Jesus' Words to Last Days Believers

Notes: Jesus' Words to Last Days Believers

Revelation 3

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

Book of Revelation

Thursday, March 17, 2016 — 7:00 p.m.

Some people like to be sick, always wanting an excuse to see the doctor.

Other people won't go to the doctor for any reason.  

Here in Revelation 3 is a letter to a sick and dying church.

Leaving your first love is a typical step in returning to your old ways.

Revelation 3:1-6 NLT

[1] "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: "I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive-but you are dead. [2] Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. [3] Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don't wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. [4] "Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. [5] All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine. [6] "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

This is a letter to a dead church. Jesus knew their works.

Jesus could see their problems while others didn't.

Revelation 3:2 NLT

[2] Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.

We are on the planet for the glorification of God, Edification of the Saints, and  Evangelism to the world.

Upward. Inward. Outward.

The power of Samson was provided by the Lord.

Judges 16:20 NLT

[20] Then she cried out, "Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!" When he woke up, he thought, "I will do as before and shake myself free." But he didn't realize the LORD had left him.

Sometimes we are the last to know about our conditions.

We can dutifully take notes on messages and know our bible quite well. But be spiritually dead or dying.

Signs of a dying church:

1. A dead church worships its past.

2. A dead church is inflexible and resistant to change.

3. A dead church has lazy leadership.

4. A dead church neglects youth.

5. A dead church lacks evangelistic passion.

What Jesus is saying to the Church is that they need the power of the Holy Spirit!

We all need to stay filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' prescription for spiritual renewal:

1. Wake up

2. Strengthen the things that remain.

3. Be watching for the return of Jesus Christ.

We need to live every day as if it is the day that Jesus is coming!

The return of Jesus is always looked at in two ways, either joy or fear:

Malachi 4:1-2 NLT

[1] The LORD of Heaven's Armies says, "The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed-roots, branches, and all. [2] "But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

1 John 2:28 NLT

[28] And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

Your reaction to the return of Jesus is like a spiritual barometer.

Revelation 3:5 NLT

[5] All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.

Jesus has many books...is your name in the Book of Life?

Luke 10:20 NLT

[20] But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven."

The believer who walks with God should never fear for their salvation.

Jesus promises to stand up for you in Heaven. Will you stand up for Jesus on earth?

Often times, not "confessing him" is a way of denying Him.

Revelation 3:7-12 NLT

[7] "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open: [8] "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. [9] Look, I will force those who belong to Satan's synagogue-those liars who say they are Jews but are not-to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love. [10] "Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. [11] I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. [12] All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God-the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name."

1. Jesus has given us an unprecedented open door.

2 Corinthians 2:12 NLT

[12] When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.

"Open door" is an opportunity to serve Jesus.

We should pray for open doors in our lives.

Colossians 4:3-4 NLT

[3] Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. [4] Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

In our world right now is the best of times and the worst of times.

Harvest America was a best of times scenario. The division of our country shows the worst of times.

Do you have a dream that has not happened yet? Some dreams are to be shared and sometimes it's best to keep dreams to yourself. The Lord can give you those dreams as a glimpse of your future.

When God opens a door, no man can shut it.

God may open a door for you, but you have to walk through it.

2. God has given us enough strength to do what He has called us to do.

Sometimes weakness may be more of an asset than a liability...because in our weakness we become more dependent upon Him!

3. They were keeping His word and not denying his name.

Revelation 3:8 NLT

[8] "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.

We are to take in the Word of God and then to give it out and repeat the process again and again. Don't hoard the Word of God.

We need to keep being refilled with the Holy Spirit!

Rags to Riches

Notes: Rags to Riches

Romans 5

SPEAKER:

Jeff Lasseigne

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Becoming a Christian represents the ultimate 'Rags to Riches' story; a person moves from spiritual poverty to spiritual wealth when the receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In today's message, Pastor Jeff Lasseigne speaks on the spiritual riches that a Christian possesses because of Christ's love.

Sunday, March 13, 2016 — 10:00 a.m.

A lot of people in life today miss the point.

Many got the point last week at Harvest America. It is a real rags to riches story for us.

Cinderella is the most common rags to riches story we know. That doesn't touch what we experience in the riches Christ gives us.

Romans 5:1-11 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. [3] And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; [4] and perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. [6] For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. [10] For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. [11] And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

5 points from Romans 5:

1. Eternal Peace

Romans 5:1 NKJV

[1] Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

This is the "Therefore" of justification, the peace with God

The peace of God is different, that is Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

[6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Every unsaved person is not at peace  with God; even further, the unsaved person is the enemy of God.

We are either for God or we are against God.

There is no such thing as a spiritually neutral person, it's not even an option that is given to us.

Someone has to pay for your sin. Either you do, or you take the payment that Jesus has paid for you on the cross.

Colossians 1:21 NKJV

[21] And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

James 4:4 NKJV

[4] Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

As a Christian we have been reconciled with God, He died for us even as sinners.

2. Eternal Access

Romans 5:2 NKJV

[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 now have access to Christ. Before the tearing of the veil, that was not the case.

Your prayers will immediately take you into the presence of God.

3. Eternal Hope

Romans 5:3-5 NKJV

[3] And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; [4] and perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

We can rejoice because of our eternal perspective.

Romans 8:18 NKJV

[18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

The hope we have will never disappoint us.

Mother Teresa stated that the spiritual poverty in the western world was much greater then the physical poverty she was helping with in the east.

At first glance the suffering and abuse of Christ is a terrible thing. Yet if it wasn't for that event, we wouldn't have the hope that we have today.

If we were never sick a day in our lives, God is good. If we were sick every day, God is good.

4. Eternal Love

Romans 5:6-10 NKJV

[6] For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. [10] For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Our sins were transferred to Jesus on the Cross. On the Cross, Jesus' righteousness was transferred onto us.

Jesus took our punishment upon himself while we were still His enemies.

5. Eternal Joy

Romans 5:11 NKJV

[11] And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Joy might not be the most important part of our salvation, but it is the most beautiful.

Jesus was willing to go from riches to rags for our salvation.

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV

[9] 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.

Are you a child of God or is your sin still separating you from God?

Jesus Style Evangelism

Notes: Evangelism, "Jesus Style"

John 4

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

Sunday, February 28, 2016 — 10:00 a.m.

Every place has its own style, like Hawaiian Style.

Jesus said we should go into the whole world, but He didn't say the whole world would come to the church.

1. Who is to go into all the world and preach the Gospel? We are!

Matthew 28:19 NLT

[19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:15 NLT

[15] And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

For many, the Great Comission is really the great suggestion or really the great omission.

The sin of omission is not doing what you should be doing. The sin of commission is doing what you shouldn't be doing.

2. Where are we to preach the gospel? Everywhere!

We need to engage in FRANgelism... Friends, Relatives, Associates and Neighbors.

3. Why are we to preach the Gospel? God's primary way to reach people is by using other people.

1 Corinthians 1:21 NLT

[21] Since God in His wisdom saw to it that the world would never know Him through human wisdom, God has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.

Romans 10:14 NKJV

[14] How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

3. When are we to share the Gospel?

We share the Gospel all the time.

Pastor Greg is telling the story of when he evangelized while in the restroom.

2 Timothy 4:2 NLT

[2] Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

1 Peter 3:15 NLT

[15] Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

5. How do we share the Gospel? That is where it falls apart for many people. The answer is from Jesus Himself. It is showed in John 4 with the woman at the well.

Everyone's favorite subject appears to be themselves. The selfie picture is a testament to that.

Our objective is to build a bridge, not burn one. A stepping stone not a stumbling block.

Christ has not called us to isolate, He calls us to infiltrate and permeate. We are not to win the argument, we are to win a soul!

John 4:3-10 NLT

[3] So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. [4] He had to go through Samaria on the way. [5] Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. [6] Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. [7] Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." [8] He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. [9] The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?" [10] Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."

1. Sharing starts with caring.

Evangelism Jesus style, starts with a burden. Jesus needed to go through Samaria. 

Jews didn't go through Samaria, but Jesus still went. 

We are to go to all people, even to people we don't like very much. Just like Jonah.

There is no place for prejudice in the life of a believer. We are to share with all people.

2. We are to use tact. Skill and grace with dealing with others. You do not start telling them they are going to hell.  

Tact is the ability to make a point without making an enemy.

You must speak in a language that the nonbeliever understands.

You should engage people in a dialogue, it's not a monologue.

Many Christians don't seem to know how to use tact.

There is not a one way fits all approach to evangelism. We should all know and be able to convey the Gospel in less than three minutes.

John 4:28-29 NKJV

[28] The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, [29] "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"to 

A great example of tact...

Acts 8:29-38 NLT

[29] The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and walk along beside the carriage." [30] Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" [31] The man replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. [32] The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. [33] He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." [34] The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?" [35] So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. [36-37] As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?" [38] He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

One of the greatest tools we have in our evangelism tool box is our own personal testimony.

1. Don't glorify or exaggerate you past.

2. Never boast of what you gave up to follow Christ, boast of what Jesus did for you.

3. When you tell your story, always take them to His story.

Nonbelievers are looking for someone to show them the way. People have stated they would go to church if someone invited them.

Billy Graham said that in looking back, he would have preached more on the cross and the blood of Jesus Christ because that is where the power is. 

Look for open doors and opportunity. 

Some people are unnecessarily offensive. That burns bridges.

Chumming is a good way to go about it. Start a conversation don't force it. Jesus asked the woman for a drink of water. It showed a vulnerability.

I'm just one beggar telling another beggar where to find some food.

We can be in secondary subjects and missing the opportunities to lead people to Christ right in front of us.

The result of Jesus' conversation was that the lady believed and she went and told others.

Greg's mother reminds him of the woman at the well. She was raised in the church but seemed to reject the Lord. Greg talked to her about the Lord one month before she passed away. Greg gets to see her in Heaven again. We never know when the opportunity will arise, but we need to listen to the nudges from God.

There is joy in leading people to Christ, but there is also a responsibility to do it. 

None of us need a little religion, we all need a lot of Jesus.

Who are you needing to talk to now?

Watch Your Word

Notes: Watch Your Word

Matthew 12:36–37

SPEAKER:

Raul Ries

WORSHIP TEAM:

Citizens & Saints

Thursday, March 3, 2016 — 7:00 p.m.

We are called to be salt and light in this world. The world needs us today.

We are to be careful in what we are saying. There is only one sin that will not be forgiven, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 12:32-35 ESV

[32] And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. [33] "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. [35] The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

How many times a day do I watch what I say?

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV

[36] I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, [37] for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Most seem to skip over these verses. Do I want to feel convicted for everything that I say?

Do you start your days on your knees before God?

Ephesians 6:17-18 ESV

[17] and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

The power of speech is one of the most distinctive things of man over animal.

Do you seek first the Kingdom of God in your life?

Pastor Raul grew up in the house where his father cursed in front of him as a child. His father was abusive and Raul wanted to actually kill him as he got older. 

Raul forgave his father with the help of the Holy Spirit. Eventually his father came to the Lord as well.

We are to put on the whole armor of God. Satan will attack us in any little opening that we leave available to him.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

God works on us every day. There is no day He is not with us.

What if God grabbed your phone and looked at your text and emails?

We are to obey the orders of God. Yet Jesus gives us orders with the grace of God. Every day we are given a choice.

We are to build up people with our words, not tear them down.

Are the things you said to your spouse a shame? 

One day we will have to give an account of our words.

Are you bringing shame to yourself? You are also bringing shame to Jesus.

A real child of God will be convicted and make a change.

We are to be salt and light. The Bible says, " Be holy, for I am holy."

God has forgiven me of my sin.

Words are powerful. We must never underestimate the power of words.

We are to build up people, do not tear them down with your words.

Let's listen to Jesus' words, how do we do that? Reading His word, spending time speaking to Him.

Spend time alone with God and ask Him to speak to you. We need to spend time on our knees. Grab a piece of paper and the Bible and see what the Lord says to you while you are there.

The right words can build us up, we need to use Gods words.

Words go in through your ears but it ends up in your heart. Tonight you need to surrender. 

Natural Evangelism

Notes:  Natural Evangelism

SPEAKER:

J. John

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

February 25, 2016 — 7:00 p.m.

J. John says we are part of a global enterprise. That we, the church, take care of people from birth to death.

We are to seek and save the lost.

A missionary is not someone that crosses the sea, a missionary is someone that sees the cross.

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."

People are not Christians for two reasons, because they never met a Christian, or because they did meet a Christian.

Three things prayer helps us with:

1. Communicate our faith by praying.

When we pray, coincidences happen and when we don't they don't.

Try starting in the place of your greatest failure in evangelism, your family, friends and colleagues.

We need to cultivate the web of relationships that we already have.

Be intentional in prayers for those people you want to see come to know Christ.

J. John prays for a hour each day as he walks with his wife.

We have to pray! When we pray, things shift and change.

As a Christian where ever you are going you carry the presence of the Lord. 

2. Praying will always lead to caring.

We always have a little battle going on inside of us, if we should pray or not for others at any given time.

Our prayers don't have to be heard by others. He prayed for an atheist, "on the inside" not aloud just for him silently. He can't head butt the guy into heaven.

It seems to be easier for some to fly around the world to tell someone about Jesus then to tell their own neighbors.

Praying leads to caring, so pray for those around you. 

Sometimes evangelism starts out as an inconvenience in your current situation but ends up a blessing to you and others.

We live in a world of miracles and mystery but God is concerned about what concerns us.

People don't care about how much we know, until they know how much we care.

3. Sharing the Good News.

Our responsibility as Christians is to go into Gods orchard and check the fruit. When it is ripe, we need to go there and pick it.

Nonbelievers are every where. Just share with the people around you.

God is your friend, introduce Him to your other friends and family.

Every introduction to God is a link in the chain to bringing people to God.

We all need to help plant the seed of the Good News.

We are witnesses of our faith. We need to tell people simply what we know.

In God's eyes we never lose our value, no matter what we think.

Jesus bought us back so He could restore us and clean us.

What's God doing in your life?

Wherever you go, sow the seed.

Why are you a Christian? Because it's true.

Is Jesus in the driver's seat of your life? Are you a back seat driver? Do we need to reposition Jesus?

Is He F.I.R.S.T. in your life?

Finances

Interest

Relationships 

Schedules 

Troubles

Put God First.