them, "The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.' So I went and washed, and now I can see!" [12] "Where is he now?" they asked. "I don't know," he replied. [13] Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, [14] because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. [15] The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, "He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!" [16] Some of the Pharisees said, "This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath." Others said, "But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?" So there was a deep division of opinion among them. [17] Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, "What's your opinion about this man who healed you?" The man replied, "I think he must be a prophet."
The entire life of Jewish people revolved around the synagogue.
John 9:24-28 NLT
[24] So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, "God should get the glory for this, because we know this man Jesus is a sinner." [25] "I don't know whether he is a sinner," the man replied. "But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!" [26] "But what did he do?" they asked. "How did he heal you?" [27] "Look!" the man exclaimed. "I told you once. Didn't you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?" [28] Then they cursed him and said, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses!
Classic statement: John 9:25 NLT
[25] "I don't know whether he is a sinner," the man replied. "But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!"
No one is a greater authority on what has happened to you, then you. Can you tell others that, once you were blind and now you can see?
God did not give us the gospel to horde it, He gave us the gospel to share it.
John 9:35-41 NLT
[35] When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" [36] The man answered, "Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him." [37] "You have seen him," Jesus said, "and he is speaking to you!" [38] "Yes, Lord, I believe!" the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. [39] Then Jesus told him, "I entered this world to render judgment-to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind." [40] Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, "Are you saying we're blind?" [41] "If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty," Jesus replied. "But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.
Religion turned the blind man away, Jesus took him in.
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