The Gift

Notes: The Gift

Matthew 2

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Welcome to Harvest Sunday Morning!

Sunday, December 13, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Christmas time is among us. What's the worst gift you ever received for Christmas?

Today we are talking about the The Gift of Christmas.

1. The Gift that God Gives to Us

The gift of salvation

Romans 6:23 NKJV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This gift will only grow in value. With the passing of time and age you see the value of it.

Justification:

Romans 5:1-2 NKJV

[1] Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

We get justification now.

Justify carries a two fold meaning. First it speaks to the forgiveness of our sin.

We should not choose to remember what God has chosen to forget. We don't know where God puts it...but it is gone.

The other side is the righteousness of God is put into one's account.

Acts 13:38-39 NKJV

[38] Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; [39] and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

If you are a true believer then you are a saint.

We are adopted into the family of Christ.

Galatians 4:4-5 NKJV

[4] But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

By adoption, God is not just saying come stand in awe of me. He is saying come close to me.

2 Corinthians 9:15 NKJV

[15] Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

The afterlife will be better than this life.

2. The Gift that we Give to God

We can say thank you. We should say thank you to any gift of any size.

Matthew 2:9-12 NKJV

[9] When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. [10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. [11] And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. [12] Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

They opened their treasures to God. In an act of worship, they brought their treasures, not their leftovers.

Conversions of the mind, the heart and then the wallet. The wallet is usually the last to be converted.

There is a fundamental connection between our spiritual life and our handling of money.

1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV

[20] For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

God promises to bless the person who gives.

Malachi 3:8-10 NKJV

[8] "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. [9] You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. [10] Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

Tithing is not where we end...it is where we start.

You will be a happier person if you are a giving person.

Proverbs 23:5 NKJV

[5] Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

Our wealth just goes away. Wealth leaves us...either while we live or when we die.

If you are giving while your living, then you are knowing where it's going.

What is the value of a soul? What is Heaven worth?

When we invest in ministry we are investing in souls.

We can't buy souls, but we can invest in souls.

3. The Gift We Give to Others

We can re-gift this one.

Christmas is a time of year that a lot of people experience depression.

10 Step Solution for Depression

1. Do something for someone else that has a greater need than you.

2 to 10. Repeat step 1

The "Givers High" is a term for people.

Proverbs 11:25 NKJV

[25] The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Psalm 126:6 NKJV

[6] He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.

The happiest Christians seem to be the evangelistic kind and the most unhappy ones seem to be knit-picky ones.

Jesus left heaven to bring you a gift. Have you received the gift of Jesus Christ?

Thankful

Notes: Thankful

Genesis 6

1 Corinthians 11

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Thursday, November 19, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

We are being attacked, the end times seem to be upon us.

The Muslim terrorist that we are seeing are getting worse and worse.

Russia is stepping in and they are, even more amazingly, partnering with Iran. The book of Ezekiel describes that relationship in the last days.

Matthew 24:37-39 NLT

[37] "When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. [38] In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. [39] People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

Jesus confirms there was Noah and a flood. He is also speaking of what will happen in the last days.

Genesis 6:5-7 NLT

[5] The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. [6] So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. [7] And the LORD said, "I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing-all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them."

The wickedness had reached the highest degree. Sometimes we wonder when wickedness is rampant, why won't God stop it.

Genesis 6:6 NLT

[6] So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.

Ezekiel 33:11 NLT

[11] As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?

Genesis 18:25 NLT

[25] Surely you wouldn't do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn't do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?"

Isn't God just to take action?

If we love someone isn't it normal that we hate the things that threaten them?

Genesis 6:8 NLT

[8] But Noah found favor with the LORD.

Noah was found by God like a rare gem.

The word grace is "Gods unmerited love"

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 NLT

[7] "The LORD did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! [8] Rather, it was simply that the LORD loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the LORD rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.

Embrace God's love for you.

Things a Last Days believer should do:

1. Noah walks with God.

Genesis 6:9 NLT

[9] This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.

What does it mean to walk with God?

Amos 3:3 NLT

[3] Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?

The objective to walk with someone is to keep pace with them.

2. Noah worked for God

Genesis 6:14 NLT

[14] "Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior.

Hebrews 11:7 NLT

[7] It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

3. Noah was a witness for God

2 Peter 2:5 NLT

[5] And God did not spare the ancient world-except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God's righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood.

Noah never had one concert.

God requires faithfulness not success.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 NLT

[6] I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. [7] It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow.

The door is open for people to believe.

God said "come into the ark" indicating that He was in the ark already waiting for Noah.

Philippians 1:6 NLT

[6] And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

God always finishes what He begins.

Genesis 8:20 NLT

[20] Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and there he sacrificed as burnt offerings the animals and birds that had been approved for that purpose.

4. Noah worshipped God

Hebrews 11:7 NLT

[7] It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

God remembered Noah and Noah remembered God.

Things you can do to show thanks to God:

1. Saying Grace over a meal

Matthew 15:35-36 NLT

[35] So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. [36] Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd.

Jesus Christ gave thanks before He had a meal.

God gave you everything that you have.

Deuteronomy 8:18 NLT

[18] Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

Jesus gave thanks before He raised Lazarus from the dead.

We too should thank God that He hears our prayers.

2. Faithful giving of our finances

Proverbs 3:9-10 NLT

[9] Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. [10] Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

Some will give everything to God except their checkbook.

There is great joy in giving!

3. Taking time each day for prayer and Bible study.

Psalm 5:3 NLT

[3] Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

You make time to go.

4. Giving thanks when things are hard.

Daniel 6:10 NLT

[10] But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

Daniel was in the habit of giving thanks to God.

We must give thanks because the Lord is good and He is working all things for good.

In everything give thanks.

1 Corinthians 11:23-25 NLT

[23] For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread [24] and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." [25] In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people-an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it."

Hebrews 12:12 NLT

[12] So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.

When Jesus went to the cross, he was thinking of you.

He died for you and He bled for you because He loves you!

The Power of God That It Is

Notes: Valor - The Power of God That It Is

Pastor Jason Powell

November 17, 2015

Ephesians 1

Harvest OC

Having something is a lot different than knowing how to use it.

When we have something and know how to use it makes a profound difference.

The Bible tells us that God provides us all that we need.

As believers we have an endlessness of riches that God has given us that we don't typically use to its full advantage.

The Ephesians are a growing healthy church that Paul is writing to. He helps open their eyes to see the riches they have been given in Christ.

There are a lot of affirming truths as we read the book of Ephesians.

Ephesians is all about us as believers. Paul wrote this while he was in prison.

Ephesians 3:1 NKJV

[1] For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles-

The earliest manuscripts did not have the name of Ephesians on it. Ephesians was added later, it was more like a circular that went around in the area when Paul wrote it.

Ephesians 1:15-16 NKJV

[15] Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, [16] do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

Paul is thinking, thanking and praying for them.

Ephesians 1:17-18 NKJV

[17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, [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,

Paul is praying that they will get supernatural wisdom from God.

2 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV

[6] For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Jason thinks of...

2 Kings 6:17 NKJV

[17] And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

This is the kind of enlightening that Paul wants us to see in our view of God.

1. The Hope that we have

2. The holiness we are given.

3. The heavenly power we are given.

Ephesians 1:18 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,

God has brought us from death to life.

Ephesians 1:14 NKJV

[14] who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

God chose you before the world started.

Revelation 17:8 NKJV

[8] The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Ephesians 1:6 NKJV

[6] to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:7-11 NKJV

[7] In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace [8] which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, [9] having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, [10] that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth-in Him. [11] In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

Ephesians 1:12 NKJV

[12] that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV

[13] In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, [14] who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

When you understand what God has done for you, it brings hope.

Philippians 1:6 NKJV

[6] being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

We have hope in knowing that God has called us. God is with me.

2. The Holiness that I am called to.

Ephesians 1:18 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,

God is bringing you into glory. We are the inheritance that God gets.

Why are we called to holiness? Don't you understand the amount of love that God has for you?

Ephesians 1:4 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,

When we understand that we get God at the end, it should change us completely.

3. The Heavenly power that belongs to me.

Ephesians 1:19 NKJV

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

We can rely on the power that God provides.

Ephesians 1:20-23 NKJV

[20] which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. [22] And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, [23] which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

The power of the Holy Spirit is working in you right now. You need to accept it as the power of God that it is.

The Surrender Project

Notes: The Surrender Project

Major Damon Friedman

November 10, 2015

Valor- Harvest OC

One out of every two marriages ends in divorce and the mother raises 80% of those kids.

Satan attacks the family and that destroys a nation. Satan will use whatever he can.

The smartphone is a very easy way for Satan to attack your kids.

Kids are revolting against their parents in even greater numbers.

Satan is using the Government now and our right to praise Jesus.

Jesus died for all of us past, present and future.

1. We are either part of the solution or the problem.

Psalm 144:1 NLT

[1] Praise the LORD, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle.

We are built in such a way as man for war. As God builds the man, He builds the family.

No matter how ugly it ever gets, there is always hope, God can do anything!

I want my God, my liberty, my country and one nation under God.

1. Declare war against the enemy.

Your either are going to take it to the enemy or get it brought to you.

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war. Defeated warriors lose first and then go to war and hope to win.

We need to know where the enemy is and who to bring the war to.

Is it an addiction, a group , an insecurity? Where do you need to be prepared to bring the battle?

Warriors are dependent and more powerful with their wives. Wives makes us stronger, we must take care of them.

You need to be proficient with your weapons.

The enemy with AK47s seem to fire for their weapons for the first time when soldiers show up.

Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT

[10] A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. [12] For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. [14] Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. [15] For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. [16] In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. [17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Putting on the whole armor of God is not easy, but it is all needed. The enemy is strong and knows what it takes to take you down.

Ephesians 6:10 NLT

[10] A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Paul knew without the power of God that he was weak. He needed to put  on the armor of God daily.

Acts 2:42 NLT

[42] All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer.

Those are the four food groups of spiritual warfare.

The Bible is the Word of God and it is your strongest weapon.

Jesus used the Word of God against satan.

If you don't understand the power of the Word of God then you will never get it.

The Word of God can do absolutely anything.

2. Prayer is a weakness we must work on.

Prayer literally moves mountains. We must use it and understand it.

Prayer is more powerful then any man made weapon.

Getting on your knees in prayer is a position of power.

A church that is united is a force to be reckoned with.

3. Fellowship and unity, not only helps defend you but your brother also. Together we are strong.

We are not alone, we are put together to build each other up.

4. Teaching

2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT

[9] The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war."

We only get one chance on this earth. We all think we are going to make it to tomorrow, but that is not always true for all of us.

You have to be vigilant. God call us to be vigilant from Genesis to Revelation.

Acts 17:6 NLT

[6] Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. "Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world," they shouted, "and now they are here disturbing our city, too.

These are regular guys that stand firm for the Lord.

Elijah was a man that was there for God. He called down fire from God.

James 5:17 NLT

[17] Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!

In 1 Kings, Elijah is watching these kings run the nation into the ground.

In a time of tyranny God raises up real warriors, are you one of them?

2. Real men answer the call.

Every person is given the weapons they need when they answer the call. God gives you what you need.

Elijah is protected by the Lord while he is doing what God calls him to do. God called him to take on the most powerful man in the nation.

My God can bring fire from the sky. The God of the universe is on my side.

You present Jesus for who Jesus is and God will do the rest.

Other religions can call on their God all they want. I know their God is not going to show up.

1 Kings 18:38-39 NLT

[38] Immediately the fire of the LORD flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! [39] And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, "The LORD-he is God! Yes, the LORD is God!"

If you have something destructive in your life, your need to take it out and kill it.

Acts 1:8 NLT

[8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

In the first century, only kings and emperors had power. These people didn't know what the power was that they were given.

They received Heavenly power.

People are still being freed every single day from the Heavenly power God has given us.

What are you willing to sacrifice to be a warrior for God?

Satan already has a plan to keep you from becoming a strong warrior. What is the idol he is using against you right now?

You must be honest with yourself. How long do you have on this earth?

We represent the King of kings. What are you doing with the mission you have been given?

Luke 10:18-20 NLT

[18] "Yes," he told them, "I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! [19] Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. [20] But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven."