Dinner with Jesus

Notes: Dinner with Jesus
Matthew 14:14–21
Pastor Greg Laurie
SERIES: God Came Near
Sunday, February 8, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

America is one of the most over weight nations on earth. California is the most over weight state.

Greg likes watching Chopped, and Diners, Drive ins and Dives.

Jesus Christ liked to eat and having a meal with people. He would stop in with people and even cooked for them.

Revelation 3:20 NKJV
[20] Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

The miracle of the feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle so important that it is found in all four Gospels.

Matthew 14:14-21 NKJV
[14] And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. [15] When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food." [16] But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." [17] And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." [18] He said, "Bring them here to Me." [19] Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. [20] So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. [21] Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

This is a lot of people's favorite story in the Bible.

During this time Jesus was reaching the peak of His popularity. He would have been like a rockstar, having paparazzi around. These people would have been following Him around.

Matthew 14:14 NKJV
[14] And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

In this meaning of "moved" it was compassion and wanting to help.

John 6:2 NKJV
[2] Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased.

He knew these people followed Him because they wanted Him to help them. They were there for themselves, not Him. Yet Jesus Christ still cared for them and wanted to help them.

These people were known for only caring about "bread and circuses" or feed us and entertain us, a lot like America today.

Three characters in the story:
1. Phillip

John 6:5 NKJV
[5] Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"

John 6:6-7 NKJV
[6] But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. [7] Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little."

Phillip should have known Jesus could feed them.

Hebrews 5:12-14 NKJV
[12] For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. [13] For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. [14] But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Sometimes you need to be tested and retested. Maybe you are going through a test right now. It could be a test or a retest.

Phillip didn't pass his test.

2. Andrew

Andrew was introduced to Jesus Christ by John the Baptist. Andrew always brought others to Jesus Christ.

John 6:8-9 NKJV
[8] One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, [9] "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?"

Andrew almost had the right answer and then doubted himself.

3. The little boy

The little boy gave his lunch to Jesus Christ as little as it was.

That which was insufficient
From the hands of the little boy, became sufficient in the hands of Jesus Christ.

When God gets hold of anything it can be transformed.

John 6:10-12 NKJV
[10] Then Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. [11] And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. [12] So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost."

It's not what you are offering Christ that matters, it is that you present it and place it in the hands of God.

God told us to pray "give us this day, our daily bread" it is for us to remember that.

Philippians 4:19 NKJV
[19] And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

God supplies your needs, not your greeds.

Jesus Christ gives us what we need when we need it.

If God lets you go through it then God will give you the strength to get through it.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 NKJV
[6] Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. [7] For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

The gift you are given are to share. Use your gifts for God's glory.

Matthew 14:20 NKJV
[20] So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.

Ephesians 3:20 NKJV
[20] 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,

This was such a popular miracle that John commented:
John 6:14-15 NKJV
[14] Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." [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.

These people wanted to use God instead of being used by God.

Just like today people want to use God. Like candidates running for office, all seem to say they are Christians.

Abraham Lincoln said he was not concerned if God was on his side, he was concerned of we were on God's side.

Jesus Christ will not be used by people.

What have we learned:
1. We need to show compassion for those that are in need.

Compassion is caring plus action.

John 6:35 NKJV
[35] And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

Churches help people every single day. Feeding people, out reaches and lots of great things. But we need to make sure we reach the issue of their souls. We will all be dead someday, and need to get to heaven.

2. When faced with a need no matter how large, we need to look to God to meet it.

Little monsters or big monsters, we need Jesus Christ's help.

These test come in our lives to show us our weakness and His sufficiency,

James 1:2-4 NKJV
[2] My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. [4] But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.


3. Nothing is too small or too big for God to respond to.

Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
[6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Turn your worries into prayers. Let God know it freaks you out and you give it to Him.

4. Bring your talents, abilities, gifts and resources to Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV
[13] No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

God will not give you more than you can handle. As His child He will be there for you.

Turning Point

Notes: Turning Point
Acts 4
Pastor Steve Wilburn of Core Church in LA.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Harvest OC

Greg is out of town but played a little video for us giving a short message. A good marriage requires two good forgivers. Leave and cleave, is leaving other relationships and making your spouse your best friend. Cleaving is more than being stuck together it is holding on to one another.

Steve Wilburn is now speaking. He has been going to Harvest since 1979. He sat in the sanctuary in Riverside for its first service.

Have you ever come to a turning point in your life? Of course you have.

Turning points, sitting up the first time, walking, graduating kindergarten, graduating 8th grade, getting a license, graduating, getting married, having kids.

We are also always facing painful turning points, losing a parent and loved ones.

Some turning points are welcome while others are greatly resisted.

There is one turning point that is greater than all turning points and what you do with it changes all other turning points in your life.

What may seem like the end of the road is just the beginning.

Steve faced it, like a small voice in his head from God. He faced, does he want to be a Christian business man or does he want to serve God.

He quit his job and moved back to Riverside and a year later was on staff at Harvest.

In a flash our lives can change, it can reach into our souls and change the core of our being. It can make sense of a world that makes no sense.

Many look at the Bible as a dead book with rules and regulations, at Jesus Christ as a dead historical figure. But when we focus on God we can see what God's desire is for us.

In Acts we see this played out in chapter 4.

The disciples went out in the face of persecution by the same people that had Christ crucified.

Peter and John had the boldness to preach in the temple. They were not educated, but spoke with boldness as Christ did.

Three points to be discussed today:
1. Silencing the power

Acts 4:13-22 NKJV
[13] Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. [14] And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. [15] But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, [16] saying, "What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. [17] But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name." [18] So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. [20] For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." [21] So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. [22] For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

Who did this religious group of men really think Peter and John were?

They saw them heal a man that they all knew had been disabled for forty years.

We need to stop fighting God as He fills us with his grace.

Grace by God will allow us all to sit in heaven together one day.

Matthew 23:23-31,33-34 NKJV
[23] "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. [24] Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! [25] "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. [26] Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. [27] "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. [28] Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. [29] "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, [30] and say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.' [31] "Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. [33] Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? [34] Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,

These religious leaders all looked like the real deal on the outside but on the inside they didn't know God.

Leviticus 11:23 NKJV
[23] But all other flying insects which have four feet shall be an abomination to you.

Jesus Christ was basically saying, these guys were trying not to swallow the smallest unclean animal as a fly, but were instead swallowing the largest unclean animal, the camel.


Acts 4:20 NKJV
[20] For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

Acts 4:21-22 NKJV
[21] So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. [22] For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

They had to let them go, because all the people saw the man healed.

2. Speak with confidence.

Acts 4:23-31 NKJV
[23] And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. [24] So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, [25] who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? [26] The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ.' [27] "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together [28] to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. [29] Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, [30] by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." [31] And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

When those who are serving the Lord speak together, they magnify the glory of God.

They were filled with the Holy Spirit again. This is the fourth time we see this.

The pattern shows that as they continued to pray and speak the Gospel of God, they were continually filled with the Holy Spirit.

It shows that the Lord, will not ask you to serve Him in your own weakness, you will be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Steve says to people all the time, "when is the last time someone told you, that there is a God in Heaven that loves you."

Revelation 20:11-15 NKJV
[11] Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. [13] The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. [14] Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

We will all stand before Christ and not be able to hide anything from Him, we will all be held accountable.

We can all argue anything that the Bible says, but we can not argue the radical change in a saved persons life.

Our lives are a witness, but that is not enough. We must speak and share Christ.

1 Peter 3:15-17 NKJV
[15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; [16] having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. [17] For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

The secret to sharing Christ: fall in love with Jesus Christ.

When you fall I love, you want to talk about Him. Like you talk about your spouse and children.

Fall in love with your Master.

3. Seeking the cross.
Luke 19:10 NKJV
[10] for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Daniel 7:13-14 NKJV
[13] "I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. [14] Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.


Jesus Christ came to seek and to save those who are lost.

Are you lost? Have you lost your joy, peace, quietness, rest? You need to come home.

Jesus came to die for us.

Hebrews 9:27-28 NKJV
[27] And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, [28] so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

We will all die once and face judgement.

Life has no real purpose apart from Christ. We have great worth in the eyes of God.

We were born crying, we lived with no expectations yet we gripe and complain and we can die disappointed. None of us should live this way.

In a time of communion:
1 Corinthians 11:24-34 NKJV
[24] and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." [25] In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." [26] For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. [27] Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. [28] But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. [29] For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. [30] For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. [31] For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. [32] But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. [33] Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. [34] But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

As you go in front of this communion table today, where are you at? If you are not a believer, you should not take communion.

Acts 3:19 NKJV
[19] Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Today could be the turning point in your life!

Your Past, Present, Future

Notes: Your Past, Present, Future

http://bit.ly/1yH5sdB

Ephesians 2 

Pastor Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

Live, Love, Fight

Thursday, January 22, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

Greg is talking to everyone saying how some churches don’t do mid-week Bible studies but he loves the mid-week study. He says where on Sunday’s some come from obligation but mid-week we come because we want to.

From time to time we all wonder about our future. What might happen? Some funny fortune cookie sayings:

“You laugh now, but wait till you get home”.

“You will be hungry in one hour”.

“Help I’m being held hostage in a Chinese bakery”

“Confucius say if you think you can some up your whole life on this little piece of paper, then you are crazy.”

Greg Says he know our past, present and future:

1. Our Past:

Ephesians 2:1-3 NKJV

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,  in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,  among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

2. Our Present:

Ephesians 2:3-5 NKJV

among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,  even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

3. Our Future:

Ephesians 2:7 NKJV

that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

The emphasis of scripture is not what I must do for God, it is what God has done for me.

1 John 4:19 NKJV

We love Him because He first loved us.

The more you know about God’s love for us, the more we will want to reciprocate that love for Him.

Is there enough power for us to live this Christian life that God has given us? More power than you will ever need.

Ephesians 1:18-20 NKJV

the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,  and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power  which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Our past, before we were believers:

Ephesians 2:1 NKJV

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

The “you” in this verse really sticks out.

We know that some people are wicked, like ISIS, or serial killers, or rapist.

But what about the rest of us, are we wicked?  Many of us want to make sure we keep that bad guys locked out, but are you looking at maybe there is a bad guy inside you.

We seem to get mad at other people for doing the same things that we do. Like texting at a stop light or waiting to long after the light turns green.

The 20^th century was the bloodiest century of all times. The Bible teaches that we are getting worse and statistics are proving it. Greg says, he doesn’t believe in evolution, but there might be de-evolution; many are appearing to be turning into monkeys.

Have you ever thought at church, I wish so-and-so was here listening to this message? The so-and-so that should be there is there.

It always seems to be others that are the problem. But that can’t be true, can it? God says it is us, we are the sinners, the problem.

We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners. It comes naturally to all of us.

Trespass means to cross the line. In scripture it means to break a commandment.

Sin means to miss the mark, falling short of a standard.

So if you miss the mark one time or you miss the mark twenty times, you have still missed the mark.

God’s standard is that we are to be perfect. So that means we are all sinners.

There are two types of sins; commission and omission.

Commission is to do what you know you should not do.

Omission is not doing what you know you should be doing.

James 4:17 NKJV

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

When you fail to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit that is omission and is a sin.

1 John 1:8 NKJV

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

This is all very depressing information. What is the result of this?

Romans 6:23 NKJV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ezekiel 18:20 NKJV

The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

Everyone who does not know Jesus Christ is dead in his or her own sin.

1 Timothy 5:6 NKJV

But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.

This is all hard for us to wrap our minds around. We all know nice people that we can’t imagine this happening too.

1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Everyone needs Jesus to save him or her. That is not to say they lead equally sinful lives, but they are equally in the state of sin, and equally separated from God and from spiritual life.

Luke 6:33 NKJV

And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

Luke 11:13 NKJV

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

There are good people that do good things, but the problem is, is that they are not good enough because they are not perfect.

Ephesians 2:2 NKJV

in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

This verse means, we have drifted along the stream of what the world thought was good living. This is doing something with no goal in mind.

The word “course” in this verse, means weather vein, we turn to where ever this world is going.

Augustine said 1500 years ago that this world goes after three things, money, sex and power.

Any old fish can go down stream, but it takes a live fish to swim up stream.

Paul clearly identifies the three enemies the Christian faces: The world, the flesh and the devil.

Psalm 24:1 NKJV

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

Ephesians 2:3 NKJV

among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Psalm 19:1-3 NKJV

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.

A creator made this world, there is no way this is random.

When the Bible speaks of “the world” it is referring to a system of thought.

2 Corinthians 4:4 NKJV

whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

The devil is evil and he is the prince of this world.

1 John 2:16 NKJV

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

The lust of the flesh:

Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

There is a difference between eating to live and living to eat. There is a difference between getting a good night sleep and being lazy.

The lust of the eyes:

Do you wish you did certain things that are sins?  Satan knows if he can get you to take a look then he can get you to bite. He knows how to make bad things look good and good things look bad.

2 Samuel 11:2 NKJV

Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold.

The Bible doesn’t exaggerate, if it says a woman is beautiful, then she was.

The pride of life:

These are people that don’t do these sins, they want to help their fellow man, and they may even be religious. They also think they don’t need Jesus Christ.

The “world” and it’s sins are all around you, and we used to live that way.

Ephesians 2:3 NKJV

among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

God is just and God is righteous and God is fair. You don’t appreciate the good news if you don’t first hear the bad news.

Ephesians 2:4-6 NKJV

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,  even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),  and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

“But God”, God will always have the last word, His Word.

Genesis 50:20 NKJV

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Jonah 4:6-7 NKJV

And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant.  But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered.

Philippians 2:27 NKJV

For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Luke 12:19-20 NKJV

And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’  But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

God will always have the last word…NOT YOU!

Ephesians 2:4-6 NKJV

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,  even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),  and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 1:20-21 NKJV

which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,  far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Jesus is above everyone and everything. That is important to you because you will be seated with Him as a Christian.

There is postionally true and experientially true. You are positioned to go to Heaven but you are not in Heaven yet. You don’t have to live in spiritual defeat.

Satan doesn’t want us to realize that we are going to Heaven and don’t need to listen or give in to him.

Oscar Wilde said, the only way he knew to get rid of temptation was to give into it. That is not what we should be doing; we can resist temptation. When you are tempted, you can walk away.

The power is there, don’t wait to feel it, just start using it. We need to start living our name, Christians.

Our future:

Ephesians 2:7 NKJV

that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

God has done all these things, just to show us how much He loves us. God can’t wait for us to join Him.

John 17:24 NKJV

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Paul the Apostle had the unique experience of dying and going to Heaven. Paul didn’t write a book about going to Heaven. He said it was so amazing that he couldn’t describe it.

Philippians 1:23 NKJV

For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

Your body is a temporary dwelling place like a tent. In Heaven with God we will have a mansion as a body forever.

John 3:16 NKJV

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.

Getting the Gospel Out

Notes: Getting the Gospel Out 
Pastor John Collins
Valor 
Harvest OC
January 20, 2014

Getting the gospel out is what Acts 13 is all about.

It may not always be easy but it is always our command to do it.

2 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV
[26] in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

Acts 13:51-52 NKJV
[51] But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. [52] And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

We can never lose sight of the fact, that on our Christian walk troubles are only temporary.

We must remember that the devil ends up in hell and Jesus Christ is going to reign forever.

Those who carry the gospel will not always be popular but there can even be joy in that.

Acts 13:1-3 NKJV
[1] Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. [2] As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." [3] Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

Barnabas was born in Cyprus, but all the rest were from parts of the world, for example a Jew and 2 Africans.

Paul rises up in this chapter as a leader for the first time.

To be called is to be set free by the church to preach the gospel.

At Harvest they do not find men to train in the gospel, they look for men attending Harvest that are living out the gospel and ask them to join the Harvest staff.

Barnabas and Paul were called to preach to these people. The church simply released them to go out and proclaim the gospel.

They went to Cyprus first, it was known back in those days translated as the "happy isle".

Paul and Barnabas went with the message of the Bible, it was opposed by some and received by many.

Acts 13:4-12 NKJV
[4] So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. [5] And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant. [6] Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, [7] who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. [8] But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. [9] Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him [10] and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? [11] And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. [12] Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

This story gives us a glimpse of the apostles operating under the Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit available to us today.

This man operating under the influence of the devil was probably not noticeable but Paul was given a supernatural state to discern this.

The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to draw men to Christ. Just as Sergius Paulus became one in this chapter.

If we are faithful to Gods message and purpose, God will protect and let us know how to handle the wicked.

John Mark was here and makes a mistake, however Paul finds use for Mark in the future. He is the same Mark, author of the Gospel.

Acts 13:13-16 NKJV
[13] Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. [14] But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. [15] And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on." [16] Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:

Here is where Paul begins a message, am amazing message. Paul's message was out to three different groups here, the Hellenist of Greece, Romans and the Jewish people. For the most part the audience knew nothing of Jesus Christ.

This message was a similar message that Stephen gave earlier and was stoned to death for giving.

Clearly, Paul carried this message close. 

This message really focuses on divine government and of divine grace.

Acts 13:17 NKJV
[17] The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it.

Acts 13:21 NKJV
[21] And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

Acts 13:22 NKJV
[22] And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.'

Acts 13:23 NKJV
[23] From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior-Jesus-

Acts 13:29-30 NKJV
[29] Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. [30] But God raised Him from the dead.

All of these verses point to God as the divine government.

Acts 13:37 NKJV
[37] but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.

Acts 13:39 NKJV
[39] and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

God is the only one that can justify and offer forgiveness for sin.

To "justify", is when God looks at us "just-as-if-I" have never sinned before. 

Paul pulled the pieces of life's puzzles together and painted the picture of Gods grace and mercy.

God and the lens of the gospel can make sense of this world.

Acts 13:42-48 NKJV
[42] So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. [43] Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. [44] On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. [45] But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. [46] Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. [47] For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.'" [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.

There is victory in the Gospel and in this message.

The Jews rejected it and the Gentiles received it.

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.

Many Calvinist use that verse to back there claim that God has preordained. But that is not how it is suppose to be viewed.

Acts 13:49 NKJV
[49] And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.

Is a verse showing that the Word of God must be preached to us first before we can spread it.

The Word of God is the greatest tool in our arsenal.

The point of all this is to say get up and do something to share the Gospel.

The Whole Story

Notes: The Whole Story
Matthew 9:18–25
SPEAKER:
Greg Laurie
WORSHIP TEAM:
Harvest Worship Band
SERIES:
God Came NearSunday, January 18, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Today is National Sanctity of Human Life day. The Bible is clear that life starts in the womb at conception.

Greg really likes a story with a clear plot. Maybe a surprise ending. He says all movies have certain matching elements, like people coming out of grocery stores have a roll of French bread.

All of our lives have elements like a movie. We aren't all like Louie Zamperini but we all have a story.

Our story is written by God. It will end well if you are a child of God.

The characters in Mathew 9 have a story, the woman is hopeless, the man was powerful.

Tragedy levels social topography.


Matthew 9:18-25 NKJV
[18] While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live." [19] So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. [20] And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. [21] For she said to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well." [22] But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour. [23] When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, [24] He said to them, "Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. [25] But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.

12 years was an important number in this story. The woman was in poor health for 12 years and the girl would of been relatively happy for 12 years. They both needed Jesus Christ's healing in that same day.

Interruptions in your day may be divine in your days. These people came up to Jesus Christ in the middle of the day. The woman interrupted Jesus Christ on the way to the rulers house. She was healed there.

It's been said a girls first love is her daddy. This daddy didn't stop Jesus Christ from healing the woman, he waited for him even though he would of been in a very sad place after loosing his daughter.

Psalm 48:9-10 NKJV
[9] We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, In the midst of Your temple. [10] According to Your name, O God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.

Greg is telling us how impatient he is waiting for things. He asked if we are patient waiting for the Lord?

God doesn't ask for our understanding in his ways and time, He is asking for our trust.

His delays are not necessarily His denials.

The woman in this story was never told all she had to do was touch Jesus Christ. But it worked, she had faith.

Where does sickness come from?

All sickness comes from sin.

Romans 5:12 NKJV
[12] Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned-

Sickness can come from personal sin, but not necessarily.

John 5:14 NKJV
[14] Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."

Sickness can lead to greater purpose.

Isaiah 53:4-5 NKJV
[4] Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. [5] But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

1 Peter 2:24 NKJV
[24] who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed.

James 4:2 NKJV
[2] You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

Sometimes God heals immediately and sometimes He does not, but you still must ask and wait.

Mark 9:24 NKJV
[24] Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"

Unbelief is often the thief that robs us of what God wants to do in our lives.

Truths from this story:
1.If you have a need then reach out to Jesus.

Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV
[3] 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

2. Your story is not finished yet.

3. If we trust in Christ, our stories will all have a happy ending.

Maybe not on earth, but when we get to Heaven it will be a happy ending.

No matter what our story is, God is the author and finisher.

No matter what happens in our lives on earth we need realize we will all die and need to focus on Heaven.

Only those fully prepared to die and go to Heaven, can truly live.

Do you have that hope?

We Need to Pray

Notes: We Need to Pray

Valor Men's Group

Pastor Mike Jonker

Harvest OC

January 13, 2015

Acts 12

Acts is the story of God working to empower men and women to follow Him and spread His Gospel.

Satan attacks all of us as we work to get closer to God. As God builds and helps us build, satan works on attacking and tearing us down.

In Acts we see God move forward in men and in their effectiveness to spread the Gospel.

In Acts we see Jew and Gentile come to faith in Jesus Christ. The gospel was spreading like wild fire and we see people having to struggle and being incarcerated for their faith.

In Acts 12 we will get to see more of the power of God.

The stars in chapter 12 are Peter, an Angel, and King Herod Agrippa.

Acts 12:1-4 NKJV

[1] Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. [2] Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. [3] And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. [4] So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

Peter was on fire for Jesus and satan was on the attack. The church was sharing the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

They had arrested Peter with the intention of killing him.

Herod Agrippa was the grandson of Herod the great, the one that was ruling when Jesus Christ was born.

Herod did not like Christians, had James killed and wanted to eliminate all the Christians. If it wasn't Passover he probably would have already killed Peter. Satan was behind this hatred.

Jesus Christ warned them,

John 15:20 NKJV

[20] Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

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.

Jesus Christ knew there would be opposition and warned them.

We need to know and understand there is opposition to us following Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 6:12-13 NKJV

[12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Satan is powerful and his minions are powerful, we need to understand that his agenda is to reap havoc in our lives. He has had a lot of success in the world and in the church.

What are we allowing into our eyes, our minds, and our heart?

When we allow lust and sin into our lives it is like throwing water on our flame for following Jesus Christ.

God knows what is going through our minds. We allow things in our lives that we shouldn't and satan is encouraging that we do. We need to commit those things to the Lord.

Satan comes at us with the lust of the eyes and lust of the flesh. We love to eat, we love to sleep. 

Eating is good but it can destroy us. Sleeping is good, but should we be in the Word instead of sleeping. If it is throwing water on our fire then we need to Gove it to the Lord.

Satan has no problem with making sin look innocent. He did it to King David and King Saul. Sin always has a price to pay.

It is a hard thing to repent from most sin. Struggling on your own can harden it.

We should not rationalize against God's Word. 

Acts 12:5-11 NKJV

[5] Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. [6] And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. [7] Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. [8] Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." [9] So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. [10] When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. [11] And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people."

The power of God was at work here and Peter was sleeping. Lesser things keep us up then being imprisoned.

Proverbs 3:21-24 NKJV

[21] My son, let them not depart from your eyes- Keep sound wisdom and discretion; [22] So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. [23] Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. [24] When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

Getting into Gods Word can help you sleep, God will take your worries.

Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

[3] You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Peter was so sound asleep that the angel had to strike him to awake him.

Hebrews 1:5-14 NKJV

[5] For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"? [6] But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him." [7] And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire." [8] But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. [9] You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions." [10] And: "You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. [11] They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; [12] Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail." [13] But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"? [14] Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

We have angles around us. God tells us in scripture that He is there for us and He sends help. God uses Angels to do His work.

You should appreciate the Lord has sent Angels to help us. It is Biblical.

God has the power and resources to help us even in our darkest hours.

Acts 12:12-19 NKJV

[12] So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. [13] And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. [14] When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. [15] But they said to her, "You are beside yourself!" Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, "It is his angel." [16] Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. [17] But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren." And he departed and went to another place. [18] Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. [19] But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

Pastor Mike says he thinks one of the greatest neglects of men is our willingness to pray.

7 things we can pray for:

1. Marriage and families

2. Our jobs and work

3. Our country and our leaders.

4. For the gospel to go out.

5. Our church

6. Our community 

7. Each other, holiness, purity and purpose.

We need to pray! 

Will we be those men?