Dead Man Walking

Notes: Dead Man Walking

Luke 5

Pastor Greg

March 9, 2014

Read:

Luke 5:12-16 (NKJV)

And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." [13] Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him. [14] And He charged him to tell no one, "But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded." [15] However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. [16] So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

1. Leprosy had an insignificant beginning.

(Hansens Disease - shuts down your ability to feel anything. So you could burn yourself, or loose limbs and not feel it.)

Leprosy is a lot like sign, very little sins, just like very little changes in a leper.

"Sin is pleasurable for a time, then fills with a lifetime of regret."

A few moments of passion can lead to a lifetime of regret.

2. Leprosy worked almost imperceptibly. (Don't really notice it at first)

3. Leprosy spread quickly.

4. Leprosy was infectious.

That is why there are leper colonies.

This is why the bible says not to be unequally yolked with other believers or nonbelievers.

It's a lot easier for a nonbeliever to pull a believer down, then to pull a nonbeliever up.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV)

Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."

5. Leprosy was a state of living death.

1 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV)

speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

In an advanced state of sin, you don't even notice it anymore

6. Leprosy was incurable.

1. This leper had an honest awareness of his condition.

(v.12)

"Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."

Our place is to ask; His place is to answer as He chooses.

Seeing ourselves for who we are is the first step to becoming who we need to be, a new creation in Christ!

2. Jesus will touch those who come to Him reverently and in desperation.

(v.12) And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face

3. The third factor in receiving Jesus’ touch is having active faith.

(v.12) and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying

Sin controls people through two opposing lies:

1. We are not sinners.

2. We are sinners, but we are so bad we are beyond help.

“Then He put out His hand and touched him.”

(v. 13)Luke 5:13 (NKJV)

Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him.

Read:

Luke 5:17-26 (NKJV)

Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. [18] Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. [19] And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. [20] When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." [21] And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" [22] But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? [23] Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise up and walk'? [24] But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"-He said to the man who was paralyzed, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." [25] Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. [26] And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today!"

These guys did what it took to get their friend to Jesus. You will always find opposition in bringing your friends to Jesus. (v19) "And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12 (NKJV)

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. [10] For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. [12] Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

It’s not always easy to bring people to Jesus.

Mark 9:20 (NKJV)

Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.

Luke 5:19 (NKJV)

And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.

Luke 5:20 (NKJV)

When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."

Jesus' word does not go out and return void.

Luke 5:21 (NKJV)

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Having your sins forgiven is the most important thing!

Getting Through the Storms of Life

Notes: Getting Through the Storms of Life
Pastor Greg 
Harvest OC
4/6/2014

Matthew 8:23-27

Pastor Greg is talking about how actual storms come out of no where, like in Hawaii. Then he speaks of storms that come into our lives, at work, our health and family.

There are only two kinds of people in the world: those who are going through a crisis and those who are going to go through a crisis.

Matthew 7:25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

Pastor Greg talks about the movie the Perfect Storm. How it was really three storms that came together and created the huge storm. 

Read: Matthew 8:23-27 23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Greg points out that this storm that they got into was because the men obeyed Jesus and followed him onto the boat. So this was during an act of obedience.

1. Storms come into our lives.

We are asked if we ever think that maybe God is asleep when we are going through personal storms. But the Bible says:

“Indeed, He who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps.”
(Psalm 121:4 Behold, He who keeps Israel, Shall neither slumber nor sleep.)

Greg tells us about this story about the person falling asleep while Paul spoke: Acts 20 9-12 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” 11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. 12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

Jesus was fully God and fully man, he was a man like us, He felt hungry, weary and tired.

Greg talks about how Billy Graham told him about how it feels like the power is just being pulled out of him when he is up on stage giving the message.

It’s fine to feel tired in the Lord’s work, but never tired of it.

Greg talks about meeting Chuck Swindoll, and Chuck saying “I love what I do” and how it was with joy and passion and it inspired Greg.

How do you sleep in a storm? You need a clear conscience to get a good night sleep. Many don’t want to be alone with their thoughts. Have a clear conscience and you can sleep well.

Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Matthew 8:24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.

Jesus was asleep because He rested confidently in the will of His Father.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. He that stirred up the storm is the hiding place in it.

Sometime we have the pressures of life, but when you entrust it in God, you can get some sleep. 

2. We need to cry out to Jesus in the midst of our storms.
(Matthew 8:25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!)

Though the shrieking of the storm did not wake him, the cry of his people did. Like when a parent hears the cry of their children even when we are sleeping.

Many wait till the end to pray to God, when we should be starting with prayer. C.S. Lewis reminds us even atheist have their moments of doubt. When many hit rock bottom is finally when they call on Jesus.

Psalm 91:14-15 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.

Matthew 8:26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

Jesus could of said it was their problem, but He didn’t He got up and took care of it.

Matthew 11:3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

Psalm 10:1 Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble

3. God has His purposes in the storms of life.

Where there are not trials in life there are no triumphs. There are things we learn in storms that we learn no where else. Think about that we learn more from Paul in the prison house then his visits to heaven. 

The same hammer that shatters glass also forges steel.

Psalm 23:1-3 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.

God comparing us to sheep is not a compliment, sheep need a shepherd.

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

We love the green pastures, but we don’t like these valleys.

1. Correcting Storms

Storms we bring upon ourselves, for example, Jonah’s storm. 

Many marriages are going wrong because we do not do what the Bible tells us what to do. That is bringing the storm upon ourselves. Also, like getting drunk and then getting a DUI.

Hebrews 12:5-6 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

2. Protecting Storms

The feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle spoken of in all four Gospels.

John 6:15 Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

There are times God will not answer your prayer and that could be a protecting storm. Sometimes we ask for things that can actually harm us.

3. Perfecting Storms

The disciples were experiencing this type of this storm in Matthew 8.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Acts 14:21-22 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

This is not usually a verse that you see hanging on people’s walls. 

No one is exempt from experiencing the storms of life. God will use these experiences for His glory in time.

4. Sometimes Jesus stops the storm, but He is always with us through it.
(Matthew 8:26 26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm)

Before He rebuked the storm, first he rebuked the disciples.

Mark 4 38-39 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

They were fearful because they were faithless.

Matthew 6:27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

Mark 4:35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

He didn’t promise them smooth sailing, but He did promise them safe passage. Better to be with Jesus in the storm than anywhere else without Him!

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

Sometimes God will calm a storm and other times He will just walk with us through it. Either way you will have safe passage.

You should get with your Christian friends and pray during these storms. Pray for the miracles or the good fortunes, pray for the answers. God will be there every step of the way.

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Matthew 8:27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Jude 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you[a] from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

God finishes what he begins.

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

For some their whole life seems to be a storm, in that case, the other side may be heaven. 

Storms don’t last forever, you will get over to the other side. 

Jesus does ask us, can I come onto your boat, can I come into your life, can I come into your marriage? He won’t force His way in, but He will ask you.

He doesn’t promise smooth sailing, but He does promise you safe passage. 

Get Your But(t) Out of It

Notes: Get Your But(t) Out ofIt

March 6 2014

Levi Lusko

Thursday Night service Harvest

Sorry Not Sorry - message title

James 3:2 (NIV)

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

How we respond to our failures is one of the most important things about us.

"I'm sorry" is one of the most powerful terms in our language and also one of the most abused.

It fits right in with back handed compliments.

There is a difference between sorry and not sorry.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

When pop culture recognizes all of the half hearted regrets in the world, then we have a problem.

Relationships can be restored when you truly apologize.

Genesis 3:6-13 (NIV)

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. [7] Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. [8] Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. [9] But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” [10] He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” [11] And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from? ” [12] The man said, “The woman you put here with me---she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” [13] Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Genesis 3:21 (NIV)

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

3 elements of a proper apology.

1. Responsibility, own it.

2. Regret or repentance.

3. Remedy- how do you fix it.

All sin started with this original sin of Adam. "The Adam Bomb of Sin"

The story of our lives is God draws a line and says don't cross it. But we do anyhow!

This story is a casebook study of how not to apologize.

3 things we need to gets our buts out of:

1. The trees your hiding among.

Adam and Eve used to enjoy being in those trees and now they were hiding in them. They were happy to see God, then they became scared of him.

Unconfessed sin changes what you loved, to things that you dread.

Secret sin will make you irrationally afraid of the God that loves you. That's the devil whispering in your ear.

When you sin, the thing you must do is run to what scares you the most. Hiding never works.

Numbers 32:23 (NKJV)

But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.

You can't hide from God. Sin makes you stupid.

Genesis 3:9 (NKJV)

Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"

God was giving him a chance to come clean.

Proverbs 28:13 (NKJV)

He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

2. Out of the excuses you are hiding behind.

Question:

Genesis 3:11 (NKJV)

And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?"

Excuse: from Adam

Genesis 3:12 (NKJV)

Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."

From Eve:

Genesis 3:13b (NKJV)

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”]

You always lose when you try to excuse.

Once you fess up, shut up! Anything you say next is just going to cover your excuse.

Never allow the word but in your apology.

When you use the word but in apology, you only mean what comes after the but.

Don't apologize and give an excuse, that is not an apology.

3. Out of those fig leaves you are hiding under.

God can't clothe what you cover up.

Covered up your sin:

Genesis 3:7 (NKJV)

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

Loved by God:

Genesis 3:21 (NKJV)

Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

The fig tree is the only tree that Jesus ever cursed.

Mark 11:14 (NKJV)

In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." And His disciples heard it.

Mark 11:24 (NKJV)

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV)

"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. [26] But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

Jesus knows you can never be helped with a problem that you don't admit.

God clothed them and protected them before they left the garden. The lamb that died to clothe them and protect them, the Lamb of God died to protect us.

When Grace and Sin collide, Grace always wins.

There is nothing you have ever done that God can't and won't forgive if you come clean.

The Prodigal Sons

Notes: The Prodigal Sons
Pastor Greg -  
Luke 15
February 27 2014

Greg is asking for prayer for the new building they have purchased for Harvest OC.

There are two Prodigal Sons in the story not just one.

Greg was telling stories about loosing things and how it upsets us all.
Luke 15:1-2 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.” 

The religious people did not like Jesus and the sinners seemed to flock to him. 

Tax collectors were so looked down upon that their testimony was not even allowed in a court of law.

“This man receives sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2) 

Gregs objective is to build a bridge from non-Christians to Christians so that non-Christians would like to be a Christian.

In this parable, God is portrayed as:
1. A shepherd seeking lost sheep.
2. A woman looking for a lost coin.
3. A father waiting for a lost son.
(build)

The common theme for Jesus is that he is seeking “lost” people.

Luke 15: 1-10

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,[a] 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.”

Luke 15:4 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?”

We are like that sheep that go astray, God does not rest till he finds us.

God loves to see lost people found.
(Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”)

Because heaven breaks out in rejoicing when someone repents, we should too!

Read: Luke 15:11-16 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.

Luke 15:12  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.

“The younger son gathered all together.” It means he liquidated his inheritance.
(Luke 15:13)

1. This boy came from a stable home. 

The son was being very selfish.

2. He had a loving, nurturing, caring, and affectionate father.

3. It was also an affluent home.

4. It would appear that there was faith in this home as well.

Jeremiah 2:19 Your own wickedness will correct you, And your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing That you have forsaken the Lord your God, And the fear of Me is not in you,” Says the Lord God of hosts.

Jeremiah 3:22 “Return, you backsliding children, And I will heal your backslidings.”

If we are not moving forward in Christ, we are naturally going backward. There is no standing still; we are either progressing or regressing.

Drug addicts don’t start out saying they want to be drug addicts.Every back slide begins with a first step.

5. In time, he discovered the emptiness of life without his father.
(Luke 15:14  But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.)

Luke 15:15 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 

Luke 15:17-19 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.”’

Sin makes you stupid! Sin makes you stupid! As Forrest Gump said “Stupid is as stupid does"

Luke 15:17 “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! 

Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 

Luke 15:20  “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. 

Read: Luke 15:22-24 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring[b] 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.

Read: Luke 15:25-32 “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.’”

1. The prodigal represents the sinners.

2. The older brother represents the religious people.

Luke 15:30  But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

The Power of Your Personal Story

Notes: The Power of Your Personal Story
Pastor Greg Laurie
Harvest OC
February 23, 2014
John 4

One of the best tools we have is our own story of our testimony and how Christ has affected us.

John 4:39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 

1. We need to go to where people are.

2. We need to care about the people we speak to.

3. We need to keep at it even when we are tired.

4. We need to use tact.

The objective is to build a bridge one not to burn one. We should all be able to share our faith. Its not to win an argument it is to win a soul.

Some times Christians with good intentions and no tact can keep people from Jesus Christ.

Its been said there are two reasons people don’t go to church. 1 is they don’t know a Christian. 2, they only know hypocritical Christians.

5. We must adapt to the situation.

6. We must know when to pull the net in.

Know when to close the deal. To ask if someone wants to follow Christ.

John 4:25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

John 4:26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

John 4:24  God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Where should we worship?
Answer: Everywhere!

You cannot effectively worship and know a God you know nothing about.

John 4:24  God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

We must worship God in truth.

Hebrews 10:19-20 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,

Church is more than just listening; it’s also participating!
(Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.)

I cannot worship God when I knowingly have sin in my life.
(Psalm 24:3-4 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.)

We are also to worship God in spirit.

John 4:26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

Read: John 4:27-30 ust then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

1. Telling your story is a powerful bridge for the gospel message.

John 4:28-30 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

John 4:39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 

Don’t glorify or exaggerate your past.

We know that who we were in the past and how miserable we were. It was a garbage past and should be portrayed that way. Dispose of the past as the garbage that it is. 

Don’t boast about what you gave up for Him, but what He gave up for you.

It’s not about you, but Him.

Every testimony is valid.

Erol Senses' story was shown on the screen. He was someone who was drug addict wanting to commit suicide prior to being saved. 

Read: John 4:35-38 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

John 4:35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 

1. Souls are of the greatest value to God. 

John 15 stories of lost people that have been found.

2. God is looking for laborers to harvest the crops.

The Christian secret weapons are prayer and preaching.

(John 4:36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together)

To not preach the gospel is a sin!

3. A farmer needs to be patient.

John 4:37-38 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

Our job is to preach the gospel; God’s job is to convert people.

1 Corinthians 3:6-8 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.

Psalm 126:5-6 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

There is a special reward waiting for those that do their part in evangelism.
(John 4:36  Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.)

The Crown of Righteousness given to those who love His appearing.
(2 Timothy 4:8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.)

The Crown of Life given to those who resist temptation.
(James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.)

The Crown of Rejoicing, the soul-winner’s reward.
(1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?)

Satisfaction for the Spiritually Thirsty

Notes: Satisfaction for the Spiritually Thirsty

February 16, 2014

John 4: 3-19

Speaking of Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Whinehouse, Heath Ledger, Kurt Cobain, all overdosed at the age of 27 and at the peak of a career

An encounter between Jesus and the woman at the well. 

Early is on time, on time is late and late is never acceptable

John 4 (NIV)Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman

3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
17 “I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

——————————

Jews and Samaritans did not mix. So this was strange for the woman to be spoken to by an apparent Jewish man, but this man was Jesus

1. We have to go to where people are. John 4:3
1. Jesus wants us to go to all people. 
1. There is no room for hatred, bigotry, racism or dislike.
1. For the fruit to grow, the farmers shadow must fall on the field. 
1. Meaning the farmer must get his hands dirty.
2. We need to care about the people we speak to. John 4:4
1. Every generation needs regeneration.
3. We need to keep at it even when we are tired. John 4:6
1. He was Jesus yet he let himself experience being tired.
1. He always was going, wasn’t ever taking breaks.
2. No where in the Bible are we told to “Slow down and take it easy”
1. In Luke 12:19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
2. We are told to press on, not be weary in well doing, and to run the race.
1. He doesn’t call people that feel a since of entitlement.
2. 1 Thessalonians 29:9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
4. We need to use tact.
1. Tact is regarded as knowing how to make a point without making an enemy.
1. Jesus could of called this woman a sinner or something worse, but he didn’t.
2. One of the best ways to engage a person is to ask them questions.
3. No one can be argued or manipulated into the kingdom of God.
1. If they can, then they can be argued out as well.
4. Conversion is the work of the Spirit and should be left at that
5. You don’t blow people out of the water, you engage them.
5. We must adapt to the situation John 4:15
1. A person can not appreciate the good news without first acknowledging the bad.
1. Jesus is not an additive, he is the Savior.
1. No conversion without confession.
2. Many try to redirect, we need to keep the main thing the main thing.
1. John 4:20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.
2. Jesus uses an individual approach.
1. John 4:25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
1. This is where most of us drop the ball, or wimp out or walk away.
1. We need to make sure to follow through when someone is ready to accept Christ. You have to ask the question: Are you ready to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior right now?
1. If they say no, then say you will pray for them
2. If they say yes, then pray with them.

Jesus said 3 things to this lady.

1. Who He was.
1. Keep it simple.
2. What He has to offer.
3. How to get it.