Things to Do Before the End of the World

Notes:Things to Do before the End of the World

Luke 12

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: God Came Near

Sunday, July 5, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Christians should be shining lights in a dark place, and should be anxiously awaiting the return of Jesus Christ. In today's message, Pastor Greg Laurie teaches about the coming return of Christ and the Christian's responsibility to always be prepared for His return.

What If Jesus Christ was coming back at 3pm tomorrow? Not that we will ever know.

We should live everyday as though He was coming back today.

There are 260 chapters in the New Testament and 318 verses referencing Jesus' return.

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

[9] The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

The Lord is waiting for that last believer to come.

2 Peter 3:10-11,14 NKJV

[10] But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. [11] Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, [14] Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

What kind of people should we be? We are to live holy and Godly lives and make every effort to live spotless and blameless life for Him.

Luke 12:35-48 NLT

[35] "Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, [36] as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. [37] The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! [38] He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready. [39] "Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. [40] You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected." [41] Peter asked, "Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?" [42] And the Lord replied, "A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. [43] If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. [44] I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. [45] But what if the servant thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while,' and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? [46] The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. [47] "And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. [48] But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.

Jesus is using a first century wedding as the back drop for this illustration.

What things we should be doing as we are waiting.

1. We should be shining lights in a dark place.

We should be ready to go.

Let us be known more for what we are for than what we are against.

Luke 12:38 NLT

[38] He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.

Jesus may come later than expected but he will come.

Don't give up praying, God has timing and His timing is perfect.

John 11:5-6 NLT

[5] So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, [6] he stayed where he was for the next two days.

John 11:21-23 NLT

[21] Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. [22] But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask." [23] Jesus told her, "Your brother will rise again."

Ephesians 3:20 NLT

[20] Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

When your only hope is God...that is not a bad place to be!

2. We are to be watching for Him.

Looking for the signs of the times.

3. We are to be ready to go.

To be ready for His return, is to be engaged in activities that you wouldn't be ashamed of if Jesus were to show up.

4. We should be anxiously waiting His return.

Kind of like a loved one coming to visit after a long time.

5. We are to be working.

Luke 12:43 NLT

[43] If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.

If watching is the evidence of faith, then working is the action of faith.

It is a very blessed thing to be blessed as you are anticipating the return of Christ.

Luke 12:45-46 NLT

[45] But what if the servant thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while,' and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? [46] The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.

This is a description of someone that is not ready for God's return.

The church is the easiest place to get a hardened heart. The message that can transform one heart can harden another.

Parents should continue to bring children to church.

Hebrews 3:12-13 NLT

[12] Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. [13] You must warn each other every day, while it is still "today," so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

It's a warning that you should come with an open heart.

There are people who claim to be Christians and do all kinds of crazy things.

Alcohol can bring additional devastation to your life.

Jesus specifically told us to remember Him at the Communion table.

We remember His suffering, His sacrifice and His love for us.

1 Corinthians 11:27-29 NLT

[27] So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. [28] That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. [29] For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself.

Communion is for Christians only.

Have you made your peace with God?

What You Don't Know Will Hurt You

Notes: What You Don't Know Will Hurt You

Ephesians 6:10–18

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: Live, Love, Fight

Thursday, July 2, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

The spiritual battle you face started when you were born and intensified on the day of your conversion to be a Christian.

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.

Mike Tyson said everyone is a fighter until they get hit. Greg likes that.

Sometimes it seems the enemy is in every direction you look.

The devil brings havoc because he knows that Jesus is coming back.

Matthew 8:29 NKJV

[29] And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?"

The devil knows his time is coming and Jesus is victorious over him.

Cultural Christianity is dead. There are some good things and bad things that will come from that.

Do three things. Wake up, sober up and suit up.

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.

1 John 4:4 NKJV

[4] You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

The first thing we need to know to win a battle is to know our opponent.

To be forewarned is to be for armed.

2 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV

[11] lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

The devil is like a snake. You give him an inch; and he will get out of his cage.

Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [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. [14] Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; [18] praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-

1. We need to stand in god's strength, not our own.

Ephesians 6:10 NKJV

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

You are not strong enough to fight the devil on your own.

You fight from victory in Christ, not for victory.

Jude 1:9 NKJV

[9] Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

Even an Archangel calls on God.

Psalm 91:1-2 NKJV

[1] He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."

2. We need to put on the whole armor of God.

You put on the armor, once and for all!

You never get to go on spiritual vacation from the devil; you are always under spiritual attack.

Studies show if you don't go to church for a month then you won't go for more than a year.

God has given us all the armor. It's up to you to put it on!

Proverbs 16:18 NKJV

[18] Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Even Abraham, a great man of faith, had lapses in faith.

Is there an area of your life you think you might not fall in? Be careful.

1. The utility belt of enlightenment.

Readiness comes by girding your waist with truth.

Luke 12:35 NKJV

[35] "Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;

"Gassed up and ready to go!"

You got to have your belt on, or everything can fall off.

We need a good working knowledge of scripture.

Let's not just feel, but think.

Psalm 51:6 NKJV

[6] Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

Live a sincere, honest life.

2 Timothy 2:4 NKJV

[4] No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

We are soldiers in a battle.

Duplicity and hypocrisy weakens any witness we have to a watching world.

All parents owe their children an apology at some time.

We must refute the devil with God’s word.

2. The breastplate of righteousness.

It's like wearing a bulletproof vest.

We are always on duty as Christians.

What is the breastplate of righteousness?

It is the righteousness given to us by Jesus.

Philippians 3:9 NKJV

[9] and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

This is based on what Jesus has done for you.

The devil accuses and condemns.

Guilt is not always a bad thing. Sometimes its like pain, it gets your attention to not do something, or pull back from more pain.

Satan will try to drag you away from the cross and God will always lead you back to the cross.

Satan will say you aren't worthy because of a sin. We were never worthy.

Ephesians 1:5 NKJV

[5] having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

That is imputed righteousness.

Then there is practical righteousness.

2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV

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

You want to do what is right because of the love God has for us.

Psalm 1:1-3 NKJV

[1] Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; [2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. [3] He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither;And whatever he does shall prosper.

The man of Psalm does something's and does not do something's.

There are certain things we should do and certain things we should not do.

Like a good diet, we have to pay attention to what we do and don't do.

Guilt is just a symptom; it is sin that is the problem.

Jesus Christ can forgive you and turn you into a new person!

Stand Your Ground!

Notes: Stand Your Ground!

Ephesians 6:10–13

Pastor Greg Laurie

Sunday, June 28, 2015 — 12:00 p.m.

Our country needs prayer, and our church is under attack. However, God is still on the throne and the mission of the church has not changed. In today's message, Pastor Greg Laurie addresses the recent Supreme Court decision, urges Christians to stand their ground, and stresses the importance of prayer.

The church is under attack all over the world, believers killed inside churches in America and mass killings in the Middle East.

2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV

[12] Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Traditional values are being challenged, but more importantly Biblical truths are being challenged.

God created marriage, he invented it, and it was His idea.

The first marriage was by God.

Mark 10:6-9 NKJV

[6] But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.' [7] 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, [8] and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. [9] Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

Malachi 2:15 NKJV

[15] But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.

God expects Godly children from a Godly marriage.

If things aren't done God's way, then things can't expect to workout.

As things seem to fall apart, then we need to recognize they are coming together as the Bible has described.

1. Don't panic! God is still on the throne.

God and faith often appear to thrive in times of attack.

Genesis 50:20 NKJV

[20] 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.

The church out lives, out prays, and out loves the non-believer.

Keep calm and carry on!

2. Romans 8:28 is still in the Bible!

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.

Psalm 119:91 NKJV

[91] They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants.

Psalm 76:10 NKJV

[10] Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself.

3. We need to show this culture what a Biblical marriage looks like.

Your marriage should be a great witness to nonbelievers.

We don't need to worry about others redefining marriage. We need to worry about showing God’s love in our marriage.

4. We need to show the love of Christ to everyone!

We need to love everyone, no matter where they are in life.

Matthew 7:1 NKJV

[1] "Judge not, that you be not judged

1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV

[13] And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

We don't have to except everyone’s decisions, but we are to love everyone.

Proverbs 27:5-6 NKJV

[5] Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed. [6] Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

5. We need to engage all people with the Gospel.

It doesn't matter if you are gay, straight, drunk, sober, mean or nice, God can work in your life.

Greg is reading us a letter from a woman who wrote him about living her life as a man. She is a born again Christian now and thankful and saved.

6. We need to pray!

For our church, each other and our country.

We are a church moving forward, we need to reach out and we need to pray.

War has been declared on us by the devil.

It started at your birth and intensified on the day of your conversion.

Conversion has made our hearts a battlefield.

The devil won't waste his time on someone who is not a threat to his kingdom.

Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [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.

We need to arm ourselves.

Wiles means method. Like stalking pray with a methodology.

It's not a sin to be tempted. You must reject the temptation.

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.

There is always a way out!

Sometimes and usually the simplest solution is the best one.

Genesis 39:12 NKJV

[12] that she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.

Flee youthful lust.

Satan doesn't want you to know that Satan was defeated at the Cross.

Colossians 2:14-15 NKJV

[14] having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. [15] Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

We are not fighting for victory; we are fighting from God’s victory.