Chaos, Culture, or Christ

Notes: Chaos, Culture, or Christ
SPEAKER: Pastor Greg Laurie
Matthew 8
SERIES: God Came Near
Sunday, January 11, 2015

Greg is talking about how power is an amazing thing. Like electricity is used by us all the time.

Power is also bragged about in cars or in computer speeds.

Even in cooking, power is used or people's ability to cook giant things that set records, like the worlds largest omelette. There are always strength records set.

Greg says man seems to be able to harness all kinds of power but rarely can we harness will power.

Only with the power of Jesus Christ can we live a life as a Christian.

As there is a God in Heaven that loves you, there is a devil on Earth that is after you and hates you.

Satan does not live in Hell, he will go there eventually but he is not there now. He is here on Earth as a spirit being.

To believe or not to believe in the devil is equally ok with the devil.  Both bother us and he likes that.

The devil is not the equal of God.


God is all powerful and satan isn't even close. The devil does have power, no silver bullet or holy water will keep the devil away. Only the power of Jesus Christ can keep him, away.

John 10:10 NKJV
[10] The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

In Matthew 8 there are two men that came under the power of satan.

The devil is big on free samples. Greg is using the hot donut sign at Krispy Kreme as an example. They give us free samples so that we will buy more. There is pleasure in that first donut but as you eat more and more you feel worse for eating them. It is the same way with sin.

Sin can start out fun, "pleasurable for a season". But when you face the consequences it is destroying.

Matthew 8:28-34 ESV
[28] And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. [29] And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" [30] Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. [31] And the demons begged him, saying, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs." [32] And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. [33] The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. [34] And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
Matthew 9:1 ESV
[1] And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.

These men didn't wear clothes,  he lived in the graveyard.

Many people hurt themselves today as if it is fun or for pleasure. This guy in the graveyard acted like that.

Can people be demon possessed today? Greg believes nonbeliever's can be possessed. Others can be under the influence of the devil. Those people are not the enemy, they need Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:25-26 ESV
[25] correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, [26] and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Don't waste your time praying for the devil but pray for those under his control.

1. Demons, though wicked, are quite orthodox in some of their beliefs.

Even demons are aware of Christ and His power.

Philippians 2:10-11 ESV
[10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The devil is not agnostic or atheist, he does not give his devotion to Christ, but intellectually he knows God is real.

James 2:19 ESV
[19] You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder!

Matthew 8:29 ESV
[29] And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"

The devil knows he will be judged one day.

When the devil brings up your past, remind him about his future. The devil literally will go to Hell.

2. Though not as powerful as God, demons do have considerable power.

In the book of Daniel it speaks of demons stopping an Angel and God sent Michael.

3. Jesus Christ has power over the devil and his demons.

Philippians 2:9-11 ESV
[9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What did society do with these demon possessed people, they chained them up.

In our society we do the same things, put them in jail and such.

Greg is telling us how he respects and thanks God for our law enforcement. America needs God like never before.

It was said the choice is Christ or chaos. We need God's government.

Christ can do what culture can not.

Matthew 8:26 ESV
[26] And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

Jesus Christ was not speaking to the storm, He was chasing off satan. Satan was trying to stop them.

The devil will always try to stop a person from hearing the Gospel.

Jesus had a mission to reach these men, Jesus Christ will not be stopped.

Jesus Christ is like a shepherd that is watching 100 sheep, if one wonders off, He will leave the 99 to go find that one.

If you go away from the Lord He will seek you out.

Luke 8:35 ESV
[35] Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

Some Christians are so reformed that you would not believe who they used to be.

We should be identified as we are in Christ now, not our past. Set the past behind you and don't stumble on it.

Matthew 8:34 ESV
[34] And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

They asked Jesus to go away because of what happened to the pigs. Jesus Christ was basically not good for their business.

If God can not bless you in your business then get another job.

If the Lord can not bless it, then you should not be doing it.

If we ask Jesus Christ to go away, He just might listen to you. He won't force his way into your life.

God will over rule our prayers for our own good.

There are three prayers in this story. The prayers of the demons, the prayer of the people for Him to leave, and the man that He cast the demon out of prayed to follow Him.

Jesus Christ sent that man to his family.

1 John 4:15 ESV
[15] Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

Jesus Christ gives His word that you will meet Him in Heaven if you put your faith in Jesus Christ.

Building A Strong Body

Notes: Building A Strong Body
Saddleback Church
January 10, 2015

God is just as interested in us having a strong body just as much as a strong soul.

Our bodies affect the way we live and we need to protect it.

God had given us a gift in our body, we should take care of that gift.

BUILDING A STRONG BODY Build Strong, Part 2 Daniel Plan Weekend January 10-11, 2015

THREE THINGS GOD SAYS ABOUT MY BODY 1. I am to MANAGE my body “Everything is permissible for me -- but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me -- but I will not be mastered by anything. Food for the stomach and the stomach for food -- but God will destroy both.” 1 Corinthians 6:12-13a

Just because something is permissible doesn't mean it benefits us, therefore should we do it?

Paul's says we have more important things to worry about then being selfish with our bodies.

2. I am to HONOR GOD WITH  my body “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” 1 Corinthians 6:13b “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 “By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.” 1 Corinthians 6:14

Many think of our bodies as an old water bottle that we can throw away, but the Bible does not teach that. The Bible says our bodies will be upgraded, a new resurrected body.
3. I am to SERVE IN my body “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”

Th Bible very clearly t aches that God takes up residence in our bodies with the Holy Spirit. He makes us a temple for the Holy Spirit. That is what God wants us to do with our body.

1 Corinthians 6:19 “I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--thisis your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1

The temple of our body is more sacred then any church building. So we can not be okay with damaging our bodies.

If we are to be like Jesus Christ in our bodies, what did Jesus Christ do in His body? He came to serve, so we are here to serve.

Are there opportunities you are missing because of what you have let happen to your body? The healthier you are the more you can do for God and serve Him.

The motivation to serve others can be a great motivator to change your body.

A new speaker came out, her name is Dee Eastman in charge of the Daniel Plan for Saddleback.

The idea is on using God's power, not will power.

THE FIVE HEALTHY HABITS THE DANIEL PLAN

5 essentials of the Daniel Plan, faith, food, focus, fitness and friends.

Mark Hyman came up with the Daniel Plan and he is now speaking.

He says food is the most powerful drug on the planet.

White flour raises your blood sugar levels higher then just sugar.

Sugar is what he says is the worst thing we can eat.

Know that sugar is a drug and know that is is addictive.

He says it only takes 10 days to break an addiction to sugar.

A study shows that the heavier we get the smaller our brains become. We can literally eat our brains to be smaller.

The Daniel Plan is designed to help our bodies and keep us healthier, it is a treatment for depression as well.

He says to always kill ANTs - Analyzing Negative Thoughts.

Just because you have a thought doesn't mean it is true, so do not believe everything you think.
“When the time (of the contest) was up, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and stronger than all those who had been eating the royal food.”
Daniel 1:15 (TEV)
“I pray you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit”
3 John 1:2
FAITH God's Power Not Willpower “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
FOOD Enjoying God's Abundance “For the earth and every good thing in it belongs to the Lord and is yours to enjoy.” 1 Corinthians 10:26(TLB)
FITNESS Honor God with Your Body “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)

FOCUS Transformed By the Renewing Of Your Mind “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)

FRIENDS Power of Community - We Are Better Together “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)

Another speaker is out named Sean Foy. He is here to tell us why we should exercise.

He says there are over 40 diseases that are proven to be cured by regular exercise.

Pastor is back talking about how this is so important for us.

He says the number one thing we can do is make the decision to build a stronger body.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Why God Chose You

Notes: "Why God Chose You"
Ephesians 1
SPEAKER: Pastor Greg Laurie
MUSICAL GUEST: Izzi Ray
WORSHIP TEAM:Harvest Worship Band
SERIES: Live, Love, Fight
Thursday, January 8, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.
Harvest OC

We are starting a new series tonight in Ephesians.

Greg asked us if we know any cheapskates. He is saying he notices how those who have the most give the least and those that have the least seem to give the most. 

He is telling us about a lady in the 1800s that was a true miser. He said she was a good illustration of many Christians today and their sharing of faith.

Ephesians has been dubbed as the believers bank or check book. It tells us how we should live our lives as Christians.

Gods heavenly bank has no limitations so that we are never deprived and we cannot deplete it. It covers all of your past debts, current needs and your future request.

Ephesians speaks to us as a family and we should live in our family.

We are going to discuss the things that God has done for us in Ephesians.

Ephesus was the headquarters of the cult that followed the mythical God Diana. So this city was an area where idolatry was rampant. Much like in our lives today.

An idol is anyone or anything that takes the place of God in our lives.

Before we can fight, we have to learn how to live. He illustrates this with how they tell us on airplanes to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first and then we can help the child.

Ephesians 1:1-6 NKJV
[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: [2] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, [4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, [5] having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, [6] to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

We all know Paul used to be named Saul. The meaning of the word "Paul" is small. 

Paul's smallness became the canvas for God's bigness.

We have to remember all these apostles were ordinary men that were given some very big task by God.

The highest calling of God is what God has called you to be.

We are all called to do something.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NKJV
[4] There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. [6] And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. [7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

A Christian that has been filled with the Spirit is given a gift.

Saint is another word for a believer in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3 NKJV
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Notice in the verse it says He has blessed us, not going to, but already has.

1. We pray for love.

Romans 5:5 NKJV
[5] Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Even though we always ask for love from God, He has already given it to us.

2. We pray for peace.

3. We pray for strength. 

Philippians 4:13 NKJV
[13] I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

We need to understand that as Christians we are in two worlds.

If we had the curtain pulled back we would see Angels and demons and such. We might not see it but it is there.

Ephesians 1:4-5 NKJV
[4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, [5] having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

God chose you before you chose Him.

Why would God choose you? There is no merit that made God choose you, He did it before you were even born.

God chose you because He loves you.

How did God choose us? We don't know. Some think they know, like Calvinist, predestination. 

John 3:16 NKJV
[16] For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Greg believes Jesus Christ died for all of us, not a predestined few.

Wether we like it or not. The Bible teaches both predestination and free will.

It was said, it is a good thing that God chose me before I was born.

You decide where you will spend eternity. 

John 6:44 NKJV
[44] No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Colossians 1:28 NKJV
[28] Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 3:7-8 NKJV
[7] So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. [8] Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

Acts 13:48 NKJV
[48] Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Romans 10:13 NKJV
[13] For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

What has God predestined me for:

1. God predestined me to be adopted into His family.

Romans 8:15 NKJV
[15] For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

1 John 3:1 NKJV
[1] Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

2. God predestined me to be holy and without blame.

Holiness speaks of a state of in are purity. Without blame means an outward or external condition of purity.

God is not looking at us as slaves but as His children.

No matter how lost we are He wants us home, like the father of the prodigal son.

1 John 4:19 NKJV
[19] We love Him because He first loved us.

3.'God chose us that we might become more and more like Jesus Christ everyday.

Romans 8:28-29 NKJV
[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. [29] For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Gods end game is to make you more like Jesus Christ.

God is not trying to make you happy, He is making you holy.

Are you becoming more like Jesus everyday?

4. God chose us that we might live spiritually fruitful lives.

Ephesians 1:6 NKJV
[6] to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

There is nothing that we can do to be accepted, God already accepts us.

John 17:23 NKJV
[23] I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

On the cross God treated Jesus Christ as if he committed every sin ever committed yet he committed none of them.

A New You in 2015

Notes: A New You in 2015
Philippians 3
Pastor Greg Laurie
Sunday! January 4, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Greg is talking about all the cool things that they showed in the Jetsons of the future that we still don't have.

The future is here though, we all get to the future at a rate of sixty seconds per minute.

God is in control this year. It may bring promise or it may bring pain. God always has a plan..
Daniel 4:35 NKJV
[35] All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, "What have You done?"

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
[11] For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 55:8 NKJV
[8] "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.

We see the here and now, God is looking at the panoramic view.

Every year 150 million make a new year resolution, only 8% follow them.

Lamentations 3:40 NKJV
[40] Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the LORD;

2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV
[5] Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless indeed you are disqualified.

It's a good thing to check up on yourself.

God has a part in your life, but there is your part as well.

Greg is talking about all the different phrases people use to say we nee to take care of ourselves.


Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV
[12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; [13] for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

We need to work out our salvation. A good example of that is California miners getting gold. We have to get into the mine and dig out our salvation, like they had to pull out the Gold.

Philippians 3:7-13 NKJV
[7] But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. [8] Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; [10] that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, [11] if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. [12] Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. [13] Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

We are given a picture of a runner in a race.

1. If you want to be a new you in the coming year, you need to Run to Win.

Totally live for Jesus Christ.

Living in two worlds you have too much of the world to be happy in Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:24 NKJV
[24] Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

We are not competing with each other. We are competing with the world and the devil.

2. Get rid of the extra weight and that which would hinder you.

Philippians 3:8 NKJV
[8] Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Are you a stepping stone or a stumbling block.

2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV
[22] Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Are you using wings or weights in following Christ.

What may be a weight to one person may not be to another. Like someone's metabolism, some people can eat anything and stay thin and others can't.

Instead of asking yourself is this permissible, ask yourself if it is building you up or tearing you down.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NKJV
[23] All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. [24] Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.

Six things to be a new you in the New Year.

1. Start everyday with the Word of God.
2. Make church a regular part of my life.
3. Make prayer a daily part of your life.

 The church is the bride of Christ, dissing the Church is insulting the Lord.

The best to be healed is in the church. You hear the Word and you praise God.

Get involved in the Church and into the Word.

Even Jesus Christ went to the Synagogue on the Sabbath.

Luke 4:16 NKJV
[16] So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.

Luke 2:29 NKJV
[29] "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;

3. If you want to become a new you, aim for success not failure.

Philippians 3:8-9 NKJV
[8] Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Get to know God by experience through following Him.

Many know about God but don't know God.

Psalm 91:1 NKJV
[1] He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

4. You need a clear objective and focus.

5. Don't look back!

You can remember, but don't live in the past.

God is at work right now, be excited about that.

God is still working in your life. The past is the beginning of your story, your story is still being written.

Forget past sins and don't be controlled by them.

To forget is to break the power of the past by living for the future.

Fail forward, put the bad behind and go forward.

Jesus Christ said to remember Lot's wife. She looked with longing.

The first step to going backwards is by looking backwards.

6. You must press on, even when it gets hard.

It is impossible to be a Christian, but press on anyway.

Better to have a few moments of pain then a lifetime of regret.

God gives second chances!

Arrows: Living Toward the Target

Notes: Arrows: Living Toward the Target

Psalm 127: 1-5

Pastor Levi Lusko

Dec 28, 2014

Levi is telling us about going to Glacier National Park where he was preparing if he ran across a Grizzly Bear. His dad asked when they should put it on the bear repellant. You don’t put it on, it is like really strong mace.

He said you can have something like the bear repellent and not know how to use it. Levi said just because we have children it doesn’t mean we know what to do with them.

Psalm 127:1-5New King James Version (NKJV)

127 Unless the Lord builds the house,

They labor in vain who build it;

Unless the Lord guards the city,

The watchman stays awake in vain.

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.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

So are the children of one’s youth.

5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;

They shall not be ashamed,

But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

7 Take Away Truths for the New Year:

1. Children are a blessing, not a burden.

If you have a child you have been rewarded.

We have so much more responsibility with children, yet life is so much greater with them.

Blessings are easy to mix up with burdens because they are both heavy.

When God gives you a child, He is giving you a platform unparalleled like nothing else.

Your children can learn who God is because of you, or in spite of you.

Faith is the key to seeing it as a blessing. 

2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV

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.

With parenting, the days are long but the years are short.

Don’t miss the beauty because of the mess that is right in front of you.

2. There are lots of different arrows, but only one target.

In real arrows there are over 180 different kinds of arrows. Just like kids, there are lots of different kids.

All the kids will grow up to be lots of different things, but there is only One Target that they are aiming to attain.

Kids have lots of different attitudes and love languages, but we must get them all on the same path to Christ.

Matthew 6:33 NKJV

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 

There is nothing more important than to get your children aimed towards Christ. 

We can not make them follow Christ, but we can do everything we can to give them the opportunity to know Christ.

If you do not, then you will never have the peace that you did all you can do to get your children to Heaven.

Joshua 24:15b NKJV

But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Many say: as for me and my house we will:

play soccer

get straight As

go to an ivy league school 

etc. etc.

There is no such thing as an atheist, everybody puts something ahead of everything else.

Levi says he feels led to tell us about this subject because when he lost his child at such a young age he has the hope of seeing her again.

3. Arrows can extend your reach.

Ephesians 3:20 NKJV

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 

Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

What is more important than your children knowing they have a higher calling?

Deuteronomy 28:10 NKJV

Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you. 

We do not punish our children, we are to discipline our children. Discipline your children because you love them and keeping them on the correct path.

4. They Can’t Know What You Don’t Tell Them.

Deuteronomy 6:7 NKJV

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 

You don’t teach kids only during formal times, you teach them about Jesus throughout the day.

We should use all of life as an opportunity to teach our children. We are meant to help and shape our kids into followers of Christ.

If you don’t teach your kids about life, someone else will.

Proverbs 20:15 NKJV

There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Charles Spurgeon said: 

"Men cannot quite forget the teachings of a holy fireside; they may somewhat, but not utterly. The seed may lie buried long in dust, but the day will come when under other circumstances the hidden life will germinate. A verse of an old familiar hymn may lead the man of eighty to the Saviour, though he learned it when a child; the holy text, which like bread was cast on the waters, shall be found again after many days. I believe in the Holy Spirit, and in his sacred care for divine truth. He will not permit the word of God to fail; his holy influence, like the rain and the snow, shall not return void to heaven; it shall water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud. It is ours to continue blessing youth with holy and godly instruction, and God will crown our efforts to the bringing of his banished ones to himself."

5. They Can’t Follow What You Don’t Show Them.

When kids are young they do what you tell them, when they get old, they do what you showed them.

Your children shouldn’t ask if they are going to church.

The greatest gift you can give to your kids is to be present.

45% of homes in America are single parent homes.

Strong Dads, Strong Daughters a book Levi recommends.

Girls with dads present are more satisfied with themselves, and many many more positive life experiences.

If you are a dad in the home, know that you are a hero to someone.

6. Stance Matters. Plant Your Feet and Stand Firm.

To shoot an Arrow accurately, you need your feet and your bow anchored.

If you want to know how to run your house, you need to plant your family in God’s house.

You must be prepared for the trial that you are not yet in.

7. Arrows Are a Weapon and This is War.

The Christian life is not a play ground it is a battle ground.

F.W. Boreham said: "When God sees that in this poor old world a wrong needs righting or a truth needs preaching or a benefit needs inventing, He sends a baby into the world to do it.”

Raise a child that knows the Lord and let them Shine the Light of the Gospel into this dark world.

Red is the Color of Christmas

Notes: Red is the Color of Christmas
December 24, 2014
Pastor Greg Laurie
Harvest OC

The color of Christmas is red because it is the color of Jesus' blood.

Greg thinks we make the story of Christmas too beautiful. The birth of of Jesus is not a rag to riches story but a riches to rags story.

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV
[9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

God came to us in skin as a human. Jesus Christ was born to die so we might live.

Philippians 4:4-5 NKJV
[4] Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

There are lots of songs that celebrate Jesus' life. Greg is saying that one of his favorite Christmas songs is White Christmas.

We can have a white Christmas, free of sin, because of Jesus Christ's red blood.

Isaiah 1:18 NKJV
[18] "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

Titus 2:14 NKJV
[14] who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

God came to this earth to cleanse us of all our sin. He went to the slave market of sin and purchased us all.

Most gifts we forget about after Christmas ends, do you even remember what you got last year?

He is reminiscing about a bike he had as a child.

We don't seem to realize the value of the gift that Jesus Christ gave to us.

Everyday that passes we come closer to redeeming this great gift.

The gift is not just knowing that Jesus Christ is God or He died for us. The gift is eternal life.

If we really know what God gave up for us, how could you deny the gift He gave you?

No assembly required, no batteries required...God's gift is even easier than that.

Christmas is not about presents we give each other, it is about His presence in our lives.

When you accept Jesus Christ, He will dwell in you. That is the greatest gift anyone can ever receive.

Merry Christmas!

Don’t Lose Jesus This Christmas

Notes: Don’t Lose Jesus This Christmas

Sunday, December 21, 2014 — 10:00 a.m

Luke 2

Pastor Greg Laurie

MUSICAL GUEST: Shane and Shane

Greg is talking about who we know that are not yet believers. We need to invite them to church on Christmas. A study showed, must people would go if someone invites them on Christmas.

The message today is in Luke 2. 

He has started the message out by talking about the bad things that have been going on in this world. The angels came to us and offer good tidings 2 thousand years ago and they still are wishing that upon us.

Longfellow wrote how sad the holidays were for him. He had lost his wife in a fire.

I heard the bells on Christmas day, was written by Longfellow and how he thought about all the sad things and knew the only hope for men is through Jesus Christ.

Greg is now telling us about Louie Zamperini and the book or movie Unbroken. The movie is only going to cover the story until Louie comes home from the war. The book covers his conversion and faith in Christ.

What got Louie’s attention by Billy Graham was when Billy asked if anyone remembered a prayer that God had answered. Louie remembered when he was on a raft in the ocean and prayed to God and God did save him. Louie was saved then and he says immediately cured of PTSD.

Greg is telling an anecdote about a little boy that was in trouble for losing God…it was funny.

The story was to show us how we can seem to lose God in the holidays. But even though we may lose God, God will never lose us. The holidays are for the celebration of Jesus.

Numbers 6:24-26 NLT ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’

God is very interested in your life. He came down from Heaven to walk among us.

We know a lot about Jesus’ birth and ministry but not his childhood.

Jesus Speaks with the Teachers

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. 43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, 44 because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” 49 “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he meant. 51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. 52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

God came to walk among us, fully God and fully man. Christ was God, not because He was virgin born, He was virgin born because He was God.

Joseph was the unsung hero of the Bible. Joseph is hardly mentioned in the Bible but had such a crucial part in the Birth. God chose Mary and He chose Joseph to be His own father. 

When God was born as Jesus did He have all knowledge or did He grow into that knowledge. We believe He was a baby and learned things as any child would. That is the experience He wanted for Himself.

It is hard for people to believe that His family could of lost Him like they did in this story. His parent’s had to scold Him for disappearing. 

Luke 2:48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” 

We like to blame God for reaping what we sow. Like a marriage failing or dealing with addiction. It is all things we do to ourselves and look to God after with blame and also for help.

How do we lose Jesus at Christmas:

1. We lose Jesus when non-essentials replace essentials.
2. We lose Jesus when work replaces worship. - Luke 10:38-42New Living Translation (NLT) 38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me. 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Revelation 2:4-6 NLT - “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.

If you want to get back to Christ then you need to Remember, Repent and Repeat.

You can’t be a solo Christian, you need the Church and the people of the Church and the Church needs you.

Matthew 18:20 NLT - For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

You can lose sight of Jesus but He will never lose you.

For many, Christmas is a birthday party for someone that they forgot to invite to the party.

Jesus was not born as a human to give us a reason to go shopping or buy gifts. 

Jesus was born to die for us.

Valor Christmas Koinonia Message

Notes: Valor

Tuesday December 16, 2014

Verses and short messages by several pastors or group leaders about the Christmas story.

1. Pastor Greg Laurie:

Matthew 1:18-25 NKJV

[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. [19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. [20] But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. [21] And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." [22] So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: [23] "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." [24] Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, [25] and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

Joseph is an unsung here in the Bible. He seems to be often forgotten. 

Let's not forget that the scriptures call Joseph a righteous man.

Gabriel ascended upon Mary. Joseph was called upon as well.

There are many attacks that Mary went through and Joseph remained there with her.

God was chosen to lead the family of Jesus Christ.

God chose me to be the leader of my family. I need to look at it that way. Men have a critical part to play in our homes.

2. Pastor Brad Green

Luke 1:26-32 NKJV

[26] Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. [28] And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" [29] But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. [30] Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. [32] He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

Brad said he thought that Gabriel always seems to get the good gigs.

He was in the Bible four times, two times he appeared to Daniel and the to Zachariah letting him know John the Baptist would be born and then to Mary.

Letting her know that Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior would be her Son.

3. Pastor Ron

Luke 2:1-7 NKJV

[1] And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. [3] So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. [4] Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, [5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. [6] So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

He says the Lord will never ask us to show the kind of faith that the Lord required of Joseph.

We may not all be called to preach or do something specific but we all need to do our part.

Ron was talking about how when he tells people he's a pastor how he gets so many different responses. He tries to respond to them as the Lord calls him to each time. Even when it is not comfortable or at a time he wants to.

4. Tim Harding

Luke 2:8-9 NKJV

[8] Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

The first Noel that we sing references these verses.

1 Timothy 3:16 NKJV

[16] And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

God didn't appear to kings but to shepherds. 

Jesus Christ was born to one day tell us "it is finished"

5. 5th Speaker

Luke 2:10-14 NLT

[10] but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. [11] The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! [12] And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." [13] Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God and saying, [14] "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."

He is talking about how these men were the first people to know Jesus would be here.

He is talking about how the good tidings are for all of us. 

His cousin came out of brain surgery today where they removed a plum size tumor from his brain. He said it has been amazing how his cousin has been having peace during this time as he has put his faith and fate in God's hands.

6. 6th Speaker

Luke 2:15-20 NLT

[15] When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." [16] They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. [17] After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. [18] All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, [19] but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. [20] The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

He said that these shepherds did what most would probably not have done today. These men didn't argue or debate but went there quickly.

These shepherds were clearly not kings and Jesus Christ was not born in a palace. Yet they were the ones that were given the knowledge.

7. Pastor Mike Jonker

He is talking about how important it is for us as Christian men to set Christian traditions for our families.

He said one of the things they do is read the Christmas story from Matthew or Luke before opening gifts or eating.

He asked do we have Christ centered traditions for our families?

Galatians 4:4-7 NKJV

[4] But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. [6] And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" [7] Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

God gave us His Son as a gift and that is what we should worship at Christmas time. That is the gift we should care about.

We need to make sure this is the message of Christmas. God's gift to us, not our gifts.

The Three C's of Life

Notes: The Three C's of Life

Matthew 7

SPEAKER: Pastor Greg Laurie

MUSICAL GUEST: Marty Goetz

SERIES: God Came Near

Sunday, December 14, 2014 — 10:00 a.m. 

Jesus Christ is a solid foundation that helps the Christian survive the storms of life. In today's message, Pastor Greg Laurie speaks from Matthew 7 on the three C's of life.

Greg is talking about all the things of Christmas and how we spend so much time shopping.

1. It's not about Christmas it's about Chrsit.

2. Not merriment its the Messiah.

3. Not about good tidings but God.

Mary stepped up as she was asked to be the Niger of the Messiah. She had to bare the reputation of being an immoral woman.

Joseph responded to the calling as well.

We face hundreds of choices everyday ourselves. Our days can be overwhelmed.

The three C's: challenges, choices and consequences.

The Bible is filled with people making the right and wrong choices.

Moses, Joseph, Daniel all made right choices.

Adam, Saul, Judas, Pilot all made wrong choices.

The Bible says there are two roads we can take in life, one is narrow and one is wide.

There are two choices of where we can spend eternity. Heaven or Hell.

Matthew 7:13-14 ESV

[13] "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. [14] For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Matthew 7:21-27 ESV

[21] "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' [23] And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' [24] "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. [26] And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. [27] And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."

This scripture shows that there will be followers of Christ and posers right next to each other following Christ.

There will always be real believers and fake believers.

1. just because you say "Lord, Lord" doesn't mean you are a true believer.

The men in this message are not your typical nonbeliever's. They call on the Lord, yet they are not real believers.

To be a real Christian, you must believe in His virgin birth. If He was not, then He was not the Messiah and His dying for our sins would not have mattered.

You must personally believe.

Even demons know Christ is God. They are afraid of Him.

Matthew 7:22 NKJV

[22] Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'

The devil can imitate certain miracles. Those would be false miracles. The anti-Christ will perform false miracles.

Matthew 7:23 NKJV

[23] And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

One who practices lawlessness from the Bible is a fake.

1 John 3:6 NKJV

[6] Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

It does not mean you won't sin, but you won't habitually commit the same sin.

A true Christian will build his house on the correct foundation. The foundation is the most important part.

Greg is talking about the leaning tower of Pisa. How it will eventually collapse.

Greg advices not to build your foundation on a church, your relationships or your beliefs.

You must build your foundation on Christ or it will not remain.

Matthew 13:20-21 NKJV

[20] But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; [21] yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

He is talking about dieting and how we all discover in time, that we have to eat less and exercise more.

It is the same with the Christian life. We will find we need Christ and His word.

If you build your life on Jesus Christ you will be able to withstand what ever comes your way.

Greg relates how he lost his son and how Christ is what helped him tolerate that loss. It is painful but he gets through it.

In suffering we can turn to God or turn away from him. 

Character is not made in crisis it is revealed.

Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV

[13] "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. [14] Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

If you want to build your life on the right foundation then you need to get on the right road.

You are not to be narrow minded, you need to narrow your mind to focus on Christ.

You could sum all the religions in a simple way. One leads to Gods grace and the others lead to men's accomplishments. There is God's Grace and life or men's works and death.

The narrow road that leads to life is not the popular way today, but it is the only way.

Greg is talking about the Donner party. How over 40 of them died. He said they ended up in that place because a man told them of a short cut that killed them all.

There is no short cut in life or to Heaven.

God can redeem your life no matter where you are right now. Just because you have made bad choices up to this point does not mean you have to keep making them.