Valor - Letters to Live By Introduction

Notes: Valor - Letters to Live by Introduction

September 22, 2015

Harvest OC

First night

Greg is challenging us all to come to every Valor Men's Study.

We will worship, then listen to a pastor teach and then break into small groups every Tuesday.

We are going through the epistles of Paul while in prison, plus Ephesians.

We are all called to be experts on the Bible, to strive to know the Word and their truths.

We are going to study the word and what that means to us, and how to live it out.

When we study we need to listen to how it speaks to us, it's not homework. We need to listen to how it leads us.

These books are written to guide us. Paul's words are written to liberate the people.

Jesus is the greatest liberator that has ever lived. He has freed us from sins and death.

Jesus will speak to us from the thrones of Heaven and in our hearts.

We will see how Jesus is the deity of God, and how He is a servant to man.

We will get to see a high view of Jesus. Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and 2 Timothy.

We have started this race tonight but we are called to finish our spiritual race well.

Some of us here are excited and grounded in the Lord; others are here in need and desperation.

God will meet all of our needs.

Fallen but Forgiven

Notes: Fallen, but Forgiven

Matthew 26

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: God Came Near

Sunday, September 20, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Have you ever fallen unexpectedly, the type where you don't catch yourself? Have you ever done that spiritually?

Today we are looking at how Simon Peter has fallen and recovered through Jesus. Jesus named him Peter, meaning "the Rock".

The past cannot be changed, but our response to it can be.

Matthew 26:31-35 NKJV

[31] Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' [32] But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." [33] Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." [34] Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." [35] Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples.

Luke 22:31-32 NKJV

[31] And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. [32] But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

The devil has his minions but he is not omnipresent. However, he did come after Peter specifically.

Whenever the devil comes knocking, you should let Jesus answer the door.

When God allows you to go through a fiery trial, He has a purpose.

God will not keep you in there longer than you need to be.

Romans 8:34 NKJV

[34] Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Why did Satan target Peter? Because Peter was a threat.

The devil will try to stop you from making a difference. That means that if you are doing good, you maybe thrown into a trial.

1. Peters first step down was self-confidence.

Matthew 26:33 NKJV

[33] Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble."

Never boast of your commitment to Christ, you can boast about how much Jesus loves you.

You are the disciple Jesus loves.

Peter not only boasted of his confidence, but he also contradicted what Jesus said.

Confidence always seems to happen right before you fall.

Pride goes before a fall.

2. Peter's second step down was a result of prayerlessness.

Matthew 26:41 NKJV

[41] Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Pride and prayerlessness go hand in hand.

Prayer is not just for petition, but for protection and preparation.

When you wake up in the middle of the night with worry, you pray about it and ask the Lord to worry about it.

Not praying could be a sin.

John 4:17 NKJV

[17] The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,'

3. Peter fell because he trusted in human efforts instead of Gods power.

Matthew 26:51-56 NKJV

[51] And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. [52] But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. [53] Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? [54] How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?" [55] In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. [56] But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

Our two secret weapons as a church: prayer and preaching.

Register and vote, be an influence for good.

We need to pray for America like never before!

The last miracle that Jesus did before the cross was covering a disciples blunder.

4. Peters fourth step down was following at a distance.

Matthew 26:58 NKJV

[58] But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest's courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.

Just like a lion attacks the herd animal that follows at a distance, Satan will also attack the stragglers.

Matthew 26:69-75 NKJV

[69] Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee." [70] But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are saying." [71] And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth." [72] But again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man!" [73] And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you." [74] Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. [75] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly.

Following at a distance Peter was cold, so he found fire in the enemy's camp. Peter was now in the wrong place with the wrong people, it was just a matter of time before Peter did the wrong thing.

He swore, not like using profanity, but an oath.

Matthew 26:74 NKJV

[74] Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.

Anybody can fall into sin, however, just like Peter, we can all be restored shortly after when we come to Jesus.

The Importance of God's Word in the Believer's Life

Notes: The Importance of God's Word in the Believer's Life

Psalm 19

Pastor Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

What Every Growing Christian Needs to Know

We will have communion during the service tonight.

Thursday, September 17, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

Why is that some people seem to grow more spiritually than others?

Some people say that they tried Christianity and it didn't work for them. That just isn't true, the Creator of the universe is not something that can be tried.

You have to keep getting into God's Word just as much as you need to eat or breathe.

If you want to be a growing Christian then you need to be in the word and participating in the church.

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.

Psalm 1:1-6 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. [4] The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. [5] Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. [6] For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

1. If you want to be a growing Christian, you must read, study and love the word of God.

Psalm 119:159-160 NKJV

[159] Consider how I love Your precepts; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness. [160] The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

2. You should read the Bible like your life depends on it.

Matthew 7:24-25 NKJV

[24] "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: [25] and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

A young believer is going to face doubt. It's one of the devil's oldest ploys. That's why they need to know God's word.

The Bible compares the Word of God to a sword.

Take fifteen minutes everyday to let God talk to you, fifteen minutes everyday to talk to God, fifteen minutes everyday to talk about God with someone.

56% of Americans believe the Bible is inherently Gods word. Yet only 19% read it.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

[16] All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

[12] For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of God is alive!

When we are in God's word it will speak to us.

A hungry Christian is a healthy Christian.

1 Peter 2:2 NKJV

[2] as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

Psalm 19:7-11 NKJV

[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; [8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; [9] The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. [10] More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. [11] Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.

1. The word of God, the Bible, is perfect.

Unlike everything else in this world.

You build your life on the perfect word of God.

Everything gets old, yet God's word never changes and is always relevant.

You don't and shouldn't take away or add to God's word.

Whatever anyone says needs to be scrubbed against the word of God.

2. The Word of God transforms us.

Psalm 19:7 NKJV

[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

God's word, will transform and revive you.

You must obey the Bible.

James 1:21-25 NKJV

[21] Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. [22] But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; [24] for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. [25] But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

The Bible can be your warning label, because it is!

You need to remember and memorize scripture.

You commit scripture to memory by exposure to it.

3. The word of God gives us incredible wisdom.

Psalm 19:7 NKJV

[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

You need to develop a Biblical world view.

Run things through the grid of scripture.

You can't just take God and conform it to your opinion.

Romans 9:20 NKJV

[20] But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?"

4. The word of God is right.

Psalm 19:8 NKJV

[8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

5. Keeping the word of God makes you happy

The Bible is not a cage trying to keep you in. It is the walls keeping predators out.

The Bible is true because it gave me the experience it promised.

The truths of scripture can be put to the test.