An Unexpected Conversion

Notes: An Unexpected Conversion

Sunday 7/13/14 

Greg Laurie 

Acts 8:1-4

Greg just finished interviewing former mob captain Michael Fanzese.

Has it ever seemed that God could not reach some people?

Is there someone you are thinking of right now that you think could not become a Christian.

Greg thinks those people that we all think of maybe closer then others.

Saul was one of those people, he was brilliant and deeply religious in Jewish law. Stephen was in front of him and others on trial before Stephen was stoned to death.

Acts 8:1-4 NLT

[1] Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. [2] (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) [3] But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. [4] But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

God can use intentions of evil to do good in the church. The apostles that were not going out and preaching the Gospel were now being chased out by Saul and now spreading the gospel to others.

The word of God is kind of like throwing a seed out. You never know when it will grow or be used in someone. Stephen sowed that seed in Saul.

Acts 9:1-9 NLT

[1] Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord's followers. So he went to the high priest. [2] He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them-both men and women-back to Jerusalem in chains. [3] As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. [4] He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" [5] "Who are you, lord?" Saul asked. And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! [6] Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." [7] The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone's voice but saw no one! [8] Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. [9] He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

Acts 26:11 NLT

[11] Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.

"Saul was uttering threats with every breath"

"He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers"

"Jesus said why are you persecuting me" Meaning He identifies those that are proclaiming the Gospel are His.

Acts 9:10-21 NLT

[10] Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord!" he replied. [11] The Lord said, "Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. [12] I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again." [13] "But Lord," exclaimed Ananias, "I've heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! [14] And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name." [15] But the Lord said, "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. [16] And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake." [17] So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." [18] Instantly something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. [19] Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. [20] And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is indeed the Son of God!" [21] All who heard him were amazed.....

Ananias is one of the heroes of the Bible that we hear very little of. For every hero of the faith, there is always a back story and people working there. When God does something through someone we have touched, we will receive rewards in heaven for it.

Through God nothing is impossible.

Three things Saul/Paul was doing.

1. He was praying v.11

Probably asking for forgiveness.

The same mouth that was saying murderous request about disciples was now worshiping The Lord.

2. He was preaching.

1 Timothy 1:13-15 NLT

[13] even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. [14] Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. [15] This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"-and I am the worst of them all.

3. He was suffering.

He was used by God during his suffering.

Acts 9:23 NLT

[23] After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him.

2 Timothy 3:12 NLT

[12] Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Saul of Tarsus became Paul, the greatest preacher in the history of the church.

Pray for the biggest sinners you know, God can reach them too!

For the nonbeliever this life is as good as it gets, for the believer this life is as bad as it will ever be.

Nonbelievers have tragedies and Christians do too. For Christians we have the hope of seeing The Lord in Heaven some day.

Love God because God loves you.

We are put on this earth to glorify God.

Essentials: God With Skin On

Notes: Essentials: God With Skin On

Essentials: Timeless truths for truth-less times
7/10/14 Pastor Josh Thompson
Harvest Orange County

Josh is telling about a owns who stole a can of peaches and then joked about stealing a can of peas.

What if God was one of us? 2000 years ago you actually could of said that if you were sitting next to Jesus.

He healed the sick and raised the dead yet wept for his friends.

Jesus doesn't leave us any room, he was very specific. He is the Messiah.

Jesus is God.

Jesus is Man.

Jesus is Savior.

1. Jesus as God

John 1:1-6 NIV

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [6] There was a man sent from God whose name was John.

John 1:14 NIV

[14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus was and is God, John who wrote this was a great friend of Jesus. In the text it says John laid his head on Jesus' chest.

Colossians 1:15-20 NIV

[15] The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. [17] He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. [19] For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Believing Jesus is God is an essential doctrine of Christianity.

Jesus is either lying and crazy or he is God. His statements are that big.

2. Jesus as Man

Philippians 2:5-8 NIV

[5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; [7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death---even death on a cross!

Jesus possessed the divine attributes of God and decided not to as a human.

As He hung on the cross He chose not to use any powers but to endure.

He came as a servant. If you want to be like Jesus then you could start there.

Problem is, everyone wants to be a servant until they are treated like one.

Is it humbling to you that God came from heaven and cleaned peoples feet.

He experienced all the things we experience.

He created all the things we love and experienced those things as we have.

Why did our God come here like that?

1. He was tempted:

Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV

[14] Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are---yet he did not sin. [16] Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

He was tempted and tested in all ways. Probably more than any of us ever have or will be. The devil himself tempted Jesus, yet Jesus rebuked him with scripture.

Matthew 4:4 NIV

[4] Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

Jesus combated pleasures of the flesh.

Memorize scripture and quote it to yourself.

Hebrews 2:18 NIV

[18] Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Why is sin bad? Sin destroys your life.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

[13] No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Jesus went through trials, pain and hardships.

He took the wrath of all of ours on as he was in the cross.

Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV

[2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Cast your burden on Jesus and he will give you rest.

Jesus took the cross, do you think he can take your burden?

3. Jesus is Savior

Matthew 1:21 NIV

[21] She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV

[15] Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst.

We all need Jesus.

The worst sin to Pastor Josh is to say that you don't need Jesus as much someone else. To think someone else needs Jesus more than you is a huge mistake.

Emmanuel: God with us

If someone sinned against you many times what would you do to them? If you were the judge what would you do to them. Jesus came down from his judges seat and freed you from all the sins you have done against him.

Romans 5:8 NIV

[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus came to pay for our sins and get us into heaven.

1. You are only in charge of yourself.

(Bitterness always robs u of self control)

2. Everything matters.

(game time all the time!)

3. If you under promise, you can over deliver.

4. Sometimes dreams come true after nightmares.

God's Promise and Our Reality

Notes: God's Promise and Our Reality

Will Graham 

July 6, 2014 

Harvest

He is telling a story of heading home from his grandparents on Easter several years ago.

Says how The Lord talked to him about hearing someone say, "nothing in the world is free." The Lord wanted him to let the people know that He is free.

He did not tell the people and to this day he regrets it.

Talking about how blessed David was. How Saul is jealous of David and then David flees.

1 Samuel 21:10-15 NIV

[10] That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. [11] But the servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances: “ ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” [12] David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. [13] So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard. [14] Achish said to his servants, “Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me? [15] Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me? Must this man come into my house?”

David was promised to be king by God.

When David became afraid, he forgot the promises of The Lord.

David pretended to be a madman just to try and protect himself, not trusting the promise of God.

Do we live, as we believe in the promises of God? Are we questioning things of God?

Genesis 12:1-4,7 NIV

[1] The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. [2] “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. [3] I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. ” [4] So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. [7] The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land. ” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

Those verses show what God promised Abram.

We today are blessed through the lineage of Abram. Yet, when God had said this Abram didn't have any children.

Genesis 12:10-20 NIV

[10] Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. [11] As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. [12] When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. [13] Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” [14] When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. [15] And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. [16] He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. [17] But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. [18] So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? [19] Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” [20] Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.

In these verses Abram was not acting, as he knew the promises of God. He decided to lie; his mind and fear took over. He failed to live according to the promises of God.

That is where so many of us fall short. We know the promises yet we don't live as we do. We are failing there.

Mark 4:35-41 NIV

[35] That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” [36] Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. [37] A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. [38] Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” [39] He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. [40] He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” [41] They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Here the people closest to Jesus, His disciples, have become scared. They say Mark 4:38 NIV

[38] Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

How many of us say those words to Jesus?

Do you really think that God has forgotten you?

He's telling a story about visiting Australia and doing an interview in a little town called Broken Hill. How an Italian girl traveling through the town while traveling the world came to Christ that day. It reminded him of God's word and how the "harvest is ready and ripe."

It was the word of Jesus that spoke to that girl and it just reminded him of how simple it is just to share the words of Christ.

That is why it is so important to live on the promises of God, not on fear.

God sees you, He knows you and He loves you.