Learning How to Walk

Notes: Learning How to Walk

Ephesians 4:1–2

SPEAKER: Pastor Greg Laurie

MUSICAL GUEST: Dennis Agajanian

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES: Live, Love, Fight

Thursday, March 12, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

Most of us don't remember taking our first steps, parents really seem to remember their kids first steps.

You don't see kids giving up on how to walk. Even though those steps are hard to take we don't give up.

Ephesians is like 3 sections: wealth, walk and warfare.

Colossians 2:6 NKJV

[6] As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

1 John 1:7 NKJV

[7] But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

This chapter is teaching us about how to walk.

We as believers don't always know all

There is no theology without doxology.

Ephesians 4:1-6 NKJV

[1] I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, [2] with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, [3] endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [6] one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Paul is saying in light of what God has done for you, what should you be doing for Him.

Every believer needs to be actively involved in a local church. God manifests His presence in a special way amongst a group of believers.

When you are in church you many times will look at your problems in a different way.

Psalm 73:16-18 NKJV

[16] When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me- [17] Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. [18] Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.

Ephesians 4:1 NKJV

[1] I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,

When ever you see "therefore" ask what is it there for?

Right doctrine is essential to right living.

You need to know who God is and what God says in order to know the True God.

It is not possible to live a Christian life without knowing what God has given you.

Paul says he is a prisoner of the Lord, not a prisoner of Rome.

Every thing is "God filtered", He either does it or allows it.

God doesn't want to see you come forward, He wants to see you go forward.

The Great Commission is the proclamation of Christ and to help others grow in Christ.

We could never do something equal to what God has done for us but we can have the proper response to what He has done.

1. If you want to walk worthy of the Lord, as much as possible, keep the peace. Ephesians 4:3

We are in this together so don't disrupt it or cause  division.

It is possible to disagree agreeably.

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

Pastors can work together even though they disagree.

As a body in Christ, we all need unity.

You cannot have unity with those that don't believe in the essentials of the faith. Like God is the one and only true God.

Augustine says in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all charity.

Ephesians 4:2 NKJV

[2] with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

2. To walk worthy means we are to be humble and gentle. Ephesians 4:2

The Greeks influenced the Romans and they believed there was no place for humility. They actually looked at it as a derogatory term.

It takes more strength to forgive then it does for vengeance.

The Bible describes the strength of forgiveness as the same power it takes to bridle a wild horse.

Meekness is not weakness, its strength restrained.

Philippians 2:2-5 NKJV

[2] fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. [3] Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. [4] Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. [5] Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

What if you put others ahead of yourself always and would not be selfish. How would that change your life?

3. To walk worthy of your calling means to be long-suffering.

Moses spent 40 years in the desert.

Saul of Tarsus had to be prepared for his new work and live the hard life of Paul.

The world doesn't agree with the Bible about being long suffering. The world says to do what makes you feel good.

1 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

[7] Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

Ephesians 4:4-6 NKJV

[4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [6] one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1. There is one body of believers, the church.

God can reach anywhere.

2. There is one Spirit.

3. There is one Lord and that is Jesus Christ.

4. There is one faith.

5. There is one baptism.

6. There is one God above all, through all, and in you all.

Father, Son and the Holy Ghost

All religions Do Not teach the same things.

We need to spend our time walking with Him and getting to know Him.

Stop looking for the emotional feeling and just walk with God.

Lost in Translation

Notes: Lost in Translation
Matthew 16
Pastor Greg Laurie
SERIES: God Came Near
Sunday, March 8, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Greg is saying that as he gets older, his hearing just is not as good as it used to be. He says in bed he can hear chirping birds but in a crowd he can't hear like he used too. 

American advertising is some times lost in translation to other countries. Like as Schweppes advertised in Italy its Tonic Water was translated as toilet water.

In Matthew 16 Jesus Christ's words were lost in translation. They thought Jesus Christ was coming to rule, when He was actually coming to die.

A question everyone must answer: Who is Jesus Christ to you?

Matthew 16:13-18 NKJV
[13] When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" [14] So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." [15] He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" [16] Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." [17] Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. [18] And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Jesus Christ asked who did men say I am? Ultimately, one day, everyone will say, "Jesus Christ is Lord."

Four Options of who Jesus is:
A legend, a liar, a lunatic or the Lord.

You can't just call Him a "super good guy", the scriptures would not back that up. Either the scriptures are true or they aren't.

It's one thing to say that Jesus Christ is Lord at church, but are you saying it outside of church?

Luke 9:26 NKJV
[26] For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.

Luke 9:20 NKJV
[20] He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God."

Matthew 16:15 NKJV
[15] He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

God confined Himself to a single human cell, and was born like the rest of us.

Matthew 16:16 NKJV
[16] Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Matthew 16:18 NKJV
[18] And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

The word used for Peter, is Petra, it is a Big Rock, like the rock of Gibraltar. It is the rock the Church is built on, not of Peter himself.

Many build on the wrong foundation. 

Build your life on Christ, He will sustain you through the worst storms. 

Angels and demons both have rankings, among these rankings there is infrastructure. The gates of Hell are part of that infrastructure.

Through evangelism we are attacking the gates of Hell.

No one is beyond the reach of God.

Matthew 16:21 NKJV
[21] From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

This is specific.

Matthew 16:22 NKJV
[22] Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"

Peter wanted to protect Jesus Christ, but that was the devil would want Peter to say, wanting to stop Jesus Christ going to the Cross.

Satan will come to us and try to stop us. He will come to us at the beginning of our lives, the end and in the middle.

Tripping you up at the end is something satan would love to do. Discrediting all you have done. 

Matthew 16:24-26 NKJV
[24] Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. [25] For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. [26] For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

What is this Cross that Christ is calling us to carry?

The Romans may not have invented the Cross, but they perfected it. The cross was barbaric and horrible punishment, it would have been a scary thought for them.

Matthew 16:25 NKJV
[25] For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

You find your life by losing it! 

This is not traditional thinking.

You will never find fulfillment by chasing it. You will find it by finding Jesus.

By not denying God you can do it in all kinds of ways. Like praying before a meal in public, or putting your spouse first. Denying yourself can be done in many ways. 

Galatians 2:20 NKJV
[20] I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Matthew 16:25 NKJV
[25] For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Live a Holy life and you will live a Happy life.

A "Wholly" lived life is a happy life.

Again, who is Jesus to you?

Is Christ at Home in Your Heart?

Notes: Is Christ at Home in Your Heart?

Ephesians 3

Pastor Greg Laurie

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES: Live, Love, Fight

Thursday, March 5, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

America needs Israel more than Israel needs America, because God said he would bless who blesses Israel and curse whoever curses Israel.

We have all heard that we just need to receive Jesus Christ into our heart.

Colossians 1:27 NKJV

[27] To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

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.

Enjoying a meal in those times was a lot different than these days. Back then it meant you would be spending a lot of time with someone.

When you are a friend with someone, you will get a meal together. God wants to share a meal with you.

Do you think Jesus is comfortable hanging out with you? Or is it more formal?

This book is about the wealth (1-3) the walk (3-6:9) and warfare (6:10 -23) of the believer.

Ephesians 3:1-7 NKJV

[1] For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles- [2] if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, [3] how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, [4] by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), [5] which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: [6] that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, [7] of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

"For this reason" shows the repetition in the Bible. We often remember what we ought to forget and forget what we should remember.

2 Peter 3:1 NKJV

[1] Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),

1. The person that puts their faith in Christ is altogether new.

2. All believers Jews and Gentiles are of one body.

3. We who were far away from God have been brought near because of the Cross.

4. We are all part and equal in the eyes of Heaven.

Romans 8:28 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.

Some words for those who would like to be spiritual leaders.

2 Corinthians 2:1-2 NKJV

[1] But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. [2] For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?

As a leader that suffers, you will be called to help those that suffer in the same hardships. Don't have a pity party but leverage it to help Gods people.

A leader will be held accountable for what they do and what they say.

James 3:1 NKJV

[1] My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

It is a great privilege to lead and a great responsibility.

God will work on all types to be a leader, often those who don't want it are the ones called.

Moses had a speech impediment, David was a cheater and murderer, Paul denied Christ, and Lazarus was dead! What's your excuse not to be used by God?

Ephesians 3:10 NKJV

[10] to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

1 Peter 1:12 NKJV

[12] To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-things which angels desire to look into.

Ephesians 3:14-21 NKJV

[14] For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, [16] that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, [17] that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- [19] to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. [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, [21] to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

This is the second of two prayers in Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:18-19 NKJV

[18] 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, [19] and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

First prayer is to check where you are spiritually. Second is a prayer for empowerment.

See what God has done for you and go use it for God's glory.

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,

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,

Ephesians 2:1-3 NKJV

[1] And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, [2] 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, [3] 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.

You only need to be born again once.

John 10:28-30 NKJV

[28] And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. [30] I and My Father are one."

Paul is not just praying that God will come dwell in your heart, but that God will be at home and comfortable in your heart.

God does not just want to be near your heart, He wants the title deed.

Side homework read Genesis 18 and 19.

1. Abraham walked with God and Lot walked with Abraham.

Are you an influencer or are you easily influenced about God?

Where would you like to be when Christ returns...In church or at the bar with the boys?

2. They were in different positions when God came to them.

3. Reacted differently when the Lord came to meet them.

Lot shows us that you can be a believer living in a compromised situation.

We can be a Christian and saved but living a life that Jesus Christ would not be comfortable being in.

Are you doing something that would make Christ uncomfortable to be around you?

Jesus Christ wants to come fix your heart up for you, it may be a hard hat area, but he will build something much better.