Jesus Style Evangelism

Notes: Evangelism, "Jesus Style"

John 4

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

Sunday, February 28, 2016 — 10:00 a.m.

Every place has its own style, like Hawaiian Style.

Jesus said we should go into the whole world, but He didn't say the whole world would come to the church.

1. Who is to go into all the world and preach the Gospel? We are!

Matthew 28:19 NLT

[19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:15 NLT

[15] And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

For many, the Great Comission is really the great suggestion or really the great omission.

The sin of omission is not doing what you should be doing. The sin of commission is doing what you shouldn't be doing.

2. Where are we to preach the gospel? Everywhere!

We need to engage in FRANgelism... Friends, Relatives, Associates and Neighbors.

3. Why are we to preach the Gospel? God's primary way to reach people is by using other people.

1 Corinthians 1:21 NLT

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

Romans 10:14 NKJV

[14] How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

3. When are we to share the Gospel?

We share the Gospel all the time.

Pastor Greg is telling the story of when he evangelized while in the restroom.

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.

1 Peter 3:15 NLT

[15] Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

5. How do we share the Gospel? That is where it falls apart for many people. The answer is from Jesus Himself. It is showed in John 4 with the woman at the well.

Everyone's favorite subject appears to be themselves. The selfie picture is a testament to that.

Our objective is to build a bridge, not burn one. A stepping stone not a stumbling block.

Christ has not called us to isolate, He calls us to infiltrate and permeate. We are not to win the argument, we are to win a soul!

John 4:3-10 NLT

[3] So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. [4] He had to go through Samaria on the way. [5] Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. [6] Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. [7] Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." [8] He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. [9] The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?" [10] Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."

1. Sharing starts with caring.

Evangelism Jesus style, starts with a burden. Jesus needed to go through Samaria. 

Jews didn't go through Samaria, but Jesus still went. 

We are to go to all people, even to people we don't like very much. Just like Jonah.

There is no place for prejudice in the life of a believer. We are to share with all people.

2. We are to use tact. Skill and grace with dealing with others. You do not start telling them they are going to hell.  

Tact is the ability to make a point without making an enemy.

You must speak in a language that the nonbeliever understands.

You should engage people in a dialogue, it's not a monologue.

Many Christians don't seem to know how to use tact.

There is not a one way fits all approach to evangelism. We should all know and be able to convey the Gospel in less than three minutes.

John 4:28-29 NKJV

[28] The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, [29] "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"to 

A great example of tact...

Acts 8:29-38 NLT

[29] The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and walk along beside the carriage." [30] Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" [31] The man replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. [32] The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. [33] He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." [34] The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?" [35] So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. [36-37] As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?" [38] He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

One of the greatest tools we have in our evangelism tool box is our own personal testimony.

1. Don't glorify or exaggerate you past.

2. Never boast of what you gave up to follow Christ, boast of what Jesus did for you.

3. When you tell your story, always take them to His story.

Nonbelievers are looking for someone to show them the way. People have stated they would go to church if someone invited them.

Billy Graham said that in looking back, he would have preached more on the cross and the blood of Jesus Christ because that is where the power is. 

Look for open doors and opportunity. 

Some people are unnecessarily offensive. That burns bridges.

Chumming is a good way to go about it. Start a conversation don't force it. Jesus asked the woman for a drink of water. It showed a vulnerability.

I'm just one beggar telling another beggar where to find some food.

We can be in secondary subjects and missing the opportunities to lead people to Christ right in front of us.

The result of Jesus' conversation was that the lady believed and she went and told others.

Greg's mother reminds him of the woman at the well. She was raised in the church but seemed to reject the Lord. Greg talked to her about the Lord one month before she passed away. Greg gets to see her in Heaven again. We never know when the opportunity will arise, but we need to listen to the nudges from God.

There is joy in leading people to Christ, but there is also a responsibility to do it. 

None of us need a little religion, we all need a lot of Jesus.

Who are you needing to talk to now?

Laws of the Harvest

Notes: Laws of the Harvest

Galatians 6:7–10

SPEAKER:

James MacDonald

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Sunday, February 21, 2016 — 8:00 a.m.

There are laws in Gods word that are as irrevocable as the laws of gravity.

Galatians 6:1-4 NKJV Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

We are to carry our burden and others burden.

Galatians 6:5-6 NKJV For each one shall bear his own load. Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Galatians 6:7-10 NKJV Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

This is the Word of the Lord.

7 laws of the Harvest:

Do not be deceived - 

there is something about us that we think that we can escape this principle.

God is not mocked -

this is a serious message, the Lord will not be made a fool of

Fall is when the harvest is reaped.

Paul says life is like farming, you plant and cultivate and reap.

Trials and consequences happen to all of us. Trials require circumstances. 

Circumstance: an event beyond your control resulting from forces or influences you did not cause and cannot change.

You submit to a trial, you wait by faith for God to use it.

Job 23:10 NKJV But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

Galatians 6:7 is not about trials, its about consequences. In consequences, you don’t endure. 

You repent of consequences and receive faith.

The clouds of heaven would burst of grace and mercy if you were to repent of the consequences.

Consequence: resulting wholly or in part from me - actions I’ve take - things I’ve said or done - places I’ve gone - priorities I’ve pursued - choices I’ve made.

1a. We harvest only what has been planted. 

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

Edward Gibbon wrote a book in 1787 called The decline and fall of the Roman Empire. He wrote that it was divorce and break down of the home. Higher taxes, mad desire for pleasure, sports getting more exciting and brutal every year. The building of gigantic armaments when the real enemy was inside. The decay of faith and becoming impatient to worn the people. 

Gibbon wrote the book over 200 years ago about Rome!

How is it that the people of God have come to a place where they hardly even want to be warned.

Responsibility lies with the individual.

How did Sampson go from a young strong weapon of God to being sideways in the ditch? We harvest only what has been planted.

2a. We harvest the same in kind as we plant.

“What goes around comes around” 

Galatians 6:8 NKJV For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Flesh is self.

The one who sows to self, reaps corruption.

Corruption means death and decay. A hell of a life and hell after life.

This is not the life of a Christ follower.

King ME has got to go.

Instead, I am crucified in Christ. 

So often we say its outside of me, but the word of God says, we are harvesting only what has been planted.

3a. We harvest in a different season than we plant.

This is where the deception comes in, we fool ourselves to think we are doing well. 

We make decisions when we are young and spend so much time getting over those decisions. 

The younger you are the more urgent it is to recognize the message of sowing and reaping. 

There are no exceptions to this rule, God is not going to be mocked. 

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all plant in the Spring and harvest in the Spring.

It’s the time gaps that prompts the deception.

Poem:

• Invictus

William Ernest Henley, 1849 - 1903

 Out of the night that covers me,   

  Black as the Pit from pole to pole,   

I thank whatever gods may be   

  For my unconquerable soul.   

   

In the fell clutch of circumstance 

  I have not winced nor cried aloud.   

Under the bludgeonings of chance   

  My head is bloody, but unbowed.   

   

Beyond this place of wrath and tears   

  Looms but the Horror of the shade, 

And yet the menace of the years   

  Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.   

   

It matters not how strait the gate,   

  How charged with punishments the scroll,   

I am the master of my fate:

  I am the captain of my soul. -

Dorothea Day Poem:

MY CAPTAIN

Dorothea Day

(Christian)

Out of the night that dazzles me, 

Bright as the sun  om pole to pole; 

I thank the God I know to be 

For Christ the conqueror of my soul.

Since His the sway of circumstance, 

I would not wince nor cry aloud. 

Under that rule which men call chance 

My head with joy is humbly bowed.

Beyond this place of sin and tears 

That life with Him! And His the aid, 

Despite the menace of the years, 

Keeps, and shall keep me, unafraid..

I have no fear, though strait the gate,

He cleared from punishment the scroll,

Christ is the Master of my fate, 

Christ is the Captain of my soul. -

After a message like this we should look at ourselves. 

If you submit and obey, you will be able to enjoy the fat of the land. 

Let’s sow good things, repentance and humility. 

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.

Things to Do Before the End of the World

Notes:Things to Do before the End of the World

Luke 12

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: God Came Near

Sunday, July 5, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Christians should be shining lights in a dark place, and should be anxiously awaiting the return of Jesus Christ. In today's message, Pastor Greg Laurie teaches about the coming return of Christ and the Christian's responsibility to always be prepared for His return.

What If Jesus Christ was coming back at 3pm tomorrow? Not that we will ever know.

We should live everyday as though He was coming back today.

There are 260 chapters in the New Testament and 318 verses referencing Jesus' return.

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

[9] The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

The Lord is waiting for that last believer to come.

2 Peter 3:10-11,14 NKJV

[10] But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. [11] Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, [14] Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

What kind of people should we be? We are to live holy and Godly lives and make every effort to live spotless and blameless life for Him.

Luke 12:35-48 NLT

[35] "Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, [36] as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. [37] The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! [38] He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready. [39] "Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. [40] You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected." [41] Peter asked, "Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?" [42] And the Lord replied, "A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. [43] If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. [44] I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. [45] But what if the servant thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while,' and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? [46] The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. [47] "And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. [48] But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.

Jesus is using a first century wedding as the back drop for this illustration.

What things we should be doing as we are waiting.

1. We should be shining lights in a dark place.

We should be ready to go.

Let us be known more for what we are for than what we are against.

Luke 12:38 NLT

[38] He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.

Jesus may come later than expected but he will come.

Don't give up praying, God has timing and His timing is perfect.

John 11:5-6 NLT

[5] So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, [6] he stayed where he was for the next two days.

John 11:21-23 NLT

[21] Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. [22] But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask." [23] Jesus told her, "Your brother will rise again."

Ephesians 3:20 NLT

[20] Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

When your only hope is God...that is not a bad place to be!

2. We are to be watching for Him.

Looking for the signs of the times.

3. We are to be ready to go.

To be ready for His return, is to be engaged in activities that you wouldn't be ashamed of if Jesus were to show up.

4. We should be anxiously waiting His return.

Kind of like a loved one coming to visit after a long time.

5. We are to be working.

Luke 12:43 NLT

[43] If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.

If watching is the evidence of faith, then working is the action of faith.

It is a very blessed thing to be blessed as you are anticipating the return of Christ.

Luke 12:45-46 NLT

[45] But what if the servant thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while,' and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? [46] The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.

This is a description of someone that is not ready for God's return.

The church is the easiest place to get a hardened heart. The message that can transform one heart can harden another.

Parents should continue to bring children to church.

Hebrews 3:12-13 NLT

[12] Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. [13] You must warn each other every day, while it is still "today," so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

It's a warning that you should come with an open heart.

There are people who claim to be Christians and do all kinds of crazy things.

Alcohol can bring additional devastation to your life.

Jesus specifically told us to remember Him at the Communion table.

We remember His suffering, His sacrifice and His love for us.

1 Corinthians 11:27-29 NLT

[27] So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. [28] That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. [29] For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself.

Communion is for Christians only.

Have you made your peace with God?