God's Plan for Parents

Notes: God's Plan for Parents

Ephesians 6

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

Live, Love, Fight

Thursday, June 18, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

The church is under attack and we need to learn how to defend ourselves.

Children need their parents. They don't need you as a best friend, but as a parent.

Our children are not ours to mold but to unfold.

We need God's help to raise our children today.

Our culture is attacking the Christian way.

Psalm 127:3-5 NLT

[3] Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. [4] Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. [5] How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.

Ephesians 6:1-3 NLT

[1] Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. [2] "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise: [3] If you honor your father and mother, "things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth."

One of the Ten Commandments is to honor your mother and father.

Honoring is giving them respect, esteem, value and prize them as gifts from God.

Do it God's way.

Bring your children to Jesus Christ. Their whole lives, you should pray for them and present them to the Lord.

Mothers need to do their jobs, nurturing and raising their children.

Captain America - has great strength and his shield.

Iron Man - Tony Stark

Thor - god of Thunder 

The Hulk- very large powerful men.

Superheroes need super powers in the comics.

Superman sort of trumps everybody.

The super heroes we see daily are dads, the ones that stand by his wife and children. They are leading their families and following Christ.

Almost all ills in society today can be traced back to fatherless homes.

Fathers matter and they matter a lot to the family.

On Mothers Day, church attendance goes up. On Fathers Day church attendance goes down.

Ephesians 6:4 NLT

[4] Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Paul addresses his comments to Fathers.

Fathers need to be in the homes doing their parts.

Many people base their thoughts of their Heavenly Father on the way they see their earthly fathers.

Fathers need to hold their course and do their jobs.

Fathers should not provoke their children to wrath.

How do you provoke your children?

1. One-way to provoke is to show favoritism to one child over another.

Joseph was shown favoritism by his father and his brothers resented him.

David was not shown favoritism, but his brothers were.

Psalms says, when your father and mother fore sake you God will take you up.

God can break whatever cycle of sin is in your life and family.

Kids know when you favor one over the other. You aren't as clever as you think you are.

2. We provoke children by never complimenting them.

Children need your approval. But they don't need over protection, helicopter parenting.

Life says there are winners and losers and kids need to understand that.

Proverbs 29:15 NLT

[15] To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

Latchkey kids are all over our country today. Who is influencing these children?

It's a parent's job to raise up their children. The job is not the church's job, or teachers, or pastors. It's our job!

We need to "bring them up" because their sinful nature brings them down.

If we aren't close to Jesus Christ we can't expect our kids to be close. Some things are taught and some are caught.

Philippians 4:9 NLT

[9] Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me-everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Nothing can be through us until it happens to us. We need to take a lot of time with kids.

We don't need to look at quality time but quantity time.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 NLT

[4] "Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. [5] And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. [6] And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. [7] Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

Use teaching moments through out the day. Even watching TV with them is time that is important to see what they see and explain what they are watching.

Develop a thirst in your child for God.

Kids want what their parents have. A relationship with God is a great thing to want.

Train up your child to know the Lord.

Create a thirst and build into your child a submission to God.

Do not live vicariously through your child. Live your own life.

Putting out parameters, putting strength and motivation together.

Train a child according to the way they are bent.

The way he should go means, "according to their bent."

Kids push back as they get older so make sure to lay the right foundation.

1. Even when kids are raised in a Godly home sometimes they rebel.

2. We must stay true to our beliefs.

Never lose communication with your kids. They always need to know you love them.

3. We should never give up on them.

Keep praying for them.

4. Always keep the door open for your kids to come home.

They always need to know they can come home.

Never give up and keep praying for them.

Parents need to get right with God.

If you don't have an earthly father, rest assured you have a Heavenly Father that loves you!

What Jesus Taught about Israel in the End Times

Notes: What Jesus Taught about Israel in the End Times

Matthew 24

1 Thessalonians 5

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: God Came Near

Sunday, June 14, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

We are looking at the words of Jesus in the end times.

30% of the Bible describes prophecy.

The more we know about the next world. The better we will live in this one.

Prophecy is not to scare us, but to prepare us.

1. Israel will be re-gathered as a nation.

A new world leader will emerge.

2. Antichrist will make a covenant and Israel will have a new temple.

3. Magog will attack.

4. They will be Armageddon.

5. Jesus will return.

Matthew 24:32-34 NKJV

[32] "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. [33] So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near-at the doors! [34] Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

Hosea 9:10 NKJV

[10] "I found Israel Like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers As the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal Peor, And separated themselves to that shame; They became an abomination like the thing they loved.

Ezekiel 37:11-12 NKJV

[11] Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!' [12] Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

Israel re-gathering is a super sign.

After all the years and wars, who, would of thought the Jews would have a homeland in Israel again.

Israel at is widest point is 9 miles wide.

The whole country is the size of New Jersey.

Nations that have tried to destroy Israel; Egypt, Persia, Spain, Germany.

Even America has recently put pressure on Israel to stand down even as they were being attacked.

ISIS is taking over more and more land in the Middle East. They are radical Islamic extremist.

Jerusalem is the heart of the land they want.

Zechariah 12:2-3 NKJV

[2] "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. [3] And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.

Luke 21:20 NKJV

[20] "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

Ezekiel 38:2-6 NKJV

[2] "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, [3] and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. [4] I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. [5] Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; [6] Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops-many people are with you.

Iran wants to destroy Israel.

They can try, but the Bible teaches that they will not succeed. God intervenes.

Israel will be attacked from a large nation from the north.

Romans 11:25 NKJV

[25] For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

The complete number of Gentiles must come to Christ before all Jews will believe.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 NKJV

[6] Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. [7] For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. [8] But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

Being right with God, helps welcome these events. We say come Lord Jesus, come.

We need to wake, sober up, and suit up.

1. We are to wake up!

These are words for believers, not nonbelievers.

We are to be fishers of men.

2. We are to sober up!

Let those of the day be sober.

If you don't drink, you won't get drunk! Simple reasoning.

We don't want to be intoxicated by anything, except the Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 21:34 NKJV

[34] "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

To be sober does not mean to be miserable. It means to be clear headed.

3. We are to suit up!

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.

God says to put on armor.

We should live a life of faith, not emotion.

Faith is stable while emotion is a roller coaster.

Protect your mind. You can't stop a bird from flying over, but you can stop a bird from making a nest in your hair.

Jesus is coming soon...be ready!

Romans 13:11-14 NKJV

[11] And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. [12] The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. [13] Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. [14] But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Get ready to meet the Lord!

Till He Comes

Notes: Till He Comes

Matthew 24

Revelation 19

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

God Came Near

Jesus Christ is coming back for His church; Christ will return to the Earth to right wrongs and bring justice. In today's message, Pastor Greg Laurie speaks about the return of Christ, end-time events, and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Sunday, June 7, 2015 — 8:00 a.m.

The second coming of Christ is a physical coming.

Acts 1:11 NKJV

[11] who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

Jesus is coming back to judge the world in righteousness.

Armageddon is the final battle in mankind. It is in the valley of Megiddo.

The antichrist will be there.

Revelation 12:3 NKJV

[3] And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.

People do horrible things because there is a devil that leads people to do these horrific acts.

Revelation 16:14 NKJV

[14] For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Revelation 9:16 NKJV

[16] Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.

Is China the kings of the East? They are the only ones that currently are big enough to field an army of 200 million.

Revelation 14:6 NKJV

[6] Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth-to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-

Revelation 7:9 NKJV

[9] After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

Revelation 11:1 NKJV

[1] Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.

God will always have the last word.

Revelation 19:11-14 NKJV

[11] Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. [12] His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. [13] He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. [14] And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

The Second Coming will be:

1. It will be public and seen by all.

2. His return will be accompanied by sadness and weeping.

The Jews will realize that Jesus is God.

Rapture comes before judgement, Second coming comes with judgement.

Feeling alone? Matthew 28:20 NKJV

[20] teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

[5] Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Afraid of death? Revelation 1:17-18 NKJV

[17] And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. [18] I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

God is in control.

Living under a load of guilt? 1 John 1:9 NKJV

[9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The description of Jesus:

Revelation 19:11-13 NKJV

[11] Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. [12] His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. [13] He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

1. His eyes.

Like a flame of fire.

Looking at a sinful humanity.

Hebrews 4:13 NKJV

[13] And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

2. His head

Many crowns.

3. His robe.

Splattered in blood.

Revelation 19:14 NKJV

[14] And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

Colossians 3:4 NKJV

[4] When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Not everyone is called as an evangelist, but we are all to evangelize.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 NKJV

[4] But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

Am I getting the gospel out?

Do your giving while your living so that you are knowing where it's going.

God seeks faithfulness from us, not success.

Three things we can use for God's glory. Time, talent and treasure.

Four Words That Can Change Your Marriage

Notes: Four Words That Can Change Your Marriage
Ephesians 5
1 Corinthians 13
Pastor Greg Laurie
SERIES: Live, Love, Fight
Communion Service
Thursday, June 4, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

Why do smoke alarms always go off in the middle of the night to change the battery? Do we even listen to the alarms anymore?

There are many marriages that are riding on fumes today.

We need to continually work on our marriages.

Marriage requires that we apply effort.

People can't believe that marriages can last for over forty years now.

The evening of the marriage is determined by the work done in the morning of it.

A strong marriage is the result of obedience to the Word of God.

Focus on the work you need to do to your marriage, not what your spouse needs to do.

God said to leave and cleave.

1. Leave all other relationships.

You have your old relationships, they just aren't as important as your marriage is.

Lay this foundation right, get it right. You may have to remodel but it is worth it!

There is hope for every hurting marriage.

Victory is not won by evacuation.

Four words that will change your marriage:

Ephesians 5:25 NKJV
[25] Husbands, love your wives...

Ephesians 5:25-33 NKJV
[25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, [26] that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, [27] that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. [28] So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. [29] For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. [30] For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. [31] "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." [32] This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. [33] Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Four times in eight verses we are simply told to love our wives.