The Greatest Story Ever Told!

Notes: The Greatest Story Ever Told!

Luke 2

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

MUSICAL GUEST:

Phil Wickham

Sunday, December 20, 2015 — 8:00 a.m.

57% of those that don’t go to church on Christmas surveyed said they would go on Christmas if someone invited them.

So many people focus on Christmas so much that they forget about who we are actually celebrating. While celebrating Christmas we can forget about Christ.

One time when Jesus was a child his parents lost him by leaving him in Jerusalem.

Even when we forget about Jesus, he never forgets about us.

1      When did Jesus come?

a      He came at the perfect time.

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

b      The Jews had not heard from God in 400 years. 

2      The Christmas story is a real story that happened in real time. The Christmas story starts in Heaven and is played out on Earth.

Nazareth was know as a wicked place in the time of Jesus. It would have been like being born in Las Vegas or West Hollywood or somewhere you would never expect.

Luke 1:28-30 NKJV And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."

The God that flung planets into space, made himself small and came to earth as a baby.

Just as surely that God chose Mary to be the mother, Joseph was chosen by God to be the father. The angel appeared to Joseph and said, you will call his name Jesus. He would save the people from their sins.

Matthew 1:23 NKJV “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Luke 2:1-7 NKJV And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Augustus and Quirinius were mentioned to really dial the time down so we know the specific time Jesus was born. Caesar Augustus was calling himself a god, ruling over the people. This passage was letting the people know that the only true God was coming.

Jesus went form being sovereign to being a servant, from the glory of Heaven to a stable for animals.

Jesus didn’t spend his life climbing the ladder, he spent his life going down the ladder to us.

Would you be willing to give up your humanity to become an insect to communicate with the insects? God left the glory of Heaven to become one of us.

Proverbs 21:1 NKJV The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

Caesar Augustus had to decree that all the world be taxed, just so that Mary and Joseph could get to Bethlehem. 

History swings on the hinge of the door of a stable in Bethlehem

2. Where did Jesus come?

            At an inn in Bethlehem

God comes to us in unexpected ways: To Moses in a burning bush, to the wise men through a star...the inn keeper wouldn't let them through the door.

Isn’t it true so many of us are just too busy to have Jesus in our lives. 

Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

These are Jesus’ words to stressed out people. Are you stressed out?

Go to Christ and learn how to take a real rest.

One of the hardest times of the year for people who have lost loved ones is Christmas. When you are mourning, don’t fight it, just cry.

Pray for those that have lost loved ones, particularly the ones who have lost loved ones recently during this holiday season.

The manger was not a nice place for Jesus to be born. He sacrificed to be with us. Jesus took a leap down to be with us. Deity in diapers.

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Shepherds were the first ones told about Jesus, they were the nobodies back then, yet Jesus went to them. God loves ordinary people.

3. Why did Jesus come on that first Christmas?

To die an agonizing death to ransom us from an eternal death sentence.

The shadow of the cross laid over the birth scene.

The real Christmas tree was a cross covered in blood. That is why the color of Christmas is red.

Jesus was born to die so that we might live.

Sin Kills, Hell is Real, God Can Save You and Jesus is the Passport

Notes: Happy Christmas!
SPEAKER:
Joni Eareckson Tata
WORSHIP TEAM:
Harvest Worship Band
Welcome to Harvest!
Thursday, December 17, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

God permits what he hates to grow what he loves.

Joni thinks God is using people with disabilities to wake up the church.

God isn't abandoning those with disabilities, He is speaking through them.

Some say happiness depends on what happens and Joy does not depend on what happens. Joni doesn't believe that, she thinks the Bible uses them interchangeably.

Joni says she is the happiest person you will ever meet. Even though she is a quadriplegic.

Jesus had to "break the bread" before he blessed it. Joni feels like she was broken before she was blessed.

She has been in a wheelchair for over 48 years.

Often, unfortunate circumstances have the biggest part of the key to the blessings in our lives.

Joni wakes up every morning needing Jesus Christ.

She says she can't do this thing called life, but God can.

James 4:6 NKJV
[6] But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

God resist the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

God always seems bigger to those that need him most.

Matthew 1:23 NKJV
[23] "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

God participates in our pain. The greatest display in Gods power is in our human weakness.

The Lord Jesus was the most God Forsaken man to have ever lived.

There is no circumstance that can ever touch you that has not gone past God. If it has gone that far, then it was sent with great purpose.

Hope for most people is hoping that things will get better.

Jesus Christ is the blessed hope.

In the end Jesus is the only one that will make everything okay. If it's not okay, then it's not the end.

The real hope tree was on the hill of Calvary.

Why doesn't God do away with evil? If God was to get rid of all suffering, then he would have to eliminate all sin, and to eliminate sin, he would have to wipe out all sinners.

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.

God is being terrifyingly patient with evil.

What would you trade for your soul... The whole world isn't valuable enough to trade.

2 Corinthians 6:10 NKJV
[10] as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Isaiah 25:8 NKJV
[8] He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken.

Compared to Heaven, all of our hardships will be worth it.

Jesus is the only human being ever born to die for you.

Sin kills, hell is real, God can save you and Jesus is the passport.




 

Empty Yourself of Self

Notes:  Empty Yourself of Self

Valor Men’s Study

Pastor Raul Ries

Matthew 1

Dec 15, 2015

Harvest OC

The word of God can transform your life. When we see people not being transformed, yet they are hearing the word of God, we start to wonder what is happening in them.

In Matthew 1 we see imperfect are in the lineage of the Lord.

Matthew 1:18 NKJV

[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 7:14 NKJV

[14] Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

When we think of sin, have we really come to that point in life where we have been taken out of the world and start living in the Spirit?

Jesus came and died for the sins of the world.

Pastor Raul has been having seizures for the last eight years. It has been a real thorn in his side.

He asks the Lord, why does he have the seizures? He hears the Lord tell him that His grace is sufficient.

Matthew 1:18 NKJV

[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

When you think of the Holy Spirit, he thinks of how it brings peace to his life.

He thinks of what Mary would have had to have thought. That she was carrying a baby, what could have happened to her, she could have been stoned.

Think of the Grace of God in your life, all of the things that God has given you.

Jesus will not only lead you and guide you, but will bring comfort in your life.

Matthew 1:21-22 NKJV

[21] And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." [22] So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:

Salvation is the gift of God. The grace that was given to you. God wants to use you.

Ephesians 2:4 NKJV

[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

When we love each other the first thing we need to do is to forgive each other.

If the grace of God is working in your life is what others are looking at.

The grace of God is how we are saved and the grace of God is what is our witness.

How many have you influenced with your life? Do people even know you are a Christian?

Grace will give you peace that surpasses all understanding.

Romans 5:8 NKJV

[8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

If Christ died for me then I need to learn how to die to myself.

When you come to church, pray that you leave with the love of Christ showing in your life.

Titus 3:5-7 NKJV

[5] not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, [6] whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

You need to ask for forgiveness for all the things you have done against others.

Christ not only changes you, but he continues to change you as you continue to submit.

If you are having problems with you life, wife, drugs or alcohol or whatever. Remember that forgiveness comes as you continue to submit to the Lord.

God is the one who is worthy of all of the glory.

Acts 4:12 NKJV

[12] Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

1 Corinthians 1:18 NKJV

[18] For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Recognize that Jesus not only died, but he went through pain for you so that you can gain.

Do you still look to the cross of Jesus Christ?

There is no one else that can bring comfort to your life.

Strip yourself of self so that others can see the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.

If the devil comes trying to condemn you, don't listen to him.

Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV

[9] "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

Pray that God takes away all of your pride, pride is a horrible thing.

God knows us and gives us the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Pray to empty yourself of self so that you can be filled with the Holy Spirit.

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!