Stop trying to follow Gods will and just follow Him!!!!

Notes: Stop trying to follow Gods will and just follow Him!!!!

Valor Week 17

Acts 18

March 3, 2014

Pastor John Collins

A brainteaser:

4

9x6

36

3+6

9

-5

4

D

Denmark

Elephant

We were all doing a brainteaser that most people end up with the results Denmark and Elephant.

With using this trick we almost all came up with the same country and animal. The person asking the questions leads us to the same answer.

Many people can start out in different places and end up in the same place or even start to follow Jesus Christ.

Acts 18 shows how God works through different people at all times and can lead us all to the same results.

Acts 18:1 NKJV

[1] After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.

Paul had found a city in Athens that was following idols. There was indifference towards him.

Paul's pattern seems to be going into a city, preaching, finding many followers, facing opposition and then getting chased out of town.

Corinth was an immoral city, like a Las Vegas on steroids.

Romans 1:24-32 NKJV

[24] Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, [25] who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. [26] For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. [27] Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. [28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; [29] being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, [30] backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, [31] undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; [32] who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Who could blame Paul for being a little down while he was in Corinth.

Paul was still committed to the message God had given him.

Acts 18:9-10 NKJV

[9] Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; [10] for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city."

Jesus Christ knew Paul was tired, but He gave him encouragement.

So Paul stayed on.

Acts 18:11 NKJV

[11] And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Acts 18:2-4 NKJV

[2] And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. [3] So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. [4] And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

God was moving all of these different people around like pawns on a chess board, bringing them together and working together.

Spiritual gifts deployed in the service of the church. These people were there just in time for Paul.

Acts 18:5-6 NKJV

[5] When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. [6] But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

God moved Silas and Timothy into the picture.

Philippians 4:14-15 NKJV

[14] Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. [15] Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.

Paul found success and opposition in Corinth. He decided to focus on the Gentiles.

God moves people and puts it on their hearts to work together to help build his church.

Acts 18:6-7 NKJV

[6] But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." [7] And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.

God moved Justus into the picture. Right next to the synagogue.

Acts 18:8 NKJV

[8] Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

Crispus is now helping Paul.

All these pieces are lining up, and as a result many believe and are becoming baptized.

God can move on believers and non believers for His glory.

Acts 18:12-17 NKJV

[12] When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, [13] saying, "This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law." [14] And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. [15] But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters." [16] And he drove them from the judgment seat. [17] Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.

This is all part of Gods protection for Paul.

"The bravest sight to see is to see a strong man overcome adversity with his fellow man."

All of these things were done to fulfill Gods promise to Paul.

Acts 18:9-10 NKJV

[9] Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; [10] for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city."

Proverbs 21:1 NKJV

[1] The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

God has control over all situations.

Aquila and Priscilla were placed just where they needed to be.

Acts 18:24-28 NKJV

[24] Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. [25] This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. [26] So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. [27] And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; [28] for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

Paul was moved on and then Apollos was placed there. Taken in and trained, in order that he might fulfill his evangelistic gift.

Stop trying to follow Gods will and just follow Him!!!!

Give yourself to the Lord and He will direct your steps.

One day you will look around and see that all things come together.

Tear Down This Wall!

Notes: Tear Down This Wall!

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: Live, Love, Fight

Ephesians 2

Thursday, February 26, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

Greg was just in Texas during what was called Snowmaggedon

The world around us is in chaos. It can almost make you feel as if there is no hope.

Nothing that we have made can fix this world in our hour of need.

Ephesians 2:12 NKJV

[12] that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Ephesians 2:11-22 NKJV

[11] Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh-who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands- [12] that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [14] For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, [15] having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, [16] and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. [17] And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. [18] For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. [19] Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [20] having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, [21] in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, [22] in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

In America we put up walls to keep people out. In communist countries they put up walls to keep people in.

The wall of sin kept us from God.

The devil doesn't want us to know

that we are not still living under the Old Testament law.

Do not be in a "works equals righteousness" place with God. It is not what we do it is what he has done.

His love is not dependent of our progress, but of God's perfection.

The devil wants us to think that we cannot approach God because we have sinned. But the perfect time to reach out to God is when you have sinned!

Ephesus was a city of idols where they worshipped a god named Diana.

Greg played us a video about the city of Ephesus.

The city of Ephesus was similar to our country today, living in moral relativism.

Ephesians 2:12-13 NKJV

[12] that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Because His blood was shed, you can come into a relationship with God.

Ephesians 2:16 NKJV

[16] and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

Homes need to be reconciled, that has been happening since the Garden of Eden.

God had judged the earth before with the great flood. Soon after, people were building the Tower of Babel. So he had to judge them there.

The Jews were always God's people but after Jesus Christ everyone became God's people.

Jews looked at Gentiles back then like Gentiles were dogs. God then said they need to look at all as equals.

Greg is telling us about the vision of Peter in Acts about how he was commanded to kill and eat what he would have called unclean. The vision demonstrated that all people are equal.

Galatians 3:28-29 NKJV

[28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Greg said he is not a fan of "boutique" churches...that we should not try to reach "certain" people, but ALL people.

Harvest church believes that we are about reconciliation. Reconciled first to God, then to one another.

We were far off, but were brought near through the blood of Christ.

1 John 3:20 NKJV

[20] For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

Hebrews 10:20-22 NKJV

[20] by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, [21] and having a High Priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

If you want to overcome Satan then you need to understand the blood of the Lamb. Satan doesn't want you to know that. He wants to use your own sins to keep you away from God.

When Satan accuses you, he uses your owns sins in a hateful way to destroy you.

Judas hung himself after he betrayed Christ.

Jesus would have forgiven even Judas if he repented.

Satan will always drive you away from the Cross and the Holy Spirit will always drive you to the Cross.

Greg is telling us a funny story about James MacDonald, trying to convey how God has let us into His life.

Greg admitted the story was a stretch.

Ephesians 2:13 NKJV

[13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

If you have unconfessed sin in your life, then it has brought your prayer life to a halt.

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus Christ.

What can make me whole? Nothing but the blood of Jesus Christ.

How to draw nearer to God? You come through the blood of Jesus Christ.

We can approach God through our relationship with Him, not because we earned it.

This is the A to Z of the Gospel. You start with the Gospel and you go back to the Gospel and end with the Gospel.

You aren't good enough to earn His forgiveness, but you are bad enough for God to forgive you and invite you in.

Know Your Bible

Notes: Know Your Bible

Acts 17

Valor Week 16

Harvest OC

Youth Pastor Adam Eaton

Pastor Adam is telling us about how he was sharing his faith and the guy claimed to be the antichrist. After Adam finished sharing, the guy told him he was doing a good job and should keep it up. Adam laughed and jokingly said, that he was even being encouraged by the antichrist to share his faith!

The biggest rules of a Christian is to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself. 

Acts 17:1-21 NKJV

[1] Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. [2] Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, [3] explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ." [4] And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. [5] But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. [6] But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. [7] Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king-Jesus." [8] And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. [9] So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. [10] Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. [11] These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. [12] Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. [13] But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. [14] Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. [15] So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed. [16] Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. [17] Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. [18] Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. [19] And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? [20] For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean." [21] For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.

In this chapter Paul was where the culture was, the Athenians were all about the new things. They liked being in the market getting new stuff, just like us today wanting the latest and greatest.

We can learn things from Paul. Here are 3.

1. We need to learn to identify idols.

We do have idols in our culture. For many their idols are jobs or money. For some they may be cars or cell phones.

In addition to physical idols there are ideas that are idols. Like chasing marriage or a job promotion.

For many it is ourselves, we are so self centered.

If there are idols then there are worshippers of those idols..

Romans 1:25 NKJV

[25] who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Just because people don't worship God doesn't mean they aren't worshiping something.

Everybody worships! The only choice we have is what we worship.

We should be grieved by the idols in our culture.

We need to show people the only God to worship.

We must have a relationship with Christ so strong that if anything else wants our attention it will be grieved that it can't have us.

Paul would ofter use the Socratic method to share.

2. We must engage the culture.

To engage the culture we must know and be a student of the culture.

You should not be of either extreme keeping away from all secular things or only being in secular culture things.

Our children are being preached to everyday by the television and pop culture.

You need to know what your children are listening too and what the world view is that is being promoted to them.

As a Christian we need to be the most educated in understanding the world philosophies and how to respond to it from a Biblical perspective.

John 17:14-19 NKJV

[14] I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [15] I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. [16] They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [17] Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. [18] As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. [19] And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Acts 17:22-34 NKJV

[22] Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; [23] for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: [24] "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. [25] Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. [26] And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, [27] so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; [28] for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' [29] Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. [30] Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, [31] because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." [32] And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter." [33] So Paul departed from among them. [34] However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Paul engages people and then he preaches the Gospel. 

You can believe in all kinds of good and positive things but if you don't believe in the Gospel then you can still end up in hell.

2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

[2] Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.

If we do not engage the people with the Gospel then we are not fulfilling the Great Commission.

Just because you may be able to speak of culture with anyone. Can you talk intelligently about the resurrection? 

The formula to be a better Christian is easy. Read the Bible and pray.

John 1:1 NKJV

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

When we preach the Word, we cannot forget the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How well do you know the Bible?

Walking with Jesus through the Storms of Life

Notes: Walking with Jesus through the Storms of Life
Matthew 14
Pastor Greg Laurie
SERIES: God Came Near
Sunday, February 22, 2015

I would rather try and fail than never try at all. Failure is usually the predecessor to success. The doorway to success is usually entered through the hallway of failure.

Einstein failed at math. Michael Jordan didn't make his high school basketball team.

Abraham Lincoln failed in business regularly, he lost several elections.

If you have failed, relax you are in good company.

Read:
Matthew 14:22-33 KJV
[22] And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. [23] And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. [24] But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. [25] And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. [26] And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. [27] But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. [28] And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. [29] And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. [31] And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? [32] And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. [33] Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.


1. Storms will come in life.

Storm is a metaphor for hardships, difficulties or tragedies.

Storms don't last forever,

Jesus knew the storm was coming.

2. Jesus is watching us in our storms.

Mark 6:48 KJV
[48] And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

We may lose sight of God but God never loses sight of us.

Proverbs 15:3 KJV
[3] The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Romans 8:34 KJV
[34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Greg believes that we are a country headed into a great storm. Terrorist call us the Nation of the Cross. They decapitated 21 Christians in Egypt.

Greg thinks we should 1. Respond militarily 2. Stand by Israel 3. Pray for our leaders, 4. Fight fire with fire, using a better ideology, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

3. Jesus helps us in our storms.

He could come at the last possible time. Just before the last moment.

Matthew 14:25 NKJV
[25] Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.

Why would Jesus come so late? So that they exhaust every resource, so they will know it is only Jesus that can save them.

Jesus went to them, walking in the sea. He could have come any way, but he chose to walk by, waiting for the disciples to ask for His help.

They thought he was a ghost, they didn't recognize Him because they weren't looking for Him.

You will never know Jesus like you do when you experience Him in the most troublesome trials in your life.

Greg experienced Jesus the most at the time of the loss of his son Christopher.

In the worst case scenario, you will see God like you have never seen Him before.

Job 42:5 NKJV
[5] "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You.

Matthew 14:27-28 NKJV
[27] But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." [28] And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."

Peter is willing to put it on the line. Jesus told him to walk on the water.

Matthew 14:29 NKJV
[29] So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

Jesus would not have told Peter to do something he shouldn't have.

Peter was the most vocal and most corrected disciple.

Peter just wanted to be close to Jesus.

Peter sank because he took his eyes off Jesus and put them on other things.

We start to sink when we take our eyes off Jesus.

Peter sank because he was afraid.

There is no room for fear in faith, and where there is fear, faith is chased out.

Matthew 14:31 NKJV
[31] And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Maybe you are sinking right now. Then you need to cry out to Jesus.

It is better to be in the storm with Jesus than anywhere else without Him.

Why would you "pull yourself up by the boot straps" when you could have God lift you?

Like in the story of the Prodigal Son, God is like a Father that will run to you when you return to Him.

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.

It is saying God is in control and in the long run you will be better, because you will become more like Jesus.

His big purpose in your life is to make you more like Jesus.

Don't despair if you are in a bad place, that could be the signal that leads to your deliverance.

If you don't want Jesus you don't have to have Him. You can either live a bitter or a better life.

If you call out to Jesus then He will rescue you.

Is Jesus Christ living inside of you right now?